The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1891-01-22
THE ROSE OF CHATHAM.
By MAURICE THOMPSON
CHAPTER ".


anchored of Tybee island. With the
next tide 1t would come over the bar and
take possession Of the river. Little had
been done by the Americans to erect de-
fenses around the town. There had been
q line of earthworks, but this had been
suffered to fall to ruins and was now
practically useless, nor was there time
for any repairs. The coming Of the
enemy was as much q surprise as II 1t
had been a sudden descent in the night.
Before Gen. Howe could ascertain the
number or position Of the enemy's
forces, and while he was trying In vain
to dispose Of his own little army to the
best advantage, the guns began to bat
ter away savagely at the bluff on Zirar-
deaux plantation, only two or three
miles down the river from Savannah.
In a moment all was confusion in the
town and its suburban settlements. The
approach Of battle under any circum-
stances would have caused alarm, but
now it was, TO degree, q panic, with
no wise management to control 1t. At
first this feeling did not extend to the
troops; on the contrary, they behaved
well until their line was broken and they
were thrown into disorder
Lieut.. Prescott was detained by Gen.
Howe to act on his staff, wherefore 1t
CHANGED to fall to his lot to be sent in the
direction of Governor Wright's planta-
ton Just at the time when Lieut..
Col. Campbell ordered the attack on the
American lines. He was mounted on Q
aeet horse and bearing orders to Col.
Elbert. His way lay along the edge of u
swamn through which the enemy were
making efforts to pass. anu IN wnlcn tney
were already diminishing with some
American scouts. Riding in great haste
and rather recklessly he pushed his horse
into boggy place and was delayed for
many minutes in extricating him In
the meantime the British had attacked
with great vigor, going right through
the lines and completely routing the
American forces Not only this they
were already across the swamp ahead Of
him and were rushing on toward the
city. He saw at once that his one chance
Of escape lay in reaching the Savannah
road before it was fully in their posses
sion. He knew the country perfectly and
30 was able to choose the shortest and
safest route. Putting spurs to his horse
he made a dash for that point where the
road in question cut the line Of old earth.
works. II he could pass there in advance
Of the British he could reach Savannah
long before they could get there.
True to his youth and the love which
had made youth doubly sweet to him
Prescott no sooner set his face toward
the town than he began to think Of Rose
Fenwicke. 1t rushed into his heart that
perhaps he had seen her for the last
time; and how vividly arose the memory
of her panied and distressed face as she
stood before him that night in the door
way, thrusting him back and bidding
him go awayl And then, like some sad
strain Of music out of the distance, echoed
again the parting words, 'Good-by, dear.
dear Wayne" He felt q shiver run over
him and he leaned forward in his saddle.
urging his horse to its greatest speed
When he reached the road and turned
toward Savannah the way seemed clear
but he had sped but a few rods ere an
obstacle suddenly presented itself in the
form Of an officer wearing the British
uniform and mounted on a horse evi.
IDENTIFY captured from some unfortunate
American.
"HaltT rang out the challenge, too
late for Prescott to check his speed, even
II he had desired to. "HaltI" and then
their swords crossed with q keen clink
as the lieutenant dashed by.
A short, sharp race, and Prescott felt
that his enemy was gaining rapidly and
would strike him from behind II he
should not turn about at once.
"HaltP
BE wheeled his horse just in time to
parry slash which would have severed
his head from his body.
There was a rattling fire Of musketry
to his left, while on his right q light
battery was believing vigorously. He
thought Of Rose, In fact the thought
had not left him, and as he closed with
the heavy set and suriy faced foe again
the words echoed in his heart, Good.
by, dear, dear Wayne
It was a short and desperate fight, in
which both men showed superior horse
manship and consummate command Of
the sword The British officer was the
stronger, otherwise they were well
matched. Perhaps the American fought
at q disadvantage, his main thought be-
ing to get away from his enemy by any
means and reach Savannah in time to
see Rose before the town fell into Brit
ish hands. The sole aim Of the other
was to kill his doughty antagonist.
On either side Of the highway the
ground was soft, and the combatants
knew that II either were to permit his
horse to leave the hard roadbed he would
be at the others mercy; therefore the
struggle lay largely in the management
Of their animals, which were now thor
oughly excited and almost uncontrolla-
BILE.
Doubtless his enemy felt something
like the same spur to hasty action, for
he urged his horse closer and cut and
thrust with redoubled rapidity and force.
As yet neither had been wounded, 90
vigilant had been their fencing, but the
great strain Of managing their furious
horses and at the same time keeping up
the increasing violence Of their combat
was telling upon their strength, which
had been otherwise taxed to the utmost
since early morning.
In a set duel It might have been
thought a cowardly thing to do. but
Prescott was no coward, nor did he
dream Of cowardice when, as the Eng.
hshman's horse reared and plunged near.