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

most of the public bulldlnRs DuIReu.
The news spread like wildhre. and
thousands of Americans who had been
careless all along as to the result OF the
var, now sprang to the defense OF their
country. Heretofore the war had been
chiefly on the northern border, but now
hostiiities had commenced on the east,
and the whole Atlantic coast seemed IN
defenseless condition.
Militia companies we're hurrlediy raiSed
and seaport towns hastily fortified. The
ubole Atlantic coast was in state of ex-
citement, and preparations for defense
we're made at every seaport village. Tie
fsst speaker. was Capt. Griffith Alton, Of
fhe United States volunteer service, who
had been dispatched with q single attend
ant. Sergeant Simon Kinman, a down.
East Yankee" to take command of the
hastily collected militia at the small sea-
port town Of Manoa. Manoa was situated
In q convenient harbor, which was land
locked and surrounded by high cliffs,
promontories, and peaks.
It was on rocky portion of.the main
coast north of Belfast, and its lnhab-
itants once had hopes of its growing to
fourishing CITY. But its harbor was not
safe at all periods Of the year, and, it
being off the main line of land travel. it
has at this day dwindled down to az in
significant fsherman's hamlet. At the
time of which we write. however, it was
s/fourishing little village, and, having
some excellent farming lands near it, was
of no little importance.
Captain Alton had asked to be sent
to the defense Of Manoe, for it was his
home. His prrents were both bulied
there, and the girl who had promised to
become his wife lived in the large stone
house on the hill at the north side of the
village. Her father was an old retired
sen captain, who by economy had man
nged TO lay by a fortune, and Ola was his
only child. Her mother was dead.
Perhaps Captain Alton's an xiety was
not a little Increased by the rumors
which reached his ears that Major
Bridges, of the English army, in conf
mand of five hundred British soldiers,
was advancing on Manoa. Major Bridges
was an unsuccessful rival of Captain
Atoms for the haId of the fair Ola. He
had met her three summers before our
story opens in New York, and pressed his
fcer flew into q passion and used such
threats as would have cost him his COM
mission had it been known by his su-
periors.
Capt. Alton and he had met once on
the field of honor, and the Major was
wounded in the right arm. He had made
SO many threats against the beautiful
but spirited American girl, that Capt.
Alton had some serious apprehensions
when he learned that tie Major was near
Manoa with q cons derable land force,
and British man-of-war had been sent
to cooperate with him.
The country through which the Captain
AM his single attendant vera riding was
broken and wooded. In places, fields had
been made by clearing the timber and
breaking the ground. Houses had bee u
built, and civilization appeared; but for
most of the way they were in a Thick
wood.
-How far ore we from town raow?" tho
Yankee asked
It must be ten or fifteen miles"
Simon whistled softly to himself, while
his keen blue eyes roamed about the forest.
Simon was typical Yankee, tall, with large
Roman nose, angular features and Ian
tern Jaws. His long legs come down be-
low the body of the sorrel horse be rode.
The Captain wore sword and brace Of
pistols in his belt, with holsters at his
odOuIc, huu ulo III dNulllOu W
his pistols, carried long rifle.
Simon declared that be was lest Itch
ing for a fight with them darned rod
coats, an We bet I'll make it lively for
some O. them when it does commence
If We can only reach there in time to
GET the men organized ma prepared,
said Captain Alton, Il have no fears OF
fight, especially if they have arms.
Haven't they got guns? l heard that
two hundred muskets had been shipped
there, with oil the accoutrements and
ammunition. Then they have a long
brass twenty. four FOUNDER and four or
five smaller pieces"
We'll. naow. what more dye want.
Cap'n? Why we kin clean eout The
British army with EN-"
Captain Alton smiled at the sanguine
Yankees answer, and said:
mo, no, Simon. We have only raw
soliiers to fight British veterans. I
think the chances are against US unless
We have time to organize and fortify and
l,s1