The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-03-29

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speak until he had entered and then
said, "Jared, here is a gentleman from
McLair of Philadelphia and then left
Us alone.
Jared Hawley was cne Of the devils
own He was about 80 years of age,
short and thickset. with brown eyes
which had the look of cat in them
and ready for any piece of work which
might come to hand. Briefly l told him
what had told Whiting.
''The cnly boat at the Hoeck is nigh
on to a mile up-beached along the
shore Clinton took most Of them when
he left. There be men who would tackle
the job of lancing on the island yet this
night.
"Let us talk the matter over while
we eat, suggested, at which the man
seated himself Hot grog, bread and
mutton soup were the best the place af-
forded, but neither of us was possessed
of a delicate stomach and ate with a
relish
ss1r. Hawley," finally broke out
toward the close Of the meal, "are you
willing to try tonight the task of help
ing me set foot in New York? Is the
boat heavy oneg''
Call three men can handle, and /
fear there is good wind down the riv-
er Yes, I'll try it, my lad A darky
who is the property of Whiting can be
had, think, and knows how to handle
an oar With yourself to steer and take
hand now and then, we could get
across.
..That will suit me we'll enough, and
now the boat Can it be had from the
owner
.sThere seems to be none who claims
it, and who has better right to it than
messenger from the British r.
Whiting was willing that Isaac, the
negro, should accompany us, and we
set out to where the craft was pulled
up above the high tide mark.
We had run the nose of the boat we'll
into the water, and Hawley and Isaac
had taken their seats a little way back
from the PROV, leaving me to send ler
the rest of the way. Giving vigorous
push, was about to scramble into the
stern when rough hand took hold on
my back and avoice sounded my name.
Try as I might from my position to
strike off his grasp, could not, and was
also hindered from either pushing the
boat farther into the water or pulling
it to shore again.
'.For Gods sake, men!' shouted
Hawley. "What are you about?" and
then, "Whoever you be- if you want to
go to New York, come aboard, but for
the love Of the devil leave the young
man alone!'
All the while I was struggling to be
free, but the fellows hold frightened
with my endeavors to shake him loose.
1t was foul grip he had taken, and I
could but half turn-could not move
freely enough to deliver a blow.
'.Do you know It's a rebel spy he
isf'' shouted that voice which minute
before had called my name. Hawley
was by this time on his feet and COM
ing toward us. The fellow loosed his
hold bit at this and gave me the op-
portunity sought
I let go the gunwale and, turning,
faced the man. Beyond the fact that
the countenance betrayed low char
acter could detect nothing of his
identity. He was well built, but OF
what age could not tell. Well did l
know thatit would be best to keep him
and =Hawley separated, for the stranger
evidently knew me and my mission. 1
turned suddenly to the boat again and.
with mighty push. sent it full into
the river and waded after it. Hawley
fell forward on his face, and the oars
left to Isaac were Of little use. So far l
could desire no better fortune, although
wished to see no i'll overtake those
who had volunteered for my service.
I had no more than turned when I
was again grappled by my former as
sailant and accuser. The man tried to
throw me into the water, thinking no
doubt ducking would do me good.
but was no child, as he seemed to i'm
agine, not even in his strong arms. He
proved supple enough and might have
downed me had he known more of the
tricks which make man possessed OF
them dangerous one to encounter.
With hard cuff under the ear and
turn of my foot sent him sprawling
and was about to draw one of my pis-
tolls and bid him keep silent when l:
slipped and fell. but only lightly, and
was on my feet again in an instant. So
was he and still seemed to regard ME
as but lad from the wol6sh manner
in which he tried to grapple at my
throat.
A fiet full in the face was the lesson
he needed, and it was delivered with
such smart good will that he uttered
cry and an oath. Ny legs were bothered
by my greatcoat. which had become
unfastened in fropt. and also hampered
me there because Of its Tapping about.
with every turn of my body.
My blow in his face only seemed to
increase the fellows determination to
desperate actions. and he was again at
ma Well for us both the bank was
fairly level and had edged away from
it fully ten yards Another whack
gave him. and maybe, because of being
stunned by the 1irst, he reeled and fell.
then remained still
The boat was the first thing looked
for. and there in the gathering dark it