The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-09-12
MI is O ella neous g.
For The Agis and Mtellingencer.
STAY OF EXECUTION.
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.

In the year 1880, after the British had TAX
en- Charleston, South Carolina, that unfor-
tunate State was overrun by British and
Tories, who committed horrid outrages
on the defenceless inhabitants, the Tories
being the most cruel and brutal.
The only force the Americans bad at this
time to contend with those blood thirsty
tiends, was some small bands of brave pa
triots, led by Marion, Sumpter, and VIM.
These fearless sons of liberty lived in the
woods and swamps, and ofttimes had to sub
sist on roots and berries but they gave the
enemy, both British and Tories, great
deal of trouble.
At the time of which write General
Sumpter,with small band of fearless men,
each of whom was sharp shooter and could
split the bulls eye at one hundred yards
every shot, (their superior skill in shoot
ing making them dangerous foes) was en-
camped in retired place on the great Pee
dee. A young sergeant named Horatia
Pickcns was one of this fearless band. Mr..
Pickens was well-to-do planter, owning
n fine estate with good buildings. He was
married man; his wife's maiden name was
Rutledge-a niece of Gov. Rutledge. Mrs.
Pickens was a lady ofrefinement, of brave
turn, and, like her husband, was staunch
Wing. They had two small children. Mr..
Pickens owned about a dozen negro slaves,
who worked his plantation. His overseer,
an African, named Dick, was a very stout,
active man, and being good hand his
master valued him highly and had there
fore made him overseer, and boss in general
when he was about. When this narrative
opens, Sergeant Pickens had joined Sumpt-
er's little band oftearless patriots, and leav-
ing his lovely wife and tender children I'M
der charge OF Dick, who promised marst
dat he was gwine to defend de mistis and
de chilren vile lie hab one drap oh bleed
in his wanes.
The gallant Sumpter and his brave little
band committed fearful ravages on the enc
my, the Tories in particular. The Tories
became desperate, and as Sergeant Pickens
was one ofthe most daring men in the band,
they determined to have him, cost what it
might. They visited Dick, and after ques-
tioning the treacherous villain, they found
that he was the very demon that they want
ed. Dick promised them "dat wen de boss
kun home he would let dem no, an help
dem to ketch him." They promised the
traitor in return, that if he would betray
his master they would make him present
of Pickens' plantation, and give him his
freedom. The preliminaries being settled,
this fiend incarnate set his wits to work
to betray his master to the enemy, where
he well knew certain death awaited him.
Mr.. Pickens had always been kind to this
negro, and had treated him more like a
brother than slave, and Dick in return
was now going to repay him as Monteith
did Sir William Wallace.
In the month of June, 1880, Gen. Sump-
ter and his brave band were encamped as
above stated the rendezvous being entire
ly unknown to the enemy, and no one even
suspected that Sumpter was in the neigh
borhood. The encampment was about four
miles from the home of Mr.. Pickens, and
he obtained furlough from his General
for two days to enable him to pay flying
visit to his family. He therefore left the en-
campment after dark and sought his loved
ones. On the next morning when Dick
found dat de marst was to home, he appear
ed to be overjoyed. He wished to know if
dc boss would stay home the succeeding
night, and his master told him he would
never suspecting Dicks treachery. The
willy savage now asked "where de res oh de
boys am" but Mr.. Pickens did not tell him.
About noon Dick came in apparently great
ly agitated. He was weeping freely, and
told his master dat his mother was diving
and wished to know if he could hab hoss
and liberty to 60 an see her. His master
told him to take the best horse and 90 and
see her by all means. ..pllss.ItCb
The traitor left, but instead of going to
see his mother, (who was not even sick }
he went at speed to a Tory rendezvous
about ten miles distant. and told the cap
tain of this band of cut-throats that his
master was at home and alone that he
was going to stay over night, and strongly
urged the brutal Tories to come and take
him, and that he would be on hand and
help them. Of course they joyfully accept
ed the invitation, telling the betrayer that
they would be at the mansion before twelve
o'clock that evening. Dick returned home
and reported his mother better. During
the evening the willy Ashantee managed
to slip into his masters bed room, and TAX
ing his pistols from the holster he dipped
them in water and replaced them. We
likewise drew Mr.. Pickens' sword from
the scabbard and placing his foot on it he
broke the blade, leaving about foot of it
attached to the hilt. He replaced the brok-
en- weapon in the scabbard and hid the
balance of the blade. The villain now I'M
locked the rear door of the chamber, and
put the key in his pocket. After this he
chuckled to himself at his cunning, and
thinking his plans complete, awaited the
coming events with some anxiety.
Meantime Mr.. Pickens and his lady had
been seated in their summer house. He