The bee., 1902-06-19


wooded hill, low fence to cross
and the path lay with a small grove
of trees on one side and an open
grass lot on the other, In this grass
lot just where the ground began tc
slope down to the spring branch,
the negro cabins were built in a
row. AS our party came to the bars
that led from the stable yard to the
field, they met Dolph-a fine look
ing mulatto man, and valuable
slave, but not to be trusted every
time. He had been visiting up to
"Marse Ben's" and hearing the
news was coming home.
He promised again and again that
he would claim the house as his
own and do everything possible to
save it from burning.
Knowing Dolphs fear of being car
ried away by Yankee soldiers, and
made to fight in their army. Mrs.
Adkins did not trust those promises
in the least. He often said if he
was compelled to go as soldier he
felt impressed that he would be
killed by the first shot fired.
This fear alone kept him at home,
and caused him and other colored
men to hide out when the Yankees
were in the country, just as if they
were regular Rebel soldiers.
After giving Dolph all kinds of in
structIons and orders, contradictory
and otherwise, in her almost crazy
condition, Mrs. Adkins told her fam
lily to hurry on toward Cousin Ben's,
and she would risk her all, in the
hands of higher power than Rebel
or Yankee. So they hurried on,
watching across the field to right
and left, and imagining every mo-
ment they heard the tramp of hors-
es' feet and the clanking of sabers.
After crossing the little stream
and ascending the hill few yards,
they saw Aimee Fastening toward
them on her way home.
AS she neared them, all began
questioning her, almost in a whis-
per. "Have you seen any soldiers,
Aimee?" "Did Cousin Ben and AL
bert get away?"
"Yes, ma'am, they got away, ]
reckon; leastways, Marse Albert
was gittin' ready to leave, and dey
was gittin' Marse Ben's horse ready
l didn't see nobody but de white
folks and John and Rachel"
Let us turn back with Aimee
Fanny. / so fear am doing wrong
IN not staying and protecting my
home. If you are not willing, why
60 on to the house, and will &C
back. Aimee and would be some
protection to things there. They
would not be apt to burn the house
if some one was at home."
Poor Mrs. Adkins was so weak
and nervous she could hardly stand
Fanny's patience was almost ex-
hausted. She told her sister to dc
as she thought best, and hurried
forward to overtake the children
who were almost up the hill.
Thinking that her sister had gone
back, as she proposed doing, she
told Ida and the little ones to hur-
ry on, for she would have them all
to care for, as their mother had gone
back home with Aimee. They cross
ed the low rail fence, and had start
ed up the path that divided the
grass lot from the skirt Of woods,
when the command came in ringing
tones on. the clear frosty air: Halt
Halt therel Haiti" and they heard
the report and saw the flash Of pis-
tol, which was aimed directly in the
direction that Mrs. Adkins and All
NEE were when the others left them,
In a moment all was confusion,
Ida and the little ones were sure
the soldier was firing at them, and
some cried, while others fell on
their knees to pray for mercy.
Fanny was sure the man was
shooting at her sister and did not
know but it would be her time next,
but she was compelled to be brave
"ChIldren," she said, "if you don't
come on with me, will go and leave
you here" At this, they all started
with her, but Ida had thrown of
her long coat into the bushes, fear.
ing it would make her look like a
man and she would be shot.
AS they advanced a few yards
they saw a blue coated soldier ride
from clump of bushes, with pistol
in hand pointed directly at them
and again he ordered: "Halt! Who
comes there?"
Old John, q colored man, had
come out of his cabin to see what
all the noise was about, and seeing
who the visitors were, exclaimed in
low voice: "Lor'! Miss Fanny