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

roured Jack Tatchet, the honest black
smith, rushing forward and seizing the
1ounp Captain's hand as he entered the
;;orks. Il knowed ye'd come, hey; did,
old fcller. We're all right now. boys.
we've got plenty guns, cannons, an rrlff
to show us how 10 use en-.
"Hurruh fur Grif," yelled Henry
Small, the village carpenter, taxing OH
his hat and finging it into the air: .,
Even Tommy Ruff,es, the genteel little
tailor who had never liked Griffith Alton
since he had succeeded in winning the
affections of the girl on whom Tommy
had set his heart, came forward to grasp
Here he is, sword. pistols, an all, be
gosh" yelled ST Cole, the shoemaker,
eraspinG the hand of the new commander.
Griffith knew they had little time Tor
rejoicing and congratulations. lie de-
mandcd silence. and as soon as he could
get them quiet made a short speech,
hastily mapping ont plan of defense.
The British we're near Belfast, and their
light horse we're even then securing the
country TO keep volunteers from coming
to aid in the defense.
.::';rno ms ne was, ne organized them
into companies, and selected the coolest,
best men for officers of each company.
He even inspected their arms, had each
officer make a list of his men, and set 81.
mon to drilling one of the companies,
while q second company he had rest, and
q third to labor on the works.
With remarkable rapidity he surveyed
and sketched the walls with his eyes, and
mapped out the necessary height and
BREADTH of the works. He then gave the
work into the hands of Sam Perry, a
stone mason, and al Jonas, ickIayer,
instructing them what was to be done.
When ye goin' to git them canqons ms
ready for shootin', Gntt Z asked JACK
Hatchet, the blacksmith. They. says
how that ships teen in sight time or
two. Could seer from on the cape, n
the's gittin' ready to blow us to e'arn-
isy."
I'VE can't mount the cannon before
morning." the young officer answered.
The works are not ready" :,
But she'll be blazin' away at us b5 tha'
"No she won't, Jack. The breeze is
from the land, and she can't warp in here
in twelve hours, for this harbor is not the
easiest in the world to enter. Besides.
oont YOU see the SKIES are towering anu
ve're poinr to have q blow? You can de-
pend on it, Jack, that ship will put out tc
sea where she can stand q gale"
Wall, guessyer right" ,
aThere is no danger from land attack
either, for l learned an nour ago tha.
Bridges is twelve miles beyond Belfast.
why, Griff. heard that the redcoatt
vor ali over the country"
They are orly small predatory bands
or scouting parties, sent out to recon
noitre, and harass the farmers so as tc
prevent their concentrating. =.
But our fellows are comm in" sale
the blacksmith; well lick 'em, now tha
you've got here"
Night came on. Dark clouds which
had been lowering about the horizon be.
| gan to spread over the sky, and the vino
| in low walls soughed through the tree
tops. It threatened to be terrible night
| The sea was already dashing in foam
crested waves against the lock bount
| shore.
After partaking of supper at the hous'
| where he had established his headquarters
Captain Alton lett Simon in charge, ant
hastened to the large house which stood
on the hillside.
1T won't do, he said shaking his head
That Ouse viii, be too conspicuous 1
mark for them to remain there during th'
SIEGE.
He reached the front door, and his hant
was extended 10 the bell-knob, when tb'
door was thrown open and brig ht. fairy
like creature threw her arms about hi
neck and pressed her kisses upon hi
cheek.
ooh, Griffith. Griffith! I am so glai
you have come, she said. Papa is 81
respondent tonight. and am sure You
coming Will rouse his spirits.
Inn M cnNrrN1.En1