The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-11
CHAPTER XII.
AN ADVENTURE IN THE DARK.

appeared.
CHAPTER XII.
AN ADVENTURE IN THE DARK.
Griffith Alton left the house of the
wounded sea captain and started down
the slight descent toward the foot bridge
which led across the ravine to the village.
Some tall ornamental trees were growing
along the sides Of the path, and these In
addition to the very dense fog and stal-
less night made it so dark that Captain
Alton was forced to grope his way be-
fore he had gone dozen PAGES from
the piazza.
He had his sword in his hand with
which he was feeling his way, thrusting
it out against the trees on his right and
ct the same time feeling with his lett
hand.
He Was about half way down the hill
when his hand brushed the hair of some
one. Supposing it to be sentry, he said:
"Helloa, sir; who are you, and what are
you doing here2"
There was nc answer, but the next mo-
ment the muzzle Of pistol was thrust
into his face, and he heard a click and
saw fash.
Fool! What do you mean7"
The powder had; evidently become
damp, and the weapon failed to 60 OF.
Instinctively comprehending that he was
in danger, the Captain sprang aside and
threw his sword up to ward of blow.
Take this, them" hissed voice. And
the next moment there was clash of
steel against steel, as heavy blade came
in contact with his own, causing the
sparks to fly in showers.
'"Who are YOU? If it's this you want
YOU can have your share of it," cried Cap
tain Alton, swinging his sword about his
head and siashing rig int and left. Clash
--clash-clash-stee meet steel, and sue
cessive showers of sparks rolled from
their blades.
Captain Alton could have killed his an
tegonist, but supposing him 10 be some
overzealous young officer. he was only
desirous of Furnishing him. The man
soon found himself hard pressed, and
hurting the pistol into the face Of the
young commander with force enough to
stun him, wheeled about and ran off into
the darkness.
"Confound the rascal" said the Cap
tain, staggering for moment under the
force of the blow, Il wish I had him."
he was StuuuSu Uut LUZ u uOLuSul, udo
then set off in the direction the fellow
had taken. He was guided by the sound
of footsteps scrambling along over the
rough, uneven ground. The stony earth
was covered with small cedars and orna-
mental trees, which hindered the fug:-
tives flight.
Griffith snatched pistol from his belt,
intending to fire a shot after the retreat
ing man, but o second reflection decided
him not TO do so. A shot so near the
house might injure the sleeping patient
and reedlessly alarm Ola, besides, he had
no doubt that the man VINO was flying be-
fore him was none other than one of lis
own overzealous sentries.
Il will overtake tie scoundrel at any
rate and punish him for this imprudence," "
the young officer thought.
He ran as rapidly as he could, but the
fugitive was equally as feet as himself.
He did not gain on him, in fact he waG
rather losing ground, when his foot
slipped ON q wet stone and he fell heavi.
ly upon the ground.
The commander of the fort was not in
jured by the fall and was on his feet in q
moment. The sharp report Of muskct
on the air.
Griffith hurried up to where the shot
had been fired and found several of the
villagers already Fastening there.
What is the matter2" asked the Cap
tain.
"A feller come runnin' long here,
knocked me down an run over ME like
blazes, jumped the works and skipped. !
shot at him, but I swar don't believe ]
teched hair or hide O. him." said the SEN
try:
Which way did he go?" asked the off,
Ger, with no little anxiety.
Right off into the woods. Hes q
Britisher, yer bet"
Our pIcKets may catch him. said the
Captain, climbing upon the breastworks.
He did not consider that his pickets were
all inexperienced men and were liable to
let the spy through. Their stupidity
alone could have allowed him to gain ad.
mission. Some one had lantern with
them, and by the dim light it gave the
Captain saw dark form leap from the
top of the parapet into the darkness.
Captain Alton fred his pistol at the
fugitive, but owing to the intense dark
ness he missed. The footsteps of tie
retreating man could be heard flying
through the woods.
He was half-inclined to fire a second
shot at him, but realizing the uselessness
of the act he put up his pistol.
Come on, come on. half dozen OF
you," he c:ied. excitedly. We will not
allow them to escape. Let Us follow and
overhaul them: thcr. are but two"
Six or seven citizens, armed with mus.
kets and bayouets, sprang over the para.
pet with him and started through the
woods.
The ground was uneven, the trees thick.
the hillside rocky, and tbs night 80 dark
that It was impossible for them 10 more
than g1opc their way.
Haiti" a voice suddenly called. A
click, flash, a report, and the whistling
of Lu let close to his head, warned
Griffith that they were advancing upon
the nervous, excited pickets. They cnwc
to halt, and Griffith cried:
Stop firing: We are friends. -