The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-31

:wa.nI, naow, by the Jumpih Moses,
it's abeout time was gittin' my artillery
for ba, kim" said the Yankee. selzing his
long rife. Jest show 'em TO me, boy, n
I'll be gawl darned if they doant think
O thunder storms come.
wait, Simon" said the Captain to the
Sergeant. Then turning to the fright
ened farmer who was wringing his hands
and groaning: They'll have the yoke on
our necks," the young Captain said. is
there away out at the rearf"
Yes"
SHOW US out. :,
They passed through narrow hall to
the rear kitchen door, and were IN the
back yard. Now, Simon, don't be TOO
rash" cautioned the Captain IL was
we'll TO 10 so, for Simon was ike an i'm
natient war steed, ready for the fray.
The Captain left Simon behind the
house and crept around the corner to see
how many red coats there we're, and what
they were doing. They we're six in num-
ber and had drawn rein at the stiles.
@They're Yankee 'orses," he heard one
trooper, who seemed to be leader, say, an
we'll find the howners in the 'ouse. Bill,
you stay here with the mammals and the
rest O US will charge in on 'em, and take
'em at dinner"
The Captain had the advantage CT .ome
trellis vines, and there was little danger
of his being discovered. He beckoned
Simon to his side and whispered to the
farmer to 60 to the front door and let IN
The troopers. Ihe tarmsr went to the
door.
With swords drawn and pistols cooked
the dragons made dash across the lawn
to the front door. One man was sent
around to the right and one to the left OF
the house.
aNov, Simon whispered the Captain,
when he heard the order given, you
must knock tic man who comes around
this way senseless, but don't fire shot.
Simon understood the Captain and
dubbed his gun. In few moments the
quick step Of the trooper fell on his ear,
and lust as he came around the corner
orick, sure blow from tie dubbed gun
laid the English dragocn serseless on
the ground.
The Americans sprang from behind the
house and ran down toward the stiles.
The man who had been left in charge OF
the horses was watching the road to see
if the Americans in the neighborhood
were rising up against them, and did not
see CAPITA Alton and his companion I'M
til they we're half way between the house
and the style. This discovery was fol-
lowed by O shout, and raising holster
| he fired. =,
"Sce hyar, Cap'n, I'm not goin' to stand
tha- -at, yelled Simon, whose hat-crown
hsd been perforated by the bullet. Quick
as thought the Yankee Sergeant raised
his rife to his face, and taking hasty
aim, pulled the trigger. The sharp crack
of the rifle was accompanied by yell OF
agony. The horses tho trooper was hold
ing, including the one on which he was
sitting. began rearing mud pluv ging until
they broke away.
The dragoon at whom Simon had fired,
reeled moment in his raddle, and then,
as his horse thunderad away after the
other animals, he fell forward on his
steed's neck, and finally rolled off hii
back, falling limp and lifeless in the
dusty road.
Before the echoes of the shot had
ceased to reverberate among the tree
tops, or the smoke had passed away, our
American friends had leaped the fence
and were at their horses. The dragons,
hearing the firing, of course hastenec ia
the front doo:. 1T first only chaos ol
smoke, dust, Gnortipg and running horses
could be seen, hut the officer in charge Of
the squad discovered the Americans
through the cracks in the SIZED, just az
they mounted their horses.
"There they 90, there they go!" he
cried, firing a pistol. The ball buriel it.
self in the shed, and the Americans gallop.
ed down the road. They were screened by
the she'd, until they were SO far away that
the fusees of tho dlagoons were not dan
gerous. =,
"-They're on foot :'now, Cap'n," said
Simon, with ha, ha, as they galloped
away. ian guess we'll be able to keep
out O. their way"
Their horses having been somewhat re-
freshed by the short rest and strengthen
ed by the feed of oats and hay, we're en-.
abled to go at O much livelier pace than
before. The frightened horses of the
troopers kept before them for two OF
three miles, and then turned Oft into the
forest, so that the Americans knew there
was DO danger Of their enemy getting
mounts soon.