The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-08-12


turned. He bounded away with the feet.
ness of deer, and gained the corn field
unperceived,
The vldettes of the enemy were scatter.
ed along the side of the field next to the
house, and Burton soon became convinced
that he would have to creep to the very
edge to get within range of the man he
had selected as target This he could
not do and retain chance of safety,
While he could be very impetuons under
excitement, he was not one to do a fool
hardy thing in cold blood. He had about
decided to pick off one of the videttes and
then escape, when he saw that the whole
foraglng party was about to Withdrew.
1t had been unmolested, and the officer in
command relaxed his caution, called in
his sentlnels and prepared to march back
to Charlotte. As the pickets retired from
the edge of the corn field, Burton crept up
closer aud closer, vlgilantly alert to catch
another glimpse of the man with the
bushy beard. After almost desparing of
seeing him again he suddenly appeared,
coming from the house with an armful of
bedding, which he placed upon a wagon
whose driver yet fingered. The fellow then
clambered up to arrange the stolen articles
more secure. Burton, who by this time
had made his way to the last row of corn,
waited no longer, but took deliberate aim
and fired. He paused only long enough
TO see the man start violently, seek to
catch hold of something, and fall head
long to the ground, then crouching, ran
towards his partisan support. He had
gone but little way before a dozen dra-
goons came galloping towards the corn
after him. But his friends we're equally
as prompt and, under Georges advice,
spread out after entering the field, so as
10 give the impression of large force.
Rustllng and crashing through the corn
their swift advance was like the sound of
tempest, and the British dragons soon
fled, carrying the direful tidings that a
multitude of Wings was upon them. The
drivers of the forage wagons whipped up
their horses and the heavily loaded vehicles
rumbled, groaned and bounced along the
stony road. One broke down and was
abandoned. The British officer drew his
men together into a compact body, and
began rapid retreat. The partisans
would have pursued openly, but George
checked them, knowing that this course
would reveal the smallness of their num-
bers.
Follow me-" he cried. by making
short circuit We can come upon them
about mile from here in piece of woods
and then we will have more or less cover
all the way to town. If they see how few
we are, they'll give us the chase, and I've
had enough of such chasing"
He seemed to be their natural leader,
and they all followed. In doing so they
caught up with another band of partisans,
in which were the owner of the place and
his two sons, all burning to avenge the
wrongs which they had thus far helplessly
witnessed. Away they went, like the wind,
down wood-road, until at last they were
in advance of the foraging party; then
pushed directly into the forest, riding
throug dense growth that would have
greatly impeded others than the expert
and hardy natives of the region. They
struck the road at point where it wound
through heavy timber, rising from almost
impenetrable thickets. Here George set
his ambuscade, with orders that the first
volley should be directed against the
wagon-drivers and such officers as we're
visible.
at should be our object to increase the
enemy's fears" he said, land so, if posi-
BILE, develop first-class panic. Here's an
obscure wood-road, leading back into the
forest. With your permission I'll arrange
you on the right of this in three squads;
the first to deliver their FIRE as lave said
and then gallop down the road far enough
to get chance to reload. OF course
they'll make rush for us, when the Sec
ond squad will give 'em a volley and then
be off in like manner. When 1 say the
word, give 'em the third volley. Thus
they'll get the impression that the woods
ale full of us, and will be off, although
they outnumber us three to one. And
now" he concluded, "silence until my rifle
gives the order to fire.