The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-06-20
CHAPTER xxi.

Wn1le Ouclo Deu WdS SLOWLY pIOS1ees-
ing along the frozen and slippery high
way, and when he bad reached point
about three miles from Rest Haven, he
suddenly encountered about a dozen
men, most of whom were mounted.
All but one were in citizens dress, and
he at first supposed them to be farmers.
They rushed upon the old man with
shout, and pistols and knives were -four
ished before his face as the gang cried
ont:
Hang him up!''
''S1ice off his ears!'
Build fire and roast him If he lies
to us!''
'.Fo' de Lawd, gem len, but what's
de matter?' asked the old man az soon
as he could get in a word.
"We want them two Yankees!" shout
ed three or four men in chorus.
"W-what Yankees? I nebber dun
seen d Yankee sence dat big armyswent
by de house on hors 'back!''
.Yo' lie, yo' old black faced devil!"
said the leader as he got of his horse
and seized Uncle Ben by the collar.
Now, then, tell us where they are hid
ingl Don't pretend to Us that 20 have
not seen 'em, for we know better! Out
with it now. OF yo' won't live two min
utes!''
What 30 mean?" asked the old
man, who was badly upset over the sud-
den attack.
I'VE mean just this: We've been fol-
lowing two Yankee spies along the
mountain nearly all day. One Of them
was wounded about an hour ago. They
were headed this way, and yo' must
have met them and know where they
now are. Did they send 20 for doc
tor?"
'.Nebber, sab, nebber! tole 20 de
troof. l nebber did meet up wild nobody
sence started from de house!''
From what house:''
dat house back dar which b'longs
TO Missus Percy. Mebbe yo' knowed de
Percys of Winchester
1.-The Percys. eh? Are you Percy
niggera"
eyes, sab, an de only one dat's left.
And where were you going?"
Down to Harrisonburg, sab, to git
news bout dat battle dey fout dar de
odder day. l hain't seed single pus-
son on de road, an if yo' was to kill me
dun couldn't tell yo' muffin bout no
Yankees!''
They had looked upon it as just
chance that Uncle Ben had encountered
the men they were after, and their Wig
orous measures were intended to fright
en- the information out Of him. While
he was trembling and afraid, his tones
satisfied the crowd that he was telling
the truth. It wouldn't do to let him
down too easily, however. The negroes
of the country were breaking over all
rules and regulations and travelling
about at night to confer with each other
and plan escapes to the Federal camps.
Now, then, !" said the leader Of the
band, "yo' have had powerful close
call, and. yo' want to remember it! Mig.
gers have no business away from home
after dark. Yo' were probably going
to Harrisonburg to give yo'self up to
the Yankees, but we'll spoil that little
game! This will do yo' heap Of good!"
And thereupon, holding Uncle Ben
with his lert hand by a frm grip on his
collar, he used rawhide over the old
mans back and legs with his right and
administered the first whipping of his
life. When his arm had grown weary,
he stopped and said:
Nov, yo' make beeline for home
and don't stop to rest on the way! If any
other prowling niggers ask yo' about
that battle at Harrisonburs, yo' tell
him yo' was in it and got licked! Gee
up!''
AS the old man headed for Rest Ha-
ven the gang of men rode in the other
direction. He stepped out at lively
pace until hidden by the darkness and
then stopped and turned 70 shake his
fist and whisper:
"White man, I'ze only a pore ole mig
ger, but somebody has got. to bleed fur
dis! Nobody ebber put whip on Uncle
Ben befo' sence he was a pickaninny, an
III kill yo' fur dat as shore as ! ebber
git de chance!''
He at first thought of resuming his
journey toward Harrisonburg, but mo-
ment's reflection convinced him that if
he fell into the hands Of the same party
again his life would be in peril. He re-
allied how much disappointed Marian
would be. but he would return and re-
port and perhaps make new start. he
had covered two miles of the back track
when at turn in the road man step
ped out from the rocks at his LETT and
ordered him to halt and added:
"Who are yo'?''
Uncle Ben Percy
What. is that yo,' Uncle Benz
Eur shore, but hain't dun met up
wild no Yankee spies. jess as told 20
befo'."
"Uncle Ben, don't yo' un know me:'
asked the man as he came nearer. I've
talked with yo' many time in Win