The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-02-08

the pursuing cavalry gained upon Us
rapidly. The pickets whom we first en-.
countered we're riding diagoually toward
us to cut off our advance. All the con-
sequences of capture flashed through
my miud-loss Of reputation, injury to
the cause, and long imprisonment in
Northern prison.
"Good.bye i! Charlie. We are lost"
"Never say die, old boy! Jump the
fence. There's an open field beyond.
There we can, az least, have fair run
and die game"
It vas done and We dashed across the
field. Bullet and bullet wbistled by
and did no harm. Suddenly Satan,
making convulsive spring, staggered
and fell, carrying his rider with him.
Isprang from my horse. Charlie
was unhurt. No word needed TO pass
between us; our resolve needed no ex-
preston. We must die, but die togeth-
er. The dispatsh was destroyed, and
when 1 had grasped his true hand, and
looked upon his face, now bright and
joyous, I was ready for the worst.
As soon as the enemy saw our plight,
eight or ten of them dismounted and
advanced on foot. The rest Of the crew
rode slowly and cautiously toward US.
True, there were only two us, but there
might be an ambuscade or masked
battery or Mosby in the neighborhood.
An officer who was hugging the
fence, called out to us to surrender
We laughed in his face. Then, the
whole party fred upon US, One bullet
pierced Charles hat !; another plunged
through my overcoas-originally Uncle
Sans property. They fred to little
purpose. At last their officer fairly
blushed, and ordered them to "close' in
and finish the rebels"
They came up. We fred togther and
two fell. A moment more and they were
upon US. Two stalwart soldiers made
at me. Gred-missed /; fred again
and one was done for. The other aimed
a desperate blow at my head. Rurling
my empty pistol in his face I grappled
with him. His hot breath was on my
cheek; his eyes glared into mine
Down he went and I with him. AS l
staggered to my feet, mounted man
rode up behind me. My head seemed
crushed I dropped TO the ground; but
in the last moment Of consciousness 1t
seemed that heard the clear ring OF
Charles defiant voice, and saw the
flashes of . sabre.
IN vINcUL1s.
When I struggled back TO my senses,
l knew not whether weeks or months
had passed since that memorable morn
ing. Gradually my sight grew clear,
and found that L was lying on the
floor in a small vhitewashed room
The slauting shadows were makring the
dull wall with fanciful lines and angles.
My head throbbed violently, and, raising
my hand I found that my temples were
swathed in bandages. An unmistakable
blue coat stood near the door, and, as
moved, he uttered . curse upon the
rebels.
Where was Charlie? Il was useless
to ask. The "boy in blue" had no time
n waste in talk. Eleven dollars q
month could not pay for politeness to q
helpless prisoner.
When I again came to myself fell
that some one was near me. Family
and wistfullY l called for Charlie. The
only answer was q sigh, but surely :
tear plashed heavily on my cheek. L
was no dream. A fair young girl knsl'
By my side-the sweet Annie Lyle, with
whom l had wandered 90 often through
the quiet woods Of Sussex. And what
q meeting. Ia wounded prisoner
She-a tenant, by suaeranee, Of her once
pleasant home. But she had mol
changed. She was still the graceful
gentle, truthful South n woman
| Clasping her hand implored tidings Of
| him / loved. For long my pleading wa
in vain, but at length she consented te
take me to him. Supported BY her aru
tottered into an adjoining room. There
he lay, colorless as the lily and as fair
placid as the mountair lake over which
| is brooding the shadow Of the storm. A
smile auttered on his lips as be saw me
He was dying. We we're alone, anc
throwing my arms around his neck,
cried like . child. he eomforted mt
and cheered mel He gave me loving
words Of promise and of hope! And q
the last moment all the pent up tender
ness Of his nature burst forth it was
sadly curious mingling Of deepest fse:ini
and sportive hunor-s strange blending
of the dolours Of love and the glories o
war.
"Aud tell her, Jack, that my las
thought was of her. She vas right
Tell her not to blame any one but thi
DOOR me. She did like me once little
perhaps she will sometimes thiek Of hin
Who loved TOO we'll to be loved 10 re
turn. Jacki Jaeki hit that BIZ
Yankee square on the head ; he fell lik
. beef"
His strength v,s failing rapidly.
gave him water, and wiped the eiamm.
moisture from his face.
"God knows" he continued, "that q
man ever loved woman more fondly thal
| I loved her. And she kissed me an'
III b. uv v;ee Tfit onpl