Abilene weekly reflector., 1899-04-13
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THE FEMALE PATRIOT.

BY n. ]. B. SCOTT.

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The year 1881 had opened with q
succession of victories, which put
fresh courage into the hearts which
had nobly perilled all, around their
heroic leader, Washington.
In the South the war was vigorously
carried ON, and Rawdon had been
compelled to surrender foot by foot
the ground so precious to the British
arms. General Sumter, at the head
of six hundred men, had performed
wonders OF daring, while Gates and
Green seconded his rapid and success
full movements. Sumter held possess
ion of Wateree and Green who had
pushed on in the rear of Lord Raw
don to Camden, was himself per.
picked and distressed for provisions,
He must act rapidly in concert with
General Sumter, while the British
force lay between the two armies, and
their scouts traversed the intervening
country in all directions. Day after
day the position of the American gen,
eral become more alarming.
Already he had offered large sums
of gold to the peasantry, and even to
the privates in his army, to become
the bearer of dispatches to General
Sumter. They must communicate, or
the cause OF freedom must be lost in
Carolina. Who-who would take his
life in his hand and go?
It was the evening of the sixth day
that he waited for messenger, and
the commander, wrapped in his own
thoughts strobe up-an-down the small
and rude apartments which formed
his headquarters, while his compress
ed lips and furrowed brow told how
anxious were the reveries in which be
was lost
An orderly sat at small table wait
ing for directions, while no sound
broke the stiffness but the heavy foot
fall of the general, and the clancling
of the unwieldly broadsword which
rather encumbered than ornamented
his person.
The dim fire, which mingled Its
light with the shadows of twilight
glanced on the not unhandsome feat
ures of the officer. while it helped ia
reveal the utter desolation of the com
fortress apartment.
at is vain said the general. sud
denly turning to his subaltern; "thest
cowardly churls will neither for love
of country, or gold, put their necks in
peril; and, if rescue arrives not with
in a short space, we must surrender
He was interrupted by the entrance
of the sentinel, who, striking his hand
across his forehead. with the rapic
military salute, sad,--
General, a lady desires to speak
with YOU
"A lady-and wishing to speak witt
me! Show her in, although he con
tinued, in an undertone, Il could wei
dispense with Interruption"
She entered--a tall and beautifu
girl of some eighteen summers, Hel
features were slightly flushed, ant
bore the fixed, resolute expression
which A SCULPTOR would give Minerva
Her dark eyes flashed the glance o
earnest defiance so often found where
oppression wrings noble heart
and her small and delicate lips wer'
compressed as if 10y some high pur
pose. Her slight and elegant figure
was arrayed in coarse riding habit
such as was worn by the farmers
wives of the period; and it was alon
by an nexpressible refinement o
manner that her real rank was ap
parent.
General" she said as the office
hastened to present a seat to the 1al
intruder, my presence at TINS plac
needs some apology
an whatever can serve You
madam" replied Green, "comman'
me. The distressed have ever foun'
refuge beneath the stars and stripes.
"Net ! come not as a suppllcanl
but as your messenger 10 Genera
Sumter. it," she continued, blushing
"you will accept feeble ally.
"You. Young LADY," said the general
81 cannot. dare not imperil one s.
young and"
"And Inefficient" she said. smiling
"For the peril" she continued
daughters of my country must Scor'
it. in a noble cause; and moreover
SIR" she added seeing the irresolut'
look in the face Of the soldier
"Heaven will defend the cause of TN
right, and ,nch has ever been that o
our land!"
"Go then my noble girl, said Green
"bear this letter to Genera Sumter
The road through the woods will b.
safest, although that. alas, is bese
with dangers"
Adding a few more rapidly trace
lines, Gen Green placed in the hant
of the heroine small packet
A few moments more. and the n
trepid damsel was threading her wa,
through the dense forest of pine AM
underground which led to distan
Federal camp. The road, cut through
the rude clearing, was winding an
sinuous, now shelving down to SOM
abrupt bottom now well-night stoppe,
by the tangled boughs Of the fores
which here and there quite shut OH
the moonbeams which Hickered il
silver as the waters of the Waterc,
were at times visible.
| q 4. q.