The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-22

A
reached the brige, Bill began to show
some signs of backing out, but Hugan
told him thatwould never do, and that
he must stand up and fight like man.
81 amt a .tcard to fight" said Bill, "but
I'm willing to make it uyrif John is"
That will never d." said Hugh,
"John is not going to make it up; so You
may as well agree to fight, or he called a
coward, just which YOU please"
81 told you Mt first that warn't ateard,"t
said Bill cndeavoring to screw up his
courage.
'lIavc YOU got your gun loaded,
lIughl" said Port.
"Not yet said Hugh, "but will have
in 4 short time"
Put two bullets in my gun, Hugh" !"
said Bill.
Very well, I'll fix it for you."
The boys had now everything ready,
except loading the guns, and rs it did not
take long to ram down charge of pow
der, that was soon done. While Port
andllugh were loading the guns, Bill ap-
peared to be engaged in prayer. Every
now and then n deep sigh would escape
his lips, and the tears would steal down
his checks, but when he would hear the
encouraging voice of Hugh, he would
brush away the tears, and for few min
ates appear reconcilcd; but when death,
! collins, graves, DC, were held up before
him, Inc would againc look melancholy,
felt little sorry for the poor fellow
but was determined to bear with it and
sec the fun. The boys had now finished
loading, and had again made their APP
pcarancc in the crowd.
Nov, Bill, which end Of the bridge do
you prefcr?" said Port.
al amt ready yct,' said Bill.
whats the matter now!' said Hugh,
almost choked with laughter.
"rm pcrfectld willing to drop it." said
Bill, in trembling tone.
"Oh, it will never do to drop it now,
after We have gone so far with it." said
Hugh, biting his lips to keep from laugh
ing.
81 don't think fighting will do any
good" said Bill, " and I'd jist as soon not
fight as to fight"
"llall Bill, you amt getting scared;
are you?" said Port, IS he handed John
the musket.
"No, l amt scared, but hain't got a
thing agin John and don't see the use
of fghtin' without We was fightin' for
somethin'," said Bill
1--WE are fighting for something" roarcd
John.
Now, You sec John is not going to
make it up, don't you :" said Hugh.
81 amt neither" said Bill, again en-
dcavoring to pick up spunk.
While Bill was in the notion, the boys
thought it best to place them at once at
proper distance and have it over. They
were soon ready for the word to be Civ
en-; but just as the question was put
"Are you ready?" Bill again roared out,
"Stop-wait! l amt ready yit-give a
fellow time!'
"What on earth is the matter now r'
said Hugh; 81 thought you were ready
long ago"
at amt worth while to be in sich
powerful hurry" said Bill.
"Ges, it is worth WHILE" said Hugh :;
1--WE have no time to loose it's getting
late"
After coaxing and begging for half an
hour or more, they got Bill once more in
the notion to fight. The seconds again
placed him at his stand, and called for the
word.
care you ready Z"
Bill made no answer, but stood trem-
bling as if he were shaken by an earth
quake.
"Arc you ready" was again asked in
p solemn tone.
Bill still said nothing, and the comman-
der proceeded
"Onc-"
"Stop-hold on-don't shoot! | amt
ready" stammcred Bill, frightened almost
to death.
"What sort OF a way is that to do I" de-
manded Hugh, in serious tone.
"lm gittn' sick" said Bill, taking seat
on the bridge.
"Comc, come! don't get frightened !!
stand up and defend Your honor"
81 tell you, amt scared" said Bill :;
'if fellow is a little sick, you think he's
afeard !"
It was some time before they got Bill
in "fghtn' humor" again; but the boys
were determined not to give it up, so they
spared no excrtion in cndeavoring to "brace
up his courage In the course of a half
hour, Bill was again in his place and the
question Vas again put
"Arc YOU ready 2"
"Y-e-s," drawled out Bill, in an under
tone.
"One two ="
"Wait !-don't!-stop!" roarcd Bill,
At the top Of his voice. 81 want to exam
inc my gun before | shoot"
81 can assure you that the gun is we'll
loaded. for loaded it myself" said Hugh
maybe it--it-hain't got any primin',"
suffered Bill.
"Pshaw 7" said Hugh.
OTt,e haet tn bo eo.Io;., ~ ,n.l mn