The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-05-15

had 10 doubt now that she had seen the
red uniforms of the British when first /
went into the wood to search for the
cause Of the noise was fool to let
nv distust of her decrease for mo-
ment
THAT was complete job, Miss How
ard. said the leader. well done by ev-
erybody. and your part is the best done
Of all. %
'.You have rescued me from the
hands of rebel, Captain Crowder, " she
replied, land am back with my own
people, for both Of which I thank you. "
thought it was time for me to say
something.
.sIt is true you have trapped me be-
tween you, Captain Crowder. for SO
hear the Lady call you" l said, 'sbut |
wouldn' t exult, because the next chance
might be mine, and it would hurt your
feelings for me to pay you back .
81 don'e know about any next chance
for you, he said, because here IN the
south we generally hang rebels. .
did not reply to his threat, thinking
that 1 had said enough, and turned my
head away. My glance fell now upon
Old Put. His eyes were full OF reproach
to me. The told you so expression was
there, and the am sorry for you and
myself expression was mingled with it
ssI will never lose faith in you again,
best of all comrades signaled back
Captain Crowder, having seized me,
also seized my camp, evidently with the
intention of spending the night there,
and he posted one sentinel, while the
others sat around the fire, making them
selves comfortable. The girl occupied
her old seat on the tree trunk, leaning
against the projecting bough
"Do you know where my father L.
Captain Crowder?" she asked
"With Tarleton. he replied
"And where is Tarleton?"
''Hot on the chase of the rebel major
and his men.
'"Can we overtake Tarleton by noon
tomorrow"
ssUndoubtedly, for he has to go rather
slowly, not knowing just where Morgan
is. He doesn't want to run past the
game Morgan S hard to catch, but when
Tarleton once comes up with him
there'l be an end to one rebel army.
I listened to this conversation with
the closest attention and continued to
listen while he described Tarleton's
movements, force and equipment II
could escape him and the hangman's
rope with which be had threatened me,
this information would be of great
value to us Twas glad that for the
sake of precaution, I had Corn up the
girls letters and other written facts
about US when captured her, for now
she could rely only upon speech. I
waited for her to tell Crowder about Us,
but she said nothing upon that point,
and reflected that her reticence was
natural, as she would want to give her
information herself to Tarleton, and
thus secure all the credit instead OF let
ting the guerrilla, Crowder, claim at
least half Of it
Two Of the men disappeared in the
wood and returned in few moments,
leading the horses Of the band, which
they tethered to the trees near by. /
guessed that they had seen the light OF
our fire at distance and leaving their
horses there had crept upon me-
"You will excuse Us, Miss Howard,
while we eat and drink little, " said
Crowder. We've ridden far today, and
we're tired and hungry.
Their appearance was sufficient indi-
cation that they needed food and rest,
for the CRIME Of travel was thick upon
them. They rummaged their haversacks
and saddlebags and produced bread and
meat. which they began to eat greedlly.
They were absorbed like wild animals
in their repast and paid no attention to
anything else.
The girl rose and walked over to me.
Reaching down, she seized the end OF
my silk handkerchief, which was pro-
jecting from my pocket, and jerked it
forth. She threw it into the fire and
watched it burn, the red heat gripping
the delicate silk and converting it in a
moment to ashes. Then she turned upon
me face Of fame.
"You dared to bind me, she said
you rebel and an English woman,
the daughter Of loyal English officer
You dared to insult me SOP
''And presume that is the reason
you burn the handkerchief with which
bound you. l said
Eyes
"Now that you have begun the job
Of burning suppose you would like to
burn me, zoo, as am the man who tied
the handkerchief, and ] did so because
you deserved it.
She was silent. but her cheeks were
as red as ever.
~ congratulate you upon your rescne,
your rescuers, your company. I said
''They are loyal British soldiers. "
.tThov wea- the British uniform