The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-22

1ucn hlSSluS Inem OOtn, sne entered Ine
house.
In few moments they were galloping
swiftly away, presenting a fine contrast
as they sat on their fleet horses with the
ease of southern youth, who are almost
brought up in the saddle. They we're
dressed in blue hunting shirts belted at
the waist and fringed around the bottom.
Close-ftting knee brooches of blue home
spun jeans, and stockings of like color, set
off their 1.-THE shapely limbs, while mecca
sins that would give them noiseless tread
incased their feet. Their hats were made
of racoon skins, with the tails hanging
jauntily towards the left shoulder. Though
scarcely more than boys, they could prove
themselves formidable foes with the thor
ough knowledge of the rough, wooded
country, and their celebrity of movement.
Burton was the larger and stronger of the
two and inclined to be impetuous; but
Angus had the cool, wary courage of his
Scotch ancestry. A sense of the great in
jury which he and his family had suffere d
was like a steady fire in his veins, but he
was not one to incur risks from passion
ate, hasty action. Burton, on the other
hand, although he assumed the leadership
naturally from his age, would often need
restraining counsel.
They found the little village of Char
lotte seething with excitement, and many
of the women almost beside themselves
with terror. CORVALLIS and the ruthless
Tarleton were said to be not many miles
away, and marching on the place. The
two friends soon fell in with their acquain-
tan@e, young George Graham, who was one
of those natural leaders that are always
developed in stormy times. Although
scarcely the senior of Burton, yet he had
already gathered several daring spirits
about him. Angus and Burton at once
joined this group. George was acting
under the orders of his brother, Major
Joseph Graham, who had been sent to
Charlotte to take command of the British
volunteers there as soon as it was clear
that the British army was marching on
| the place. This brave officer enlisted in
the regular Continental army when but
nineteen, and had already seen much dan
| gerous service. He was now but twenty
one, yet to him looked both young and
old for the protection of their town and
their homes. All the men of the village
capable of bearing arms were under his
command, and in the terrible emergency
grandsires and grandsons mustered side
by side. From the surrounding country
motley groups of men and boys, clad in
homespun, came riding or trudging in and
reporting to the boy-like looking major,
who nevertheless was respected not only
for his character, but also for the reason
that he had often proved himself cool and
brave under the enemy's fire. Nothing
gives one greater prestige among raw re-
cruits than the reputation of having smelt
gunpowder before, and young Joe Graham
was looked upon as regular "tire-eater"
He made good his fame within the next
twenty-four hours. Indeed he inspired
confidence in his men at once by carefully
looking after their comfort and effective
ness. Nota moment was spent in idle va
porings or confused counsels. His orders
were prompt and decisive, and the respite
given before the approach of the enemy
was employed in seeing that all had am
munition suited to their weapons. But
few of these old fint-lock rifles and shot
guns were alike, and unless the powder
horns were full, and the pouches supplied
with bullets that would fit the bore of the
barrel, they would be Quaker guns. The
ma jority brought their ammunition, but
this at that day was very scarce, and not
few were without any. Some had the
slngle-barrel fint-lock pistols then in
vogue, and others nondescript sabres made
of saws ground to an edge. Bat they were
In the hands of resolute men, who hoped |
to obtain better weapons from their slain
or captured enemies.
Graham was in frequent communication
with Colonel Davie who, with his force,
was skirmlshing in front of the British
and seeking to impede its march. Late in
the afternoon George Graham was sent by
his brother to Davie to obtain further in
formation and Burton and Angus volun-
teered to accompany him. By nightfall
they met the vanguard of the small force
whose very audacity had doubled their
in British estimation. Both the
hostile forces halted IN the evening to rest
and cook supper, and the Wing soldiers,
with quick hospitality, shared their coarse,
limited rations with the three young men
who had Joined them. About ten O'Clock
the moon rose, and scouts came in with
tidings that the English army were again
in motion. Graham and his followers
took places in the rear of the little col
umn led by Davie, who now contented
himself with keeping we'll in advance that
he might carry out plan that was form
ing in his mind. His active scouts hover
ed in front of the enemy and, while doing
nothing to provoke conflict, kept sufi-
GENTLY near to note all movements.
Thus the two commands-the little
handful of men with Davie and the British
army led by the world-renowned nobleman
and general, CORVALLIS steadily
forward through the night over the billy
,ountry-road. Sometimes the moons
avs glinted family on rife-barrels, bay
'nets and scabbards, but more often men
md horses marched in dim outline beneath
he shodowy forest.
When it became evident that the enemy
to enter the town that night,
George Graham and his two friends were
ERECTED to ride forward rapidly and re-
port the fact to Major Graham. There .
lad been no sleep in Charlotte, and when
he small Wing force under Davie arrived
It midnight, it received a warm welcome. .
The tidings brought kindled the flames of
excitement seven times hotter. The
British army, the terrible Tarleton,
vas but mile away and coming directly ..
IN. Some besought Davies protection !
nd then regretted their request, for his i.
fort to comply would bring on a battle =
bout their very doors. But the policy of