The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-01-28
TIE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
An Exciting Story Of the Wa
of 1912.
By SORE r. MUsICK.
CHAPTER vIII.-Continued.
E0611S

the tort mad rendered out little service,
owing to l,ck of skill, and the uneven.
ness Of the ground.
sCap'n," said Simon to the young COM
mander, whom he met on his stroll about
the village, dye reckon there kin be any
possible doubt abeout them two fellers
from the Xenophoni"
Why, no, Simon; why should we
doubt them now?"
Il don't know" the Yankee answered,
rubbing his face with his hands, but
they're quare, ye know. I was goin'
abeout the big gun an saw 'em talkin'
to each other in whispers, an when they
saw me comm they jist got scarf sll at
once, an one grabbed the others hand
and said: 'Hu-sh-sh-sh Naow, Cap'n.
I'd like amost plaguey we'll to know what
tha-a at MEANS"
i don't know, Simon. am sure l
don't know, and yet am certain that If
We understood it MI there would be moth
Ing bad in it; they are our friends
i doant know. answered Simon some
what skeptically.
why, Simon, how can you doubt them
after such service as they have rendered
as"
1T may all be fer show, ye know" said
Simon.
lido not think if this man Burnett
was friend to the man Of war, he could
punish It 80 severely as he has"
Yes, Cap'n, tha-at's it, ye see, said the
Yankee, mysteriously. They may hate
the man.o'. war cause they got fogged
aboard her, but they mayn't hev any love
for the stars and stripes, ye know"
Il think you are wrong, Simon. I be-
Geve they are true to US"
That may be so. Cap'n, but I'm goin'
to keep my eyes on en-, an ct they go
crooked, ye kin jest bet, I'll string 'em up
so high they'll git bird's-eye view o the
new Jerusalem"
With this threat Simon went away,
and the young commander returned
10 his headquarters, after issuing
such orders as were necessary. He
had the villagers and raw recruits
pretty we'll organized. A strong guard
was kept on the west side Of the
fort to prevent surprise from the inland
forces. A guard was placed out toward
the sea, and all psecaution possible TAX
en- to prevent any communication be-
tween the man of-war and Major Bridges
forces. But that Of course was impossible
10 dc, and that afternoon a lookout re-
ported that boat had put off from the
man. of-war and was standing into shore.
The young commander spent as much
Of his time rs he could with his betrothed,
consoling her as no one else could ct the
loss she had sustained or was soon to
sustain.
When evening came dark clouds over
spread the sky. There would be no moon
until late in the morning, and the hight
bid fair to be extremely dark.
Griffith Alton was in the small house
he had set apart as his headquarters, and
Simon, Al, Jones, Small, and several
others, who were the coolest-headed Of
the villagers, were in consultation with
him.
I'VE are going to have an extremely
dark night" the young commander said.
The clouds are growing thicker, and in
An hour one cannot see foot before Linn.
This is a serious and trying time for US.
Guard the guns closely, and see that no
spies are allowed to spike them. Should
our big gun be spiked, we would be at the
mercy of the man of-war."
Yes, Capn; be sure ye know who
guards that gun, said Simon.
I will, Simon" said Griffith, with 4
smile. You are the man shall intrust
with that business"
A2 1lkuI, w SllChOlo. ~
sleep on it. III not git an inch away from
1t this night"
Simon was instructed to take as many
assistant guards ns he would need, and
during the night he was to have entire
charge of the gun. Pickets were sta
toned beyond the works and chain OF
guards inside them, to prevent surprise
or spies from coming within their lines.
heavy fog rolled in from the ocean
and enveloped the coast for miles, falling
in q sort Of mist or drizzle; waterproofs
and tarpaulirs we're thrown over the guns
to keep them dry.
The cares, excitement. and anxieties
of the day had been trying on the young
commander, and he sank back in the
chair and closed his eyes. In few mo-
ments he was asleep. The measured
tread Of the sentry at the door was the
only sound which broke the silence. This
did not interfere with the repose of the
tired Captain.
But when he heard the sentry challenge
some one, he started up to sitting posi-
tion.
Low voices were heard without. A mo-
nent later the guard put his head in,
and without the formllity of saluting as
regular soldier would, said:
"Thars feller here who wants to see
yer"
The Captain rose from his chair and
asked the sentry to show him in. A mo-
nent later Jack Hatchet, with his face
betraying no little excitement, entered.
-Grif, we've got spies in camp he
said.
What do you mean, Jack?"
i meen just what I say. Thar's some
'un who's stranger in these ere works,
sure as yer livin."
The young Captain buckled on his
sword, put on his hat, stuck brace of
pistols in his belt, and, throwing light
cloak over his shoulders, sailed forth.
SHOW them to me, Jack" he said, as
be stepped ont into the darkness.
Il will eff ! kin find 'em; / come near
shootin one O. the scamps, but he lodged
me-"
What do they seem to be trying to do?"
Spike the guns" was the answer.
The young commander was not little
alarmed at this intelligence. and calling
IN oruerIy ne issued orders Tor oouUle
guards to be placed at all the guns and
every point guarded to see that no one
escaped.
Now, Jack" he said, when this had
been done, you a1d I will set out on q
tour of inspection to find these spies.
How many are they?"
Two"
I'VE two will be sufficient ,e manage
them"
Yes, think &C."
They had started to tho north end OF
the works when the fash and report of a
musket from the embraZure of the big
gun caused them to wheel about and