The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-18

nave acteu NeTS loolisu--telE iuea
in coming 50 far, when our village is in
danger" said Captain Alton. AT this
very moment the enemy may be masslng
st some point for an attack.
We'll, Griff, eff ye think there's any
danger O. that" said the blacksmith,
why, we'll turn about and git back to
town jist as fast as We kin"
But our companions"
By 3lngo! hadn't thought O. EN-"
said Hatchet. We'll, reckin may be We
kin pick EN- up on the way back
They stood several moments irresolute,
listening to the dashing waves.
Jack" said our hero, seiziug the black
smiths hard rough hand in his, don't
you hear something's"
sNothin' but the waves keatin' agin the
rocks" was the answer.
Listen carefully. Don't you hear
something else?"
Pears to me like I do hear an awful
walkin'."
THAT is it, Jack. There's large body
of men somewhere. Now, whether they
are friends or foes, it is impossible for
me to decide"
Guess it's impossible for any one to
decide, Gritf; but thar's moro on 'em than
come with us, so We kin guess who it is.
Yes, Jack, unless our friends have
been re-entorced, there can be no doubt
but that these are enemies.
The two Americans turned about, and
began carefully retracing their steps. The
slippery stones and rough, uneven ground
made travel very difficult. Despite all
their caution tney stumbled ana maze
considerable noise.
Halt" whispered our herc. laying his
hand on the nrm of his companion.
Both stopped and tried to pierce the
darkness with their eyes.
Jack Hatchet held his thumb on the
hammer of his rifle ready to send bullet
to the heart of the first enemy he should
discover. The Captain had only his sword
and pistols, but they were reliable, and
in this darkness Of moro value than
gun.
They heard the irregular tread OF men
hurrying, stumbling over rough, uneven
ground. The Americans found it impos-
sible to see these men, and of course had
no idea who they were.
Jack, they must be marines" said the
Captain.
SMayn't they be our fellers?"
mo. There are at least forty or fifty
of them, and there were but four or FIVE
who came with u.s."
Couldn't more come afterwards"
Not very likely" said the Captain.
Those in camp would not leave without
orders. 1t would be decidedly dangerous
for them to do so."
The body of men moved away, and all
was again silence save the dashing OF
the waves against the rock-bound coast.
Which way'd they go, Griff?' asked
Jack.
They moved back toward the fort.
Then they are between US and town."
YES"
THAT'S plaguy bad" growled Jack.
When We start thar we'll meet EN- COM
in back"
Yes, but We must follow after them,
said our hero. 1t may be a large party
marching to surprise the village and
carry it by storm"
This thought was calculated to make
our hero not little uneasy. He urged
Jack to follow, and with remarkable IA
pidity, considering the darkness and un-
evenness of the route, they started for
the fort. Jack followed our hero as best
he could and managed to keep pace with
him.
Occasionally, one Or both of the Amer
leans plunged into some ditch or went
sprawling over some great moss-grown
rock, receiving slight bruises or injuries,
but r ,:ns '7'.hout murmur to continue
the SEA n ,.a J'sr :he hills and rocks.
Ihej .;e compelled to make no little
noise, and treq lsatly paused to ascertain
if they we're discovered.
Although burning 80 :.a:h the VILLAGE,
which he believed to 20 Threatened with
an immediate attack, ha 80" :crced to be
very careful, for there w.. no knowing
how many Of the British soldiers or ma
rines might be stationed at any point.
Atone. Of these halts they heard voices
conversing in low tones Beyond
doubt, these we're part of the marines
or soldiers left to guard some point.
DO you hear them, Jack?" the Captain
asked.
Yes"
Il wonder if we cannot crawl up the
hill and get near enough to catch the
meaning Of their wordsf"
I'VE can try"
Come on then. Be very cautious, and
don't move stone or scarcely breathe.
Slowly and carefully over tho uneven
ground they crawled. The displacing of
o single stone might make sufficient noise
to betray them to the enemy.
They did not even dare to whisper, and
scarcely breathed. The voices seemed to
come from sort Of a ravine, to reach
which they were forced to climb to the
top of IN embankment.
The young Captain was in the advance
of Jack, and that individual had no little
difficulty to prevent some of the loose
rocks rolling down to the bottom of the
ravine below him.
= alters was the biggest awkwardess
feller in existence" said the burly black
smith as he clambered up after the Cap
tain.
Griffith reached the top of the ridge,
and then with his left hand seized and
checked his companion.
The enemy were just below them, and
when he got Jack to understand he must
lie low and wait he crawled slowly fo.-
ward, inch at time, until he was on the
very verge of the precipice, where he
halted to reconno ter and listen.
Long he gaZed into that dark abyss, and
by degrees his eyes seemed to become
more accustomed TO it. He saw family
outlined one or two objects, but whether
thew were men or animals he could not
determine.
They might only be massive pieces Of
stone.
But, no; they were moving. His hand
was on his pistol in amoment, and he was
in the act Of sending shot among them,
bit on a second reflection he decided not
to 10 SO. He might be facing a foe ten
times his own number. and there might
be others near enough to surround him
and prevent his reaching the fort.
The fort is now the place for me-" said