The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-03-09


Smith and Wesson's pistol, cooked it, and
presenting it with a steady hand and
calm digniied manner, said: "The first
man who advances one step nearer will
lose his life by woman's hand. 1 ap'
pealed to you as men and soldiers; you
have replied like fiends and robbers
have six balls; am practised and sure
shot; and, above all else, the God Of
Heaven is my shield and defence"
All men, even barbarians, respect bray,
cry, and those rude men, the brutal Cap
tain not excepted, gazed admiringly on
the girl, seemingly awed by her courage,
which grew greater with the increasing
danger, and spell-bound by her beauty,
which the excitement had made radiant.
''By Jove, I will not be foiled by such
chit!" exclaimed Capt. Bennett, fercely,
awakening suddenly from the momentary
trance into which he had been thrown by
the girls courage and beauty. II, too,
can show pistol. Dare you oppose us
we are seven men, and soldiers Of the
conquering Sherman You are but q
slender girl. Your resistance is vain; it
will but cost you your life"
Scornfully the red lips curled: "Were
T a soldier or man, would deem my
self craTen-hsarted to fight women !
Death is ever the welcome friend of the
oppressed; he comes but once, and I do
not fear him." she boldly replied.
Irritated by the heroic woman's fearless
scorn, the Captain drew his pistol, but
before he could present it, voice in
tones of stern command, exclaimed
"Holdw
The astonished rufians turned and
beheld with evident constsrnation on the
first step of the stairway young man of
lofty statute and commanding bearing,
dressed in the uniform of a Federal
Colonel.
"Soldien," he said, in tones of re-
proachful admonition, "you whose BAN
ners are inscribed with Atlanta and Sa-
vannah-victories bravely won over gal
liant men-do I now find you engaged in
the cowardly work of insulting and pill
Laying defenceless women? My brave
boys, this should not be. Shame upon
the man against whom a timid woman
finds it necessary in self-defence to gird
her with soldiers weapon and a soldiers
courage! Return to your command, and
act so as to make yourselves worthy the
proud names of soldier and man. You,
Captain" he continued, after first casting
an admiring glance at the young girl,
which glance was quickly changed into
an expression and smile of mingled irony
and contempt as he addressed Captain
Bennett, "may make yourself easy; your
ambitious thirst for fight and fame (if
our scouts report true) will be INDUCED
full soon by an encounter with more
numerous though scarce more valiant
foe! IT'S said the gallant Hampton will
cross our path ere long. Seven to one,
and that one woman, is hardly brave
or fair fght~
"Yet, tits the way we Southerners ever
meet your swarming myriads," said the
girl quickly.
"You have got the woman's tongue for
your pains, Colonel" sneeringly replied
Capt. Bennett, touching his hat, Good
morning" as he went down stairs, and
muttering in low tones: "Hubert Gray
shall yet rue this day or my name is not
Jonathan Bennet."
marion! Miss Maham why do I find
you here?"
"God bless you, Colonel, for your
timely aid~ said Mrs. D., with a
long drawn sigh of relief, interrupting
Col. Gray's exclamation. Then, Offering
her hand to the Federal officer, she said {:
'I do not often desire to clasp the hand
of Yankee, but we Rebels as you call
us, Colonel, know how to appreciate a
true man and a brave man in friend or
foew
Marion, now that all danger was over,
had shrunk again into the retiring, timid
girl; but the loud and fervent blessings
poured out by the hitherto frightened
and silent Mrs. D., gave her courage
to express her gratitude. Hastily put
ting down her pistol on chair near by,
her beautiful eyes suffused with tears,
and her lovely face glowing with excite
ment, she approached Colonel Gray with
both hands extended, and exclaimed {:
"My brothers friend, and our deliverer !
how can thank your"
"You owe me no thanks, dear Miss
Maham. I am only too happy in being
permitted to serve my old friends and
the friends of Walter Maham. If you
are indebted at all it is to your servant
Croppo. The faithful fellow recognized
me as I was riding through the town,
endeavoring to check the work of de-
struction in which our soldiers are en-
gagged. He came up to my horse, and
putting his hand respectfully but firmly
on my bride, stopped the horse and said
in a low and agitated voice: Massa
Hubert, you member me? Pse Croppo,
from Buckley Hall; Col. Maham's sar-
want. My lubly young lady, Miss Mari
on, is in a bad place. Come wild me
quick, Colonel, but don't let your sogcrs
know Croppo send YOU The sweet
memories of Berkley, and the thought of
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