Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-03
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.
CHAPTER T..

Il was near nine O'Clock, one warm, sultry
night in the month of September, 111S, that a
party consisting OF some one hundred horse
men, dressed in the uniform OF British light
horse, rode rapidly along the rode traversing
the right hank OF the Santee river, in South
Carolina, and took their way to the dwelling of
Walter Steel. They were commanded by
Hugh Langsford, bloody aud cruel officer in
the English serrice-one who had been select
ed and placed in the position he occupied on
account of adamantine heart, and tyranica dis
position. for the express purpose of teaching
the surrounding inhabitants due obedience to
his nIajesty's laws. On many occasions he
had exercised his authority in the most bar
barous manner, wantonly burning the houses
of known patriots, and ruthlessly hanging the
owners without rovocation. save their liberal
opinions. His name Lad become terror to
all the patriotic inhabitants of the Santee, the
more so, as General Francis Marion, the only
retel partizan who offered any resistance to
the British troops, had been for some time alb
sent in Il orth Carolina, leaving Langsford IN
disputed sway over the region.
Waiter Steel, towards whose house Langs
ford was now making his way, was well
known sterling patriot, and had been heard to
advance opinions boldly in favcr Of the rcyo-
iutionsts, and directly in opposition to King
George, many wondered how he had so long
escaped tbs vengeance of LangSiord: but
there had been charm powerful in its nature
hanging around the dwelling of the aged rebel,
which had so far preserved his home scaIheless.
Nary Steel had won the admiration Of the
Captain, and this had ripened into love on his
part and as is usual on such occasions. he
wished and strove to appear in a favorable
light to her. and of course treated her father
aud his family with all the lenity in his power.
From the bottom of her heart Mary despised
the bloody officer, but aware that her fathers
life depended on her actions. she coqnetted
with Langsford in such manner as induced
him to believe he was the idol OF her heart.
But he was soon to be undeceived.
He had been called to Charleston, and had
been absent from the Santee about two weeks,
and at the time he is here introduced he was
returning with fond expectations to Stecls,
having resolved 10 become at ouce united 20
the object of his affections.
As be was riding leisurely along the road, the
distance to the farm house being about three
miles, he was suddenly accosted by a man who
eprang from the bushes by the way, and placed
himself in front of his horse.
ssYour mission is booticss, exclaimed the
new conner; ssreturn ut once to Charleston
-esWho are YOU 2" demanded LangS1ord, IN
vain cndeavoring to trace the mans features
IN the gloom of the night.
s.One who knows why Captain Lanssiord
seeks the house of farmer Steel, replied the
man. ..But tell you Mary marries another
and more favored lover, who is even now ct
the house"
s.Then his audacity shall cost him his life ~
retorted the Captain fiercely, as he put spurs
to his horse and galloped on, followed by his
men.
s.And rather gness yours will cost ron a,
bout the same - exclaimed the man who had
giyen the information, as he disappeared IN
the bushes.
A half hour sufficed for Langslord TO reach
Aha house of Steel, which was surrounded IN
.fIence. he having ordered his men 10 dis
r1oI,n. when some distance from the dwelling,
sd leaving part in charge of the horses, aP-
u,oached with the remainder on foot.
Iayiup stationed his troops SD that no one
eo1Id leave the house, he approached the par,
lor window, from which light shone, and
careully peeped in. Sitting but afew ieet
from nm he discovered Mary in conversation
with voung man of some three and twenty
Years q age dressed in the light blue uniform
of the rcbel army. The first word he heard
pronounced was his own name, and almost
breathlessly he iisten,d.
81 have been consta afDed,' he heard Mary
cav. ssfor the purpose of saving my fathers
life and prevent our hol from being pillaged,
,n treat Ianesford in amer which would
soorn 70 do We're placeen other circumstan-
so,,a feel how / loathbis advances, you
S@a,d see at once that popy alone dictated