The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-11-13
CHAPTER XXI.



nor's daughter. rode up to the Mount
Entering the town. at It's base, dark
walls on either side Of them shut out
the broad map Of the heavens and aeft
but q narrow open space above: few
lights were visible. % that many OF
the houses seemed tenantless; even
at the tavern. unwonted stiffness pre-
vailed. Apparently was the return
well-timed; In twisting street and tor
tuous byway. whore hostile faces had
been prone 70 frown upon tho soldiers
q his Excealency. emerging from. or
ascending "a. the stronghold Of the
summit. now only chill drafts Of air
swept down te greet them; passed on
With shrill whisperings. and died
away In the distance.
Nearing the massive portals that
opened wide into his Excellency's
realm. my lady suppressed q shiver:
bat the Marquis. IN . low tone, ven.
tured to Jest on the depressing and
melancholy aspect Of the Mount at
that hour. To these light remarks she
returned NO answer. and he had Just
begun to rally her on . certain quiet.
ness OF spirits. apparent on the beach
md irreconcilable with tho circum.
stances Of the moment, when q sharp
exclamation fell from tho girls lips.
In front Of them. between the sol.
diers and the entrance to that upper
part Of the Mount. many dark forms
had suddenly darted forth; at the
same time from nearby houses came
unmistakable sounds Of life and ac-
tivity; doors were thrown open and
windows raised. The town they thought
asleep had merely been watching; now
showed its bright eyes In q multitude
OF menacins lights around them; be-
low. where likewise Q mysterious mar.
shaling had occurred. from alleys, cor.
ners. and novels. Immediately after
the passing Of the Governors party!
What does II meanr' Again she
heard the Marquis tones, less conf.
dent now. a. hs turned to the com.
mandant.
"Treachery!" The commandant's
voice rang out They've broken faith
with us!"
"Dogs!" My lord sased uncertainty
ahead; dubiously behind. what are
We going to dot"
"Do7" Tho commandant suppressed
An imprscation. "Push on to tho up-
per gates!"
ITO the sates!" cried the Marquis;
then wheeled quickly. But you
Elise!"
Never mind met" she returned,
with steady lips and eyes.
There was no time for further
words; q sharp order from the com.
mandant and tho troopers spurred for
ward toward tho entrance In the wall
and those whose purpose Il was to
oppose them.
What happened thereafter the girl
was but vaguely cognizant Of; reports
Of guns. flashing Of steel surrounded
her: the clattering Of hoofs mingled
with the loud shouts OF men.
"The Bastile Of tho North! Down
with IL"
This was their battle-cry; on every
side she heard II, though hardly real
iz'ng the purport Of the words; con.
fused. she listened to her fathers name
her own-bandied about. She won.
dered why those on the wall, the SOL
diers within. did not fire and repel all
these people.
Then almost at once came the an
swer. The troopers comrades were
mixed In the melee without; she and
they, too-so adroitly had the moment
for striking been planned--might be
swept down In the volleys from the
ramparts. A cannon doomed above:
but Its deafening reverberations were
answered only with laughter and jeers
Mon dieu! Did his Excellency
think to frighten them with sound, as
II they were timid children fleeing
from thunder? Was his Excellency
aiming at stars?"
And again that cry: THE Bastile Of
the North! We. too, will take our
Bastile!-dominated the clashing OF
arms and the tumult Of strife.
For what seemed an lnterminable
period. tho Governors daughter saw,
through flashes OF light. men strug-
Cling. striking; then launched sudden
ly forward. by an Irresistible move
ment OF the horses. found herself with
In the gates. The Marquis who had
early been separated from her In tho
strife. was nowhere In sight. Behind
now sounded the fray: a short dis
tance from the wall. and she looked
back; fiercer than ever. soldiers and
people contended within tho entrance; /;
beneath the portals. As she strove to
restrain her horse she heard tho voice
nf her father.