The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-03-22
The Ride. of Mari0n's, Men.

"We don't care for the danger, Captain,
we're too used to that. There amt one
of us but had rather rsk his life than that
old tory should rob you Of your BRIDE
She's staunch patriot too. and hates
the very ground tint rcdcoat or tory
walks on. Wen save her, Capt. from
mating Silas Hail. or all of lis will die in
the attempt.
''Spoken like your own self, Robert; 1
felt that | could depend on you and the
est OF my men, to help me carry out my
plans. 1t Is the only way there is to save
her. Her uncle, Amos Herlin, watches
her like dragon, as does Silas Hall, who
declares he will marry her before two
days are over. IIe has such influence
with Tarleton that lie has sent a half
score Of his cut throats to guard the
house. This learned from Rose, who
managed to get no:o to me by the hand
Of Pip, her servant. Her uncle Is deter
mined to marry her to Hall, whether she
will or no-and Parson Sabine Is lust the
man to do the foul deed for them. He
would pronounce the ceremony whether
she was willing or not. There Is but one
thing To do, we must steal her away from
under the very nose of the redcoats and
their tory friends"
"And we will DO 1t, Captain. There
never was time yet, but that we could
outWlt them when we tried. 1t never
was said, and hope it mover will be that
Alarion's men were not match for the
enemy. night we will pay them Wis
1t If you say so, and when we come back
we will bring Rose Herlin with 49,"
''fhat we will, Captain" echoed all the
men gathered about him.
''rhank you, boys. II is not often we
fail, and think we shall not in this case
we must not. If we do it will be too
late, and all will be lost Rose Herlin
must be saved tonight. She knows of
what we mean to do if the black boy, Pin,
gets back all right, and know no. reason
why he should not. AS soon as it ,s dark
we will set out, and trust in Providence
and our own strong arm to help me-"
A few words here by way of expiana-
tion, that the reader may better compre
hcnd that which has already been partly
revealed to them.
Captain Blake commanded company
OF his own raising in the forces of Gen.
Marion. A bravcr officer thanlhc was not
in the command
Marion honored and trusted him, and
he was the idol of his men.
For two years past Rose HcrIin had been
his promised bride.
She was al orphan. Her parents had
been dead for several years, and her home
had been with her uncle. - Is .
Amos Herlin was O tory of thcmost yir-
ulcnt sort. Ele was loyal to the king, and
crown, and held in utter dctcstation those
who were battling oppression and Tor the
liberty of their country. One thing if
possible angercd him more than any ether.
Rose, a member of his household and his
dead brothers. child. was as sturdy pa
triot as there was in tho colonies.
Ills anger seemed to increase day by
day, until his house became 80 uncomfort.
able that she felt that she could no longer
abide beneath its roof. .'''
Tie knew of her engagement to Captain
Blake, and he stoully swOrc that there
should be an end to the matter forever.
Over and over again he declared that
he had rather she should die than wed with
Inn.
A friend of his, tory like himself, and
nearly as ole, demanded her of him for n
wife, and he roundly sworc that he should
have her. .'...1'
If she would not of her own accord, she
would be forced to do as they wished, and
to carry out this threat, the day was set
for the wedding, and to leave no avenues
for her escape the would be bridegroom,
Sllas Hall, had procured some of Tarle-
toms minions to guard the home of Amos
Herlin, under the plea that 1t was in dan
ger OF being robbed by the patriots, who
were known to be lurking near at hand.
This was the condition of affairs at the
time our story opens and we now pro-
ceed TO take up the thread of the narra-
tive. .' na .-I. "s =.
1t was the afternoon proceeding the day
IN which Rose was to be forced to become
the wife of SlIas Hall.
In spite Of her protestaliohs her uncle
did not alter in his avowcd purpose.
'"rhe wife of Silas lIally shall be j,
he cried. II have sworn it, and will not
be turned from my purpose"
Never, neverl''' cried Rose in despera-
ton. "Do not hope for it; my lips shall
never speak the words that shall bind me
Il that old villain; Wilde first.
You need not speak them unless you
wish to. Parson Sabine will not be. par
ticular. Silence gives consent" ai't.
The afternoon in question. Rose sat
alone In little apartment off from the
drawing room. She was thinking of the
coils that were closing around
her, and the chances there were for her to
escape.them. The blackboy. Pip had returned
and the message lie brought awoke Il hope
In her heart. fit was possible to save
her she knew Capt. Blake would do ut.
She knew his heart we'll, and fclt he would
give his own life tresly, IL need be, to
She was thinking Of him. and hoping
Il T. s1s..