The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-01
THE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
An Exciting Story of the War
of 1912.
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BY JOHN Il. MUSICE.;
BY JOHN r. MUsICE:
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CHAPTER XIV.

Almighty and tremendous volley SHOOK
the air. Whitening sheets of fame darted
from every direction, and the ranks OF the
advancing Britons wilted away. Cries
and groans rose on the air, and the walls
of anguish which went up were enough
to have made the stoutest heart tremble.
Again the sharp command came, aftel
the Americans had had time to dror
their rifles aud seize their muskets and
pistols. A second volley, equal to the
first, burst on the air.
The front ranks sank down, and those
unharmed began to retreat, rushing upon
and trampling down their companions.
TIE Americans, whose blood was up,
gave utterance to wells that smote upon
the ears of the affrighted Britons like a
death-knell. They wheeled about and
fed for life.
A panic seized them and it was n OF
until they were far beyond their FORTH.
cations, and so completely exhausted
that they sank to the earth that they
ceased to run.
The Americans gathered up the wound
They were put into one of the boats and
the other filled also. and both pulled into
port.
The took in thirteen wounded, and
several dead Britons ID the dark wooG
where they had fallen.
The Americans of course could not tell
how many Of the enemy had fallen, as
some had sank down among the forest
trees, and had only been found by thell
cries aud groans.
We'll, Captain Alton, you have done
good night work, said Mr.. Burnett wher
La Nd hao
1T certainly was night Of thorough
work"
There is more to do; the night is noi
half spent, said Griffith.
NO"
Are the smiths at work."
Busy as nailers.
Let us 90 to the shop"
The blacksmith shop was partially be.
hind O hill, or bit of headla so it coulc
= not possibly be seen from the man of war.
In order to make assurance doubly sure.
they had put up screens that entirely pro.
tected it from view from the shore.
The forges were almost at white heat
Four or FIVE additional furnaces had beer
put up, and these were glowing with heat.
Amateur blacksmiths, Of whom there were
several, were doing the blowing and strik-
ing.
The entire work was under the control
and management of Jack Hatchet, whose
face was streaming with perspiration, and
sbone with heas almost equal to his fur.
mace. AS he pounded the red hot iron
until streams of sparks were emitted IRON
it, he seemed modern Vulcan.
All around in heaps and piles lay brok.
On scythes, bars of iron and steel, from
which the men were heating and pound.
ingthe broadswords.
Jack Hatchet saw our hero, and drop
ping the hammer he held in his hand
hastened to his side.
Hey! Griff, ye got back, hev ye? 7e'
here agin?"
II am, Jack, fact for which am truly
thankful, Jack" Capt. Alton answered.
Didn't ye hev a little scrimmage:
Thort 1 heerl guns bangin' away down
thar in the woods"
Yes, we had little fight with the enc
my"
sSome of them, but none Of u.s.
SO ys licked 'em?"
YES"
Great goshens, don't I wish I'd beer
In that ar leetle scrimmage!"
How are you getting along, Jack?"
Very we'll" the blacksmith answered
gazing about on the busy scene. We're
tlrnin' out broadswords as fast as they
Kin be made by any one"
DO you think you can have them all
ready by tomorrow night?"
-Oh, yes," his eyes cleaning with ear
nest enthusiasm. Why, don't ye see
how easy it's done?"
STOPPING, old Jack took from heap of
cast-away irons at his feet scythe blade.
He plunged it into the forge, which was
glowing with heat.
Capt. Alton watched him with no little
interest. Every moment the ring of ham
mers and flying sparks filed the shops.
A youth stood at each bellows handle,
pumping away.
Old Jack seized a pair OF tongs, and
standing by the forge took hold Of the
scythe blade, pulled it this way and that,
pushed it further into the glowing heat,
and finally jerked it out, llvid flame.
He threw it upon an anvil, and seizing
q hammer soon made the sparks fly like
chaff from threshing floor.
1t was only few minutes until that bit
Of broken scythe- blade began to take new
shape. From being simple, innocent
instrument of agriculture, it rapidly grew
TO be an instrument of war.
Its easy done when q feller once gifts
the hang O. it," said Jack, as lie flung
down the new-made cutlass among pile
of others. The boys about here are git
sim the hang O the thing now purity we'll,
ye kin better believe"
The ring of hammers went on. The
scene was q brisk and animating one.
For moment Griffith felt enthused with
the thought that they would soon be ready
to board the man-of-war.
Dye see this?" said old Jack, seizing
an iron bar. Now jist watch how quick
! kin make cutlass out o this"
He plunged it end first into the glowing
forge, and the stout youth who had his
hand on the bellows handle began to work
the powerful instrument. The roaring
fame curled about the iron. 1t was glow
ing hot when Jack Hatchet with his
tongs jerked it from the forge to the
anvil.
ing it and old Jack held it, deftly turning
it about as blow after blow fell upon it;
and gradually the bar of iron took shape
and broadsword grew out of it.
Its quickly done, said Jack, tossing
1t away. "The carpenter has only to put
the handles on 'em, and they're ready 10
be ground"
They are busy at that now" said the
deserter of the Xenophon to our hero.
Would you like to 60 into that depart
ment and see the carpenters at work?'
Il would"
They went out to the carpenters shop,
where we're q score of men and boys at
l. l.