The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-25
THE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
o0SoS1oS
An Exciting Story Of the War
of 1912.
BIZ JOHN r. MUsICK.
CHAPTER xXIu.-Continued.)

The detail OF red-coats went down the
road, and our friends continued their
way. When about half way between the
enemy and their friends they halted and
listened. The detail could be heard
marching away.
The Americans were now far enough
away to converse with each other with
little fear of being overheard by the
enemy.
Tommy" said Griffith, we must hurry
20 our men and cut off that party"
Can We do it?" the doubling Thomas
asked.
"Yes, very easily. Be cautious, make
no noise and keep both ears and eyes vida
-I-I-Tm doin' that, Griff," answered
Tommy, who was shivering despite his
efforts to be calm.
They reached their comrades, and Grit
fifth Alton said:
Come, boys, there's work to do; follow
me-"
Where are ye goin', Grif?" one of the
villagers asked.
Down to the beach"
What ye goin' down there fur, Griff9'
the same man asked. The question was
of course out of place, from military
standpoint, but the citizens of Manoa had
very little regard for military rules.
They could not understand that it was
for them to obey and not ask questions.
Griffith had had no little difficulty to keep
them even within the most moderate
bounds Of military discipline.
Il can't explain now," he said, not a
little ye1ed at the question. 1T is all
right, come on end We will learn all about
it at the proper time"
I'll be dad blamed ef I'm goin' any
whar that don't know whar I'm goin,
and what I'm goin' fur" the villager be-
gan.
.Oh, come on, Len, an quit yer bein
10 tarnsl contrary" said one OF his COM
panions.
It was not without considerable coax
ing that Len was induced to 60. Cap
tain Alton would very much have liked
to make close application of military
authority to this unruly soldier, but at
this time he dared not do it. Among
these citizens his good sense had told
him from the beginning that strict mill
tary discipline could not be enforced. In
fact, nothing but their common danger,
admiration for him, and his personal
magnetism had enabled him to hold them
together so far. The Americans went
slowly along through the woods, moving
as silently as shadows. and taking care to
avoid the main body of the British. They
entered the old road half mile nearer
the beach than they were.
Here they halted again and listened.
1t was a very dark night and the stiffness
seemed almost oppressive. The young
Americ n feared that the slightest sound
might be heard by the euemy. If they
should have their suspicious aroused, his
cherished plans might be frustrated.
All depended on his being able to cut
off communications between the land
forces and those on board the man-of-
~sr. Captain Alton remembered that
Ola, the being whom he loved dearer
than his own life, was on board that dark
ship, and her life and honor depended on
the success Of this plan. Should the
land forces succeed in getting aboard the
Xenophon (and he had concluded that
such wa. their object they would sail
away, and she beyo ond doubt be car
ried of to q hostile shore. The young
American felt reasonably certain that his
oountrymen had triumphed at Baltimore
and Fort McHenry. He did not know
that Ross had been slain, that the Brit
ish were in full retreat, and that the
Americans, encouraged, we're springing
to arms all over the land, determined to
drive the invaders from their shores.
The Americans were silently and eau
t;5asiy, yet swiftly, hurrying along tho
pathway toward the beach. Captain Alton
himself was in the lead, the others fol-
lowing in single file close at his heels.
Suddenly he stopped and held up his
hand in warning manner, and whispered:
HALL"
Faint as was the whisper every man
heard it, and came to q standstill. At
this moment the faint tread of distant
footsteps came to their ears. It was only
one man who was coming from the beach
toward them, and for fow moments our
hero was not little pnzzled 10 make out
what his intent was.
! What is it, Griff?" one of tho villagers
asked.
BE quiet. It is one of their men re-
turning Leave him to me, and stand
near to aid me if necessary"
The rapid tread of footsteps approach
ing could plainly be heard by all, and the
sounds momentarily grew louder.
Captain Alton stepped forward, and.
ss the man came up, seized him by the
throat.
"H-h-hands off" the fellow hisscd.
What do you mean?"
Keep quiet or you are dead mani"
And the muzzle of pistol touched the
cheek of the stranger.
-W-w-why, Leftenant, it's me-its
Virgins. was sent back to say as how
the coast is clear, an We hare just goin'
to fire the rockets"
Quiet, sir, or you are dead mani"
said the deep, stern voice, in tones which
could not he misunderstood.
thought of an enemy being near that the
not yet entered his head.
tenant2 I amt done nothin'. Hi come
back to tell ye that hall was we'll"
BIZ this time the fellow was surround
cd by the Americans. Still he had not
his suspicious aroused. he had dropped
his gun, and was, in fact, completely at
the mercy of his captors.
90 are you?" he finally asked, in q
voice which trembled with apprehension.
Americans, and you are our prisoner"
Such terrific name did those daring
free Americans have, that a Briton al
ways trcmblcd at mention of them. Ehe
moment he heard tie announcement the
soldier gave up in despair.
-Ho, don't kill me, hif you please,
good Hamericans; don't-don't take my
tife!"
Keep a still tonguein your head. you
fool, and you shall not be hurt, said the
captain to his trembling captive. Don't
make any outcry, though, or It Will be
your last"