The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-07-17

In order TO reacn tn6 malu IOau we
had to 20 through a deep, rocky hollow:
and in pulling up the hill a part of the
harness gave way and we were brought
to q dead stop. What were we to do?
We could not stay there and we could
not 20 on. sat down by the roadside
more respondent than | can express, and
felt that I would forget cold, fatigue and
danger If could only be in motion once
more.
The brave old darkey plodded off to a
neiphboring house, and after what SEEM
ed q long time came back with man
carrying lantern and an axe.
They managed to patch up the harness,
and once more we enjoyed the blessed
privilege of knowing on" We soon
came to "Cold Water" bottom. A wood
en- bridge crosses what is in summer an
insignificant stream, but a wide waste OF
white sand beyond shows that when
swollen by winter rains it becomes rest
less torrent, laying waste many fair
field. As the pale moon shone on this
ghastly plain, and I looked at the dark
fringe of trees which surrounded it, l
exclaimed, "What a place for robbers !
Here they could survey their victims and
count them with perfect accuracy while
they themselves lay hidden by the
woods"
SURROUNDED BY HIGHwAYMEN.
As though my words had conjured
them up, just as we reached the middle
of the plain saw them ride forth-two,
four, six, eight, twenty!
AS our wagon dragged its noiseaess way
through the sand the men approached US
as silently, and felt that was going to
nv doom. knew we'll who they were.
All along our borders there were bands
of desperate men; robbers, consisting OF
deserters from both armies, and some
who had fed from conscription. There
was no law, to restrain them, and they
had become accustomed to bloodshed.
In perfect silence they surrounded US,
and then cried "haltp They were pro-
ceedipg With great coolness to appropri.
ate my effects when one of the men said
impertinently "Who are you, anyhow I.
The sound of my name had magical
effect. There leader knew and admired
nv husband, and while carefully conceal
ing his identity he restrained his men,
and even offered me an escort through
the woods.
Another danger past, we took fresh
courage and logged along patiently till,
about midnight, from the top of high
hill, we caught sight of the moonlight
shining on the roofs of Holly Springs:
Exhausted as I was, I stood UP and
screamed aud clapped ny hands for JOY.
Another hour brought us to the foot Of
q long hill which forms the northern
limit of the town. Half way up the
mules called halt, and on examination
we found that the right wheels had gotten
into quick sand and the tired team
could not dislodge them.
/ thought at first that / would just run
away home and leave the wagon, but :
could not give up thus all the results of
my toll and suffering, and so, without
a ray of hope, I went up to the first
house and called out faint "hallo."
To my great surprise an able.bodied
man came out (he was at home on fur
lough,) and informed me that he had
Just helped another party out of the
same trouble. he walked his wife and
built good fire, acquainting me with
the fact that he would have to pry up
the wagon and put plank floor under it
before it could be moved.
This was my last adventure, and as l
laid my tired head upon my pillow that
night Tor rather morning. / prayed that
the Lord would shorten those days" and
send us peace.