White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1858-07-15


position of Black river swamp and to.
wards the south, at much greater dis
lance, long line Of magnificent trees.
stretching their branching limbs to hea-
ven, marked the course of Tareote-a
lesser streautthat emptied into the swamp.
The spot which the tories had fixed
upon for their gathering, was an open old
field, with qhly heH and there e solitary
tree, that bus years ago the axe had
spared. gi 4 3 - sf'a
Piles of logs had been heaped up, with
an intervening space between each heap
of perhaps fifty or sixty yards, and these.
constructed in a line from the highway of
which we have above spoken, to within
one hundred .yards,of the margin of the
swamp, had been fred about twilight.
Near the margin of dense and buShy
morass, a few score PAGES to the south of
this line, was to be seen another group of
fires, where smoking pots sent up sa-
worry steam. telling of the ample feast that
prscticed hands were preparing for the
assembled crowd.
Around the pile of logs that were now
blazing brightly upon the scene. were
gathered groups ofindividuals Of as many
varieties as one might meet in summers
day. Momentarly, too, there were fresh
accessions to the number of the tories.-
From all sides was heard the tramping of
horses and the hum of voices, as they
came gathering to the place of rendez-
vous. Beyond the farther end of the line
of fires, and nearsI to the swamp, was
spread a capacious tent, brightly lighted
within. where were congregated the lead
ers in the movement and thither repair
ed the most prominent tories of the sur
rounding 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 assist in prosecuting the war. Sue
cessful beyond his most sanguine antici-
patton, in inducing large number of the
vicious and disaAected to repair to his
rendezvous, he did not despair Of forming
a regiment sufficiently strong to overawe
the country, and thus recommend himself
to the favorable notice of the British
commander-in-chief. He had prudently
set out Sentinels on all the roads leading
to the camp. who were to give the alarm
in case Of danger, while his rear was
thought to be sufficiently protected by a
swamp of some two miles in width, path
less 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 upon the ground engaged in CONVEX
sation, some were standing at a respectful
distance from the huge fires /; many were
passing the bottle around in noisy hilari-
ty others were strolling about singly or
in groups, while not few squatted upon
the ground, were engaged in the mystic
ries of old sledge or poker, using some
outspread HANDKERCHIEF, inverted hat, or
fallen tree as table. Horrid oaths and
imprecations were heard on every hand
obscene jests and ribald language, such
as is only heard when the most abandon
ed of men are collected together in the
purlieus of a drunken camp. After gazing
upon his followers for q moment, Tynes
turned back into his tent where were gath
cred some ten or twelve individuals Of a
somewhat higher intellectual grade than
the rabble without. Among them was
our former acquaintance, Harrison, dress
ed in the full uniform Of his rank, with
his sword buckled on, and even his cha
peau upon his head.
AS Tynes re-entered, Harrison rose,
and drawing forth his watch. exclaimed
with an oath:
at is high time. colonel, those rascals
without had their supper. and so l may
as well hang up this rebel Allscot at
once" e ~
CAS- you please, Major" returned the
Colonel; "but after hanging him, 1
should not much fancy falling into the
hands of the rebel Marion"
Marion, be - r. replied Harrison.
with an oath. al have certain informa-
ton that his force is scattered, and he
himself fed from the State. No. believe
me. we have the game in our own hands.
and may play it out as boldly as we
please"
"All l shall say" observed Tynes in
a tone of indifference. Z" is that / shall
not sleep so soundly after this execution.
However, take your own course, but re-
member, wash my hands clean Of it"
"I have only deferred his execution
until now" observed Harrison. "ia the
hope that Dora Singleton might fall into
the trap 1 had laid for her, BY coming to
intercede for his life !: but the messenger
whom 1 sent to notify her that l would
defer It no longer than seven o'clock, I'M
less 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 &C
count, and unable to account for her unu-
sual and protracted absence"
HAS disappeared since yesterday NOR
ningl By heavens. / like not that p
exclaimed Tynes. with a fearful oath,
startingfrom his seat, while his cold cheek
grew a shade paler. !.
There's mischief in the wind. Harri-
son |"
"Pshaw Tynes, what an old woman
you have become. {" replied Harrison. with
a laugh. 800