The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-10-20

my share to you" st
ELLEN, as have already said, is yours
have brought her with me, that here re-
tired from the world, she may become your
bride. where all opposition would be vain,
for lave found her stubborn and perverse."
"Alfred Clendinning has caused this, but
ne shall rue having crossed my path," said
Magoffin, and gathered his eyebrows into a
determined frown; at that moment the dis
tant sound of firearms was heard. "IIark p
said he "by heavens It's the pistols of the
dragons .rr. ..--. ..'..s
"For Gods sake" said Pattison, abe eau
tons; these papers may ruin us /; confound
the chance that brought the rebels on the
hills at this time of mg ght-they're at it still!"
and the quick successive shots were distinct.
ly heard. ...... 49,.
Whilst all this was passing below, Ellen
had remained in deep anxiety of thought
in her chamber; the beauty of the night had
brought her to the window, and she hung
with delight on the scene before her the
moon was waning away, her full broad
disc had disappeared, and crescent of silver
light now hung over the valley; in the low
er portion Of this, dark trees and hills soon
broke the view, but above, the light rested
on the expanded water and showed an ex-
tent of clear land for some distance; here and
there the dark shadows of hills and trees were
visible, e,contrasting with the brightness around
and assuming grotesque forms, sometimes
huge and underlined, and again showing
the appearance of strange castless or armed
giants, whilst the woods which resounded at
intervals with the voice ofthe night frog and
katydid, was here and there FURNISHED with
long rays Of brightness portion of the road
too, was visible rs it descended the hill at the
extreme end Of the valley and as she gazed
towards 1t, for a moment she was startled.
for she thought she perceived dark body
move along-but twas gone, and her eve,
which hung on the spot, could discover moth
ng more ; her attention wandered, and in
an instant the bright fashings of fire we're
visible in the wood below, and the report of
| firearms struck on her startled ear she bent
fsom her easement with deep interest, every
thing else seemed hushed, and between the
successive discharges of firearms, she heard
the noise of the distant turmoil; she saw
lights moving about the little mill, hall
hid by huge trees and ponderous rocks.
among which each moment, streaks OF
fire and the report of arms were discerned,
for this seemed to be the center of commo-
ton, and she heard the noise of bullets
d opping into the water between her and
it; the moon did not give light enough to
dissipate the gloom which hung, round, but
now brightness darted over the water and
through the darkness, and the next moment
the straw roof of the mill flashed upwards in
a column Of vivid flame far and wide its light
spread through the valley and up the hills,
and showed every leaf hanging on the trees,
and lighted every fssure in the surrounding
rocks; q shout from the combatents arose
with it, and as it passed she heard the sound
of horses hoofs approaching at utmost speed
The blaze made it as light rs day, and
she saw an officer on gallant charger dash
across the bridge at the lower end of the
dam; he seemed to support himself on the
saddle by the name of his horse, over which
he had apparently lost all command, whilst
the light flashed on his uniform and played
on the bright scabbard that dangled at his
side, and increased the terror of his frighten.
ed animal. The rider had lost his csp, and
was evidently wounded, and now the rapid
speed Of his horse had brought him to the
the house, when gate opposed barrier to
his further progress.
AS though suddenly recovering his lost
courage the steed stood still, but the officer
was too far spent to resist the shock thus
given him, and he was thrown stunned a,
the door Magoffin had been securing the
papers in much anxiety, and now and then
throwing hurried glance towards the fight
but when the event we have Just spoken
of occurred. he thrust the papers into side
pocket, rushed out and seized the horse
Farewell, Pattison." he cried, "our stars
are unlucky, I know it by the burning of the
mill the papers are safe"--and throwing
wide the gate he sprung into the saddle, and
was lost in tile tneeo below.
| Pattison seemed confounded, aud withal
trembling the issue of the fight. Ellen was
alone, and her fortitude was fast sinking, but
now she saw at the door fellow being
wounded and perhaps expiring; this was
enough to prompt her TO exertion, and she
descended from her chamber TO succor the
unfortunate. AS that beautiful gem of the
east which sparkles in its own native glory,
is recognized in the absence of light 80 the
heart of woman in the hour of misery and
woe is known by its kindness and benifceace.
Ellen felt all a woman care for the wound
ed man; by the assistance Of the miller boy
she had him brought into the parlor, and,