Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-02-13
CHAPTER ".

implements OF agricultural industry, or
level the rife with deadly precision; they
could force the rugged soil to yield them
a subsistence, or live by hunting the
game with which that section abounded.
Those hardly pioneers had met to be
initiated into warlike art They had
heard of the villainies of Wemyss, Gun
ninghann, Huck, Gainey and Ferguson,
and, In fact, some of them had already
been despoiled by Tory cupidity.
The men of Rocky Creek were now
drawn up in line armed with muskets,
rifles and fowling pieces. A tall thin
looking man, with sharp features, and
long light-colored hair, was In the act
Of drilling them. The individual was nc
less parsonage than Captain Nicode-
mus Hawes, who had been unanimously
chosen 70 command the Independent
FIRE Eaters" because he had seen some
service.
The company numbered thirty persons.
Like Marion's brigade, they wore no uni
form, and exhibited a curious variety,
which, taken all together, gave them a
rather unique appearance
Corporal Higgins, straighten up yer
hle," ordered Captain Nick tom Jones;
turn yer toes out, and look more sol
dier-like. Attention the hull-heads up!
joe Sawyer, which way are you look
in"
I'm cross-eyed, cap'en," said Joe.
Nicodemus Halves fell back a few
PAGES, and contemplated his company
with obvious admiration; then deliber-
ately unsheathing a sword which had
doubtless been long in the Halves fam
llV. for If was nj he
went on h the 4ercise.
Rear rank-take distance-marchp'
The evolution was performed with a
tolerable degree of accuracy.
II reckon yell git the hang ont arter
a while. In that ere perticl.eler evolu-
ton, you must remember to step back
four PAGES and dress to the right; the
sargeants cake their places in the front
rank, and the pOn-commissioned officers
who are in the rear, stick where they
are. Now, I'm goin' TO put We through
another operation. Rear rank-close to
the front. March! Corporal Higgins,
what on airth are ye dewin'? Straighten
EN- up. Tom Jones, you hold yer shoot
in stick as though you's afeared ont.
Toe out, yer tarnal critters-lean fo'ard
more and make yer chists more promer-
nent You can't stand the British baga-
nets without you stand bent little to
the front Lieut.. Anderson will now
shove you through some o. the manooal
exercises, after which I'll make you an
all-killin' speech. which'll raise all the
military sperit you happen to have about
you"
Lieut. Anderson proceeded with the
drill, while Captain Nick observed them
at little distance While matters were
progressing in this manner, a horseman
suddenly appeared upon the river road,
approaching at a headlong speed
Il wonder what's in the wind now?''
said the captain, approaching the lieu
tenant.
Something uncommon, | should
think" replied the latter. HE rides as
though he didn't value his neck very
highly"
No more was said by the parties I'M
til the horseman dashed up in front of
the company, covered with dust, and
much excited.
THE Tories" he cried, in a loud, clear
voice, have discovered what you are
about, and will soon be upon you. You
must fight, or save yourselves by fight"
IF they've found out what we're at
SO soon as this, there must be some
sneakin' informer amongst u.s." exclaim-
ed the captain. And if there is. and
we can discover him, he needn't expect
no mercy. How many of the Tory vii
lains do you think'n be upon us?"
about forty, armed and mounted"
replied the man who had brought the
news.
You hear what he says. Teller sol
diers; what do you feel disposed to do
fight or rum" asked Captain Nicb.
Flight it outr' exclaimed several in
the ranks.
That's what l say. Nick Halves will
never run as long as he can stand up
and use a weepon o war Load your
pieces with balls and tarnal destruction
to the Teller that tries to shirk his duty
1t shan't never be said by comm genera
tons, that the Independent Fire-Eaters
ever turned their backs on their enc
mics"
Right, rightr' ran along the ranks of
the raen of Rocky Creek.
az admire your spirit" said the horse
man, who still sat upon his painting
steed an interested listener. IL shall
be most happy to take part in the fray"
"Nou appear to be a pretty game sort
of chap yefself, stranger, and the
FireEaters'n be glad of your help"
replied Captain Halves, warmly.
In a few minutes only ten of the COM
pany occupied the plateau where they
had exercised. Lieut. Anderson and
Sergt. Davis commanded those conceal
ed in the thicket, and the captain re-
manned with those left to decoy the enc
my.
While the men of Rocky Creek are
waiting for the approach of the Tories
we will solicit the readers attention for
n short time to the individual who had
brought the intelligence respecting the
contemplated onslaught of the Loyalists.
During the captains patriotic and
somewhat original speech, he had dis.
mounted. and now stood beside his reek-
ing horse, with his arms laid across the
pommel of the saddle. He was nearly
thirty years of age, and of a large and
sinewy frame. His face. though some
what stern in its expression, was never
theless quite handsome. and calculated
to progresses one in his favor. 1t was
evident at the first glance that he was
man Of frmness and resolution and
well adapted TO the times in which he
lived. He was armed with pistols and
q short saber, and presented a bold and
soldier-like appearance. His name was
John Henderson.
This is a dark picture in the history
of South Carolina" he observed TO the
captain.
Il reckon you're about right, stran-
ger" replied the latter. Satan seems
TO be let loose for a season to turn
things upside down in these parts
I'VE must fight, and there's no hon
orable alternative. There are men enough
in this State to achieve a glorious vic
tory, if they will only concentrate and
organize under efficient leaders. See
what Gen. Marion has done within a few
days; he has infused new courage into
the hearts of the people, notwithstanding
the defeat of Gen. Gates at Camden -
"Tarnel destruction, stranger! You
don't mean to say Gates has been whip