Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-04-23
CHAPTER III.


fIREA AND swoRp.
The four defenders of Iaurelwood RIM from point
TO point meet aud rcpcl the invaders. Who cndtav-
oted to force an entrance through the windows and
doors simultaneously. The voice of Tom HITTER
sNc ccl loudly above the din ot conflict, The strng-
gle WAS kept up with determined spirit by the be-
sieecd. While each WAS engaged with IN enemy,
Jessie Burnside cried out that party of them had
beaten dow of the doors and were pressing into
the hall
Podij,h aud IInzelhurst 7prang TO meet them. For
time the result doubtful, but victor, finally
turned in favor OF the defenders, whose powerful
blows and hearty courage they could not withstand
Those who not rcpnlstd were left upon the ioor
with broken Leads. The door replaced and
everything movable piled against il.
The Tories ANONYMOUSLY withdrew to the shelter
OF the surrounding trees and shrubbcrs aud lnttcr
horcd TINT tue attack would not again hc renewed.
The girle during the scene behaved nohlv, Over
coming the natural timidity oil their stN they made
themselves useful to their brave friends in various
ways. Paul ilazelhurst fought like lion. II he
entertained fears, they not for himself but for
Jessie Burnside aud her companions. When he
paused from the conict, painting and thirsty, she
brought him water; her little hand pre- 'en,ed the
cooling dnught to his lips. lie would gladly have
imprisoned that mnisterng mcnlber in his own and
pressed grateful ks>eS upon II, had prcpicty sane
toned the act.
Arc you wounded? she nskcj hurriedly.
Il do not know, he replied. i have not thought
sF myself; ! have thought only of Yea and your
friends, lncvcr have time to think OF myself when
you should despise myself if did
You are too brave, too generous" answered Jes-
sic, with emotion You expose yourself needlessy
lou have too much contempt for danger.
There is such word as danger when do battle
for the safety and honor of Jessie Burnside
Too chivarousl too chivalrousr exclaimed Jcs-
sic.
can't quite understand this silence said lIgttcr,
approaching ilnzclhurst
Wax my fax if don't believe the critters has got
enough ontH said Podah. lou they can't
stan near much hammerin' ns folks can
flhtn for liberty. \ few right smart knocks takes
thr starch right out Of EN-
They re towards if they don't try il again re-
turucd HITTER. There's dozen of cm. at least and
they ought to be match in the course OF natur, for
four; but we've got something within us that they
hpvent-loNr of friends, home, country aud ustite.
See what work they've made of your house, Miss
Jessie; the winiers riddcl the dpnrs brohr, the
f,rnitnry ruined, and everything at sixcns aud
ems.
We love I.anrelwood replied Jessie, but We love
tie cause OF freedom better. The destruction of
property will gricvc but little if valuable lives
spared and the Tory misereants punished
Pnnjshed ?-be assured that they wiliN exclaimed
Paul li"zclhurs Heaven is just / Some of them
are rcapug the reward of their yillany.
Look at those expiring wretchcs who fell near the
door. Listen to their moans of anguish !! What
thought have they II comfort them md soften their
pains of dissolution &? They dic--n horror to them
mcmbrance the Tories OF South Carolina will leaTc
to postcrity.'
'The word Tory will be the synonym of nf,my'
said Judith.
The light had set in quite dark, and objects could
he seen II short distance only. The trees looked
dim and misty in the nocturnal gloom. Tom lIutier
and his comrades strained their eyes in every drec
ton in search Of their foes but without discovering
them. The surrounding scenery was quiet MS if it
had never been disturbed by the sound OF human con
hr,,l thn ntu,ln tlta anf
the wounded in the house, and, Mt long intervals the
cry of n wolfn the tangled hedges of Laurel Swamp.
The fears of tho young ladies began to subside
assurancc-iaint and trembling, ut frst-tha, those
llwcss men had retired and would not return to re-
new the conflict, took possession Of their minds
glow Of hope returned to their pale cheeks As their
own danger grew less imminent, in their cstima ion,
feelings OF compassion for the wounded Tories visited
their hearts. They would have produced lights TO
examine their condition, and iIake remedial applca-
tons had they not been cautioned by their more ex
pcricnccd defenders.
Half an hour elapsed. The silence continued un-
broken Tom Ilutter not mt ease, but walked
about ncryously casting prying glances from one
window, then from another. He was suspicious and
unsat fed lie knew that they had suffered loss but
enough to prevent brave men, or persons OF even
ordinary harlihood, from making further attempts.
Paul IIazelhurst Mt first shared liutters inquetude
Int n4lly Joined the ladies, confident that there was
no immediate danger to npprehend.
Il can't comprehend il mnttered lIuiter, in per-
picked manner There's alters mischief goin' on
when folks still.
That's nbcout my way o thinkn,' remarked
Podiah, who heard Toms remarks The most mis-
chief is done with the least noise cordin to my
pcrcnce fst and last. here and there, by and large
MS the world goes. Did you ever 20 n courtin,
MisterH
never did. said Tom.
We'll that's nbeout the STILES, work you can find,
I reckon, though sometimes there's hemp o business
done.
sIlark = said Tom.
Il don't hear notlin but Paul and the gals. raus
ruther sweet on one Of EN-, | should say, though
'twould be hard to choose atween en- Wax my flax,
ifit woulintp
1T strikes me- said Tom that the air ia growing
hot and oppressive. Listen be quiet there, Paul and
the gals
Each Of the parties became attentive.
A kissing, roaring sound was heard overhead.
THE house is on fire 7 cried lIuiter. Some of the
blood-ihrsty villains have effected an entrance
through the roof.
The scout rushed mp stairs and threw open "A door.
A dense volume of smoke, mingled with flame met
him and drove him back. Beds, garments everything
combustble had been piled in heap and fired. The
straw, the feathers the linen, were like finder; it
needed but spark to kndIe the mad blaze and that
had been applied some minutes before by cunning
and malicious hand.
Scoiched by the furious element, and half suffoca-
ted IIutter mounted the stairs again, in hopes TO
combat the destructive power by scattering the ma
ierial which fed il, but it was too late. PodJah
Makepeare ran after him and dragged him back, half
choked by the penetrating, ho, and smoke loaded air.
Paul Hazehurst in defiance of the black, asphyx-
atinp vapors rushed the chamber 10 close the door
that had been left open but saIk blinded and over
powered upon the threshold 1t WAS with giihculty
that he could retrace bis steps He was gasping for
breath like drowning man when he rejoined the
| anxious group below.
| THAT door must be shet, said Podjsb, or we shall