The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-06-28

barring the door, and all spranS to their arms
u CHAPTER 1.-THE RESCUE.
Strange scenes will often follow an abrupt surprise
After a short but6ercc struggle, Mr.. Birch
succeeded in securing the savage who had ell
tered, and now the stubborns captive lay pant
ing on the floor. All was confusion among
the women and children; but in few mo-
mcnts, by Il little effort on the part Of the pas
tor quiet was restored.
The Indian captive wassplaced in safe
place, and measures were taken by the settlers
to render. their defence more sccnre. They
were wellSarmed, all having taken their wea-
pons to the church with them, and there was
store Of ammunition and provisions in a vault,
beneath the church.
The sayagcs after having been defeated in
their efforts TO enter the church had drawn off
to a short distance. OnIcga was much cha
grined al the failure, and was very active in
his cndeavors TO plan something that S~ould
effect his purpose.
Directly after the first assault, Mr. Birch
and his Son George. fnclad ofeightcen years,
had descended into the vault of, the church.
when Mr.. Birch removed a door, disclosing
dark passage.
George" said Mr.. Birch, "you know where
this leadsto-the Old oak by the creek. 1t is
but few rods, and when you get there, wait
till yon hear the crack OF Il rifle, and then raise
the sod under the large root, and when you
get out, run us fast as You can, and with AZ
little noise as possible till you get out of reach.
of the Indians, and then you know5what to do:
Now 60 George, and may God speed you, and
grant that you may he the instrument OF saving
all of our lives. Keep good courage"
eyes, father, wil!' said the noble boy,
aud pressing his fathers hand he entered the
passage.
iIr. Birch ascendcd to the church and step.
ping to the middle of the 70 ON said
:"Lster George is in the, passage below,
and we e'must do something to divert the atten,
tion Of the Indians from. the oak so That he
may get out and go to Edwin"
ave can fire Il voley. into them," said a
settler.
eyes, that would Le very good rlan," said
Nh Birch. "Lct Inc geta look through the
window" ..
"You had better take foop-hole, Mr. Birch
ar some OF the redskins will shoot. you" said
Mr.. Person, laying lis hand on Mrai'irch's
shoulder, he being about to mount a'bench to
look through Il window. o
"1hank you. Mr.. Picrson, forgot myself"
and Mr. Birch stood for 4 moment looking
through ON, of the loop.holes. There is an
Indian standing right by the oak;Sbnt all the
rest arc on the right Of it, and if we cen put
that one ont of the way, George can get
through; said Mr.. Birch, turning around to
the settlers who were awaiting the result Of his
scrutiny.
'Well leave that 10 mel" said a hardy
back-wnod$mau. when YOU fire a voley to
call the attem,iun of the othcr Indians, will fire
my voIIcy and call Ills ait"ntonr'
This was agreed to, aud at the moment Of
the simultaneous reports, the savage hy the oak
was seen TO fall without uttering cry, and
in>tantaneonSly George issued forth from the
passagc. and disappeared up the creek, with;
out being noticed b. the sav"ges.
The night came on. and the Indians now
Sci fire to the deserted dwellings of the set
tiers, who were obliged. to witness the destruc.
tiop of their property without the power TO
prevent it but the sharp crack of rifle ever
and anon, would tell lh.,t they were on the
watch, aud whelevcr a dusky form was seen
sufficiently exposed TO present fair mark, it
was sure to be instantly used is such, and
seldom dill the marksmau fail. The Indians,
too, had guns furnished them by tl!e British
agents, but they could not pe brought into use,
as the settlers were secure behind the heavy
walls of the church. sS
And where was Jenny Birch all ts time,
and what vas she Goinga At the first mo.
mcnt of the attack, she had, with wonderful
presence of mind, assisted in soothing the fears
of the females, and from that time till dark had
not taken moments rest. Most of the time
she was engaged in moulding bullets, prepar
ing refreshments for the hungry ones and doing
suudry other little matters for the convenience
ofall.
After the fears Of the women had some
what subsidized, ,l!ey&assisted Jcnncy in her
kind Office, ard when night came Oh all insis-
ted that she should take some rest. She yiel-
ded to their desires, bat s,cep visited her not
that night-nor were there aany in that little
castle it did visit.
Morning came and not an Indian was to
he seen--all had dispersed! The settlers were
somewhat surprised at this although the most
experienced backwoudsncn pronounced that
they were preparing for desperate struggle,
and that the settlers must be prepared for
them.
S;cmtincls were stationed, and meals were
served to the weary men. Preparations were
made for desperate defence. Each man s!iar-
pencd well his dirk knife, and L large quaint.
ty of bullets were moulded.
MI was quiet till eleven o'clock, and the set
tiers began to think the Indians had lcfttor
certain, Mhen the shrii war whoop ringing out
on the pure air gave warning that terrific
struggle was ut hand. Instantly, every man
was ut his post. In moment the Indians
rushed on the church, and wi,l,standing the