The age-herald., 1900-02-04


 what
 Tarleton was approaching and all were
 in a state of excitement over the news, for
 it was known that our troops were not far away. It was the theme of conversation In
 every house. but the news had come too
 late to run the risk necessary fin Inform
 ing the Americans, who probably were ex-
 peCting them any way, if not by this par 4icrlar route.
 Almost as soon as the news of his com
 ing reached the neighborhood Tarleton ar rived and the village was over-run with soldiers just at supper time.
 It occurred that a young woman whom
 we shall call Mary, had gone over to visit at a neighbours, there being daughters of the house two girls near her own age with whom she was quite friendly and intimate.
 Mary had yielded to their persuasions to
 spend the night and they were just gath ering about the fire listening to the excit- ing news of Taletons arrival when the stamp feet and a laundering knock sent
 some one trembling to the door to admit
 the general himself and O crowd of officers and friends who came in to demand hot supper.
 No one thought of refusing the demand but preparations were at once set about
 fer the meal and in a reasonable time
 smoking hot supper was ready for the red
 coats.
 It fell to the lot of the three girls to
 wait upon the soldiers as they ate, and in
 passing the generals chair Mary chanced
 to over-hear a scrap of conversation that made her cheek pale and almost unnerved
 her. However, repressing any exclama-
 tion or sign that might betray her knowl- edge and thereby. prevented further infor-
 nation reaching her ears she signaled the two sisters to serve the other side of tle table while she hovered about in the vii cinity of the generals chair, apparently
 to see that he and the other officers were
 better served than soldiers of less impor-
 tance.
 While So attentive to their wants she heard enough of the plan of the intended march and action of the army to be of i, material importance to the American sol diers and also of special concern to herself for one of the chief things to be done, it appeared, was a raid upon some of the families of the citizens en route to the rem dezvous, and one of these was the home of
 Mary's sister. She knew that at this very moment her brother-in-law and other American soldiers were being sheltered there, having obtained leave for a visdt to her sister because of the nearness of the troops to her house.
 It Is not strange that Mary was startled and anxious, but the officers, so intent
 were they upon their plan of actions, scarcely noticed the little maid who waited on them and did not observe that she was listening eagerly to what they said.
 Tho soldiers finished eating, went out to the stables where some splendid horses were kept, helped themselves to the best these and taking every bridle and saddle to be found on the place they rode away.
 Quickly Mary called her two friends and
 their mother. soon as the horses with Their riders were out of ear-shot, to inform them of the plot she had overheard.
 What can we do about it?" she eagerly said to the elderly woman. Do? Why nothing, child. What can we do?"
 "Oh, yes. do let us do something she exclaimed. Just think they say they will burn down every house and what will sister and those dear oables do. Besides, they will take her husband prisoner and surprise our soldiers. It will break her heat. Oh, do let us warn them. Hon can we, chlld?"
 "Oh, let me tell you," and they talked and planned for a brief time of how the girls could ride rapidly the snort ''cut'' through the woods known to tenn, but not l to the British troops and reach the home of Nary's brother-tn-law fully half an hour before the soldiers could, even if they were | to go directly and they counted on an Gour | more yet before the soldiers VI R.ld start.
 | But going to the stables they found, | instead of one or two of the good horses | they hoped to find left them only two or | three worn out ones belonging to the Brit 1 ishers and not a saddle of any description | orldle They were not to be outdone. | Fastening into the house they went up to | ten lumber room and getting some hanks | of cotton plaited the hanks into substitutes | for brides and soon Mary seated on the | bare back of one of the deserted horses and | the two sisters seated double on another | they started upon their perilous ride in the darkness of gloomy night through the woody swamp to warn the Americans of tho approach of the enemy Every noise alarmed them; the screech owls note and the frogs hoarse croak would sound to them as the enedny's call to rush upon and seize them, but despite every terror of the dark and stormy night
 they rode on, not checked nor daunted by the lightning's flash or the occasional drops of rain that foretold the coming storm or by any natural source of alarm.
 They rode without once stopping to rest and with only a few incidents that betok- ened any real danger till a little past mid night when they reached their destination. Hurrying into the house they aroused the sleeping family. Quickly the American soldiers were told of the danger and barely taking the time to express their apprccia- tion of the brave deed to the noble girl and her companions they hastened from the rear of the house just as the sudden sound Of knocking without told the others that | it had been not moment too soon The girls tied some nightcaps on and | jumped into bed without disrobing and the woman whose husband had been saved an-
 
 have 1t burst in.
 The British soldiers went from one sleep l ing apartment to another looking for the
 men they were expecting to capture, (out >"the birds had fiown' and with a disgusted
 remark about false information they turned from the bed in which the terrified girls were trembling enough to satisfy the searchers that there was no danger from | them they left the house declaring that they must hasten or fail to reach the int int 6o1 d,v n c1C It is needless to say that the news of their coming reached the Americans in time to prevent surprise and that the pected victory was not won, for not being l prepared fer battle the American regiment | had moved their quarters ere daylight came, and with the information gleaned by | the girls of the movement of the enemy
 they were enabled to checkmate them few
 days later.
 5n In Proper Form From the Chicago Tribune.