The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-16
AN EARLY HEROINE.

one for our forefathers, who were then
struggling for liberty. In South Carolina
affairs were then in a critical situation.
Gen. Green made an unsuccessful attempt
on the British post of Ninety-Six, and
withdrew his men beyond the Tiger and
Broad Rivers. Lord Rawdon followed
| him, but could not draw the patriot gen.
eral into an engagement.
At that period there stood, in South
Carolina, plain and unassuming house;
it was a one-story building neatly white
washed, and surrounded by fence. The
garden contained many choice flowers,
and the beautiful honeysuckle shaded the
doors and windows. 1t was the home OF
Mrs. Heath, who lived with her two
daughters, while her son George was In
Washington's army, fighting for freedom.
Kate, the eldest of the daughters, was a
beautiful girl of sixteen summers. Her
auburn hair hung in graceful curls down
to her shoulders, and her face beamed
with kindness, while her eyes shone like
the stars that light up the azure vault OF
heaven.
One evening, as Kate was standing at
the cottage door, she beheld two mounted
officers approaching. They were richly
dressed, and one of them she recognized
as Lord Rawdon, the commander OF the
British forces in that section of the coun-
try. They rode up TO her, and Rawdon
leaned over in his saddle and said in
kind voice:
We'll, miss, can you let me have the
use of a room for few minutes?"
- Yes, sir, our house is open TO you."
"Come, colonel, let us hurry up busi-
ness" said Rawdon, dismounting, while
the colonel did the same, the latter lead
ing the horses to the stable.
Lord Rawdon advanced to where Kate
was standing, and said:
"Whose house is this, miss?"
Mrs. Heath's, sir"
"Ha! her son is in the rebel army, un-
der Washington, is he not"
Kate, trembled at the insult, and she
looked at the Briton with a searching
glance.
My brother is no rebel, Lord Rawdon;
he is fighting for his country"
~ am sorry for that; he is a brave boy,
and would, no doubt, make good British
soldier" returned Rawdon.
"Lord Rawdon, you insult me, sir.
would sooner see George die felon's
death than see him in the kings army"
was the heroic answer.
81 see you are rebel, too, Miss Heath.
don, as he saw that worthy coming from
the stable.
They entered the house and went into
small room to hold a consultation. Kate
thought they might have something inn
portant to say, SO she concluded to play
the part OF eavesdropper. She told her
mother of her intention, who approved of
it, and Kate placed herself in a position
to overhear the Briton's plans.
1t was a dangerous undertaking, and
she knew that il she was caught in the
act of listening she would be treated as a
spy, and perhaps executed, for Lord Raw
don knew NO -merey-She- cautiously ap-
preached the door and looked through a
crevice. Rawdon and his colonel were
seated before table on which lay maps.
They were examining them closely, while
Rawdon was explaining them to the col
onel.
"Here is Green's camp" said he, " and
here is ours. We must make bold strike,
and il it be successful, Green will be de-
stroyed."
81 don't see why it should not succeed,
do you, my lord?"
"No; il our troops fight as well as they
have heretofore we shall succeed" said
Rawdon, his face assuming a triumphant
expression.
al shall feel happy when the cursed
rebels are driven away from Carolina and
then this rule will be over" said Col
Roberts.
ave must crush Green, colonel. do
not want to go back to England and let
it be said that was outgeneraled by a
rebel. No, never!" exclaimed Rawdon,
rising to his feet.
"Then we make that attack at day
break, do we notl" asked the colonel.
"We do; have your regiment ready, and
make your men fight like demons"
"Let US go now. But hold! what is the
countersign for the pickets to- night, my
lord?"
England" answered Lord Rawdon,
lowering his voice.
Kate listened to the Briton's plan with
wildly throbbing heart, and she re-
solved to save the patriot army. When
she heard the countersign she left the
door and busled herself in her household
duties, and soon the two officers emerged
from the room.
awe must go, Miss Heath, but first let
me thank you for your Kindness" said
Rawdon.
"Your thanks are received" reptile d
Kate.
Their horses were saddled, and the Off
GERS were soon on their way. Kate watched
them till they were out OF sight, and then
prepared for her perilous journey. She
threw shawl over her head, and went to
the stable. Her fieet-footed horse neighed
as she entered, and she pSatted him on the
head and said:
"Well, noble Selim, you must carry me
safely through tonight, for il you do not
Green will be destroyed"
The animal seemed to understand her,
for he gave loud whinny.
Our heroine saddled Selim, led him
from the stable, and was soon riding to-
ward Green's camp, which was eight
miles distant. She rode swiftly, for she
wanted to reach her destination in time
to let the patriot general form his men
to meet the assault. The British pickets
were four miles distant and she would
be compelled TO pass through their lines;
but as she was in possession of the
countersign she did not fear the result.
Soon Kate saw the pickets bayonet
CLEAN in the moonlight and heard him