Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1903-09-12
CHAPTER XXI.
CONTINUED.


tbs nos;tion OF the Caroline and OF
the probable whereabouts of Jackson
in reference thereto, and. before long, 7
ne found himself IN focns OF con
verriur bullets. The missiles swRrmed
mast him like fretful bees. Then
was n rush with loud yelling. and he +
was IN the midst OF a rough-and-tumbie .
frht. where guns were dubbed. +
knives flashed and swords clinked /
sava1ely RE tried 10 fall i'm with his /
friends aud take part IN their behalf, 7
but tae struggle shifted the com
basants SO suddenly that before he
could 40 anything he was surrounded
by men wearing the uniform OF tue
enemy This he quickly noted by
the flash of a rocket which fell, still
burning. not far away.
Luckily. one of the excited and
rushing British soldiers appeared to
recognize his uniform. Hewas hasten
ing 80 reach the cover of hedge OF
bushes growing IN an ih-kept fence
row. and had nearly reached 1t. when
tall man faced him and called out:
"Haltl Where DO you belongS'
Ia the darkness. Fairfax. of course,
could not make out the challenger s
features: but the voice had familiar
sound though his memory Of 1t Was
not AZ tho moment certain. He knew
tha. lie must answer instantly, and he
did
Il am Fairfax. Of General Coffee's
staff. said he.
"Then surrenderl' came the short,
stern command.
Fairfax responded with sword
stroke es be leaped toward his would
be captor. He was deceived by the
fog and the nights blackness, and so
missed his point aud his blade cut
only the air. This threw him around
lust in time TO disconcert the Others
aim. which else had been deadly.
The fash and report of pisto
came together on the moment. b.
that irstantauc0us glare Fairfax saw
the dark. cool face of has antagonist
II was tAe face Of Pierre Bameau
the face OF Colonel Loring, who wa
replacing his pistol IN his belt ar'
drawilv has sword.
The two men went toward coc
other. the thought of capture or sur
render was vanished, for recognluo
had been mutual. and both felt
deadly hatred taking the place G
mere soldierly animosity.
IL would have gone III with Fairfax
skillful fcncer though he was, II On
coMbat had been permitted 10 pass %
to the end; but their swords neve
crossed. 4 heavy cannon-shot struc
the ground between them and bnrie
itself. Loring spraug rway, thinkin
il q she'll that wonld.explole.
Fairfax took advantage OF the mC
ment and jumped through the line
weeds and bushes. 1t was not hero
way of escaping from an unequal igh
but he did not think of this. Like
flash IL had come into his mind th
the fate OF the American army mIgl
depend upou his finding General Jec
SON. The fan 90 the cannon-shot ha
reminded him that he was IN bait.
not ia a personal conflict.
On ne ran till at last he cane
some OF Major Planche's men who
he knew. They had a torch and we
working heroically to assist a party
artillervmen in getting a gan out OF
little bog where its wheels had mire
Just then General Jackson hims'
came UP and exclaimed:
by the Eternal, men, save I'll
gum
Fair.ax leaped into the mud aud ,
his shoulder into the strain. 1t "
as If Jackson's appeal had given n
strength 10 ali. Dat came the gu
and was soon again IN working ord
The gun was quickly wheeled II
position and began believing aw.
its balls humping and humping .
crashing among some cabins not
of
party Of the enemy, guided
the dash, ran up TO within sh
musket range and fired heavy '
ley. The gunner fell dead.
stand by that cannon, menl Sta
firm Give it TO emf stormed ia
son.
Fairfax sprang to the piece and t
the dead gnnaer's place.
Then came another and heavier :
ley 4 bullet hit him hard IN
breast, but he fired the gun, /
loaded 20 the muzzle with grape.
was destructive shot. BY mel
chance, the storm of missiles "
straight 20 the light board-fence
hind which the British were mas
and swept them away almost K
man.
II the space of silence that
lowed, Fairfax reeled, groaned
feN across the gun.
CHAPTER XXI.
TENDER NURSE.
E,;rfa~ rat,,rna1 20 copsc;oYa 81