Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-11-09

HIeS, anu nearer 10 the swamp, was Spreau
capaciouS tent, brightly lighted within, where
were congregnted the leaders in the move
ment; and thither Tepsired the most prominent
tories Of the surrounding country, TO pay their
respects to the notorious Tynes, to whom had
been allotted by the British generals, the task
of gathering force of his countrymen to as.
sist in prosecuting the war. Successful be.
yond his most sanguine anticipation.in inducing
a large number OF vicious and diSaffected 10
repair 10 his rendezvous, he did not despair o.
forming regiment sufficiently strong 10 over
awe the country and thus Recommend him.
self TO the favorable notice of The British com.
mander-in chief. He had prudently set out
sentnels on all the roads leading to the camp
who were to give the alarm in case of danger
while his rear was thought 10 be sufficiently
protected by a swamp OF some two miles in
width, painless and impossible, save to one
whom long habit had rendered familiar with
its intricacieS.
As Tynes stood in the door OF his tent and
looked down along the extended line of fires
around which were disposed the various groups
whom his activity had collected together, he
could not repress an exclamation Of delight
Some were seated on the ground engaged in
conversation, some were standings respect
full distance from the huge fires, many were
passing the bottle around in noisy hilanty,
Others were Strolling about singly or in groups,
while not few squatted upon the ground,
were engaged in the mysteries of old Sedge oil
poker, using some outSpread handkerchief, in
veIted bat, or fallen tree as table. Horrid
oathS and imprecations were heard on every
hand--Obscene jestS and rLald language, such
US is only heard when the most abandoned o
men are collected together in the purlieus o.
o drunken camp. After gazing upon his fol.
lowers for moment, TyneS turned back into
his tent where were gathered some ten OF
twelve individuals of a somewhat higher intel
lectual grade than the rabble without. Among
them was cur former Acquaintance Harrison,
dressed in the full uniform Of his rank, with
his sword buCkled on, and even his chapeau
upon his head.
As Tynes re-entered, Harrison rose, and
drawing forth his watch, exclaimed with an
oath:
alt is high time colonel, those rascals with
out had their supper, and so may as well
hang up the rebel Allscot at once"
"As you please, major" returned Tynesi
"but after hanging him. should not fancy
falling into the hands of Marion"
"Marion, be-p' replied Harrison. with
an oath. al have certain information that his
force is scattered, and he himself fed from
the Slate. No! believe me, we have the
game in our own hands, and may play ii out
as boldly as we please"
can say" observed Tynes in tone Of
Indifference, sis that shall not sleep SC
Soundly after this execution. However, take
your own course, but remember | wash my
hands clean of it,"
al have only deferred his execution until
now" observed Harrison, " in Il e hope that
Dora Singleton might fall into the trap hn6
laid for her, by coming TO intercede for his
life; but the messenger whom sent TO notify
her that would defer it no longer than seven
O'Clock, unless she appeared before that hour,
has returned with the news that she has not
been seen since yesterday morning, and the
family are in great alarm on her account and
unable to account for her unusual and pro-
tracted absence"
''IiaS disappeared since yesterday morning !
By heavens, like not that % exclaimed Tynes
with q fearful oath, starting FROM his seat,
while his cold cheek grew shade paler.
"There's mischief in the wind, Harrison"
"Pshaw TyneS, what an old woman you
have become" replied Harrison, with laugh.
"You will start at your own shadow next, if
you suffer the silly freak Of a girl thus 10 ter
rify you"
"I saw the devil in that woman's eye" an
swered Tynes gravely, "on yesterday morning
when we refused her petition TO spare the
life Of this rebel, and if my suspicious are not
altogether groundleSs, she will cause US some
trouble yet"
"The deuce take your fears and suspicious" !"
laughed Harrison, "and since she would moi
catch at the bait prepared for her, PIl even
swing this rebel up between heaven and earth
at once, and swear when meet her again il
was all from pure love to her. have every
thing in readiness and he shall have short
shift of it," ..a...
Thus speaking, he cooked his hat fercely,
and passing out at the door Of the tent turned
and made his way to The reag. where Michael,
securely bound, was kept under a guard of
some fifty ysolders, many Of whom were already
in state of partial intoxication. Momentari-
ly expecting to be called upon 10 march tbeir
prisoner off 10 execution, a horse had been
kept in waiting for Harrison.
"Hey, my boys have kept you waiting a
long time" exclaimed the brutal being rs he
appeared; "but we will now have the 5us-
ness over in trice and then 10 our supper
which has already delayed too long. Here,
pass this bottle among you and then to the gal
lows" ..
"Here's a short passage to yer, SQUIRE" said
one Of them, winking to Michael, as he raised
the bottle TO his lips.
"Luck and husband to the Gal YOU leave
behind YOU" said another winking alternately
to Michael and Harrison, as he gulped down
the vie poiation. .. .....
Although The prisoner felt that his hours
were numbered, the near approach Of death,
as terrible as II may seem 10 one in whose
veins the warm current flows healthfully,
could not check his rising indignation. He
cast upon his cruel tonnentets a glance Of
scorn, and only BY strong effort, represSed
the angry rebuSe That rose 10 bis lips, prompt
ed by the unmerciful insults ofthe brutal sol
die,s. 'H
"Tell the drummers and ffers to come for
ward, Castor, and strike up "Rogue's March"
as we go TO the galows tree, and drown
the hootings OF those noisy owls, that seem
shrieking out their adieus 10 this old
companion Of theirs, who has shared the
swamp with them SO long. Bymy faith they
are fitting companions for a rebel such as he."
Just at this moment, indeed, scarce more
than hundred yards from'the spot where they
stood. was heard from the oaks on the mar
gin of the swamp, one Of those long, wild un-
earthly cries, with which the owl sometimes
awakens the echoes Of the eswamp, making the
stranger 10 start back in terror at his wall
HiS crv was answered from the svvan,n and