The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-11-19
EHAPIEk tAAl.
CONTINUED.

CONTINUED.
Hepushed on as best he could, guess
ing his direction by what he knew OF
The position OF the Caroline and OF
the probable whereabouts of Jackson
in reference thereto, aud. before long,
he found himself in focus of con-
yeryirg bullets. The missiles swarmed
past him like fretful bees. Then
was rush with loud yelling, and he
was in the midst of o rough-and-tumble
fight, where guns were dubbed,
knives flashed and swords clinked
ssvagely. He tried to fall in with his
friends and take part in their behalf,
but tine struggle shifted the com
batants so suddenly that before he
could do anything he was surrounded
by men wearing the uniform OF the
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 TO reach the cover of hedge of
bushes growing in an ill-kept fence
row, and had nearly reached it, when
q tall man faced him and called out:
"Halt! Where do you belong"
In the darkness. Fairfax, Of course,
could not make out the challenger's =
features; but the voice had familiar
sound, though his memory OF it WAS
not at the moment certain. He knew
that he must answer instantly, and he
did.
II am Fairfax, OF General Coffee's
staff" said he.
"Then surrender" came the short,
stern command.
Fairfax responded with sword
stroke as he leaped toward his would
be captor. He was deceived by the
fog aud 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.
t.. The fash and report OF a pistol
came together on the moment. By
that instantaneous glare Fairfax saw
the dark, cool face of his antagonist.
1t was the face of Pierre Bameau.
the face of Colonel Loring, who was
replacing his pistol in his belt ard
drawing his sword.
The two men went toward each
other; the thought of capture or sur
render was vanished; for recognition
had been mutual, and both felt a
deadly hatred taking the place Of
mere soldierly animosity.
II would have gone ill with Fairfax,
skillful fencer though he was, if the
combat had been permitted to pass on
to the end; but their swords never
crossed. A heavy cannon-shot struck
the ground between them and buried
itself. Loring sprang rway, thinking
it shell that would explode.
Fairfax took advantage of the mo-
ment and jumped through the line OF
weeds and bushes. 1t was not heroic
way of escaping from an unequal fight:
but he did not think of this. Like a
fash it had come into his mind that
the fate of the American army might
depend upon his finding General Jack.
son. The fall OF the cannon-shot had
reminded him that he was in . battle,
not in personal conflict.
4 On he ran till at last he came to
some OF Major Plsnche's men whom
he knew. They had torch and were
working heroically to assist party OF
artillerymen in getting gun out OF a
little bog where its wheels had mired.
b Just then General Jackson himself
came up and exclaimed:
"By the Eternal, men, save that
gun!"
Fairfax leaped into the mud and set
his shoulder into the strain. 1t was
as if Jackson's appeal had given new
strength to all. Out cane the gun,
and was soon again in working order.
THE gun was quickly wheeled into
position and began believing away,
its balls humping and humping and
crashing among some cabins not far
of.
A party of the enemy, guided by
bue uoSu, ran up W "AeuAn ohOI
musket range and fired a heavy vol
ley. The gunner fell dead.
"Stand by that cannon, men! Stand
firm! Give it to 'em!" stormed Jack
son.
4 Fairfax sprang to the piece and took
the dead gunner's place.
Then came another and heavier vol
ley. A bullet hit him hard in the
breast, but he fired the gun, now
loaded to the muzzle with grape. 1t
was a destructive shot. By merest
chance, the storm of missiles went
straight to the light board-fence be-
hind which the British were massed
and swept them away almost to a
man.
In the space OF silence that fol-
lowed, Fairfax reeled, groaned and
fell acasss the gun.
CHAPTER XXII.