The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-25


ness and despair. Should the man-of- war
| demand their surrender he would be forced
| to strike his colors.
The sentry who had remained on duty
| was pacing b.cs and forth in front of his
tent. Suddenly Jack Hatchet, who was
privileged character, came past the sem
try to the tent, aud laying his hand on oul
heros bowed head said:
"Grif, my old woman wants to see
YOU"
The young Captain started up, and
fixing his eyes on the blacksmith, said:
| Where is she. Jack?"
"She's up at the house"
Was she net there when Ola was taken
away"
Yes"
Bring her here, Jack-leave some one
else with Capt. Gatrell- And mind You,
unless lie has alrs ady been informed Of
this abduction, he is not to know anything
whatever about it."
Il understand you, Grit.
Jack turned about, with as little care Of
military etiquette as an unframed mule,
and went to the Gatrell mansion. Again
the Young commander OF the post bowed
his face in his hands, and remained thus
until the sound of footsteps told him the
blacksmith had returned.
The Captain looked up and saw Jack
and his wife.
How is Capt. GatrelI, Mrs. Hatchet?"
our hero asked.
Hes about the same"
Did you leave any one with him2'
"Yes, sir; Misses Small is watchin'
him."
Does he know what has happened2"
no"
HAS he been conscious since?"
1Only for few minutes at time. His
mind seems to be wanderin and the
doctor says as how he's sirkin'."
Mrs. Hatchet, how did the British get
Ola away without you knowing it?
Law bless you. Grif, dun know" "
answered the woman with her native
simplicity ola an I'd been watchin'
with her father, an I'd persuaded her to
20 an lie down, cause she needed the
rest, and, besides, her presence seemed
TO disturb her father like, an she went
off to her room, when that shootin' an
bangin' begun an she come back. We
stood on the porch for two blessed hours
listenin', an she went away to herroom,
and never saw her any more.
What become of the guard I left to
Eatch over her2"
IT dun know; only they run away when
the shootin' begun
The infamous scoun ndrels-cowards-I
can now very we'll see how the thing was
accomplished. 1t was done by them de-
serting the house, and, it being near the
outer walls of the fortifcation, it was not
impossible for three or four strong, bold
men to creep up TO the house, chloroform
the unfortunate girl, and carry her away.
.I-I-guess that's so, Gritf," sobbed
Mrs. Hatchet, who found herself unable
to control her emotions.
Has Captain Gattrell asked for her
since she has been gone2"
Yes. he's a1ed fur her two or three
times, an called her his own child, an
said she had been aboard wreck with
her mother"
Still harpirg on the same old story,
said our hero to himself. Rising to his
feet, he began walking back and forth
with his hands clasped behind his buck.
Can it be possible that there is re" 'ly
something beneath all this mystery that
he has not t,ld? Has he left the story un-
finished? Is it possible-can it be that
Ola, after al, is his own child?"
Then pausing, he turned TO Mrs. Hatch
ct and told her to 80 back to the invalid 8
bedside.
And mnk you, Mrs. Ha!chet," he
added, listen carefully to every word he
utters and forget nothing"
Il will" Mrs. Hatchet answered. Il
will note everything he says, Griff, an
III keep it right here She tapped her
forehead significantly.
Griffith discharged her and continued
to walk the narrow space inside his tent.
"Oh, just heaven suggest some way
whereby I may rescue her without danger
to herself. Could die for her, oh, how
willing would I do SOL"
Simon entered and put an end to his
bitter reflections.
With sort of military salute, lilly per-
formed as it only can be by raw re-
cruit, Simon said:
"Cnp'n, item thar Britishers are actin
mighty queer"
why, Simon?"
THEY'VE gone back over tie hill and
seem to be up 10 something. le'd better
come and look arter EN- yerself."
Griffith dashed Lis hat upon his head
and followed the Yankee. AS he went
out upcu the street he glanced across the
headlsnd at the ship which vas riding at
anchor several miles awav. 1t had not
moved since it had taken the girl captive
aboard, and jus. row seemed as if it
would neve- ~,ve.
| They went ~ the western rampant and
discovered the last Of the British column
retiring over the distant hills.
Il don't know what it means. Simon,
said our hero, but it looks as if they had
raised the siege and we're going to retire. "
Seems abeout same 10 me, Cap'n.
| the Yankee answered
Something moro than ordinary is going
to transpire," our hero continued. and I
Am determined to 60 up on that hill and
reconuoiter."
"All right, Cap, I'll 60 with ye."
NO, Simon, it will not DO for both of
IS to leave the works at the same time
again. Had YOU remained behind last
have happened. You must stay here,
Simon. You must stay in the fort at all
hazards.
Simon, seeing that the young Captain
was SO earne.t in his determination Tor
him to stay, consented.
Then, with only Jack q .tchet and 81
Cole, the young officer went through
| an embrasure on the northwest side OF
| the earthwo:ks and hurrird up the hill
into o dense wood, which would cover
them until they were at point from
whence they could get an observation OF
the retreating enemy.
Look sharp" continued Captain al.
ton; 1.-The enemy has beyond n DOUBT lett
some spies behind who will see US. and
We may have sharpshoo!ers blazing away
at US before we are aware Of their pres