The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1854-12-06
turned upon him piteous look and scream.

/
ed for mercy. .
Justice, oh God not vengeance. burst
from the lips Of the partisan, and his de-
scending sword glittered in the moon beams
and fell like thunder bolt upon the scull of
the tory! .r ..- .. .- -sI
When Michael and his companions reach
ed the spot, they found ConYers gazing sad
ly upon the corpse of his foe.
at is all over now Mike" said he in
tone Of sadness to his young lieutenant
81 never sought an enemy more eagerly, or
slew one mere reluctantly. l trifed and
spared him as long as revenge ranked in my
heart, and when that was gone slew him.
| feel that my days are numbered. One
more blow in the service of my country, and
my heart tells me shall be even as he, save
the inglorious cause in which he fell But
LET us return speedily, for the fight may not
yet be over" -.. ..... g. ..r.
The party having secured the horse of the
fallen tory, then returned to the camp. The
battle, if such it could be called had already
ceased, and when they reached the spot they
found that Marion had alSeudy posted hie
sentnels, and taken every prccaution for his
security during the light. The sumptuous
feast prepared by the tories was eaten by un-
bidden and unexpected guests. The wearied
and famished soldiers of Marion fell to the
abundant cheer with well whetted appetites,
and kept up the feast to late hour of the
night. The dcliverance of Michael, and the
events of the nights surprise, formed the
chief topics of conversation among them
Michael's friends every where gathered
around him with rude but hearty congratu-
lations.
"My situation was rather desperate one
boys" said Michael, as a crowd of his COM
rades gathered around him; "but l kept in
heart when heard Randal's voice from the
swamp. His hooting does the owls but little
credit; it could impose upon none but raw
British recruit or drunken tory"
ga good reason why Randall acted the
owl so badly" said one, "he lost his old
blanket at the camp on Pee Dee, and has
had bad cold ever since"
''But why was all this hooting boys ask
ed Michael; "what was the object of it !"
"Well, Mike" said an cid weather-beaten
riAeman, 81 tell you all about that. Marion
| knew he wouldn't have a minnit 10 spare, so
some ten miles before when we struck into
the swamp, he put off dozen oc the boys,
under the lead Of an old swamp sucker, who
was to ride under whip and spur, and station
them along the best crossing on the swamp,
agn the time the general came up, and
they was to signal along from one place
TO another by hootng; and they led US from
one place to another, until we came out on
this side the swamp. We got knocked off
before we reached the swamp, and so lost an
hour, but Marion led the way across the
swamp on old Ball, from owl to owl, and he
was afraid we'd get here too late, that he led
us across good part Of the swamp over cy-
press trees, and all at full gallop. But
Jack Ruggles, who knows the swamp we'll
was among the first that got over, and he's
had you under his rifle since sunset, and
Jack rifle throws true ballyou know"
"And that was Jacks rife then, Isuppse,''
asked Michael, ''that tumbled over my hang
man SO opportunely :"
ooh, no." answered dozen, " Captain
Conyers said he'd trust no eye but his own
to draw bead when your life was at stake,
and so he did the business"
at was a shot in time" replied Michael,
with much emotion.
Lieutenant Allscott," said ali officer
stepping up and tapping him on the shoulder,
"you are wanted at the generals tent"
"True,' said Michael, starting up, ~ have
not yet paid my respects to Marion. Lead
on however and l will follow"
Marion had already taken possession of
the we'll furnished tent, so lately occupied by
the leader of the tories, who with many Of
the misguided men whom he had seduced
from tho path of duty, were sleeping the
long sleep-of death on the field Of battle
Conyers and some two or three of his most
confidential officers were in the tent with
Marion, and they all rose upon the entrance
of Michael, and greeted him with a warmth
and cordiality which showed the deep inter-
est he had excited among them in expressing
his congratulations was Marion himself
| When the first words Of welcome were over,
Marion, who seldom descended to Jest, turn
ed, with quiet smile upon his countenance,
10 Michel, and said: 81 am sorry, lieuten-
ant, to find SO brave and gallanta soldier as
yourself daicent in gratitude"
Michel started and Redeemed
deficient in gratitude, general" exclaim-
ed he; surely you estimate my character
better than to accuse me of that / have
but few minutes since returned from fol-
lowing after my friend and captain and had
intended to al;upon you, and for the So
licitous care of one of the humblest of your
soldiers, SO soon as believed you at leisure
to accept of my thanks. '@'
"You mistake me, lieutenant" said Mar
ion, gravely. "You have not yet inquired
how became aware of your dangerous sit
uation. You surely should reward the mes
senger who brought me such timely infor-
nation" @@'4s Ad .4'as s38 atj'-le
| "Most gladly will do SO, sir" replied