Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-06-13
DICEY LANGSTON.

The patriots of Laurens District in South Caro-
lima, during the revolution, were frequently indebt
cd for important information to one young girl OF
fifteen or sixteen years old at the commencement OF
the war. At length suspicious Of the active aid
she rendered was excited among the Tory neigh,
be held responsible thcnceforward, with his prop
erty, for the conduct Of his daughter
The young girl was reproved severely, and COM
manded to desist For time she obeyed but
having heard by accident that company Of loyal,
sts who, on account of their ruthless cruelty, had
been called the ''Bloody Scout, intent on their
work Of death, were about to visit the Elder Set
tlcment" where her brother and some friends were
living, she determined at all hazards to warn them
of the intended expedition. She had none in
whom to con6de but was obliged to leave home
alone, by stealth, and at the dead hour of the
night. Many miles were to be traversed, and the
road lay through the woods, and crossed marshes
and creeks, where the conveniences of bridges and
foot logs we're then wanting. She walked rapidly
on, needless of slight difficulties; but her heart al
most failed her when she came to the banks OF the
Tyger-a deep and rapid stream, which there was
no possibility of crossing except by wading through
the ford This she knew to be deep at ordinary
times, and it had doubtless been rendered more
dangerous by the rains that had lately fallen.
She entered the water; but when in the middle
of the ford became bewildered, and knew not
what direction to take. The hoarse rush OF the
waters, which were up to her neck-the blackness
of the night-the utter solitude around her-the
uncertainty lest the next step should engulph her
past relief, confused her; and losing, in degree
her selfpossession, she wandered sometime in the
channel without knowing whittier to turn her steps.
Having with difficulty reached the other side, she
lost no time in Fastening to her brother, informed
him and his friends of the preparations made to
surprise and destroy them, and urged him to send
his men instantly in different directions to arouse
and warn the neighborhood. The soldiers had
ilst returned from fatiguing excursion and COM
planned that they were faint from want Of food
The noble girl, not satisfied with what she had
done at such risk; to herself, was ready to help
them still further by providing refreshments at
once. Though wcaricd wet and shivering with
cold, she Immediately set about her preparations.
\ few boards were taken from the roof the house,
a fire kinded with them and in few minutes q
hoe cake, partly baked, was broken into pieces and
thrust into the shot pouches Of the men. Thus
proyisioned, the little company hastened to give
the alarm to their ncighbors, and did so in time
for all to make their escape The next day, when
the scouts visited the place, they found no liy
ing enemy upon whom to wreak their vengeance.
At latter period of the war, party came to
his house with the desperate design of putting to
death all the men or the family. Ihe sons were
absent; but the feeble old man, selected by their
relentless hate us q victim, was in their power. He
could not escape or resist and he scomed to I'M
plorc their .mcrcy One of the company drew a
pistol and deliberately levelled it at the breast OF
Iangston. Suddenly wild shrek was heard and
his young daughter sprang between her aged par
ent and the fatal weapon. The brutal soldier
roughly ordered her to get out of the way, Or the
contents of the pistol would be instantly lodged in
her heart She needed not the threat, which was
but too likely to be fulfilled the next moment -
Clasping her arms tightly round the old mans neck,
she declared that her own body should first receive
the ball aimed at his heart! There are few hui
man beings, even Of the most depravcd, entirely
inscnsible to all noble and generous impulses. On
this occasion, the conduct Of the daughter 50 fear
less, so determined to shield her tathers life by the
sacrifice of her own, touched the heart even of a
member of the Bloody Scout Langston was
spared and the party left the house, filled with
admiration at the flial election and devotion they
had witnessed Chimney Corner.