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

ro,red Jack Eatehet, the honest black
smith. rushing forward and seizing the
Young Captains hand as he entered the
Torks. II knowed ye'd come, hey; did,
old Teller. We're all right now. boys.
we've got plenty guns, cannons, an Grlf
to show us how 10 use 'em."
"Hurrah fur Griff," yelled Henry
Small. the village carpenter, taxing OF
his Int and f1inging it into the air.
Even Tommy Rufies, the genteel little
tailor who had never liked Griffith Alton
since he had succeeded in winning the
affections Of the girl on whom Tommy
had set his heart, came forward to grasp
the hand of the young Captain. =,
Here he is, sword, pistols, an all, De
gosh" yelled 81 Cole, the shoemaker
erasping the hand of the new commander.
Griffith knew they had little time for
rejoicing and congratulations. he de,
manded silence, and as soon as he cou!d
get them quiet made a short speech,
hastily mapping out plan of defense.
The British we're near Belfast, and their
LIGHT horse we're even then securing the
country to keep volunteers from coming
to aid in the defense.
.EEireo as ne was, ne organized tnem
into companies, and selected the coolest,
best men for officers of each company.
He even inspected their arms, had each
officer make list of his men, and set 81.
mon to drilling one Of the companies,
while q second company he had rest, and
O third to labor on the works.
With remarkable rapidity he surveyed
and sketched the walls with his eyes, and
mapped out the necessary height and
breadth of the works. He then gave the
work into the hands of Sam Perry,
stone mason, and al Jonas, a bricklayer,
instructing them what was to be done.
When ye goin' to git them cannons
ready for shootin', Griff 2" asked Jack
Hatchet, the blacksmith. They says
how that ships been in sight time or
two. Could seer from off the cape, n
the's gittin' ready to blow us to etarn-
isy."
We can't mount the cannon before
morning." tho young officer answered.
THE works are not ready"
But she'll be blazin' away at us b5 that
"No she won't, Jack. The breeze is
from the land, and she can't warp in here
in twelve hours, for this harbor is not the
easiest in the world to enter. Besides.
don't You see the SKIES are lowering ano
we're going to have blow? You can de-
pend on it, Jack, that ship will put out tc
sea where she can stand gale"
wall, guess yer right.
GThere is no danger from land attack
either, for 1 learned an hour ago that
Bridges is twelve miles beyond Belfast.
why, Griff. 7 heard that the redcoats
war all over the country"
They are only small predatory bands,
or scouting parties, sent out to recon
noitre, and harass the farmers so as tc
prevent their concentrating >,
But our fellows are comm in" said
the blacksmith; well lick 'em, now tina,
you've got here"
Night came on. Dark clouds which
had been lowering about the horizon be.
gan to spread over the sky, and the wind
in low walls soughed through the tree
tops. It threatened to be terrible night
The sea was already dashing in foam
crested waves against the lock bound
shore.
After partaking of supper at the house
where he had established his headquarters
Captain Alton lett Simon in charge, ant
fastened to the large house which stood
on the hillside.
at won't do, he said shaking his head
THAT ouse will be too conspicuous I
mark for them to remain there during tb'
SIEGE"
He reached the frort door, md his hanc
was extended to the bell-knob, when tb'
door was thrown open and bright, fairy
like creature threw her arms about hi
neck and pressed her kisses upon hi
cheek.
4Oh. Griffith. Griffith! am so glai
You have come, she said. Papa is 81
respondent tonight, and am sure you!
ramipg will rouse his spirits.
ITO BE CONTINUED