The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-08-26
YOUNG HORNETS OF THE
HORNETS NEST.
AN HISTORICAL STORY OF LOVE
AND WAR.
BY Z. p. ROE
BY E. P. ROE.
CHAPTER VI. Continued.

CHAPTER VI. Continued.
Ccouching behind Angus was the great
black dog, and now the boy stood aside
and said, SIN and at him, Wolff
The huge dog sprang forward with a
savage growl; the Tory tried for a mo-
ment to keep the girl in front of him,
but the dog siezed him by the arm and
Ella broke away. Wolf then leaped for
his throat, but the Tory sprang backward
and was about to strike the animal with
his knife, when there was a flash. a loud
report, and the room was full of smoke.
AS it cleared little they saw the dog
shaking the Tory's lifeless form.
Mrs. McIntire rushed to her sons arms
and shrieked, "The other men will come
and kill you"
mo, mother" he said, grimly, give
settled with them, too, but must make
sure of it. Stop your screaming, children
there's no more danger. Come, Wolf"
There was sound of galloping horse;
in the lane, and Burton's whistle revived
Ella, who was almost falnting. moment
later she was sobbing in her lovers arms
"Merciful heaven! Gus, what's happen
ed?" cried George riding to the verands
steps and looking within.
SWELL" said the boy, brokenly, and sit
ting down, II reckon you may well speak
of merciful heaven. If you hadn't come ]
could have held out little longer, but
you must give me time," and he sank ex-
hausted and faint on the steps.
Mrs. McIntire was at his side in a mo-
ment with glass of wine. "Have patti
ence, George" she said. "There were two
other men. What Angus could have done
to them"
There, there" said the boy, "it'l pass
in moment. Why the mischief do I have
to act like baby at such times? Get a
light and see what you'll find by that tree
yonder."
The two unconscious Tories we're found
barely breathing, for the boy had brought
down the heavy club with all the strength
which terror inspires. Explanations were
soon given and the whole band gathered
around Angus with the heartiest plaudits.
"Oh shut up" said the boy, irritably.
Il can't stand any more tonight.
Mother and the girls are safe and that's
enough"
"Here, George" cried Burton, "let Us
pitch this carbon out" indicating the
Tory's hody. "Why, it's Rufe Hackett,
one of the bloodiest Tories in the state"
"Hold on, Burton" said George, excit
eddy, "Hackett, did you say? Why, he
was with Ferguson. AS live believe he
was sent with dispatches to CORVALLIS be-
cause he knew the country so well. Here,
two of you men, carry him out on the
veranda where Mrs. McIntire and the girls
can't see him, for he must be searched
thoroughly"
Georges surmise was correct. Des-
patches of vital importance were found
stitched in the lining of his shirt. Fer
guson had written plainly of the hostile
forces closing upon him and Of his urgent
need of help. 1t need not be said that
CORVALLIS never received those dispatches
and that the essential aid was never sent
How the hardy mountaineers smote the
British and the Tory horde, and killed
their leader is one of the best known chap
tiers of southern history. The British
commander did hear of the overwhelming
disaster and was not long in deciding that
he had better leave the "hornets' nest"
of Charlotte and it's vicinity as soon as
possible.
Mrs. McIntire, her household and her
brave partisans friends quoted down in
time and obtained sorely needed rest. The
two prisoners whom Angus had disabled
recovered eventually, and were then tried
by rude secret court-martial, condemned
and shot. George and others saying
sternly, "We shall permit no Tory outrages
in this county "
Every day added to the embarrassment
of the British commander at Charlotte,
every ruthless maraud to, procure supplies
increased the anger and hate of the sur
rounding people. The country had been
ravaged far and near, and yet the McIntire
plantation had as yet escaped. 1t was not
very accessible, but eventually reports that
a partisan band had made it sort of
head Quarters drew attention to the place,
and to the hope of plumber was added the
desire to punish those who had won the
reputation of making much trouble.
George and his followers had been very
wary, and there were few in that region
who would inform against them. The
British authorities, therefore, had no clear
idea of the force which might be found in
the region, and deemed it prudent to send
with the forage wagons an escort of four
hundred men. They started before light
in the morning and moved rapidly and
quietly in the hope of affecting surprise.
While they almost succeeded in this re
spect they were treated to several surprls-
ing experiences themselves before the day
was over.
George and his men had returned the
NIGHT before from long and fatigu1ng
ride, and were sleeping heavily well back
in their forest shelter. Angus had watch
ed at the farmhouse until dawn began to
brighten and then had been joined by
Ella who said that she and her mother
would be vigilant while getting
breakfast. The tired boy was only too
glad to be relieved, and was soon in deep
slumber. The sun rose brightly, adding
to the golden hues of the autumnal foliage.
Tie morning was so quiet and genial that
it was hard to entertain thoughts of dan
ger, and Ella, whose heart, in spite of its
sorrows and fears, would persist in being
light, was singing at her tasks. For
brief time she forgot the need of watchful-
ness, then recalling her duty, stepped out
on the veranda. To her horror she saw
large British force not far distant, rapid
" approaching. The enemy, during the
latter part of the march, had been guided
through wood road, which had concealed
the movement
so, mother!" cried the terror-strlcken
Girl. See! What shall we dol"
Mrs. McIntire gave but one startled