The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-18
CHAPTER XXI.
IN A REcoSSoISSASCs


CHAPTER XXI.
oNA REcoNNoIssAEcs
CAPTAIN Alton had scarce reached the
porch when he discovered two men hurry
ing across the bridge which spanned the
brook at the foot of the hill.
A single glance suficed to tell him who
they were.
1T is Simon ar the deserter of the
Xenophon," said the young officer to
himself, land from the manner in which
they walk, and from the anxiety of their
faces, there seems to be something OF
importance on their minds"
He descended the broad steps from the
porch and went down the path to meet
them.
what is it?" the anxious young COM
mander asked.
Captain Alton" said Mr.. Burnett,
there is another violation Of the arnls-
tice."
WHAT"
The land troops are on the movs."
Leaving eamp?"
Yes"
Then this must be looked into at
once"
CAPTAIN Alton gazed at the sun and
found it still an hour high. This mad
seemed to him the longest day be had
ever known. It seemed day which
would never come to close.
Mr.. Burnett" he said, turning to the
deserter, Il am going to leave you In
command of the fort, aud with small
party am going out to reconroiter.
is this like o commander of post,
CAPTAIN Alton? Would it not be more in
order for you to remain here, and send
me out to reconnoiter. or Simon, or some
one else?"
NO, not under the circumstances. You
are not acquainted with this country as
I am. You know not the forests as do,
and I cln 60 in safety, and will Ge able
TO make better report than any one else.
There is something mysterious going on,
and we must know what it is. We are
working for victory now"
Mr.. Burnett soon convinced himself
that what Captain Alton wished d was for
the best. They went back to the village,
and there Car tain Alton selected dozen
men to follow him.
They we're ali we'll armed with unerring
rifles, and each in his belt had brace of
d
addition to his sword. had only his pis.
tolls, but these were long and very accu-
rate, being almost equal to rifle IN
range. Among the dozen men selected
we're Tommy Ruffies, Sam Perry and Al
Jones.
Tommy Ruffles, tho little tailor, Ind
forgiven Captain Alton for having won
the affections of the Girl whom ne loved
and he was much concerned about the
abduction.
Tommy was not the bravest of tho
brave, but had the pluck to consent, even
to volunteer, to accompany our hero ou
the expedition. which was so fraught
with danger. He was little nervous, it
is tree, but he would not allow any one to
notice it.
How soon do you intend TO 60, Cap
tain?" asked Mr.. Burnett.
Il will 60 at once.
will it not be dangerous to go before
the sun is set?'
NO; there's thick forest on the north
which will screen US during the recon-
noissance as we'll as midnight. There
seems to be an effort on the part OF the
British to 60 10 the beach, and intend
frustrating this design"
Can you DO it With only one dozen
mem"
y can try, and think I shall succeed,
answered the Captain.
All lweie ready, and with the brave young
commander at their head the Americans
sailed forth.
After crossing the earthworks on tie
north of the village they had TO 60 over
narrow tract of cleared land, and plunged
into dense wood win tanG led under
growth amounting almost to jungle.
Keep sharp lookout, cautioned Cap
tain Alton, who took tie lead. There !:
no knowing where the British are at pres
ent, for beyond doubt they arc moving.
Slowly and cautiously. the Americana
crept up the hillside among the thickets
and trees.
Haiti"
Captain Alton in q very cautious tone
gave the command, and the entire party,
now depoyed as line of skirmishers,
crept more steadily up the hillside among
the trees.
The ground was stony, rough and un-
even. Great powders of rock had, cen
turies before, broken from the bluffs
above and rolled down the hill, some
even reaching the ravine at the bottom.
At the top of the hill the Americans
! halted. The weather was very warm, and,
slight as the exertion had been, they were
reeking with perspiration. They were in
dense forest, where scarcely breath OF
air could reach them.
"Gritf, where dye intend goin?" asked
/ Al Jones.
Il hardly know" Griffith answered.
I don't intend stopping until have as
certained something of the secret moves
Of the British"
Wont We rdn right into emp" asked
! Tommy Rudles, somewhat nelvously.
i don't know but We may" Captain
Alton answered. ave came out here to
find something of these strange acts of
the British, and it is possible that We
N y come in contact with them before We
return"
But they're hundred to oue."
That makes no difference" growled
the stonemason. 'Ws'n male it the