The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-08-09

L
smile, rs he raised his glass: Z" His
greatest majesty King George the
Third. Success to his banner where
ever it is spread"
Michael laid down his glass and
calmly regarded his host and his com
panIon, while they tossed aT the toas,
| gleefully.
Permit me now to give you Q
| toast" said he, raising his glass from
the board, while his eye flashed with
pride. George Washington, the
Continental Congress and American
Independence" f"
"That is IL toast to which a freeman
can drain his cup!''
! Little Bill Stoker, almost netriGcd
with astonishmcnt at the audacity of
our hero, looked from his companion
to Michael, and from Michael to his
companion, as though looking to
see the latter GEnihilate him for his
tcmerity. That individual, however
SO tar from fulfilling the anticipations
OF his subordinate, bit his lip with
modification, and with an irresolutc
air passed his hand over his beard vet
at the same time casting a sidc-lnne
glance at the corner OF the apartment
beyond Michael. where Il couple of
rifles were leaning against the wall
lie watchtul eye of our hero at once
detected the significancy of his glance.
But my friend" said his host
averting his eye from his fixed and
steady gaze, Ct Do understand that
you are not 4 friend to King George"
Michael's heart hogan to beat thick
anu fast. The name ofthat misguided
king had become odious and hateful
to every lover of his country, and our
hero, Of an impulsivc and ,yciicd
temperament, was not one to dssen,.
bic his sentiments, especially u5hna
such djsai'nnlation involved recanta-
t'otf- vi sisu3o political principles in the
maintenance Of which he would have
suffered martyrdom. Sooner would
he have torn his tongue from his mouth
than have given uttcrance to So dc.
grading and hypocritical an avowal as
that OF allegiance and respect for
king against whose power he had sworn
to do battle while the breath of life
WAS left h:in.
:; = friend to King Gcorgc!'' ic
exclaimed witE honest Indignation,
Nay, God forbid that should be the
tool of so odious and dipicablc a
tyrant. Look arovrd YOU. and ncr
lectcd fields, reincl homes, and Il vast
host ot bleeding 'niantyrs proclaim his
tyranny. No, | am foe to him and
to his government; and God grant
that his contemptiblc and bloody tools
may Meet viii. the fate tLey So richly
| merit"
" My good SIR answered his host,
you suffer yourself to speak too
freely. Such language mi ght not
prove agreeable to every company
into which chance might throw you"
" And what signifies that ?'' answer
cd Michael lbluntly. "Think you |
am knaye or poltroon enough to fall
in with tic humor of the hour, and
measure my language to suit the ears
OF traitors and cravens. On my soul,
! skall ever speak as / think, even if
/ stood before tic tyrs.st George him.
self"
" But have you no fear of the failure
of your rebellion" asked the other
reddening with irritation" no Visions
of halters in perspective to such Of
you as the sword may spare?'
4 Rebell;an, sir! do YOU tall, to nle
ofrebellion!" responded Michael, while
an angry flash began to burn upon his
check: and who are you who presume
to brand our holy resistance to tyran
ny with the name of rebcllion?"
| The eye of the tory-for suck he
Indeed was-quailcd before the firm
and angry glance Of Michael, and for a
moment he looked around ut his com
panlon, hesitating and doubtful as to
the manner in which he should reply
to TIE percmptory and mcnadiug Ian.
guage CT Michael.
" might we'll object to the tone
and manner in which you demand my
name," answered the other, shittiuS,
as ifc casually, his position. so as to
place himself between Michael and
that corner Of the apartment where
the firearms stood, "but since YOU
appear urgent for Il more intimate
acquaintance, know that my name is
Robert Harrison. Nay, you need not
introduce yourself" he continued,
observing our hero to sto:t at the
! emotion of his name, and wishing If
possible to intimdatc him by follow.
ing up ole surprise with another
you need nat 'ttatSOtuce yourself you
are already well IknowG ito his as Mi.
chacl Aisc"tt, the Eehal follower of a
rebel camp, now by q lueky chance
thEown into the hands OF those who
\ Will dcal with you ais u traitor!'
i Little Bill Stoker was overcome
with JOY at hhe surprise Which the
tory leader, Harrison, had prepared
for Michael, and seeming to anticipate
that he would fall upon his knees tc
plead for his lifo, in the extremity O.