The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-11-05
when an enemy offered O fair mark


1t was evident to Ballanche that il
his little detachment remained but q
few moments longer where it now
was, its way 10 New Orleans would
be cut Of. He ordered Pecyy to
mount behind him, thing which the
scout was very much opposed to.
"I feels better an safer onter my
fcct," he urged, IAN 'en, besides,
them air si!k-stockiu, fol!crs can't
ketch me, nohow."
But the lieutenant made his order
peremptory, and the lean, skinny
riileman effected the mount from the
fence-top.
In the shortest possible time the
little band was in motion. going at a
brisk pace along the road. But the
enemy had seen them, and already
the thin red line over-lapped the way.
There was nothing to do, but to
make dash.
Mr. Vernon was s. the lieutenant's
side when the order was given. Down
they rode together, Peevy sticking on
as best he could, gresping the saddle
with one hand and swinging Mary
Ann free In the other.
4 rafting volley and chorus OF
shouts greeted them as they got well
under way, and the bullets whistled
about their ears.
Mr.. Vernon'5 horse was the feetest
Of all, and so he a once became their
leader. He dashed upon and almost
over a group OF three red-coats i'll the
middle of tue road. One of them,
after firing unsuccessfully ct him,
seized the horses bride aud was
dragged down for his pains.
Ballanche, cncumbered with the
scout, was lot so successful; Mr..
Vernon looked back and saw him try
ing to use his sword, while his horse
was rearing and plunging. Wheeling
abont aud drawing long heavy
knife, his only weapon besides his
holsters, he dashed to the young
officers rescue.
"Puuch ia etarnal eye out" Peevy
was screeching "Whack i'm on the
nose! Jag i'm inter the ribs!'
One of the English, stalwart fell
low, who was unaware of Mr.. Vernon's
approach, turned just in tine to have
MS neck almost severed by slash of
that terrible Southern knife. And
lust then the rest of the little detach-
ment reached the spot and all broke
through together without the loss OF
man.
"Golly, mussy.' cried Peevy, "this
vars no decent way O. fghtin'! 1
can't do nothin' wi Mary Ann an
ho,' on ter this var kickin' en- cally
vortin' annymil at the same time!
Blame sich eternal foolishness! Lee 8
go back ar try 'em over ag'in a-stan'-
in onter the solid yarth.
But Lieutenant Ballanchc gave no
heed to his grumbliug. He know that
Jackson's army was moving and that
his place was in the van. His mil
itary experience told him that the
EnSli.h detachment through which
they had broken was a party OF recon-
Nuisance and that the enemy's
army was moving up the bayou in
force.
"Ye can't shoot of'n a hoss no.
how" PeeTey continued to snarl.
Glow kin ye squint through the
sights on er gun bar'l, when the an
nymil air hi'kin' ye up an er drap-
PIN yer down an er iigglln' ye ever
so which way, I'd like ter know?
There's ies' not er bit o sense in the
whole business! Ef I'd er been onto
my legs, std or Hummixin' Ground
on this var eternal annymil, I'd a got
erbout four O them air fel!ers shore
cs Mary Ann hedn't er s..Apped"
When they reached Eew Orleans,
Jackson WAS masslng most of his
available forces at point some miles
down the river, and all was excitement
in the street.
Mr.. Vernon net Fairfax on corner
Of Royal Street, and without q mo-
mcnt's hesitation told him the terrible
news OF Iue lulc tuuI uCiEllCa
Mrs. Vernon, Pauline and Maiden.
olsel!e de Sezauues. twas like blow
in the face 10 the young man; he
actually staggered back as if hard
hit.
"Cone. Taken away! Pauline in
the hands Of those brutal soldiers"
he faltered forth, gazing half doubt
ingly, half wildly at Mr.. Vernon. cit
can't be rue. II isn't so, is it? Oh,
sir, yen are not in earnest!"
Bat he knew by the old mans look
that it was all true.
eyes, they are goue-gone, said
Mr.. Vernon, "and the English army
lies between us and themr
Fairfax was as pale as if dead, and
lis dry lips would not move whom he
tried 10 speak. In that moment OF in-
tense concentration OF feeling he re.
viewed every happy hour that he had
ever spent with Pauline and recalled
..,- ,,-aat ,vor6 fbot she had ever