Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-03-30

man or beast. Having been engaged in wars
with the Indians, he imbibed their habitual eau
ton. until he became an equal if not an over
match for them, in all their cunning and wood
craft.
He, too, carried an old, heavy looking rifle,
which seemed to have peculiar interest in his
ewes. And from long companionship, he enter
tanned kind of love for it, which was made evil
dent by the respect which he seemed to handle
it.
And you really saw band of Tories, on one
of their usual expeditions Of rapine and slaugh-
terg This was addressed to Joe Baker by his
companion.
yes Mr.. Singleton, seed 'em on the road
that leads by Joel Bunker's. They were NIGH
ty good humored some how or other, as if they
expected to have mighty good luck about some.
thing Reckon they come out to hunt the Fox
Wonder they didn't bring any dogs. Foxes are
cunning inirnals, and it amt every dog that can
come up with 'em, any how. The way the lea
der on 'em made the curses and oaths fly, is
warning to morality. felt main like sending
ball through his head, only for Captains
'spress orders
Did you take any notice Of their CONVERSE
tionY
why, not much, but they did seem as if they
were bent on catching somebody, and getting
big reward for 'em in Charleston
Tell me all about it,
well, you see was scoutin' along to see what
could find to tell Captain. You know he jist
got here last night and is at Oak Spring. wait
ing for Bill Thatcher to return from up the coun-
try, where he carried an old gentleman who was
mighty fraid of the Tories and wanted some
men to 'comapany him. 1t must ha' bin mighty
curious bsness he was about, or Captin wouldn't
ha' gin him so many men. Well, as Captin
told Bill to meet him at the Spring he is there
now, waiting for him, and sent me out to pick
up news. was goin along, jst alongside the
road, to keep from being too public, when l
heerd horses trampling. lodges behind tree
and looks up the road, and seed twenty or thir-
ty of them traitor Tories coming along, brag-
ging and talking as if on purpose to let every
body know they was coming They spoke of
taking somebody, don't know who, and chuck
led nightly to think they was about to git
somebody in their clutches. One said he meant
to git roaring drunk, as they were paid l
heard the Captin say she's deviish pretty, and
once mine, I'll make her bend, for all she was
so naughty awhile ago. yes says another,
leftenant, suppose, and you'll keep the father
to make her more plant Damme if don't
I'll That's all hecrd, and begun to think
he meant Col. Laurens, and his daughter, Miss
Ellen
DO you think answered Singleton, they
would dare touch hair of her head'
They'd dare do anything. l know 'em well.
Any body what would turn agn their country
wouldn't stop at numbering, or burning houses
either, if they could git money byit.'
by all that's true, they shall not I'll 60 this
minute to COL Laurens and inform him of his
danger, as understand he intends soon to visit
his friend Joel Bunker
Stop minute, Mr.. Harry, don't be in hur-
rv; You'll ruin all the fun. How would you
like to take 'cmT
How! what do you mean?
'Whv mean that we can and must take or
kill this whole band Do you suppose l came
all the way here, purpose to see you, for moth
ing? If you prevent them from taking the
Kernel, they might tack his house and set it
afre afore we could get men enough to stop 'em.
Don't be in such a hurry, and I'll explain
well, 60 on
You 90 to Captin and tell him all I've told
YOU You'll find him at Oak Spring. about one
mile, in a straight course in the swamp. Tell
him I'll come as soon as can, for the grass
shan't grow undermy heels. must 60 to look
for KurneI, and maybe can help him-jis look
what beautiful shot
Harry Singleton lifted his eyes from the
ground, where he had kept them during the
preceding dialogue, and followed the direction
indicated by his companions finger, and beheld
noble buck gazing steadily at them, at the
distance of about two hundred yards. 1t was
only for moment, for giving start, it bound
ed away and was soon out.of view 'Ef I'd
have been hunting them old nation would have
had her talk, before you could have hoped a
way that easy, old fellow And he stroked his
gun, which he called by the familiar name Of
old nation
well, Joe,' said Harry, we must be moving
it is no evening stroll from here to Oak Spring
Good bye, then, and l hope to see you agin
soon
They parted-each taking a different course.
CHAPTER II.
1t is to one of those noble southern mansions
that l will now take my reader. Col Laurens
was truly southern gentleman. Hospitable,
friendly, and, moreover, strong Whig None
were more willing to take up arms in their coun-
trys cause. He had already seen good deal of
| serv;ce both AGAINST the Tories and Indians and