The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-08-26

treat. The speedy appearance, however
of the fugitives brought immense relief
and then was held hasty council of war
The result of this was that Mrs. McIn-
tire, Ella, and the children, were sent deer
into the forest to secure refuge, while
George and his little band, of which only
eleven were present that morning, were
stealing with wary, noiseless approach up.
on the marauders. They glided from
tree to tree, thicket, and copse, until at
last, unperceived, they were concealed
among the low pines not far from the
house.
The British officer commanding had
found the place deserted, for the negroes
also had fled. He concluded that if men
had been lurking about the place they were
either absent or frightened by the large
ness of his force, had fled with the family,
The low pines and immediate forest were
instantly searched, but without revealing
either fugitives or concealed enemies,
The partisans had not yet approached
Taught by harsh experience, however, the
British captain in command resolved to
load his wagons and depart speedily, fear
ing that on his return he would hear the
familiar crack of deadly rifles from foes
who would not be long in gathering Or
derlng his men to use despatch in sack
ing the house and outbuildings and in
gathering up the cattle, he coolly sat down
with some of his subordinated, to the
breakfast which had not been prepared
for them.
The British soldiers needed no urging,
for, while they were greedy for plumber,
they knew the price in blood usually paid
for 1t, and were anxious to return before
the people of the region had time to
gather.
When, therefore, the partisans drew
sufficiently near to observe what was TAX
ing place, the wagons were being rapidly
loaded and the place was dismantled.
George saw that the English force was
large, compact, and alert, that the fire
from his small band could not prevent the
mischief, and might lead to the immediate
burning of the dwelling. So in the hope
of saving this he directed his men to re-
main quiet until the marauding party was
well away from the place.
The fact that they were not interfered
with, and that no enemies were seen how
ering in the distance, so far from creating
confidence, began to cause uneasiness in
the British force. 1t was feared that the
Wings were preparing to strike heavy
blow on the homeward march. Accord
ingly the crowded door-yard was full of
hustle and activity. Men were carrying
bedding, furniture and provisions from
the house, and forage and grain from the
barns. Cattle were believing, pigs squeal-
ing and chased chickens adding to the
Babel-like uproar. The men also, with
the recklessness of soldiers, did not scru-
pie to laugh, jest and chaff each other,
although aware that the light of another
day might never gladden. their eyes.
Angus was white with rage and indig-
nation as, peering through thick pine, he
saw the havoc. He recognized every fam
liar article that was carried to the wagons,
every animal that was slaughtered, and
knew well how terribly impoverished they
all would be. Yet he suffered the deepest
pang when the faithful dog, Wolf, was
bayoneted, and involuntarily his rifle was
raised to shoot the man who gave the
thrust. Georges hand upon his arm re-
strained him.
"Be patient. GUS" said his friend. ~
know it's hard, but they shall pay for this,
All! what's up now?"
There seemed to be sudden and dire
confusion among the British soldiers, and
some of the horses began to kick and
plunge so violently as to be scarcely man
ageable. The confusion extended like a
contagion; men ran from a certain point,
covered their faces with their arms or
hats and danced around as if IN sudden
pain.
SPY all that's luckyw whispered Angus,
"they've upset beehive"
"Oh, isn't that richv' said Burton, shak
ing with suppressed laughter. "George,
George, the bees have begun the battle;
let as sting the robbers also"
"Wait, wait moment" said George, too
anxious and eager even to smile in his re-
sponsibility, but keenly observant. "This
is giving the affair new aspect. Per-
haps we had better JOIN our friends, the
bees"
But the enraged insects waited not for
help. Their excitement extended to the
neighboring hives and increasing swarms
poured out, each armed with a poisoned
weapon. The British troopers had no
armor, no means of defence, and the antics
of those stung and others seeking to avoid
their swiftly darting foes were SO very
absurd that the partisans, with difficulty,
restrained merriment which would have
revealed their presence. The British cap
tain stood in the doorway of the house,
endeavoring to give orders, but was SO
convulsed with laughter'at the plight of
his men that for moment he too, was al
most helpless. A great, red-faced, burly
sergeant who had charge of the wagon
train, had stepped into the house, after
his superiors had breakfasted, for cup
of coffee. Catching a glimpse, through
the window, of the disorder among his
men and horses, and ignorant of the cause
he rushed out in a towering rage, with his
heavy whip into the very centre of the
''busy bees" They appeared to regard
him as the author of the whole disturbance,
and acted accordingly. His oaths and ex-
postulations were arrested abruptly.
Three or four stings pierced his coppery
nose, and he clapped his hands over it
with something like howl. Then per
feet smarm attacked him in the rear, and
again his hand sought to protect the parts
assailed, while he yelled some incoherent
order At this instant a headlong bee flew
into his open mouth and stung promis
cously. The poor wretch, to the immenee
of those looking on from a
safe distance, fairly began to dance a
norn-pipe in his anguish. Yet the situe-
lion grew momentarily more serious. The
British troops in a widening circle were IN
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