The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-28

are thar"
Then have they escaped7'
NO"
Where are they2"
"Griff," said Jack Hatchet, seizing the
American by the lapel of his coat, !
don't believe there's been Britisher
crossed our line tonight.
You don't2"
NO"
Then you think these spies are only
Imagination
aNo; ye don't seem to understand, Griff.
Thars been some deviltry at work, be-
yond doubt, reckon. Them Britlshers
are got friends in here somewhere, but
they come in afore dark"
.Wnat! 90 you tnlnK We nave mad spies
in here all day longf"
Yes, do"
who do you suppose they could be-,
Jack?"
well, Griff, wouldn't be one bit sur
prised eff it wasn't them two deserterr
from the man-'o- war"
'Who-Burnett and Dawes?"
Yes"
why, YOU must be crazy, Jack"
Il guess, Griff, eff you'd study little
on the matter ye'd come 10 the conclusion
that I'm not SO far off in this matter as
you are"
why did they fight tie English with
such determination Burnett himself
almost ruined the man-of-war by his e1.
cellent craftsmanship"
Il know that, Griff, but thar's some.
thin so strange about it all. Now that
blanket at which the Yankee shot, how
did it come there?"
Il don't know"
Il tell We, GriH, I don't believe that
that Dutchman was any spy. He has
lived out here ten miles away for years.
I've shod horses for him NIL that time
At this moment the discharge of a mus.
ket ut the extreme north end of the fort
attracted the attention of Captain Alton
and Hatchet. They ran to the spot and
found the sentry to be green boy, who,
half frightened out of his wits, stood on
the parapet, an empty gun in his hand.
Did you fire that shot?" the Captain
asked.
"Yes, zur, was the answer.
AT whom did you fre?"
IDinged ef fknow," the frightened boy
answered, trembling with uncontroll able
fear. Il was jest walkin' on my beat
an 1 sees some 'un come out from. the
ground-'
"or. from the ground? What do you
mean?"
Il mean I saw some 'un seem to jest
rise up out o the ground down thar whar
you are" the stupid fellow replied. Il
halted 'em, but they wouldn't answer, an
I blazed away"
Did you hit?"
Dun know"
what became of the man at whom you
6red?"
Dun know; saw some'un runnin' up
the hill toward town"
Grill" 6aid Hntchett nudging the
Captain with his elbow, I'll jest bet ye
a gill O buttermilk agin two pickled jay
birds that 1t war them"
Griffith paid no attention to the black
smith, but asked the boy if he was not
asleep and dreamed that he saw some one.
NO, zur; 1 saw 'un," the boy st upidly
declared, I'D swear I saw 'un."
How many did you see?"
Two"
4 told ye so, Griff, put in Hatchet.
What direction did they co."
up toward town--that way" thu boy
pointing toward the village.
Ill have the guard doubled here. said
the commander, as they turned away.
"Gritf, les 60 up TO that house."
which,"
The one the boy pointed out. It's the
very same house that deserter o the Ken.
ophon STAYS in. I believe he's into this"
Jack, You seem very persistent, es.
peciallv since we've had such abundant
proof of the honesty of beth these men,
We'll, Griff, tell ye it's not all right,
an' yell see it," said the blacksmith.
Il must 60 to headquarters first, said
The Commander. and then / will 60 with
sGrif, I'll 90 right on there now ana
wait for you. tell ye, Griff, we're on q
hot trail. and 'twor't do to let the thing
cool off in tho least" said the black
smith, his eyes shining with excitement
in the uncertain light of the torches.
Il agree with you, yet l must 60 to
headquarters and issue new orders OF
once."
Pe:haps more experienced comman-
Ter would have remained at Headquarters
Turing such stirring events, but Grifith's
military experience did not exterd back
,ver few months.
He found Simon at headquarters.
-Cap'n," said the Yankee in whisper.
I believe it's them fellers who deserted
lie British man o war what's doin' this
Never mind now, Simon" the veXed
offcer answered, fastening 10 his desk.
Why does everybody seem to suspicion
hese men2"
Despite all his plain common n-sense
'eason the young commander found
Iague suspicion taking possession OF
himself. We ccl not always control our
much rs We mav desire to do
10. His work finished, he left the house
.nd fastened to where Jack Hatchet
vas waiting for him. Several of the
most prominent of the villagers were
grouped together not far from the house
N which the two deSerters were.
Look here. Griff, dye see this?" asked
lack Hatchet, handing Captain Alton
/ long, sharp-pointed iron instrument.
That's q rat-tail file, the best thing on
earth to spike gum"
Where did you get it," asked the Cap
ain, his face growing very pale.
Henry Small was standing here jist
after that boy shot at the spy, and he saw
hat ar mysterious gunner hurry up from
dark corner an slip in his house. Jest
is he went through the door this rat-tail
lie fell ont of his pocket, and Henry
picked it up"
After all, is he traitor?" the puzzled