The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-04

er.
The reasoning of the Yankee was sensi-
BILE, and the Captain was not long IN
making up his mind to adopt it. They
we're approaching the residence of
wealthy farmer. His large stone mansion
house. built in the Queen Elizabeth style
of architecture, was surrounded by
stone wall, with half a dozen louses In
the rear for servants.
There was large shed at the roadside
with trough for feeding stock, and
we'll with an old-fashioned windlass.
Our horsemen rode their steeds to the
front gate, and wero greeted by two or
three loud mouthed dogs. The farmer
came out in his shirt-sleeves. lie was
considerably frightened ut first, but when
he discovered that they were Americans
and not British. he was considerably re-
lieved.
-Oh, ye aren't Britishers, ar ye:" he
gasped, as if he yet half doubted his eyes.
NO, sir, We are Americans" Captain
Alton answered. Have you seen any
British soldiers about here?"
NO" be answered shaking his head.
"Aint seen none, but they do say as how
they are all over the country"
Have you heard from Manoa today"
mo, but yesterday heard they we're
terribly scarf cause British man o war
was comm 10 lombard 'em out o town.
Have they been threatened with land
forces?"
Dun know, but some 'un said that red
coats war seen at Belfast day or two ago,
an that amt fur from Manoa."
Before the Captain had opportunity to
ask any further questions, Simon, whose
sto l1cf Of ifc or
information, put in:
eat? I'm so pesky hungry that wouldn't
relish scrimmage naow, even If the red
coats were right before me.
We'll, yes, reckin' We can give ye
bite to eat," answered the farmer, who was
too much alarmed to have refused, even
if he had had IN inclination to do SO.
And our hosses too; kin ye give 'em
hay or oats?"
dYes, dismount and tie them under that
shed, while I 60 in the house an hev the
women folks prepar' q snack fur ye."
will We find oats here?" asked Simon,
who, dismounting, led his horse to the
shed.
Il will send boy with oats"
Ths Captain dismounted and led his
horse also TO the shed, and made him fast
to a post at the side of the feed-box.
Simon" said the Captain, to the
Yankee, Just loosen the saddle, but don't
take it off.
"Why?"
The enemy may be much nearer than
we think, and We may be forced to mount
in hurry"
why, they amt nearer n Belfast.
They we're seen in Belfast yesterday"
said the Captain, @and We do not know
when struggling troops may come this
way"
well, I guess that's so, Cap'n," said
Simon, loosening his saddle girth. Il
thought the boss would cool better by
takin' it off, but won't do it."
The boy came at this moment with the
oats. He was about thirteen years of age,
and bright boy, despite the fact that
his uncultivated mind was garden over
run with weeds.
Amt you fellers afraid OF the red
coats?" he asked.
mo" the Captain answered.
They say they're round right close
Have you seen any?" the Captain
asked.
NO; but Budd Smith said he saw five
or six gallopin' BY his honso."
+Whenf"
"T'-day."
Where does Budd Smith live?"
Bout mile down the road that goes
roun' the field"
Does your futher know this?" the Cap
tain asked, somewhat anxiously.
NO; recken not. never told him.
This somewhat relieved the Captain CT
a suspicion which was lurking in his
mind that the farmer might be playing
the traitor. The Captain and the Yankee
exchanged glances. Perhaps it was moro
on account of the peril threatening
Manoa than personal danger that IL
creased Captain Atoms uneasiness.
Il don't know that We ought to wait
here, Simon, he said.
-'Twon't do any harm, an / nm Almost
dead for suthin' to eat, answered the
Yankee.
But the enemy are scattered all over
the country, and dangers thicken about
us every moment. We should haste TO
Manoa with all speed"
We kin 60 good deal faster, Cap'n',
an git there good deal sooner by heven'
full stomachs."
The horses were already crunchine
their oats, and our anxious Captain.
seeing that Simon WAS determined to eai
before he left, at last con rented, though
with great reluctance. They went 10 the
farm house, and we're conducted 10 the
front room to wait q few moments until
their dinner was ready for them.
Simon carried his rifle. and the Cap
tain also kept his arms at hand, ready
for an attack should one be made. Cap
tam Alton asked The farmer il he had
seen any red coats himself.
No, I've seen none, an goodness
knows 1 hope I won't. But I hear SO
much bout cm, sir, that think they
must be gittin' thick as hops. Them
British'll never stop till they git the yoke
OH our necks agin, see 'fthey don't. They
have gone and burnt Washington City,
and next they'll burn Baltimore and even
Msnoa"
The Captain took more hopeful view Of
things, and thought that the people of
the United States were getting walked up,
and would now throw all their forces into
the work. and snatch victory from defeat.
Dinner was announced and the tired sol.
diers followed the farmer to the dining
room. Blacks came to wait Oh the table.
ana as both The captain ana the sergeant
were decidedly hungry. they a:e ravenous-
ly. Besides being hungry, the Captain
was i'll q hurry, and nervous haste got the
better OF table etiquette. They had Just
pushed lack their chairs from the tatle
when the boz. who h ID remained IN tne
front ya-d. rushed into the dinlrg-iuom
CRYING:
They're comm, theyre!"
"WEo?" cried the Captain, starting to
his feet and instinctively laying his hand