The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-11-05
CHAPTER Xxx.
CONTINUED.

real. and tue old mans going had nc
significance beyond its connection
with that sense OF inevitable doom
which impended shapeless, vague auc
altogether terrible, somewhere ID the
cloud on Mr.. Vernon's life.
And so, as they went riding down
through the solemn woods in the fine,
gray rain that began to fail, Mr, Yer
non scarcely spoke or lifted his gaze
from the ground until they came neal
to the bank of Bayou Bienvenu; and,
even then, 1t was the young man Who
broke the silence.
They were side by side, ashort way
in advance of their little troop, and
the rain was blowing in their faces,
when man stepped into the road in
front of them, not fifty PAGES distant.
Ballanche drew up his horse, at the
same time touching Mr.. Vernon's
arm.
Hold" he exclaimed, in a low
voice, as he reached for his pistol.
'SWhom have We herer'
The man held up his hand and made
o friendly sign,
''Oh, it's Peevy," said the lieutan
ant. lone OF our special scouts. Tho
English are not far away, l judge,
else he would not be here. We will
ride on and see what he is up to"
MIR. Vernon was all attention now;
the suggestion of proximity to the
British army made him think at once
of his wife and daughter. The house
was still two miles farther on.
How now, Peevy?" called Bal
lancae, as soon as they came up to
the scount. "What do you know By
this timer"
Peevy saluted awkwardly and gazed
of into the woods as if with utmost
concern, chewing his quid meantime.
Il hev' seed some sign O the enemy
down var a piece" he SAID.
''Some sigu? What like? Where"
demanded Ballanche.
They air jist over var on the
marsh. L counted nigh onter two hun
dred of 'cm jes', at daylight this morn
in"
"But how far from here?'
'Ez the crow flies, hit air three
miles mebbe to whar' they's as thick
ez birds in er pea-tiep.'
"Three miles! In what direction"
Peevy ierked his thumb backward
over his shoulder to indicate the point.
And they are moving?"
"They moved las night some"
(Which way: Up the bayou"
"No, jes' er fooliu' Ground like.
Some of EN- war down yer ter this var
house below yar."
"What house,"
My house do you mean?"
Mr. Vernon end the lieutenant spoke
tegethe-, both OF them leaning for
ward as if about to throttle Peeyy,
whose, dry, wlthered countenance did
no. change its expression.
'What did they do?" stormed forth
Mr. Vernon right in the mans lace.
Cut up Jack, they did; kinder
cleaned out the place, weeming folks
an all the likes. Lef' nothin' thar
'cepsing lot O. scared servants an
er couple O. lame mules"
Mr.. Vernon did not wait to hear
more, but drove his spurs into his
horse. The nervous animal rushed
away like bolt from some powerful
engine, iumbling Peevy fiat on his
back in the road.
"Golly mussy! Land O. Canaan!
Better jes' onj'nt feller's mortal
frame en- tangle lis bone etarnallyH
cried the surprised scout, scrambling
to his feet aud examining his gun to
see if it was injured. "Guess Mary
Ann air not hurt-air We, Mary Ann?"
He patted the long, heavy weapon RS
he spoke to it. "Ef Mary Ann air oil
right, it don't max no difference bout
5ue."
Lieutenant Ballauche was, first OF
all, a good soldier, and although
peevy's communication had sent hor-
ror through his soul he kept his head.
The detachment headed by ser
geant reached the spot at this moment,
and he ordered halt while he hastily
piled the scout with few more Qucs-
tons.
'Do you mean the house right
ahead on this road, two miles from
here?" he demanded.
Peevy was busily wiping some dirt
from Mary AIMS barrel aud stock.
Without looking up, he answered:
''Thet's ies' wat said ter ye.
The lieutenant motloned the troop
to follow him, and set of almost as
rapidly as Mr.. Vernon had; but the
scout took care to keep out OF the way
this time and stood looking after the
riders till they passed out OF sight.
well Of all starral fools them
the beatenest at l ever seed!" he cx-
claimed, still rubbing Mary Anu.
fIt they don't watch out, them cir
Britishers III twist thar necks for 'em
fore they know watts happened.
wy they mek's more noise AN er
Pennsylvany wagon on er rocky road.
Hum, Well, Mary Ann, we'll look
eroun' er leetle bit more