The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-07-04
vas coin to burn yo' un alive.

The reports of the guns told Uncle
Ben that the two men in camp had been
attacked, and that he had not a mo-
ment to waste with the woman. All his
strength and resolution had returned,
and without heeding her words he start
ed off at stout pace. She felt certain
of his mission, and she was determined
to detain him if possible. Mrs. Baxter
was not only fearless woman under
all circumstances, but in such crisis
as this she was desperate. If Uncle Ben
brought help, all that had been gained
would be lost, and Ike might be killed
or captured with the rest Of the gang.
She stepped aside to let the old slave
pass and then followed at his heels,
threatening, taunting and commanding
by turns and almost daring to lay hands
on him. II she had been armed with
knife or pistol, she would have attacked
him at once. AS she was not she con-
tinued to follow him in hopes Of en-
countering some one on the highway.
If a white man, and she cried out to
him that the black had dared to raise
his hand against her, Uncle Ben would
be seized, if not shot down in his tracks.
Aggravated and annoyed by the pain
of the blows inflicted by Ike Baxter,
maddened by the woman's words and
her continued presence and rendered
desperate by the danger Of the general
situation, it was no wonder the old man
suddenly turned at bay with the glare
of hunted wolf in his eyes. She was
too close to him to escape. Springing
forward, he seized her by the shoulders,
lifted her from the ground, and with
mighty effort he flung her clear of the
road. At that point the ground sleped
sharply away toward ravine, and as
the woman struck the earth with stun
ming force she rolled over and over un-
til she finally brought up against bush
so feet away.
''De Lawd furgiye me, but I couldn't
dun help it!',' groaned Uncle Ben as be
continued his way. ''Dey's arter Miss
Sunshine, an dey's arter me, an dey's
arter Mars Kenton, an de good ole mis-
sus am lyin dead in de house, an what's
gwine to becum of US all dunno!'
With eyes fastened on the pathway,
with teeth hard shut, with words Of
prayer rising to his lips and constant
struggle against the feeling Of despair
seeking a lodgment in his heart, the
faithful old slave pressed on, mile
after mile, and suddenly found himself
confronted by party Of horsemen in
blue uniforms. The goal had been won,
and as he realized it up went went his
arms, and he sank down on the icy road.
Runaway darky, but he isn't pur-
sued that I can see, :" observed the cap
tain of the troop as he ordered hat.
"Some of you men liven him up with
sip Of whisky
A sergeant dismounted and put a
flask to Uncle Ben's lips and forced
some Of the contents down his throat.
In couple Of minutes the old man sat
up and looked around.
''Were you running away" asked
the captain as he rode closer.
'Whar-whar's Mars Custer:" gasp
ed Uncle Ben in reply.
General Custer? Oh, he's some
miles away. Did you want to see him.?
Miss Sunshine dun wants him, sab
wants him to cum quick! De gorril-
las an de sojers am up dar tryin to burn
de house an kill eberybody!'
Uncle Ben was so overcome that it
took 10 minutes to get his story straight.
The troopers mum bered only about half
a company and had been sent out to in
tercept Confederate mail courier who
was expected to enter that valley
through Hempstead's gap, three miles
away. The captain wrote a note and
sent it off to the Federal lines by cou-
rier, but could do no more in the matter.
Uncle Ben was given some rations to
make a breakfast of, provided with a
blanket by kind hearted trooper and
instructed to wait for the force which
would be sure to come up within two
or three hours.
Let US -.nticipate their coming. AS
the fusillade had drawn no reply from
the fort, the enemy at length concluded
that its defenders had been disabled.
They also realized that the sounds of
battle might reach Federal ears and
bring up force to the rescue, and It
was therefore decided to advance upon
the camp without further loss Of time.
AS Brayton had predicted, they formed
on the open ground to the south. The
entire force formed in two lines for
charge, and as a movement or two
showed that they were about ready to
advance Steve quietly remarked:
II dunno whar jeff Davis bought this
yere carbine, but it was mighty cute
trick in him. She's good for seven shots
as fast as I kin pull trigger, and that
means that sumbody's goin to git hurt.
Yo' un hold yo'r buckshot till they git
on this side of that bush. How yo' feel
in, Yank?"
"All right.
"of co'se 20 ar. Yo' ar lookin jest
as natural as an ole hat! Yere they
cum!'
With a chorus Of yells that would