The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-11-12
THE LAUGHING HERO,


The line was formed and then broke into
two columns, when every instrument in the
Mexican host sounded merry march, and
they moved away with quick step ovei
the prairie towards the west.
Five minutes afterwards singular dia-
loguc occurred between the two leaders of
the front columns of the prisoners.
'Wllat makes you walk SO lame, Colonel
O'Neil? Are you wounded I! asked a tall
handsome man, with blue eyes, and bravcly
flashing forth in all their beams.
Col. Fannin, I walked lame to keep from
being wounded do you comprehend 2 re-
piled the other, with a laugh-and such
laugh as no words might describe, it was SO
loud, so luxurious, like the roar of the break
ers of sea of Homer. Is was, in short,
laugh Of the inmost heart.
4 do not comprehend you, for am no
artist in riddles replied Fannin, smiling
himself ut tue ludicrous gaity of his COM
panior, SO strangely ill-tmcd.
you discover that am lame in each lec'
said Col. O'Nel, glancing down to the men,
bers indicated, and mimickiug the move
ments OLA confirmed cripple, as he laughed
louder than ever. 'And yet he added, in
whisper, L have neither the rheumatism
III my knees nor corns on my toes, but have
two big revolvers in my boots ?
This is violation of my treaty by which
we'agreed to deliver up our arms, Col. Fan
min mournfully suggested.
you will see, however, that shall need
them before the sun is an hour high re-
piled O'Neil. All! Fannin, you do not
know the treachery of these base Mcxicaps.' ,
AT the instant the sun rose in a sky Of ex.
traordnary brilliancy, and million of flow-
er cups flung the rich odors abroad over the
green prairie, as an offering to the lord of
light, when the mandate of halt was oiven
ny one Of Santa Annals aids, and two col.
umns OF prisoners were broken up and scat
tered over the plain in small hollow squares,
enc'rcled on every side by Mexican Infantry
and troops of horses, with loaded muskets
and drawn swords. And then a momcnta-
ry pause, awful in its stiffness, and disturbed
only by an occasional shrek of terror. and
tile most tlmid among the captives realized
the impending storm of fire and extinction
Of life'e last hope.
Col. Fannin fell among the first victims ::
but not 80 with the giant O'Neil. With
the order of the Mexican officer to his men
to fire, our hero stopped almost to the earth,
so that the volIey passed entirely over him.
lie waited not for second. Thrustino q
hand into the leg of each boot, lie arose
with couple Of six shooters-the deadly re.
volvers-and commenced discharging them
with the quick rapidity of lightning into
the thickest ranks of his foes.
Panic-strcken with surprise and fear. the
Mexicans recoiled and opened PASSAGE
through Which O'Neii bounded with the
spring OF panther and fled away, as il
wings were tied to bis heels, while half q
dozen horsemen gave chase. For while
it seemed doubtful whether the giant Cello.
mel would not distance even these, so much
had the peril of the occasion increased the
natural elasticity of his mighty muscle
But presently charger Aeeter than the rest
might be discerned gaining on his human
rival, and approached so near that the dra.
goon raised his sabre for coup de grace.
ONeil became conscious of his danger, and
hastily slackened his speed, till the hot
stream Of smoke from the horses nostr;s m.
peared to mingle with his very hair; and
when wheeling suddenly, he fred round
from his revolver, and the rider tumblad
from his saddle. The victim then renewed
his fight.
A mad yell Of grief and rage broker from
the remaining troopers, as they witnessed
the fate Of their comrades, and it effect was