The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-11
TIRE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
An Exciting Story of the War
of 1912.
BIZ JOHN r. MUSICK.
CHAPTER XIX.

nag was raised, SAID the lrrepresSlple
Yankee, Simon Kinman. EFF it hadn't
been, we'd blowed her eout O water"
."Oh, dear, oh, dear! They are comm
right here now to put the yoke on our
necks," groaned Zeke Gross.
The Yankee turned his eyes upon the
discouraged Zeke, and said:
"Doan't ye be so pesky feered O that
or long naik O. yourn. Yell find it safe
enough for the hangman when the time
comes"
BE sure Your neck amt broke, Yank. ,"
1Oh, mines insured, returned Simon.
What re they goin' ter do?" asked a
big boy coming forward and gazing at the
boat.
They are coming here to cut our
throats," the Yankee answered, with a
face which was gravity itself. although
there was humorous twinkle in his eye.
'Oh, Der gosh!" cried the boy, seizing
his throat in both his hands; Il don't
want my throat cut"
Cant help that, neither do l." said
the Yankee, with mock sigh; "yit I
guess the rascals intend doing it.
.Oh, Der gosh whatll I do to git
out'n it?"
GO and hang yourself!"
SOh, Der gosh!' and with this meaning
less expression, he ran away to the e1-
trsme northwest corner of the fortltica-
tion, and would have leaped the parapet,
s had not someone told him there were red
coats on the other side, ready to impale
him with their bayonets. Then, with an
other shout
4Oh. Der gosh!" he ran under the floor
of house.
There we're shouts of laughter at the
expense of the timid boy, who had fed
from the flag of truce.
He is big enough to handle muskes,
said Alton, who had noticed his ignomin-
ious fight. Where vas he during the
bombardment?"
He was hid either under the house or
; in the bomb-proof buildin'," said ST
Cole. HE is the biggest coward livin'.
The boat came steadily in, and the Of
fcer stood in the bow holding the flag Of
truce in his hand.
Capt. Alton turned to the deserter OF
the Xenophon, who stood at his side on
the parapet He was start led to ''ae how
pale his face had grown. "Mr. BWAett,
he said, hadn't you better not be seen?"
1T will make no difference, the desert
er answered. They know we are here,
and why need we conceal ourselves? If
the village surrenders, We must surrender
with it."
Capt. Alton could now understand why
the deserter had grown SO pale. To be
captured would be death to the deserters.
1Can you surmise the cause of this flag
Of truce9" Capt. Alton asked.
Yes, SIR"
What is it?"
There can be no other object than the
capitulat:on of the town"
Il do not know" the young Captain
returned, walking back and forth on the
top of the parapet. There may be some
other object, one which We cannot sur
mise at first. I believe Major Bridges
went aboard the ship last night
Would we not have seen him?"
.The pickets on the northeast of the
works say they saw small party pass
down to the beach and boat put Oft for
the vessel"
Then this flag of truce may be the re-
suit of conference.
Il think it is"
The boat came slowly and carefully to
shore, as though it was altogether not
certain of the reception it would receive.
It is said that traitors are always sus-
. iation of all manhood and honor had
: Cccu 81 SOWulolS 10 " uOuuCt u aO3p4Coo
young lady to hold between themselves
and an enemy need hardly expect flag of
Z truce to be respected.
rs not this another cheat, another
means to deceive u.s." said Captain Alton
to his companion who remained at his
side, his white face turned upon the sp-
preaching boat.
Il have had that in mind myself" the
deserter Of the Genophon answered, Aand
~ am now watching the scoundrels, trying
discover their intent. By all means,
Captain, do not allow them to come with
in your works"
How will arrange that? Go down to
the beach to meet them?"
NO; they might have plan to capture
you and drag you away. Those who were
treacherous enough to abduct young
.uu nv,y.ecs Nv! s:-! would be treacherous
enough to abduct an army officer. even
under flag of truce"
~ aThen what would you suggest?"
LET all the correspondence be carried
On by your officers in writing. Captain
Montieth or Major Bridges, or perchance
both, have sent an officer to treat with
you. Send some one to receive whatever
Communication he has brought.
Your idea is an excellent one, Mr.. Bur-
nett, and I shall adopt the plan you sug-
gest.
He then called to Simon and told him
to choose six men, armed with muskets
and bayonets, aud 60 down to meet the
officer.
- -AH right, Cap'n, an eff ye say the word
we'll jist drap the last mothers son O
them Britishers, afore they kin put in to
land"
mo, Simon, you must not harm them.
You are sent to treat with them"
Treat emI" cried Simon in amazement.
'Naow ye don't find me treatin' 'em, by a
long shot. I'd ruther plaguy sights sink
'em in the sea then to 60 to treatin' 'em."
You don't understand me, Simon"
Griffith said, with a!smile on his pale face.
p @Those men have come with some prop
osition for me, and I am going to send
you to receive the message, and bring it
to me. You are my officer, just the same
as the man in the boat is the officer of Cap
tain Montieth. Leave your men a few
rods behind, aud advance yourself to re-
ceive whatever information they may have
to send me-"
Ill do it Cap'n, III do it, yeou kin jest
gamble ont. III foller eout your in
structions to a T."
The six men we're selected. and Simon
at the head Of them started down to the
beach.
~Oh, dear, they'll have the yoke on our
necks sartin," groaned the despondent
Mr.. Gross, who sat upon gun carriage,
his face bowed in his hands.
When the boat containing the officers
with the flag of truce touched the beach,
Simon, who VI as but short distance away,
col1aj ont.