The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-10-04

and informed him that two men were
| waiting to see him. Burton had answer
ed that he would como over, and in few
| minutes afterwards he appeared ut the
edge of tho clearing. Thomns und his
compnnion walked out to the gate and
they surveyed each other for moment
or two in silence. Burton did not seem
pleased at their appearance, and once or
twice drew up his gun as if to fire.
They shouted to him not to shoot. and,
| throwing up their arms, declared that
they Ind no weapons. Burton took an-
other survey of them, and finally slowly
approached, informing them that he
would fire on them on tho least appear.
,uce of treacbery, and that he only
waived his usual custom OF firing on any
one within pistol shot Of him out of Gu
riosity to hear what they had to say.
The trio at last entered tho house, and
Burton, after ordering the men in front
Of him. nat down to breakfast with his
gun resting against the bed and in easy
reach. Thomas, who was thin and very
pale, acted as spokesman, ald informed
him that they had, few days before,
escaped from Federal prison at Spring
field. and that they were on their way
South. They had heard of him, and
knowing that he was we'll provided with
such things, camo to hiul for horses,
clothing and arms. They professetl to
be able and willing to pay whom they
reached home, and promised to ucnd
him tho money. Burton replied that he
had no more sympathy for Southerner
than for Northern man, and that he
had no friends. He murdered and
robbed both sides. aud did not propose to
a oict A..
were perishing with the clothing they had
on, aud would either freeze or starye
to death if he did not assist them.
Burton said he could furnish thcm with
nn easier death, and thought he had bet.
ter kill them aud put them out of their
trouble. Looking ut Thomas emaciated
figure and white face, he added, with
horrible humor, that the skeleton could
not live long, any way, aud might as
woil be hustled out of the world ut once.
The two men, whose teeth were chatter.
ing with fear and cold, but who dared
not approach the fire without permis-
sion, stood in silence while lie munohed
his breakfast and uttered his ghastly
jokes. He ut last finished bis meal and,
picking up his rifle, placed it across his
khecs as he seated himself in front of the
tire, aud gave them permission to ap-
proach. They drew up chairs aud seated
| themselves On each side of him, and
| again urged him to give them horses aud
arms. saying that it could afford him no
qualification to kill two miserable devils
like them, and that they would be for
ever grateful to him for assistance. Bur
ton told them to stop their talk, and he
would let them know what he would do
with them after lie had smoked q pipe.
Drawing his pipe from his pocket, he
slowly whitfield some tobacco from q
hard twist and filled the bowl. Thomas,
who was at his right hand, reached out,
and, raising The heavy iron poker in his
hand, poked IN ember out of the fire for
him to light his pipe with. Burton
stopped down to put it in the bowl,
when Thomas, with the spring of pan
ther, gained his feet and dealt the ruff
han fearful blow across the back of his
head with the poker. His companion ut
the same instant grasped tue muzzle of
the rifle and snatched it from his lap.
Burton pitched forward on the hearth,
but, although stunned, still endeavored
to clutch at his rifle stock. Thomas had
no intention Of allowing his advantage
to slip from him. and, while Burton was
still on his hands and knees, sprung on
his back, and using both hands. show
cred blow after blow upon his head,
crushing his skull in at almost every
stroke. When satisfied at last that the
wretch was dead, Thomas dropped the
poker, and the two men, completely un-
nerved with the terrible struggle. laughed
hystorically. The woman, who had
been terrified spectator of tho scene,
and who had, after the first blow, wrung
her hands aud cried, "For Gods sake,
don't let him get up, or we are all lost"
fell to tho floor in dead flint. The
soldiers dashed part Of the contents of
the water-hucket over her, and soon re-
stored her to consciousness. They then
took Burton's rifle aud side-arms and
started for the camp, leaving the body
on tho hearth They had proceeded but
about quarter Of mile when they
heard tho woman scream, and turning,
saw her bcckonirg to them to return.
Not knowing what she wanted, they ran
hack aud SAW tho most horrible sight
they had ever witnessed. Burton, whom
they had supposed dead, still had a
spark Of lifo in his usly body, and after
they left had gained his hands and knees
and endeavored to crawl away. His
eyes were pounded from the sockets,
and, as his head was beaten to jolly,