The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1872-07-25
BRAVE KATE.

H,Dh-A v d hA i Ii.
The year 1881 was indeed dar
gloomy one for the Americans, VIII
were then struggling for independence
In South Carolina affairs were in
critical condition. General Gree
made an unsuccessful attack on tn
British postoof Ninety-Six, and with
drew his men beyond the Tiger an,
Broad Rivers. Lord Rawdon follow
ed him but could not draw the patr1o
! general into an engagement.
lcAt that period there stood, inSoutl
| Carolina. a plain and unassumin.
house: it was one story building
neatly whitewashed and surrounde(
by fence. The garden contained
many choice flowers; the beautiful
honeysuckle shaded the doors an(
windows. Itwas the house of Mrs
Heath, who lived with her two daugb
ters, while, her son George was il
Washington's army fighting for free
dom. ,i3s-, -, 81 =
Kate, the eldest of her daughters
was beautiful girl of sixteen sum.
mers her auburn hair hung in grace
fti curls down her shoulders, and her
face beamcd with Kindness. while her
eyes shone like the stars that lie up the
azure vaults 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 bent over his
saddle and said in a low voice: f.Well
Miss, can you letme have the use of
q room for few minutes ?1 81 6a
l.s Yes, sir, our houseIis open to you."
Come, Colonial, let us hasten to
business said Rawdon, dismounting,
while thee Colonel did the same, the
latter leading the horses to the stables.
: Lord Rawdon advanced to where
Kate was standing, saying: "Whose
house is this Z" Tag9l iaia) ~
" Mrs. Heath's, my Lord I
HaI her son is in the rebel army
under Washington, is he not 2" d
Kate trembled at the insult, and
looked at the British officer with
searching glance. iazs4 Oh
"My brotheris no rebel, Lord Raw
don, he is fighting for his country
am sorry for that. He is brave
boy, and would, mo doubt, make a
good British soldier, returned Raw
don. ea III II
".Lord Rawdon, you insult mel I
would sooner see George die felon's
death, than see him in the army of the
King,"gwas the prompt answer.
81 see you're rebel, too, Miss
Heath. But here comes the Colonel
said Rawdon, as he saw that worthy
coming ftom the stables. s9o- gi1'
They entered the house and went
into a small room to hold consulta-
tion.i d Kate thought they might have
important to say; so she
to play the part of caves
dropper. She told her mother of her
who approved of it, and
then placed herself in q position to
the Briton's plans.
It was dangerous undertaking and
she knew that If she was caught in the
act of listening she would be treated
IS q spy, and perhaps executed, for
Lord Rawdon knew no mercy.
She cautiously approached the door
and looked through the creyice. Raw
lon and the Colonel were seated at q |
small table ON which lay maps. They
we're examining them closely, while
was explaining them to the
Colonel. up
q Here is Green's camp" said he,
and here is ours. We must make a !
bold stroke, and if successful, Green
will be destroyed.
q i do not see why it should not be |
do you, my Lord ?"
"No, If our troops fight as well as !
we shall succeed" said |
his face assuming triumph
mt expression.
"I shall feel happy when the rebels |
IRE driven away from Carolina, and |
heir rule will be over" said the |
Colonel.
eve must crush Green, Colonel"
do not want to go back to England |
Ind let it be said l was out-generaled |
oy a rebel. No, neverp exclaimed |
rising to his feet.
"Ther we make that attack at day |
break, do we not ?" asked the Colonel. |
Eve do, have your regiment ready |
md make your men fight like demons"
Let us go now. But hold, what is |
,he countersign for the picket tonight |
NY Lord ?"
England" answered Rawdon, low
,ring his voice.
Kate listened to the Britons' plan
with a wildly throbbing heart, and she |
resolved to save the patriot army
When she heard the countersign she !
eft the door and busted herself about
household duties and soon the two
officers emerged from the room.
We must go, Miss Heath but first
let me thank you for your kindness"
said Lord Rawdon.
Your thanks are received" said
Kate.
Their horses were saddled, and the |
officers were soon on their way. Kate
watched them till they were out of
sight, and then prepared for her peril |
our journey. She threw on a shawl
and wentto the stable. Her fleet-foot
horse neighed as she entered, and she
patted him on the head and said, |
. Well noble Selim, you must carry
me safely tonight, for if you do not
General Green will be destroyed"
The animal seemed to understand |
her, for he gave loud whinnay. Our
heroine saddled Selim, led him from
Ihe stable, and was soon riding toward
General Green's camp, which was
eight miles distant. She rode swiftly |
for she wanted to reach her destina- |
ion In time to let the patriot General
Torm his men to meet the attack. The
British pickets were four miles dis
amt and she would be compelled to |
pass through their lines, but as she
was in possession of the countersign, :