The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-31
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most of the pubic Duliu
The news spread Vsnd
thousands Of AmS % oeen
careless all along. as totne.salt OF the
xar, now sprang to the defense OF their
eountry. Heretofore the war had been
chiefly on the northern border, but now
hostilities had commenced on the east,
and the whole Atlantic coast seemed in
defenseless condition.
Militia companies were hurrlediy T aiSeo
and seaport towns hastily fortified. ne
whole Atlantic coast was in state OF ex-
citement, and preparations for defense
we're made at every seaport village. Inc
first speaker was Capt. Grlthth Alton, OF
the United States volunteer service, WEo
had been dispatched with single attend
ant, Sergeant Simon Kinman, "a down
East Yankee" to take command OF the
hastily collected militia at the small sea.
port town of Manoa. Manca was situated
In a convenient harbor, which was land
locked and surrounded by high cllffs,
promontories, and peaks.
It was on rocky portion of.the main
coast north of Belfast, and its inhab-
Stants once had hopes Of its growing to
aourishine city. But its harbor was not
safe at ali periods of the year, and, it
being off the main line of land travel, 1t
has at this day dwindled down to az in
significant fsherman's hamlet. At the
time of which We write, however, it was
a fourishing little village, and, having
some excellent farming lands near it, was
Of no little importance.
CAPTAIN Alton had asked to be sent
TO the defense of Manoa, for it was his
home. His parents were both buried
there, and the girl who had promised to
become his wife lived in the large stone
house on the hill, at the north side OF the
village. Her father was nm old retired
SEQ captain, who by economy had man
aged to lay by fortune, and Ola was his
only child. Her mother was dead
Z Perhaps Captain Alton's an xiety was
not little increased by the rumors
Which reached his s.aRt -Mlor
Bridges, Of The English b. in conf
5nand of five hundred Brithu soldiers,
was advancing on Manoa. Major Bridges
vas an unsuccessful rival OF Captain
Atoms for the haLd of the fair Ola. He
had met her three summers before our
story opens in New York, and pressed his
suit until rejected, when the British Of
fcer few into passion and used such
threats as would have cost him his COM
mission had it been known by his su-
periors.
Capt. Alton and he had met once on
the field of honor, and the Major was
wounded in the right arm. He had made
SO many threats against the beautiful
but spirited American girl, that Capt.
Alton had some serious apprehensions
when he learned that tie Major was near
Manoa with a considerable land force,
and British man-of-war had been sent
to cooperate with him.
The country through which the Captain
and his single attendant were riding was
broken and wooded. In places, fields had
been made by clearing the timber and
breaking the ground. Houses had been
built, and civilization appeared; but for
most of the way they were IN thick
wood.
How far are we from town uaow?" tho
Yankee asked.
1T must be ten or fifteen miles
Simon whistled softly to himself, while
his keen blue eyes roamed about the forest.
Simon was typical Yankee, tail, with large
Roman nose, angular features and lam
tern jaws. His long legs come down be-
low the body of the sorrel horse he rode:
The Captain wore sword and brace Of
pistols in his belt, with holsters ct his
saddle, and his attendant, in addition to
his pistols, carried long rifle.
Simon declared that he was lest Itch
ing for fight with them darned rcd
coats, an ye bet I'll make it lively for
some O. them when it does commence"
If we can only reach there IN time to
set the men organized ana prepared,
said Captain Alton, Il have no fears OF
n fight, especially if they have arms.
Haven't they got guns? heard that
two hundred muskets had been shipped
there, with all the accoutrements and
ammunition. Then they have long
brass tweuty.four.p pounder and four or
five smaller pieces"
We'll. naow. what more dye want.
Cap'n? Why we kin clean eout The
British army with 'em.
Captain Alton smiled at tie sanguine
Yankees answer, and said:
NO, no, Simon. We have only raw
soldiers to fight British veterans.
think the chances are against US unless
We have time TO organize and forify and
dri1 nnr froorc