The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-10-29
From the Waterbury Americana
Brave Kate.

The year 1871 was dark and gloomy one for
our foreiathers, who were then struggling for lib
erty. In South Carolina affairs were thenin a
critical situation. General Green made an un-
successful attack on the British rost of Ninety
Six, and withdrew his men beyond the Tiger and
Broad rivers. Lord Rawdon followed him, but
could not draw the patriot general into an en-
gagement.
At that period there stood in South Carolina a
plain and unassuming house; it was one-story
building, neatly whitewashed, and surrounded
by fence. The garden contained many choice
flowers, and the beautiful honeysuckle shaded
the doors and windows. 1t was the home of
Mrs. Heath who lived with her two daughters,
while her son George was in Washington's army
lighting for freedom.
Kate, the elder of the daughters, was beau
tiful girl of sixteen summers; her auburn hair
hung in graceful curls down her shoulders, and
her face beamed with kindness, while her eyes
shone like the stars that lit up the azure vault
Of heaven.
One evening, as Kate was standing at the cot
tage door, she beheld two mounted officers ap-
preaching. They were richly dressed and one
of them she recognised as Lord Rawdon, the
commander of the British forces in that section
of the country. They rode up to her, and Raw
don leaned over in his saddle and said in a kind
voice:
AWnn mics ~ l,v . g
room for a few minutes ?'
'Yes, sir, our house is open to you"
"Come, Colonel, let us hurry up business"
said Rawdon, dismounting, while the Colonel did
the same, the latter leading the horses to the
stable.
Lord Rawdon advanced to where Kate was
standing and said:
"WhOse house is this, miss"
"Alrs. HeGth's, sir"
''Ha her son is in the rebel army under
Washington, is he not ?'
Kate trembled at the insult and she looked at
the Briton with searching glance.
My brother is no rebel, Lord Rawdon he is
fighting for his country"
81 am sorry for that he is brave boy and
would no doubt make good British soldier.o
"lord Rawdon, you insult me, sir. | would
sooner see George die felon's death than See
him in the kings army" was the heroic answer
g see you are a rebel, too Miss Heath. But
here comes fhe Colonel" said Rawdon, as he
saw that worthy coming from the stable.
They entered the house and went into small
room to hold a consultation. Kate thought they
might have something important to say, go she
concluded to play the part ofeaves-dropper. She
told her mother of her intention, who approved
of it, and Kate placed herself in position to
hear the Briton's plans.
1t was dangerous undertaking, and she knew
that if she were caught in the act of listening
she would be treated as a spy, and perhaps exc
cuted for Lord Rawdon knew no mercy. She
cautiously approached the door and looked thro'
creyice. RawdOn and his Colonel were seated
at small table on which, lay maps. They were
examining them closely, while Rawdon was ex-
planning them to the Colonel.
iAOio 10 Oiecu . OahP, salu ne, anu mere
is ours. We must make bold strike and if it
be successful Green will be destroyed"
81 don't see why it should not succeed; do you
my Lord ?"
''No; if our troops fight as well as they have
heretofore we shall succeed, !" said Rawdon, his
face assuming triumphant expression.
81 shall feel happv when those cursed rebels
sre driven away from Carolina, and then their
rule will be over" said Colonel Roberts.
"We must crush Green, Colonel. / do not
wish to go back to England and let it be said that
i was out-generaled by rebel. No, never ~
exclaimed Rawdon, rising to his feet.
''Then we make the attack at day break, do
we not ~ asked the Colonel.
'swe do; have your regiment ready and make
your men fight like demons"