The National tribune., 1900-10-11

derSOn went with the bright, handsome
youth. James Hamilton, and Jimmy never
in the apple trees, the corn shuckings and
cred ear" and the Wild hbneysuckles that
in "Ole Virsinny." iffme passed, and :he
news was flashed to the Hamilton home
that Portsmouth and Norfolk had been
captured by the Federal army and navy.
This was in 1862, and Jimmy endeavored
to persuade his father'to allow him to pro-
ceed to Portsmouth, where he could Sc
cure some civil appointment and, perhaps,
visit Maj. Henderson's family.
Don't go, my son." urged Mr.. Ham
ilton. 'Our lines do not yet extend be-
yond, or even to, Suffolk, and If you
should be captured by the Confederates
you would surely be treated as a spy, par
Confederacy, thus testifying to our hostil-
ity to the Confederate cause" The faith
er's argument was sound, but love, we
know, is stubborn under restraint, and
while he proved an obedient son, Jimmy
pined for Suffolk, Providence Church and
May Henderson.
About Christmas, 1864, Jimmy, having
finally gained his fathers consent, sped
away by the nearest route to Suffolk on
the Nansemond, armed with proper let
ters of introduction. He was given en-
ployment in the Quartermaster's Depart
ment, and soon had opportunity to COM
municate with May, through the friendly
Offices of a Federal scout.
Soon after these events, early in 1863,
rumors came to Portsmouth of the prob
able advance of Longstreet against Suf
folk and Portsmouth. Now was Jimmy's
opportunity, and he volunteered to go, dis
guised as a Confederate soldier, and dis
cover and report the advance of Long
street, who, he thought, must surely be
on the Providence Church road, and, ne
cessarily, near Mays home. He prompt
ly proceeded on his dangerous mission.
Whatever apprehensions he may have sus-
tanned regarding the perils of his mission
were dissipated as he drew a picture of
May and her home, but he concluded that
he would see her on his return from his
scouting expedition, instead Of when 60
ing, as he might be recognized, while pay
ing the visit, by secession neighbOrs. So
he passed the outer pickets near Bowers
Hill bearing well to the right, coming
into Suffolk near the foot of the town
where there is n gentle hill, and silently
passed over the little bridge and sped
away past Pruden's, past the South Qua!
road, then turned to the left into an OBJ
scure footpath, then on toward Maj. Hen
derson's. On the road he met n negro
who informed him that he had seen
one or two Confederate scouts between
the Majors and the railroad. This
changed the plans of Jimmy Hamilton. 1t
was now daybreak. He had Travelled al
night, it being safer. At once turning to
the right, he flew past Providence Church
in the direction of Prospect Hill farm
when, at sharp bend in the road, Will,
passing through a thick pine woods, he
suddenly came upon the advance of Long
streets Division, marching with silence
and secrecy along the Sandy road toward
Suffolk. Jimmy's first impulse was to
mingle with them, but n dozen carbinci
and revolvers were leveled at him, and he
heard the stern cry of Halt, haltr'
With the name of God, and May, too
on his lips, he turned and fed around the
bend whence he had come. A half dozen
Confederate cavalry were Immediately in
sharp pursuit, with loud cries Of Halt.
Halt"' at every jump. Jimmy, on reach
ing a footpath leading directly to Maj.
HendersOn's, turned in on the full run.
bending low to the horses name to pre-
vent being brushed off by the overhang
ing limbs. He somewhat increased thu
distance between himself and his relent-
less pursuers. The next moment he lic,.
through the open gate to the door Of tn.
house. May, more beautiful than ever
stood in a listening attitude-she had
noted the tramp of horsemen-and ole
Uncle Dick, seated and in listening at
titude, held an ''aXe-helve," which he had
been finishing.
HEROISM OF AN OLD SLAVE.
Jimmy threw himself from his horse
at the very door, and cried out, "Uncl,
Dick, hold the door as / pass through
the house for few minutes, until / reacl
The branch behind the house, if you love
your young Misses and Jimmy.
May knew him at glance, for love ha
a tenacious memory.
Quick, Uncle Dick" she cried, "as yot
love me, hold the door for a few minute
for the love of everything you hold DEAR
and then she rapidly passed around the
corner of the house. Jimmy passed
through the open front door like a flash
and brave "Old Dick" sprang in just be
hind him, locking the door in second
and standing firmly on the defensive
armed with his unfinished "axe-helve'
firmly poised above his head. Jimmy
horse, being liberated, trottcd off beyond
where the branch crossed the road. The
Confederate cavalry dashed out of the
path into the road at the gate, which was
open. Everything was silent about the
house. The leader said: Men, break in
the door if you are refused admission:
he is here. sure" Knocks against the
door brought no response, and the Con
fcderatcs threw themselves against the
door, and in second were in the front
room, where they met, face to face, not
common "nigger," but black demon
with flashing eyes.
Get out OF the way, you Niger. Where
is the man who ran in this house?" yelled
the Confederate leader, and, raising his
sword, struck viciously at Uncle Dick
who stood defiantly in his front, silent
and fierce. "Uncle Dick" deftly lodged
the blow, and with the strength of giant
struck the officers sword from his hand
with his ''axe-helve," breaking the sword
in two or three pieces.
KNOCK the nigger's brains out" excit-
edly cried the officer to his men, wher
two or three, with dubbed guns, advanced
Uncle Dick" fell back, fighting. inch
by inch, and fercely, with his dangerous
weapon, knocking a soldier and his car
bine, with fearful blow, against the
wall of the room. 1t was an unequal
fight, but the gallant Uncle Dick" dis
puted every inch of ground, in order t.
delay pursuit, and King Richard the
Third, on BoswOrth Field, did not max.
a fiercer fight for his crown than this
black Ajax while defending the interest,
of his young mistress and her sweet
heart; nor did the devoted wife of Rob
Roy defend the home and stronghold OF
her husband in the Highlands of Scot
land with more spirit than displayed b,
this faithful slave in defending the door
Of his masters hOme.1 He finally dashed
into their very midst. dealing blows which
would have felled an OK, hut the rebels.