Smyrna times., 1859-04-21

furnitary ruined, and everything sixteens and
sevens.'
I'VE love Laurewood,' replied Jessie, but
we love the cause of freedom better. The de-
struction of property will grieve Us but little, il
valuable lives are spared and the Tory mlscre-
ants punished
Punished !--be assured that they will =
exclaimed Paul Hazelhurst Heaven is Just
Some Of them are even now reaplng the reward
of their vlllalny. Look at those expiring
wretches who fell near the door. Listen to lhelr
means of anguish What thought have they
to comfort them and soften their pains Of disso.
luton They dIe-a horror to themselves and
every justlce-Iovng mind. What a remem-
brance the Torres OF South Carolina will leave
to posterity!'
1.-The word Tory will be the synonym Of in
/ fanny" said Judith.
| The night had set in quite dark, and objects
could be seen at short distance only. The
trees looked dun and misty in the noctur-
I nal gloom. Tom Hulter and his comrades
strained their eyes III every direction IN search
of their foes, but without discovering them
The surrounding scenery was as quiet as if it
had never been disturbed by the sound of human
conflict; nothing broke the quietudc save the
groans OF the wounded in the house, and, al long
intervals, the cry of wolf IN the tangled he'd
ges OF Laurel Swamp.
The fears of the young ladies' began to sub
side; an assurance-falnt and trembling, at
frst-tlat these lawless men had retreated and
would not return to renew The conflict, took
possession Of their minds. A glow of hope re-
turned to their pale cheeks As their own dam
ger grew less Imminent, IN their estimation,
feelings of cOmp1 sslun ior the wounded Tories
visited their hearts. They would have pro-
Ia
make remedial applications, had they not been
cautioned by their more experienced defenders.
Haitian hour elapsed. The silence continued
unbrokcn Tom Hutter was not al ease, but
walked about nervously, casting Frying glances
from one window, then from another. He was
suspicious and unsatlstied. He knew that they
had suffered loss, but not enough to prevent
brave men, or persons of even ordinary hardl-
mood, from making further attempts.
Paul IIazelhurst at first shared Hutter's in
quietade, but finally joined the ladies'. confident
that there was no immediate danger to appre-
hend.
Il can't comprehend it! muttercd Hutter, in
a perplexed manner. There's alters mischief
goln' on when folks are still
That's abeout my own way o'lhinking," re-
marked Podljah, who heard Toms remarks.-
The most mischief is done with the least
noise, 'cordin' to my experience tust aud last,
here and there, by aud large, as the world goes.
Dad you ever go a cOur,in', Mister !
Il never did, said Tom.
well, that's abeout the stilest work you
can Gnd, reckon, though sometimes there's a
heap business done
Hark = said Tom.
Il don't hear nothin' but Paul and the gals
Paul's ruther sweet on one of 'em, should say,
though 'twould be hard to choose atween 'em.
| Wax my flax, If it wouldn't!
! tIt strikes me- said Tom, that the air is
| 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 : cried Hutter Sume
| of the blood thirsty villains have effected an
entrance through the roof
The scout rushed up stair and threw open
door. A dense volume o SNAKE, mingled with
| flame, met HIM and drove him back. Beds,
garments, everything combustlble had been
piled in a heap and fired. The straw, the
! feathers, the linen, were like tlnder; it needed
but spark to klndle the mad blaze, and that
had been applied some minutes before by a cum
ming and malicious hand.
Scorched by the furious element, and hall
sutfocated, Huuer mounted the stairs again, Ia
hopes to combat the destructive power by scat
terng The material which fed it, but it was 10"
late. Podiiah Makepeace ran after hlm anG
dragged hun back, half chokcd by the Pene-
lraIIng, hot aud smoke-loaded air.
Paul lazelhurst in defiance Of the black, as
phyxiatlng vapOrs rushed 10 the chamber to
close the door that had been left open, but sank
blinded and overpowered upon the Threshold
It was with difficulty that he could retrace his
Steps. He was gasplng for breath like drown
inr man when he rejOinea the anxious group
below.
That door must be shet,' said Podiiah, or
we shall be smothered to death, like rats in a
hole! I'll shet it, or suffucate tryln'. Wax my
fax, if | don't!
The tall form of Podijah disappeared in the
mass of smoke that rolled from above like thun-
dercouds There was a moment OF intense
anxiety, then the door was heard TO CLOSE
Almost simultaneously POdijah tumbed down
the stairs, covered with clnders, his face anC
hands bistered, and some of his white lock-
withered TO ashes.
! Brayely done ! cried Jessie. If you have
not saved us, you have at least given US re
Preve. mn
! Don't praise me- returned Podijah. 'Th'
praises of gal intoxcales me like arden
& speril-the poolier the gal, the drunken
u makes me. never shall GIT away from thl
place alive if there's anything desperate ca
Il dO'
Ir Desperate! all is desperate! said Huuer.-
r. We might cut our way through and save Oui
: selves, perhaps. if there as nothn' of ft
n mlnine natur' TO lo)k arter; but these gal
!. can't stan musket balls, nor they can't star
fire.
ID .Heavens' exclaimed Paul. What sha
we do !--nol for ourselves, but for these poo
id girls
Escape as you can through the darkness
RS and as tor US girls, we will trust to the mere
se of the enemy, ana yie.d ourselves prisoners
as answered Jessie, eagerly. tHt
w yes, we will trust ourselves to the human
nj ~ Of the Tories,' said Judith and Ruth, hurrie
ly.
,.' You will find it poor trust returned HI
all or, compassonately al the three girls. IL
he be miserable mercy you'll git from them. \