The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-10-24
armed the country, seeking shelter from

|
| their enemies 81
| The fat came from the king inficting death
upon whonlsocver aided or abettcd the insur-
gents. Shylock was never troubled by visit
from any Of these but few persons vcnturcd
SO far into the mountains. 1.
| 1t was his custom to sit at his cottage door
during twilight, with his long clay pipe in his
mouth, and his red scull cap drawn almost
over his eyes. watching the advent of tho diff
fcrcnt stars.
| AS he was thus engaged one summer even
ing, he thought he heard the Gathering of Il
horses hoofs upon the stones. 1t was somc-
thing unusual for IL horscman to pass his cot
tage, and before he could give himself any sat
isfactory answer, both horse and rider came
from the thick foliage into full view.
| The latters air was nervous and disturbed
and, as well as his beast, he was covered with
dust and pcrspiration. His eyes 10 sooner
lit upon Shylock than lie vaulted from his sad
die:
81 am a Polish refugee; my pursucrs are
upon my track. 1t is impossible for me to go
any further. For Heavens sake, old man, ex-
tend nc helping hand. For, if am rctaken,
death alone awaits me"
Shylock gazcd for few moments into his
face. For the first time ho noticed that his
dress was that of dragoon. Hc shook his
head sorrowfully, saying:
$40 aid Pole, were to lay ones head upon
the block"
a groan escaped the cavaliers lips. He
clutchcd frantically at Shylocks hand. and in
a suppliant voice, cried:
81 am human being, the same MS yourself
You value life, why should not? Oh, for
Heavens sake, beg of you, conceal me III
your cottage"
Shylock was silent.
Though misanthropic creature, he was not
entirely heartlcss he piticd the fair youth be-
fore him. He felt as a Christian, duty bound
to render him assistance
Let the cost be whit it might, he determined
to net us his heart and soul dictated lie arose
from his scat, and entering the cot, ignited
h4lc
him follow.
With cry Of joy the youth s.rang after
him. Up the staircase they wcnded their way,
till Shylock finally halted ut door, adj joining
the apartment in which his daughter la. sleep
ing. 5
Tie pushed it open and motioncd the refugee
to enter. He obcyed, and after covering the
old mans hand with kisses, threw himself upon
the bare floor.
The door was locked by Shylock, and turn
ing he hnstencd below
Upon reaching the lower portion of the cot
tagc, his first movement was to secure the cav
alters horse, which he did by leading it to the
rear Of the building and fastening the rcins to
post. He then returned to his scat at the
door, and taking up his pipe began dcvising
some means by which he hoped to cludc the
pursucrs.
The cottage possessed no hidden passage nor
secret vault, through which lie might gain ac-
cess to the mountain; on the contrary, it had
been constructed in such manner that few
moments search would result in the complete
ovcrturn Of everything.
He TOO well knew this, and after brief
study decided that the only way left him, was
to prevent the Russians from making any
search which might lead to discovery.
Hardly had he come to this conclusion,
when upon the night air, rang quick succession,
the Gathering of many horses. A slight trcnl-
or crcpt over the old mans frame, as the sound
drew nearer and nearer, followed by loud,
harsh words aud alternate outbursts Of anger.
He drew his skull cap tighter upon his hoad
and stcadying his trembling hand began puff
ing vigorously at his pipe.
The next moincnt, the bushes were rapidly
thrust aside, and Shylock bchcld the grim
visagc Of mounted Russian, followed by
another, and then another, till he counted
cight-cight hardy, powerful cavaliers, with
war and dissipation stamped upon their very
forcheads, and he, dccropit old man, bent al
most double with age. The foremost started
back, as he took in the cottage and its inmate
With an oath, he ripped out:
$50! so a mountain home for refugees
This then, is whcro our Polish minions obtain
aid. BY m'cyes you have worked it well old
man."
Shylock continued quietly smoking-not a
trace of fear or uncasiuess was betrayed in his
| ,noppor I.,dr;no from, b;o T,oo bo roror1 al