Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-20
KATE HEATH.
An Episode of the War of Inde-
pendence.

Carolina, affairs were in critical sitpa-
ftion. General Greene made an uhsuc-
cessful attack on the British post OF
Ninety-Six, and Withdrew his men be-
yond the Tibee and Broad rivers Lord
Rawdon followed him, but could not
draw the patriot General into an engage
ment.
At that period there stood, in North
Carolina, plain and unassuming house;
it was one-stbry building, neatly white
washed, and surrounded by fence. The
garden contained many choice flowers;
and the beautiful honeysuckles 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 summers; her
auburn hair hung in graceful 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 Rawdon leant
over in his saddle, and said, in kind
voice, Well, Miss, can you let me have
the use of room for few minutes? "
It Yes, sir; our house is open to you.
Come, Colonel, let us hasten to busi-
ness, said Rawdon, dismounting, while
the Colonel did the same, the latter lead
ing the.horses to the stable. yfea.Is
Lord Rawdon advanced to where Kate
was standing, and said "Whose house
is this, Miss?"
" Mrs Heath's, my lord"qv 3lOie 7
Hal her son is in the rebel army,
under Washington, is he not2"
< Kate trembled at the insult, and she
Hooked at the Briton with searching
glance.a al1aT SMUT AU1
My brother is no rebel, Lord Raw
don; he is fighting for his country"
/ am sorry for that. He is brave
boy, and woald, no doubt, make good
British soldier returned Rawdon.
Lord Rawdon, you insult me. l
would sooner see George die a felon's
death than see him in the King s army"
was the prompt answer.
II see you are rebel, too, Miss
Heath. But here comes the Colonel,
said Rawdon, as he saw that worthy
coming from the stable. q saeaN
glThey entered the house and went into
a small room to hold a consultation.
Kate thought they might have something
important to say, so she resolved to play
the eavesdropper. She told her mother
of her intention, who approved of it;
and Kate placed herself in a position to
overhearlthe Britons' plans.
/ 1t was dangerous undertaking; and
she knew that If she was caught in the
act Of listening she would be treated as
a spy, and perhaps executed, for Lord
Rawdon knew no mercy. She cautiously
approached the door and looked through
a creviee. Rawdon and his Colonel
were seated before small table, on
which lay maps They were examining
them closely, while Rawdon was explain
ing them to the Colonel.
Here is Greene's camp, said he,
" and here is ours. We must make a
bold stroke, and if it be successful,
Greene will be destroyed"
II don't seewhy it should not succeed,
do you, my lord2" IA 1o
No; if our troops fight as well as
they have heretofore, we shall succeed
said Rawdon, his face assuming tri-
umphant expression Ae
~ shall feel happy when the Rebels
are driven away from Carolina, and then
their rule will be over" said Col. Rob
erts.
I'VE must crush Greene, colonel. do
not want to go back TO England and let
it be said that was generated by a
Rebel. No, neverW exclaimed Rawdon, |
rising to his feet. ..s..,., s.-.s-g
Then we make that attack at day
break, do we not?" asked the colonel.
We do. Have your regiment ready, |
and make your men fight like demons"
Let us 90, NOW. But, hold what is
the eountersgn for the picket tonight,
my lord HlsgJ .Atf = dl&i u tt-a
q England" answered Lord Rawdon,
lowering his voice
Kate listened to the Briton' plan with
a wildly beating heart, and she resolved
to save the patriot army. When she
heard the countersign she left the door,
and busted herself in her household du-
ties; and soon the two officers emerged
from the room.
1--WE must go, Miss Heath but first let
me thank you for your kindness, said
Rawdon Ytt 3
Your thanks are received, replied
Kate a ta-i4
Their horses were saddled, and the Of
icers were soon on their way. Kate
watched them till they were out of sight,
md then prepared for her perilOus Jour
1ey. She threw on shawl, and went
20 the stable. Her neet-footed horse
1eighed as she entered, and she patted
lim on the head, and said, "Well, noble
Selim, you must carry me safely tonight;
or if you do not, Gen. Greene will be
" srl srs'l.
THE animal seemed to understand her,
or he gave loud whinny. Our hero
ne saddled Selim, led him from the
stable, and was soon riding toward Gen.
Green's camp, which was eight miles
listant. She rode swiftly, for she
wanted to reach her destination it time
o let the patriot general form his men
o meet the assault. The British pickets
we're four miles distant; and she would
be compelled to pass through their lines;
Dut as she was in possession of the
she did not fear the result.
Soon Kate saw the picket's bayOnet
yleam in the moonlight, and heard him
Try out:
WHO goes therep' E.4t cd
"A friend with the countersign.ir
i'iAdyanee, friend, and give the eoun-
iersign." no " gEH1 $50 ll
She approached the picket, and whis-
pered, England" !" ....
seAll right; pass on. But stopl" cried
he picket ashe eaught a glimpse of her
ace. ry.-. u ,ds