The Somerset reporter., 1897-07-01

midway between the two squads the at
tack was to be made, and with all the
noise and demonstration possible. They
had not more than taken their places
when the procession from the fort was
seen approaching.
There were 20 soldiers Eight were
walking four abreast in front, the
same number behind, while in the cen.
ter was the colonel with two soldiers
on either side of him. fhese five wer
on horseback The old man hat was
off. 1t had fallen, and the soldiers
would not stop to pick IT up. He rode
with head erect, the sunlight cleaning
down upon his silyered locks, His hands
were tied behind his back, but he held
himself proudly up, He looked what he
was, every inch a courtly gentleman,
despite the degradation Of his position.
The procession came along slowly.
Evidently the soldiers We're in no hur-
ry. Step by step they neared the first
squad of young partisans concealed in
the thickets.
Suddenly the boot of an owl rang out.
1t was answered by another The sec.
ond had barely died away when Their,
was a quick report Of firearms, then the
clang of sabers, while later above the
din came the cry of Marion Marion
Marion!'
At the first sound of firearms the
British soldiers stopped, threw up theil
heads and stood ready for the word OF
command. The attack had evidently
come from the front, for the noise and
smoke Were still apparent from that
direction. As the word was given the
soldiers raised ;hcir muskets and fired.
The noise had barely died away when
there came the second sound of attack,
this time from different direction.
The soldiers turned in CONSERVATION.
They We're attacked also from the rear.
Something like a panic ensued. Just as
it was developing itself very percepti-
bly, there arose that dreaded cry of
marion Maronl Manonl" name
that at that time never failed to carly
terror to the heart of even the bravest
Britisher
The soldiers We're at once thrown in.
to confusion 1t seemed to them that
they We're being closed III by the enemy,
and beyond doubt 10y Marion whole
army, fen were not those cries of Ma
tionl Marion Mariona resounding on
all sides?
The eight men in the rear We're the
first to break ranks and flee. By max
ing a hasty detour Of the woods to the
right Of them they might yet reach the
fort in safety The eight in front, see
ing their ranks thus weakened and
hearing the noises of the combined at
tacks increasing moment by moment.
also lost heart as we'll as courage and
turned in pursuit of their companions.
Only the four abbut Colonel Rut-
ledge seemed determined to remain
They now closed around their prisoner
and for moment or so showed stub
born fight But the next moment, there
being IA rush on horseback from the
woods in two directions it was more
than even their nerve could stand.
Wheeling their horses, they, too, joined
in the flight. But before turning to fee
two hands had sought to grasp the colo
nel's bride reins and to compel his
horse to follow But the steed refused
to obey
As the soldiers fled the boy soldiers
emerged from their coverts, yelling
and firing
Jethro was the first to reach Colonel
Rutrdge He did not wait to unite his
hands, for even then the fleeing soldiers.
having gained a realization of the true
state of affairs, might be forming for
return He caught the horse by the
bride, and, followed by the others
dashed back toward the woods When
safely within shelter, he turned and re-
leased the eolonel's arms. The colonel g
establishment was great when he learned
the true circumstances-that he had
been rescued by band of boys and a
very small band at that
"Why, boys, he said, Il was like
the Britshers; thought 1T was Mar
ion.
but we are Marion $ men, colonel, +"
said Jethro proudly Il IN glad you
think we have done credit to our com
mander
That you have, boys, bless you'll
And, " he added softly, 4 feel sure
now that this old country of ours is go.
ing to be saved, when even the boys
show such spirit
The colonel didn't have to live long
to find the fulfllment of his prophecy,
nor was that the first or the last deed
of courage performed by these brave
boy soldiers Of South Carolina during
the stormy days of 1850. Chicago
Record