The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-09-15
KATE HEATH
An Episode Of the War of Indcpcn.
dence.

II dence.
| The year 17Sl was dark and
i gloomy one for the Americans, who
| were then struggling for indipen.
dence. In South Carolina, affairs
were in a critical situation. Gener.
al Green made On unsuccessful attack
on the British post of Ninety Six,
and withdrew his men beyond the
Tiger and Broad Rivers. Lord
Rawdon followed him, but could not
draw the patroit general into an ea-
| gagement. .... ..
At that period there stood, in
North Carolina, plain and unas-
suming house; it was O one story
building, neatly whitewashed, and
surrounded by a fence. The garden
contained many choice flowers; and
the beautiful honeysuckels shaded
the doors and windows. 1t was the
house Of Mrs. Heath, who lived with
her two daughters, while her son
George was in Washington's army
fighting for freedom.
Kate, the eldest of the daughters,
was beautiful girl of sixteen sum-
mers her auburn hair hung in grace
full curls down to 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 cottage door, she beheld two
mounted officers approaching. They
were richly dressed, and one of them
she recognized as Lord Rawdon. the
commander of the British forces in
that part Of the country. They rode
up to her, and said, in a kind voice,
swell miss, can you let me have the
use of room, for few minutes ?"
"Yes, sir; our house is open to
you"
"Come, Colonel, let us hasten to
business" said Rawdon dismounting,
while the colonel did the same, the
latter leading the horses to the sta
BILE. .......-..
Lord Rawdon advanced to where
Kate was standing, and said, "Whose
house is this, Miss ?"
"Mrs. Heath's, my lord"
"Ha! her son is in the rebel army,
under; washington, is he not?"
Kate trembled ut the insult, and
she looked at the Briton with a
searching glance.
"My brother is no rebel, Lord
Rawdon he is fighting for his coun-
try"
II am sorry for that. He is q brave
boy, and would, no doubt, make q
good british soldier" returned Raw
don. .-
T.ord Rawdon, you insult me. l |
would sooner see George die fclon's |
death than see him in the Kings ar
N.Y." was the prompt answer.
81 see you are O rebel, too, Miss |
Heath. But here comes the colonel"
said Rawdon, as he saw that worthy
coming from the stable.
They entered the house, and went |
into O small room to hold q cOnsulta-
tion. Kate thought they might have
something important to say, so she
resolved to play the evesdropper.
She told her mother of her intention,
who approved it; and Kate placed
herself in position 10 ovcrhear the
Briton's plans.
1t was o dangerous undertaking.;
and she knew that if she was caught
in the act Of listening she would be
treated as a spy, and perhaps execu-
ted, for Lord Rawdon knew no mer-
cy. She cautiously approached the
door and looked through n creyice.
Rawdon and his colonel were seated
before q small table On which lay
maps. They were examing them
closely, while Rawdon was explain
ing then to the colonel.
''Here is Green's camp" said he,
'and here is ours. We must make
D bold stroke; and if it be successful,
Green will be destroyed"
81 don't see why 1t should not sue
ceed, do you, my lord?" /
"No; If our troops fight as well as
they have heretofore, we shall sue
ceed," said Rawdon, his face assum-
ing triumphant expression.
81 shall be happy when the rebels
ire driven away from Carolina, and
then their rule will be over" said
colonel RODertS.
1--WE must crush Green, colonel. /
10 not want to go back to England
md let it be said that l was out-gen-
eraled by rebel, No, Never?" ex-
Rawdon, rising to his feet.
"Then we make that attack at day
break, do VIC not?" asked the colo
1el.
"We do. Have your regiment
ready, and make your men fight like
demons
"Let us 60 now. But hold! what
IS the countcrsign for the pickets to-
night my lord 2"
"England," answered Lord Raw
Ion, lowering his voice. ..
Kate listened to the BritOn's plan
with a widely beating heart, and she
to save the patroit army.
When she heard the countersign, she
eft the door, and busted herself in
her household duties; and soon the
two officers emerged from the room.
1--WE must 60, Miss Heath but first
let me thank you for your kindnscs,"
said Rawdon.
"Your thanks arc received" rcpli-
I'd Kate.
Their horses were saddlcd, and the
officers were soon on their way.
Kate watched them till they were
out Of sight, and then prepared for
her perilous journey. She threw ON
!, shawl, and went to the stable. Her
|lees-footed horse neighed as she en-
tered, and she patted him on the
head and said, "Well, noble Selim,