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


of architecture, was surrounded by
stone wall, with half dozen .Louses In
the rear for servants.
There was large shed at the roadside
with a trough for feeding stock, and
we'll with an old-fashioned windlass.
Our horsemen rode their steeds to the
front gate, and were greeted by two or
three loud m outhed dogs. The farmer
came out in his shiIt-sleeves. he was
considerably frightened ut first, but when
he discovered that they were Americans
and not British. he YVES con siderably re-
lieved.
1Oh, We aren't Britishers, ar ye?" he
gasped, rs if he yet half doubted bis eyes.
"No, sir, We are Americans" Captain
Alton answered. Have you s'ep any
British soldiers about here?"
NO" he answered shaking his head.
Amt seen none, but they do say as how
they are all over the country. .,
Have you heard from Menoa today"
"No, but yesterday I heard they were
terribly scarf cause British man war
was comm TO lombard EN- out O. town.
Have they been threatened with land
forces?"
Dun know, but some 'un said that red
coats war seen at Belfast day or two ago,
an that amt fur from Manoa."
Before the Captain had opportunity to
ask any further questions, Simon, whose
keen appetite lost none of its edge by the
information, put in:
Il say, meister. can We gin US suthin' to
eat? I'm so pesky hungry that wouldn't
relish scrimmage naow, even II the req
coats were right before me-"
well, yes, I reckin we can give ye
bite to eat" answered the farmer, who was
too much alarmed to have refused, even
if he had had an inclination to do So.
And our hosses too; kin ye give 'em
hay or oats?"
iYes. dismount and tie them under that
shed, while l go in the house an hev the
women folks prepar' a snack fur ye."
will We find oats here?" asked Simon,
who, dismounting, led his horse to the
shed.
Il will send boy with OATS"
Ths Captain dismounted and led his
horse also to the shed, and made him fast
to a post at the side of the feed-box.
Simon" said the Captain to the
Yankee, Just loosen the saddle, but don't
take it of.
"Why?"
The enemy may be much nearer than
we think, and we may be forced to mount
in hurry"
why, they amt nearer n Belfast.
They we're seen in Belfast yesterday,
said the Captain, "and We do not know
when struggling troops may come this
way :,
well, I guess that's SO, Cap'n," said
Simon, loosening his saddle girth. i
thought the hoss would cool better by
takin' it off, but I won't do it."
It'll L - H. nnr,f ypIt
oats. He was about thirteen years of age,
and a bright boy, despite the fact that
his uncultivated mind was garden over
run with weeds.
Amt YOU fellers afraid of the red.
coats?" he asked.
NO." the Captain answered.
They say they're round right close
Have you seen any?" the Captain
asked.
mo; but Budd Smith said Le saw five
or six gallopin' by his hn1se."
-When?' = -
aT'-day-
aWhae does Budd Smith liver"
p,Iout mile down the road that goes
roui the fold.
! -Does your father know this?" the Cap
tain asked, somewhat anxiously..
mo; ! recken not. l never told him..
This somewhat relieved the Captain OF
suspicion which was lurking In his
mind that the farmer might be playing
the traitorH-The Captain and the Yankee
exchanged glaIeas. Perhaps 1t was more
on account of tie peril threatening
Manoa than personal danger that in
creased Captain Atoms uncaslness.
bat ,nh n
here, Simon" he said.
s'Twon't do any harm, an am Almost
dead for suthin' to eat" answered the
Yankee.
But the enemy are scattered all over
the country, and dangers thicken about
US every moment. We should haste to
Manoa with all speed"
I'VE kin 90 q good deal faster, Capn,
an git there good deal sooner by heVen'
full stomachs."
The horses were already crunchine
their oats. and our anxious Captain,
seeing that Simon was determined to eat
before he left, at last conrented, though
with great reluctance. They went to the
farm house, and we're conducted TO the
front room TO wait few moments until
their dinner was ready for them.
Simon carried his rifle. and the Cap
| tain also kept his urms at hand, ready
for all attack should one be made. Cap
tain Alton asked the farmer if he had
seen any red coats himself.
NO, I've seen none, an goodness
knows I hope I won't. But hear so
| much bout 'ep, sir, that think they
must be gittin' thick as hops. Them
Britishll never stop till they git the yoke
on our necks agin, see 'fthey don't. They
| have gone end burnt Washington City,
and next they'll burn Baltimore and even
| Manoa."
The Captain took more hopeful view of
things, and thought that the people of
| the United States were getting walked up,
and would now throw all tEeir forces into
the work, and snatch victory from defeat
Dinner was announced and the tired sol.
diers followed the farmer to the dining
room. Blacks came to wait on the table,
and as both the Captain and the Sergeant
were decidedly hungry. they ate ravenous-
ly. Besides being hungry, the Captain
was in hurry, and nervous haste got the
better of table etiquette. They had just
pushed back their chairs from the table
when The bov, who hid remained in the
front yard, rushed into the dinlng-rOom
crying:
"TLey're comm, theyre!"
-Who?" cried the Captain, starting to
his feet and instinctively laying his hand
on his sword.
The red GOATS, on horsst ack-con;>iull =
'earin' down the lane at Pallop." -