The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-11-23


in despair-for Il moment he determi
ned to address the wretch by name
but the impulse was mercilully
checked; and ere the temptation could
be repeated he was suddenly placed
in the middle of the room, and the
party formed a close circle around him.
The leader deliberately cooked his
pistol, and taking out his watch, said.
"oiicr up prayer, as YOU arc fond of
the business, you have tire minutes al
lowed you-when they pass, you die
a wild shrek Of agony rang through
the room as lie closed the brutal ad
dress, and by sudden movement Of
the circle the poor victim saw in a
corner Of the room his wretchcd wife,
on her knees, and holding up, as if
in appeal, his sleeping infant. She
had thrown around herself and her
babe large cloak, and following her
husband, had hitherto in silent horror
witnessed the whole scene. A mist
seemed to blind Mr.. P, as his
eye rested on hcr-a flintness to pass
over hn which might well be termed
the agony Of death. But he had a
dauntless spirit, and he rallied when
nc thought his enemy would triumph
IN his weakness. He looked steadily
upon him. as he said, Il know not why
or wherefore you are about to mur
der; but since am to die, if not
already prepared for the hour, as
surcdly it is not here that can
pray. Fire"
Tho wretch obcycd. fTc was n
perfect marksman; but either he was
embarrassed by the noble bearing of
his victim, or some slight move
ment eludcd his eye, for he did
not Kill. Mr.. P had invountari
" raised his left arm rs he spoke. and
the motion saved his life. The bu!-
let shattered his hand. and passing
through it grazed his temple. He
stood covered with blood; the sight of
this "certain mark of crime" soften
cd instantly those around him. The
scene had all passed in a moment, and
:rtil the fash of the. pistol, tl.ey per
fItps never drsamed lnsiF- n-s7 5s7Ss6.l.ord
meant more than to insult and ter
rify. They now fiercely protested a.
gainst further violence, and insisted
on being led to seek the booty he had
promised them. He su'lcnly sub
mittcd. Every part Of the house was
ransackcd, and all that was valuable
secured; and then, drcading lest an
alarm should reach some of his friends
in the ncighhorhood, they hastily re-
treated with th"r ''spoils from the reb.
BY that time Mr.. p had he.
come weak and faint from loss of
blood. lie had never moved, but
with stern comp"Sure stood and
supported his shattered hand until the
last Of the bard rode f,riuusly from
the door. Then he turned, and called
upon his wife. But she did not heed
him--hcr eyes were fixed with a
h"rrid glare; one hand was held up as
if {" shield them from some fearful
sight; her lips were apart, as if
struggling t" utter sound; tut
she uttered none, and her whole an.
pearancc would have served as Il
Pcrsonii!catiun of approaching mad
ness. Mr.. h tot,crcl towards
her, and sunk at Acr side.
"My wife, F" said he, ':rnusc Yourself
and aid me, for if you do not. must
die" And he held up his bleeding
hand.
The sight acted on her as he hoped.
She gazed slowh and ftarinlIy round
the room, as if to see that the murder
crs were gone; and then, with burst
oi mingled anguish and Joy, she threw
her arms around him and wcpL bitter
~. Mr. = permitted her tears
to flow in silence, and when with up,
lifted hands and eyes she had returned
thanks to II mtrci'ul God for his pre-
scrvation from II cruel death, she by
degrees became composed, and plac
ing her infant by his side, she went to
seek for aid in binding up his wound.
But not 4 domestic was to be found;
and believing that they had indeed all
deserted, she was endcavoring. weak
and trembling as she was, to dag a
matrass to the parlor, when Cyrus eau
tiously pecped in at the door. His
cabin was at some distance, ard he
told her on hearing the alarm, he had
Immediately run towards the dwelling,
but seeing it filled with armed men, and
terrified by her shrek, he had with.
drawn, and watched at distance until
he bchcld them departing, with many
OF his fellow servants in company
Then dreading lest they should seek
for him, he had actually concealed
himself in d ep dry ditch, so long
as he even heard the iaintcst sound Of
the retreating hoots. The faithful Gre
ature uttered thousand simple but
affecting expressions of sorrow and
pity for his wounded master, and bus.
led himself in arranging the matrass.