Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-05-25

was stopped by the waiter. whom heard
calling after me, and who was out OF breath
when he came up to me at last. The homes
fellow gave me direction, which / was after
wards glad to have followed. He said tina
the colonel, though coward, was most des
perate william, not at all likely to give way 81
soon, but the worst of the whole set was tina
tall fellow, the major, whom he suspected tt
have gone in search of some of his compan
ions. "You will be chased by couple o
these rogues," he said, "as sure as am {
Saxonl Let me advise you. Follow you
way up to the north, until you are out o
sight, then do you turn back to the south a!
far rs Jose Maria. At the ravine southeas
of that place turn to the left, and, following
the course of the brook, ride for your life
Twenty miles up the stream you will come t
settlement called the Wood Creek. Oh
Delamotte lives there, and he's the man fo
you to trust"
/ offered the waiter few pieces of money
but he would not take them then hearty
shake of the hand, and this he took cordially
"Stop," he said, when / had already Sc
spurs to my horse. He lifted up each OF tht
horses legs, and looked carefully at the shoe
ing. Gall right" he said II thought The
ostler might have played you one of his tricks
but he has not yet had time, I suppose. Now
go ahead, aud don't forget the Frenchmsn!' =
I darted off.
1t was eleven o'clock in the morning.
had to make twenty miles to the ravine which
my countryman had pointed out to me. Bu
my horse was worthy of the colonel's admira
ton and, in spite not only of the round.a-lou
way had taken in accordance with my friends
advice, and halfsn-hour's delay for rest a
Jose Maria, it was but Eve in the evening
when I reached this melancholy spot.
I stopped and looked about me. The sur
rounding country was all barren and desolate
the soil sterile. There was wooden cross
erected on the spot of the murder, and be
meath it lay the mortal remains Of the mar
whom l had known in the full glow and Joy
of youth.
A strange feeling made me linger in thai
place. The little rivulet smoothly gliding
eastward showed me the way was to 60.
could follow its course with my eyes to fal
distant forest, the high grass of the prairie
having burnt track down, as it always does
at this time of year. Yet still fingered. =
The horse began to neigh softly, and to
prick up his ears. He was familiar with these
prairies, as I had bought him but a few
months ago atLittle Rock in Arkansas. There
was something the matter.
/ listened, but heard absolutely nothing. I
alighled, and, pressing my ear to the ground,
listened again. The earth trembled family
with the tread of horses yet at long dis.
lance; but, when mounted again, could
hear the sound. it was rapidly approaching
from the direction of Jose Maria, and, although
tie woods on that side of me prevented me
from seeing anything, I had but little doubt
who we're the horsemen.
Now, colonels, majors, captains, let US see
what can be done! My horse gave such a
sudden and vigorous jump when l merely
touched him with the whip, that was almost
thrown from my seat. lost my cap, and a
gust of wind threw it against that very mound
by which had been bound to the ravine. To
pick it up would have been waste time; and,
as wished to be out of sight before my pur-
suers had set foot upon the prairie, left it
and sped away, taking as strai ght line posi-.
BILE in the direction of the distant forest, to
avoid the winding of the little brook, yet
without losing sight of it. In the brave horse
there was no slackening of pace; there was
no stumbling. I turned round three or four
times during my rapid course, but, except a
long cloud of dust and ashes raised by myself,
l saw nothing whatever. In an hour or so,
the forest was before me, and then, refining up
a little, I again made for the brook.
1 had traced its windings for about another
I ~ al 81
wood, and got sight of block.house.
"Qui va LAP" asked deep voice.
Sun ami |" was the answer.
There were two men near the house, one
with gray hair and weather.beaten features,
the other in the prime of youth, both French.
men.
The old man looked with some astonish.
ment at my painting horse covered with foam,
at his dilated nostrils and quick beating aanks.
"Why, 1t seems you are in hurry" he
said.
In q few words explained the motives OF
my visit, and told him my adventures at San.
ia Madre; not forgetting to report the advice
OF the German waiter at the cotfee-house, that
l should trust in him for help.
He listened eagerly to my narrative, and
when | gave him description of the colonel
and the major, his attention grew to be intense.
"Again those two scoundrelsl'' he said.
Well, man, step into the house. Never
mind the horse, the lad will rub him dry. We
have few hours before US yet. They know
by this time where you are, and will consider
twice before they call here though we are
quite sure TO hear Of them at nightfall.n
expressed regret for the trouble I was
bringing on him but he only laughed and
But we are only three, and after all ne
don't know how many rumsns that tall fellow
may bring with him."
Let him bring score, we are their match
l tell yon! Do you account the Princess Royal
nobody 2"
"The what u
"The Princess Royal; la Priucesse Roy
ale |" he laughed again. "Don't stare at me
you'll see her by-and.by."
The block.house had q very durable appear
ance it was two stories high, and the upper
room was neatly furnished. On the wall
observed portrait of General Moreau. NJ,
host was no friend of the first Emperor of the
French the present Emperor he mentioned
Only Once uurlnSS our conversation, and i had
better not say what he said.
He lighteda candle and blocked up the
windows, whilst was eating and drinking
what he had placed OH the table. The lad
had made all safe on the ground floor, and
secured the door.
"Now we are all right!" said the old man
taking his seat at the table, and mixing run
and water in large bowl.
"Au triomphe de Ia bonne cause l' he said
touching glasses with me.
But l don't see any arms" I suggested
"Arms? l have plenty of that stuff. How
do you think man could get on in these
woods without arms? But we shan't wan
them tonight" And again ne laughed. "We
have the Princess Royal
He removed the candle with the othe,
things from the table, and went out of the
room.
The door was opened again about five min
utes afterwards. I heard the crack of whip
l saw rapid fash before my eyes and. with
mighty bound, that made my blood rur
cold, a large jaguar lsaped, il. .alighting, with
L -. x,, xo,noor, mn, tLo kohlo