The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-04

Well, Cap'n, I'd rather devour than be
deyoured list naow," said the Yankee.
This was only gentle hint that the SER
geant was hungry.
Captain Alton glanced at the sun, and
discovered that it had long since passed
the meridian.
"Simon, have you tasted food -day?"
NO, Cap'n; forgot to eat"
$50 did /. I have not much appetite;
put had We not better eat something to
sustain lifes find that am weaker than
I should be, and it must be that lack
food and nourishment-"
We'll, Cap'n, I can soon heV some grub
ready fur We at your tent"
Griffith went to his headquarters and
sat down by the small table, on which
Simon spread cloth, and had the officers
dinner brought to him.
The sun was not more than an hour
above the horizon.
Jack Hatchet entered with his usual
familiarity and abruptness.
"Griff, what ye goln' to do with them
fellers2" he asked, throwing himself on
camp-stooL
Who, Jaek?"
Them deserters."
Il declare had forgotten them. Inthe
turmoil and excitement of this morning
they had slipped my mind. Jack, have
you had your dinner?"
aYes, Grif. Ichamped some cheese an
crackers awhile ago."
Il wish YOU would 60 and bring Burnett
and Dawes here. Wait; will give you a
written order for them"
"Oh, dogon written order, Griff; 'taint
no use, the blacksmith answered. Tom
Ruf1es is guardin' EN-, on he'll believe
whatever say"
"But this must be done in military
like way."
"Oh, don't give fig fur your military
like ways. I'm fur doin' things quick.
and bein' right up to the handle"
The order was written however. ana
placed in the hands of the blacksmith,
who hurried away, and soon returned with
The prisoners.
They came ,neekly, and yet somewhat
sullenly, into the presence OF the Soung
commander.
Gentlemen, we owe you an apology,
said Capt. Alton, rising from the table
where he had just finished his dinner.
"We have wrongfully accused you and
shamefully treated you, considering the
service you rendered US, but allow me
now to inform you that you are both tree
men,"
For few moments the prisoners stood
in silence. They we're too much overcome
by their emotions to speak.
Henry Dawes was about to make
some remark when his companion checked
him.
mo, no, shipmate, this is no time for
rebukes." he said. If We have been
harshly treated it was by friends who
misunderstood us. They did it for the
sake of America, and would we not
suffer ten times as much for our coun-
try?"
Blow my eyes, shipmate, if will ever
utter word o complaint, though ye lash
me to the long-tom and lay the cat on me
till the boatswain's arm gives out
The sailors seated themselves, and
Griffith continued:
You are at liberty now to 60 wherever
You wish. We will not attempt to restEalD
YOU, but would like to have your assist
ance in our trouble"
The man-o'-war still laws to. as it
she intended bombardln' the village. said
the deserter of the Xenophon.
Yes, and she only waits her own time.
The truth is, We are in her power, for We
cannot return shot"
Why, are the guns spiked?'
NO: worse than that. If the guns
we're spiked Jack Hatchet might drill out
new touch holes; but they have captured
young lady, for whom every o2e would
die rather than harm, and taken her
aboard the man o'-war, so we dare rot
fire at the ship lest We injure an ;nr ocent
The deserter of the Xenophon sat and
gazed in astonishment at Capt. Alton.
What do YOU mean" he at last asked
DO you mean to say the British came
within the works and carried off young
lady prisoner"
AS briefly as he could, our hero ex-
planned how Ola Gatrell was abducted
during the absence of himself and the
principal defenders of the fort.
Burnett listened for some time, and
then shook his head strangely.
You should not have gone, Capt.
Alton. A commander should never leave
the fort in time of danger for any cause"
You are correct, MIR. Burnett. Had
had moment to reflect, or had dreamed
when leaped the pGrapet that 1 would
| have to 60 20 far, / should have remained
either. I thought We would have to 60
but short distance and overhaul the
man whom I supposed to be spy, with
no other object than spiking our guns.
But when once the chase was begun, We
ran on, and on, until We almost reached
the seashore."
What has been done can't be helped"
said Burnett. The lady is captive.
and We must now look to her rescue, fol
while she is aboard ship We dare not fire
q shot"
Can you think of q plan, howeve,
desperate. whereby We might rescue herr"
There is but one. >
What is that2"
How many men have you?"
There are now q little over four hun
dred and fifty aLle-bodied men in the
works"
"Brave?'
Brave AZ lions but inexperienced.
we must carry The Xenophon by the
board"
Can that be accomplished" or here
asked. i had thought OF that once, but
gave it up. 1t seemed 20 utterly imprac.
lical that I thought the lime spent in
thinking of it lost.
1t is possible to do it, yet n man Of e1-
perience must ut least lay the plan and
guide the operation of things"
Then, Mr.. Burnett, you shall CON-
msnd the expedition.
You have some boats and fishing
smacks, I believer"
Yes; there are enough row boats to