Norwalk Gazette, Tuesday, April 26, 1859 · page 1

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NUMBER

590--NEW SERIES.

N ORWALK, CONN ., TUE,SDAY,’APRIL 26. 1859.

VOLUME XLII.---NUMB~EE':i7.

YIIORWALK GAZETTE.

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_ Connecticut Hotel.
Ins’! SIDE THE BR1DGE,'NonWALK, QONN.
J. C. KELLY,‘ Proprietor.

;-This well known audipopular‘ House,while
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oeased,.is opeuror the reception of transient
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nests. . .
Good Stabling for horses, the.
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JAMES-LUCAS, PROPRIETOR.

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15

. depot of the N. Y. and N. 11. Railroad, and

in this respect for permanent or transient
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Wooster House, Danbury, Conn.
WM. P.. STEVENS, Proprietor.

3 The Subscriber, having purchased the‘
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O. 8. LOGKVVOOD,
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—--and-
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armor omen MALLOR ["8 s TORE.

_ Norwalk, Conn.

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- ~ "the Bridge, .
N ORWALK, CONN.
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or’: Trimmiizgs, by the Yard,
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6! WALL STREET,
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——

E

-m. rnsc en. SON‘,

. uasur.icroni:iis or
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0. Cl. 3. E. Lockwood, 6!. Go.,
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NOBWALK, CONN.
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________,,___.__
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Imorpa;-and in 1819, Cllarter Perpetual,
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compensation.
GEO. R. COWLBS, sale .43.,“
For Noi-walk and vicinity.

 

1:84

A New Revolulzioiiary Story.

ONE-EYED §XUL,.

OR THE

Tory League -of Seven.
A TALE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
BY DR. .1’ . H. ROBINSON.

0 Author of “Nick Wnii-*ri.ss,” “BUCK

Bisoiv,” " H ALF-WITTED NAT,” “ Ms-
nioN’s Bmc.ini-2,” “THE PION-
Esns or KENTUCKY,” etc.
CHAPTER 1.

THE LEAGUE or our SEVEN.

Seven men, coming from different
points, urging their way with great dim-

'culty through almost impervious walls in-

tei-laced and opposing shrubbery, met at
midnight beneath the spreading branches
of a cypress tree, at a place "called Lau-
rel Swainp, in South Carolina, in the
year 177-. They gathered sticks and
leaves and made a fire. The flames,
springing up from the dry heap, threw a.
red glare upon their faces, which were
seamed and disfigured by the play of bad
passions. - They were all young men, the
oldest not being more than thirty-five
years of age. As they stood in a circle
around the tire, they resembled a group
of vagabond English gipsies, fresh. from

the stocks or the whipping post. They ~

were armed with sabres, knives, pistols
and muskets. Their faces were smutched
with powder, their boards and hair long
and neglected, their garments torn by
eouflict and the sharp teeth of the cy-
press hedges. The nsmes of these men
were respectively as follows: Martin
Vantassle, Nathaniel Herrick, Phillip
Langford, Simou>Arrowsmith, John N ic-
olson, James Pollard and Timothy Bee-
ker. , .

Vautassle, a tall, athletic, ill—vlsaged
fellow, was the leader of these intracta-
ble spirits. Unsheathiug his heavy ss-
bre, und placing its point on the ground
between his feet, he addressed his com-
panions :

‘ Men,’ he said in ii hard, harsh voice,
that harmonized well with his general
prestige, ‘ we’ve met here tonight to
bind ourselves together in perpetual fel-
lowship by solemn oath and mutual agree-
ment. *Every man’s hand is agin us-
leustwise, in these parts—and ours, in
turn, is ngin every man. Wc’ve sworn
allegiance to his gracious majesty, the
King of Great Britain and the rightful
heir of‘ these colonies, have touched his
money and will do his work.’

‘It isn't the king I care so much
about,’ muttered Nat Her'rick, ‘ but the

. utter destruction and extermination of

the Whigs. South Ciir’liny is already
morue’n half conquered, and the rebel
cause is rapidly growing weaker, and
we’ll soon sweep them away like chaff.-
It’ll be strange if N at Herrick don't have
his share of the plunder.’

There was an applauding murmur
around the grim circle.

. ‘ I was coming to that subject,’ added
Vuntassle, impatiently. ‘ I reckon I
know the merits of the case, and the na-
tui" of your feelings, my lads. We never
seed the King of England, any of us, and
if we should, it’s agln reason to believe
that he’d speak to us,aud to tell the truth
we care little about him. I love Martin
Vantnssle better nor I do any king in the
world. I fight the Whigs because their
side is the weakest, and I hate ’em ; and
there’s a prospect of makiu’ somethin’ by
it. When wc’vc driven ’em out, which
will he soon, ’cordin’ to present appear-
ances, we'll be masters of the country
ourselves. \Ve’l1havc houses, and lands
and niggers to wait on us.’

“ That’s the kind of talk I like to hear,”
said Jim Pollard.

“ Il’s a kind of talk, too, that’ll prove
prophetic,” rejoined Martin Vantssslc.

‘ It would, if we could keep Marion and
Sumpter still,’ interposed Phil Laugford.

“The Swamp-Fox will soon be still
enough, I'll warrant ye l Colonel Tarle-
tou is on his truck, and he’ll trap him
aforc he’s a week older.
neither here nor. there; let them fight
for glory who will--our motto is “ Booty
and Beauty !” ~

“ We know who your beauty is,” said
Simon Arrowsmith, with a leer, “it is
Jessie Burnside.” ‘

“ And he shall have her, too,” said

' Herrick, with an oath.

“'I'hank’e Nut Herrick, and if you
don’tsucceed with Ruth Havilaud, it’ll.
be no fault of mine.” -

“ And will nobody speak a word for
me ?" cried Lnngford.

“ A hundred if you like,” cried Pol-
lard, “though to me it appears as the
greatest nonsense ~to be ruuuiu’ arter
wimmen when there's so much real fight-
In’ to he done. mistress is a bloody
0Ile_. and I find her wherever there is a
‘"518 to hang, a till to rob, or a house to
bl1l‘lI._ Howsomevcr, if you like Judith
B“"'9ld9, We none of my business, and I
reckon "039 0n us’ll stand in your way.
She" V9"Y handsome, and proud as she is
l"“1dS0m_°. and if you win her at all, it’ll
be by foul and not fair means. I don’t
want ,to be hard on ye, P1131 Lang-ford,
but I in sure ye can’t do much i,,.th,, way
of what folks call honest courtship. But
dont be down-licarted, lad, for we're
bound to nid.eacli other under all circum-
stances, and In all cases.”

"Martin Vantassle drew his sabre from
the earth and thrusting it forward, held
it _over the blazing lire ; the blade was
dinted and serrated with service, and
there were red stains upon it. The oth-
er six unsheathed theirs and crossed them
upon his, when be dictated a terrible
and impious compact which they several-
ly repented. It was too profane and
shocking to be put verbatim on pnper.—-
They pledged themselves to mutual
brotherhood and crime, to exterminate
the struggling and hunted whigs ;to give
no quarter to the captured foe ; to pur-
sue the flying fugitive with remorseless
fury ; to commit every enormity upon the
defcuceless patriots, to rob, to burn, to
outrage helpless innocence. ’

When this fearful and unnatural com-
pact had been made, Vautassle turned to
Herrick and said :

“ ?Wliat names have you brought with
you ’

-Herrick drew a soiled paper from his
waistcoat pocket, and bending toward
the lire, he read the following names :

“ Paul Hazelhurst, Frank Havlland,
Tom Hotter, Pedijah llakepeace, Gide-

Howcver, that’s'

on Grant, Bli o, a nigger, and One-
Eyed Soul of rel Swamp.’

‘-Men,’ -said Vantcssle, “ these are
for the sword -l
down and kill them. By virtue of my
authority, I command you to pursue the
persons whose names you have heard,
night and day, till you have swept them
out of exi’steuce.""" -

‘There are seven of them and seven
of us-—-a man for each of ‘us,’ said Her-
rick.

‘ Let us determine our respective men
by lot,’ said Lnugford.

"l‘he idea is good, and by lot the
matter shall be decided,’ added Vantassle.

This suggestion was eagerly received,
its novelty made it welcome. The names
of the parties doomed to destruction
were written upon seven slips of papers,
and drawn from Vantassle’s cap by his
associates. Herrick drew the first bol-
lot.

‘ Frank Havilaud,’ he exclaimed.

‘ The brother of Ruth,’ said Pollard,_

with a shrug,aud looking inquiringly at his
comrade.

‘Tom Hotter, said Langford drawing
and reading his ballot.

‘ And I, Blinko, the black,’ said Nic-
olson. ‘

‘ And I, One-Eyed Saul,’ cried Pol-
lard, in dismay.

‘ You’vc got something to do,’ laughed
Vantassle. ‘ If you outwit Saul of Lou-
rel Swamp, you’il be the greatest mun
among us.’ .

“ Podijah Makepeace, an infernal Yan-
kee,’ declared Tim Becker, looking at his
ballot’.

Simon Arrowsmith was the last to
draw. He drew Gideon Grant, leaving
Paul H szlehurst for Vantussle.

‘ It is just as I wish it,’ observed the
latter, while a scowl of hatred gave addi-
tional malignuuce to his expresion.

“ He has visited the Burnsides at Lau-
relwood, remarked Lnugford.

‘ Is it Judith or Jessie?’ asked Pol-
lard with it sneer.

‘ It shall be neither l’ thundered Van-
tassle, casting fierce glances around him.
“ Let us join hands, he added, “ and
swear that we will respectively abide by
the ballot.’ _
This was instantly done, and with
clasped hands and uusheathed s ibres,
they renewed their terrible compact, in-
voking direful penalties if they proved re-
creant to their oath. The league of the
seven was complete.

They separated and went their several
ways. A moment later, and nothing but
the smouldering embers of their fire re-
mained to mark the spot where they had
met.

 

CHAPl‘IZR II.
I.AUni:Lwo'oD.

Twilight stole silently upon Laurel-
wood ; it curled upon the mansion and
surrounding trees like a pale, soft mist.
It was a very quiet hour, but to Jessie
Burnside there was something inexpi'essi-
bly oppressive in the air. Her fair coni-
panions, Ruth Haviland and Judith
Burnside, her sister, sympathized with
those feelings of uneasiness. With the
exception of Blinko, a black servant, and
J upe, a. mulatto woman, these ladies
were. at this time, the sole occupants of
the house, Mrs. Burnside being absent in
attendance on a. sick relative, while Mr.
Burnside was serving in Mcrion’s brig-
ade. Ii: was at that period when the
struggle for liberty seemed dark and hope-
less. The country was overrun with pit-
iless enemies, alid devastated with fire
and sword. Toryism was rife and stalk-
ed about like It destroying angel, mitiug
old and young. No man trusted his
neighbor until he stood shoulder to shoul-
dcr with him in battle. No one knew
where to find faith and good fellowship
till danger and death had come to apply
the test to friend and brother.

Burnsido’s mansion--which had re-
ceived the name of Laurelwood from its
proximity to Laurel Swamp—was so for
distant from towns and cities that he
flattered himself its quietude would not
‘be intruded upon by marching armies or
wandering bands of loyalists. It is true
that he left his loved ones with reluctance
and was often harassed with fears for
their safety, but duty—yeii, necessity-
called him to the field, and he went, ho-
ping that Providence would protect those
he left at home. So far, Laurel wood had
not been molested. The terrible tales of
the atrocities "committed in neighboring
towns and hamlets were daily reaching
him. The young ladies had recently, too,
had their fears excited by the persecu-
tion of certain persons, whose characters
and principles were alike obnoxious.-—
With these parties we shall soon bocome
better acquainted. _

Wishing to conceal her dejoction of
mind, and see if the open air were not
more exhiliaratiug, Jessie Burnside open-
ed the door, and stepped out, as she be-
lieved, unobserved by Ruth and Judith.
There was a small summer-iiouse over-
grown with vines, a few yards distant;
she entered it, and sat down. She had
scarcely done so when she heard a voice
pronounce her name. She sprang up
with a cry of terror. A large rough
hand was laid rudely over her mouth ; it
was the hand of Martin Vnntassle.

‘ Come Miss, don't be frightened, for I
am neither a wolf nor a panther, but
plain M artiu Vantassle,as good nman as
can be found at-ween here and the mouth
of the Santee river. What is better, I’m
a kiug’s man, and the king’s men have it
all their own way, now.’

‘You are rude and unmannerly, sir I’
cried Jcssie, pushing him away indignant-
lY- ' on have business with me, speak
it and begouc.’

‘_Well, mistress, I have a matter of
business with ye, I reckon, which will
last 70!‘ life if you like it. I am not a
person that can talk much, and haven't
a great deal of time to spend, in that soft
pnlaver _they_ call love-making ; but I
want a wife right hard, and you’rc the
gal I've kinder fixed my mind on.’

‘ Oh, this is your wooing,’ said Jesse,
cpntemptnously. ' Let me tell you, Mar-
tin Vantassle, that your wooing is odious.
You are a bear.’

'Thnt’s right, Miss, call me pet names.
You can make me the best natured bear
in the world, if you. will.’

Vautassle attempted to tap her play-
Enllyl under the chin with his big, clumy

an .

fDo'a’t touch me I there is contamina-

Wc are to hunt them"

tion in the touch of one who turns trait-'
or, aud betrays his own countrymen to
foreign invaders. I have no paiienee
with you, nor those of your character or
habits of thinking, who are associated
with you in your crime and spoliatiou.—
The word Tory makes me shudder ; your
presence disgusts me, while your deeds
fill me with horror.’

She tried to escape from the summer-
nhouse. Vantassle caught her by the
wrist. .

‘Not so fast, my scornful l New in
the reign of might ever right. Law and
order are fled the land. Fear of magis-
tratesis not now before our eyes We
dont ask, ‘ Shall we do this or that?’ but-
do as we list. I want you, and am come
for you.’

‘ This is frightful,’ gasped Jessie. ‘I
shall die with terror! Bliukol Blinko,!
Help—'help l’ . '

At that moment she heard the report
of u rifle not far off.

‘Did you hear that?’ asked the Tory
with a smile of triumph. ‘It was for
Blinko, I’ll be sworn. I left a man on
his truck that can knock a dollar over at
a hundred yards.’ ‘

‘ Spare mo l Have we not been neigh-
bors? Were we not friendly before this
terrible war? Remember, I eutreat of
you, that I am a poor, trembling girl,
with no protector.’ ,

‘ I shall have no trouble in remember-
ing the last, I'll warrant. I shouldn’t
trusted myself here if you’ll been surroun-
ded by the cursed robels. Come gal, our
home is in Laurel Swamp.’ ‘

With a quick, unexpected movement,
Vnutussle drew her to him, lifted her in
his arms, and moved toward the dark and
tangled mass of wood lying in the rear of
the mauion at the distance of a hundred
rods, and covering an area of ten miles in

- circumference.

By this time Ruth and Judith had
missed ber,and came runnuiug to the spot
as he was hearing her’ away They cried
loudly for assistance, while terror nearly
deprived them of sense and volition. At
the moment when the catastrophe seemed
complete, a tall man, with a large black

patch over his left eye. and a long rifle in
his hand, sprang from a clump of shrub-
bery, seized Vantassle by the throat,
wrested Jessie from his grasp, and cho-
king him till he was black in the face,
he hurled him to the ground. While
Vantassle lay stunned upon the earth,his

vanquisher took his musket from his un-
nerved hund, discharged it into the air,

and broke the stock against the trunk of
a tree. He then drew the pistols from
the Toi'y’s belt and thrust them into his
own, from which already protruded the
butts of four. The blade of Vantassle’s-
knife he snapped by thrusting it into the
cleft of ii rock, but the heavy sabre he
buckled to his side, leaving the rufliou eu-
tirely unarmed.

. ‘In, gals, in i’ cried the rescuer. ‘Bar
your doors, and say your prayers, for the
Tory hounds have scented blood,and will
not rest till they have gorged themselves.’

The tall, wild looking man glanced at
Jessie, and observing that she was faint,
caught her up as if she were an infant,
and carried her to the door. Placing her
carefully within the threshold, be repeat-
ed his startling warning, and vanished in
the deepening shadows of night. He was
gone before the young ladies hud recov-
ered sufficieutly from their dismay to
thank him. . '

While they gazed at each other in a
stupor of wonder, a man leaped a high
fence at the right, and crossing the in-
tervening ground, stood before them,pau-
ting and covered with perspiration. It
was Tom Hotter, the partisan and scout,
who was known to the neighboring loyal-
ists as a staunch and unswerving patriot
and a brave man, shrinking from no deu-
ger,and shunning none of the responsibil-
ities of the part he had chosen.

. ‘Tom Hutter l’ exclaimed Judith and
Ruth," simultaneously, ‘what has hap-
pened ? You are excited with effort ;
you can scarcely stand.’

‘I have been pursued,’ said Hatter.-
‘I have had a race for dear life. In, and
barricade the doors l A party of the
miserable rcuegiidcs will be here in a min-
ute l Where's Bliuko I’

‘I don’t know,’ said Judith.
out a. few minutes ago.’

‘Which way ?’ asked Hutter.

Judith indicated the direction with her
finger.

Hatter started oh‘ like a iaceborse.—
He saw a dark object suspended from the
branch of a tree. It was Blinko, who
was swaying to and fro, and quivering in
the ngonies of strangula‘ion. Hntteront
him down in an instant, and tearing the
rope from his neck, staggered toward the
house beneath the weight of his great
body. A half dozen musket shots were
poured after him from the nearest copse.
The halls perforated his clothes and gra-
zed his skiu in several places, but he
reached the house in safety with the half
deadblack. Leaving him to the care of
J ube,the mulntto girl,hebarred the doors
and fastened the windows.

Jessie, who had partially recovered her
self-possession, looked out and sew forms
moving to and fro among the shrnbbery.
Her heart misgave her. How could they
resist so many enemies ? She thought of
the strange man who had so opportunely
appeared to, save her from Vantsssle.-—
She wondered why he had left them at
nch a juncture! His deep, resonant
voice still rang in her ears.

‘ Stand back from the window i’ said
Tom Huttcr. ’ ,

The warning was timely ; a charge of
buckshot crashed through the panes as
she stepped aside, some of which perfora-
ted her dress, while one of the hurtling
messengers drew blood from her white
neck. _

‘ These miscreants make war upon wo-
men I’ exclaimed Ruth Hsvilaud.

- ‘ Make war upon women, Miss Havi-
lsnd? They are more savage nor the
wolves and eatamounts that prowl through
Laurel Swamp. Neither beauty nor
tears can move ’em. ’l‘hey’ve marked
their way through Car’liny with firo and
blood, outrage and robbery.’

Tom Hatter suddenly thrust his rifle
through the shattered pane and fi_rcd.--
A cry came through the smoke.

‘ There was mischief in that,’ he said,
quietly, reloading his piece.

‘ Resistance,’ cried Jessie, ‘is hopeless.
What can you expect from them if you
are taken, Tom Butter 1'

‘He went

‘ A rope frointhe branch of the near-
-est tree,’ answered the Partisan,coclly.

‘Then fly—escape from the back door
when you‘ may I They certainly will not

be so brutal as to harm us young girls,’
said Judith, eutreatingly. ' 3

‘My poor’ gals,»ycu don’t know ’em so
well as I. I’ve followed their terrible
t'rail,ar.d looked won their infernal works.
1‘ know what happens to sick as‘ you, and
should. be tempted to killyon with my
own hand, rather then leave you to their
roman violence. If my time’: come, and
I'm to go the. way-of all the airtli,I’ll die
here in defense of. beauty and innocence.’

‘Noble Tomi’-cried Ruth. ' "'

‘ If you’vc any firearms‘ and ammuni-
tion,burry .t‘o bring ’em and lay ’em down
beside me, and he keerful to keep out of
the range of the winders.’

By this time_Blinko had revived, and
hearing this order, said :

‘ I’ll tend to (hit Mar’s '1‘om. Only
let the -young misses keep out do way, and
Ill’ stand by ye as long ‘as there am a
breff of -life in me.’ » .

Bliuko disappeared, but soon returned
with a bluudei-buss,.two muskets, a brace
of dueling pistols, a bag of bucksbot and
a horn 9f powder. Hatter took the blun-
derbnssand charged it -heavily. There
was no light in the house save‘ a single
candle, which was placed behind a door
in a corner, to prevent its serving as a
guide to the Tory mnrksmen. ,

Hatter cast himself upon the floor and
watched the movements of the assailants,
over the window-‘sill. _ ‘His person Ives
somewhat exposed to the shots of the en-
emy, but his coolness did not for a mo-
nient desert him.

,_‘ The cowards are about to charge up-
on" the door in a body,’ he said, presently.
‘ Bliuko give me the bluuderbuss.’

The black handed the heavy and de-
structive weapon to the-scout, whose mus-
cles wcre firm and obedient. The young
ladies observed his movements with inde-
scribable interestf Their fate seemed to
rest upon his single arm. A chilling
sensation of horror crept over them when
they reflected upon the consequences of
defeat and capture.

The 'l‘ories °rushed towards the door
with a. shout. Hotter quickly aimed his
weapon and poured two handfuls of back-
sbot into their midst. They recalled and
retreated to the shrubbery. A knocking
was heard at the rear door.

' Who's there ?’ demanded Hatter.

‘ Wal I rather guess one on ’sm’s me.’
said a genuine Yankee voice. Podijsh
Makepeace is pooty giner’ly abeout when
there's any skrimmagiu go’in,on.’

‘ Bliuko immediately unfastcned the
door and admitted two persons. Podijah
Mckepence had a figure of imposing
height, but which lacked that fullness of
development which gives symmetry and
comeliness to the human organization.-—
His hair was flaxcu and long, his mouth
large and good-humored, his nose some-
what sharp, while his eyes, which were
small and hazel, parkled with drollery.
He was manifestly a man who meant
to be pleased with life as he found it, and
to make himself as comfortable as possi-
ble under all circumstances.

His companion was more youthful and
presented a different type of humanity.-—
He impressed the beholder at once with
the idea of manly beauty, courage and
integrity. ‘ '

‘ Paul Hazelhurst l’ cried Jessie joy-
fully.

The young man sprang forward and
grasped the bands that were outstretch-
ed to greet him.

‘We’ve come jest abeout the nick of
time, I should say by gum l The blasted
critters are peg-gin into ye, am’: they.-
Well wc’ll show ’em a trick worth to of
that. Wax my flax if we don’t l’

It may be well here to remark that
Podijsh was by trade a shoemaker, and
that his language was generally highly
seasoned with the technicalities of the
cordwniner’s art. As Podijab finished
this eloquent peroration he brought the
breech of his rifle upon the floor with a
great crash, and squinted out of the win-
dow with his twiukliug eyes. The move-
ment was nearly fatal to Podijeh, for a
bullet, aimed at random from outside,
severed one of his flaxon locks from his
cheek.

‘ Cramp my uppers l Now that’s
what I call pooty close work. A fellow’s
jest as likely to be shot right square
through the head as any way ; close up
my seams, if he isn't I’

For a few minutes the shooting and
firing ceased. The terrified girls flatter-
od themselves that the Tories were retir-
ing ; but were presently undeccived, for
they had silently surrounded the house,
and now_ commenced the assault from dif-
ferent qucrters with great resolution and
fury. Each felt that the crisis was rapid-
ly approaching Tom Hatter and Bliuko,
reinforced by Hazelhurst and the Yankee
stood by their weapons, and resolved to
make a desperate resistance.

 

cumrs in.
FIRE AND swoun.

The four defenders of Laurelwood ran
from point to point to meet and repol the
invaders who endeavorid to force an en-
trance through the windows and doors si-
multaneously. The voice of Tom Hotter
swelled loudly above the din of conflict.
The struggle was kept up with determined
spirit by the besieged. While each was
engaged with an enemy, Jessie Burnside
cried out that a party of them had beat-
en down one of the doors and were press-
ing into the hall.

Podijnh and Hazelhurst sprang to meet
them. For a time the result was doubt-
ful, but victory lnally turned in favor of
the defenders, whose powerful blows and
hearty courage they could not withstand.
Those who were not repulsed were left
upon the floor with broken heads. The
door was replaced a everything mova-
ble piled against it.

'l‘he"l'oriss ignominiously withdraw to
the shelter of the surrounding trees
and "shrubbery, and Hutter hoped that
the attack would not again be renewed.

The girls, during this scene, behaved
nobly. , Overcoming the natural timidity
of their sex, they made themselves useful
to their brivo friends in various ways.-
Paul Hszelhurst fought like a lion. If
be entertained fears,- they were net for
himself but for Jes§i'e' Biiriisidé and hhr
compnnions. When he paused from the
conflict, panting and thirsty, she brought

liiui voter : her little hood presented the ,

cooling draught to his lips. He would
gladly have imprisoned that ministering
member in his own and pressed grateful
kisses upon it had propriety sanctioned
the act.

‘Are you wounded ‘?’ she asked, hur-
riedly.

‘ I do not know,’ he replied. ‘ I have
not thought of myself ; I have thought
only of you and your friends, I never have
time to think of myself when you are near
I should despise myself if I did’

You are too brave too generous l’ aus-
wcred Jessie with emotion. ‘ You ex-
pose yourself needlessly. You have too
much contempt for danger.’ '

‘ There i no such , word as danger
when I do battle for the safety and honor
of Jessie Burnnside.’

‘ Too chivalrous I too chivalrous l’
exclaimed Jessie. '

‘ I can’t quite understand this silence,’
said Hutter, approaching Hszelhurst.

‘ Wax my flax, if I don’t believe the
critters has -got enough ou’t i’ said Po-
dijah, ‘You see they can’t. stun’ near
so much hammerin’ as folks can as are
fightin’ for liberty. A few right smart
knocks takes the starch right out of ’em.’

“ They’re cowards if they don’t try it
again,” returned Hutter. “ There’s a
dozen of ’em at least and they ought to
be a match in the course of natnr’, for
four ; but we’ve got something within us
that they haven’t—lotc of friends, home,
country and justice. See what work
they’ve made of your house, Mis Jessie ;
the winders are riddled, the door broke,
the furniture ruined, and everything at
sixes and sevens.” ’

“We love Laurelwood,” replied Jessie
“ but we love the cause of freedom bet-
ter. The destruction of property will
grieve us but little, if valuable lives are
spared and the Tory miscreants punished.

‘ Punished ?—be assured that they
will ?’ exclaimed Paul Hazelhurst.—
‘ Heaven is just ! Some of them are
even now reaping the reward of their vil-
leiny. Look at those expiring wretches
who fell near the door. ‘ Listen to their
moans of anguish l What thought have
they to comfort them and soften their
pains of dissolution? They die-a hor-
ror to themselves and every justice-loving
mind. What in remembrance the Tories
of South Carolina will leave to pos-
terity l’

“The word Tory will be the synonym
of infamy,” said J ndiih. -
The night had set in quite dark, and
objects could be seen at a short distance
only. The trees looked dim and misty
in the nocturnal gloom. Tom Hutter
and his comrade strained their eyes in ev-
ery. direction in search of their foes, but
without discovering them. The sur-
rounding so
never been disturbed by the sound of hu-
man couflict ; nothing broke the quiet iide
save the groans of the wounded near the
house, and at long intervals, the cry of a
wolf in the tangled hedges of Laurel
Swamp‘. .

The fears of the young ladies began to

side; on assurance—faiut and trem-
I) tug, at first—that tfio lawless men
had retired and would not return.) re-
new the conflict, took possession of their
iniuds. A glow of hope returned to their
pale cheeks. As their own danger grew
less imminent, in their estimation, feelings
of compassion for the wounded Tories
visited their hearts. They would have
produced lights to examine their condi-
ti and make remedial applications, had
11% not been cautioned by their more ex-
perienced defenders.

Half an hour elapsed. The silence
continued unbroken. Tom Hatter was
not at ease, but walked about nervously,
casting prying glances from one window,
then from another. He was suspicious
and unsatisfied. He knew that they had
sufl‘ered loss, but not enough to prevent
brave men, or persons of even ordinary
hardihood, from making further attempts.

Paul Hazelhurst at first shared Hut-
ter’s inquietude, but finally joined the la-
dies, coufident that there was no immedi-
ate danger to apprehend.

“ I can’t comprehend it I” muttered
Hiitter,in a perplexed manner. “The1‘e’s
allers mischief goin’ on when folks are
still.”

" Tliat’s about my own way 0’ think-
in’,” remarked Podijab, who heard Tom’s
remarks. “ The most mischief is done
with the least noise, "cordin’ to my expe-
rince fust and lost, here and there by and
large, as the world goes. Did you ever
go a co.irtin’, Mister?”

“ I never did,” said Tom.

“ Well, that’ ab:-out the stillest work
you can’ find, I reckihougb sometimes
there’s a heap 0’ bu s doue"’

“ Hark I” said Tom.

“ I don’t hear nothin’bnt Paul and the
gels. Paul’s ruther sweet on one of ’m,
I should say, though ’twould be hard to
choose atweeu ’em. Wax my flax, if it
woulden’t l”

“ It strikes me,” said Tom, “ that the
air is growing hot and oppressive. Lis-
ten I be quiet there, Paul and the gels.”

Each of the parties became attentive.

A hissing roaring sound was heard
overhead. . ,-

" The house is on fire !” cried Hatter.
‘ Some of the blood thirsty villains have
efibcted an entrance through the roof.’

The scout rushed up stairs and threw
open a door. A dense volume of smoke,
mingled with flame, met him and drove
him back. Beds, garments everything
combustible had been piled in a heap and
fir. The straw, the feathers, the linen
were like tinder ; it needed but a spark
to kindle the mad blaze, and that had
been applied some minutes before by a
cunning and malicious had.

Scorched by the furious element, and
half suffocated, Hatter mounted the stairs
again in hopes to combat the destructive
power by scattering the material which
led it, but was too late. Podijah Make-
peace run after him and dragged him
back, half choked by the pouetruting,hot
and smoke--loaded air.

Paul Hazelburst in defiance of the
black, asphyxiatiug vapors, rushed to the
chamber to close_ the door that had been
left open. but sank blinded and overpow-
ered upon the threshold. It was with
difliculty that he could retrace his steps.
He was gasping for breath like a drown-
ing mon when he rejoined the group below.

‘ That door must be shet,’ said Podi-
job, ‘or we shall be smoked to death,
like rats in h hole l I'll shet it or sodo-

cate ti-yin’. Wax my flax, if I don’t l’

y was as quiet as if it had-

iu the mass of smoke that rolled from
above like thunderclouds. There was a
moment of intense anxiety, then the door
was heard to close. Almost simultane-
ously Podijab tumbled down the stairs,
covered with cinders his face and bands
blistered, and some of his white locks
withered to ashes.

- ‘ Bravoly done I’ cried Jessie. “If
you have not saved us, you have at least
given us a reprieve.’

~ ‘ Don't praise me,’ returned Podijab.
‘ The praises of a gal intexicates me like
arden sperit—pootier the gsl.the drunker
it makes me. I never shall‘ git away
from this place alive if there's anything
desperate I can do.’

“ Desperate! all is desperate 1' said
Hatter. ‘We might cut our way through
and save ourselves perhaps, if there was
nothin’ of a feminine actor’ to look arter;
but these gals can’t stun’ musket bolls
nor they can’: stan’ fire.’ . _

‘ Heavens l’ exclaimed Paul. ‘ What
shall we do ?’—not for ourselves, but for
these poor girls. ‘

‘ Escape as you can through the dark-
ness ; and as for as girls we will trust to
the mercy of the enemy, and yield our-
selves prisoners,’ answered Jessie, ea-
gerly.

‘ Yes, we will trust ourselves to the
humanity of the Tories,’ said Judith and
Ruth, hurriedly.

‘ You will had it a poor trust,’ re-
turned Hatter, looking compassiouately
at the three girls. ‘It ’ll be miserable
mercy you’ll git from them. No, no! we
can’t think of that.’

‘God bless you, Tom Hotter, no l—
We can’t indeed think of ‘that. We will
die, if it be Heaven’s will, for these dear
and helpless ones ; but forsake them
never l’

A loud shout arose from without-. The
Tories were exciting in their success.

‘ W'liat must be done?’ asked Paul, in
an agony of anxiety.

‘ We can do two things,’ replied Hut-
ter. ‘ Remain here and be burnt, or
rush out and be shot.’

‘ We’ll neither be burntnor shot l’ rc-
torted Podljah stoutly. ‘I’m bound to
live as long as uppers and unders ’ll hold
together. I ain't goin’ to knock under
in themorniu’ 0’ my days, by gum l I
know that all flesh is grass but I don’t
want my grass out while it’s so green.-
I’ll hold on to existence to the last gasp,
I swow l Toni Hatter, I’m going to cut
jest about my bigness and the bigness of
one 0’ "these gals thronghthe ’tarnal Tor-
ies a leetle_quicker’n you can load a load
0’ bay when there’s a thunder-shower com-
in’ up like a race horse l’

Laurelwood House shook with the vio-
leuce of the devouring flames which had
eaten through the roof and now envel-
oped tile and rafter. Wlsile the group
looked up in alarm, a red sword of fire
was thrust down through the ceiling.

‘ It is the flaming sword i it waves as

. from our Paradise. i’ cried Jessie.

‘ Nay,’ said Paul impressively, ‘ some
of us may be going to an eternal Par-
adise.’

The fire above growled angrily in an-
swer, aud the black smoke purled into the
room like the rank and destructive breath
of a demon.

‘ Let each man see that his weapon is
loaded. Take care, gals! Stand back
as far as you can from the flame and
smoke. There’s burnin’ cinder on your
dress, Miss Rutli—it blazes l’

‘ It is out,’ said Podijuh, composedly,
smothering the incipient glow with his
great band.

‘ We must rush out two abreast,’ said
Hutter. ‘ Podijuh and I will go first.-—
Hazelhurst, you and Bliuko keep near the
ladies. Blinko, be brave, and use those
large arms of yours to some purpose_.—
Give ’em the contents of the blunderbuss
in the face and eyes, then club it and
break their heads.’

‘ Yes, ma.rs’i' Tom. This chile know
what he ’bout. Haiibeut fo’git dat hung-
in’, yit. Thought I’:; done for that time.
On, golly, clidu’t it hurt when dey run
me up to do limb l ’Pcared to stop my
breff like. You stood by me, niar.~’r Tom
and I’ll stand by you, Lor’ i won't I make
dis ole bluuclerbuss spoke to ’em, de min-
ute I had 9. chance to obsquintify ’cross
dc sights ?’

The parties were now driven to the re-
motest corner of the room by their new
and irresistible enemy, which was gather-
ingstrengtb and fierceuess with friglitful
rapidity. Hatter unfasteued the door.

tioual fervor to the conflogrutiou. He
stood a moment alone in the outpouring
smoke, but not a shot was fired from the
concealed and watching foe.’

‘ There is no help for it.’ added Tom.
‘ We must try it now or never, Podijah?’

'* A1; your side i’ responded the Yankee
who exposed himself to danger as if he
had been accustomed to it from childhood

The walls shook with the vehemence of
the fire and there was a warning creek
and groan among the crumbling joints
and trembling rafters.

‘The roof will fall in a moment l’
cried Hazelhurst. ‘We are ready,quickl’

The heart of Tom Hutter swelled with
courage and resolution ; his form dilated;
his muscles quivei-ed for the contest.

‘ To the right, fx-ieuds—to the right i
Keep under the smoke as much as you
can and stoop as you go.’

They glided unmolested to the end of
the dwelling. .

‘Now for the shrubbery in the direc-
tion of Laurel Swnmpl’ whispered Hntter.

‘ A crisis approaches. Dear young ls-
dies, be brave l’ admonished Paul, whose
steady bearing and flushing eyes told till“
he was ready to do battle for the fair be-
ings under his protection.

‘Now for a dash—fast-, faStel’—8t00p
——give as small a mark to the enemy as
possible l’

When two or three rods from the burn-
ing building the flames shot Q with in-
creased brilliaucy, throwing a str ong
glare upon the fugitives. A dozen men
sprang from the grass and foliage to dis-
pute their progress.

‘ Stop l’ shouted a voice that was star-
tlingly familliar to Jessie Burnside.

‘ Down l’ thundered Hatter, springing
toward him with a fierce bound and aim-
ing a blow at his head with big rifle.—-
Vantassle staggered and felliipcn one
knee. The tall Yankee pressed to the

side of Hatter and the Tory fell crushed

, at his feet.

 
 

The tall form of Pcdijah dishppeared

and thefresh access of the air gave uddi- _

V and fled for life. »

Wi”-.__=-‘5

‘ Have at you, you ’tarnsl eritters*-!.---
Podijah Maliepeaco dida’, come out here
for nothin’,
once !‘ There's »a score of airthquahss
shut up in my bones ?’ ..

‘ Shoot down the rebels-sh‘oot.'om
down l’ cried Vantassle, over whose pru-
trato form four stout fe‘lle‘ws'woro‘eoa-
tending. ’ : - -. -. __

Bliuko discharged his blundérblliyild
the scattering atom of buchahotmilude
ediseveral. =1 " =-

ed Langford. . . ., . .
‘I’m with you!’ exclaimed Nat ‘Ec-
rick, and both approeclied'tho' 
strickengirls. ’7 p '-.,~. 4-2;."
‘ Oh,_ Paul, save us from 
es l’ shrcued Judith. ' ' ~ ‘
‘ Here’: for you -Mister l’

tied close to the young man's fe"cs,r-'w‘b'e,
putting himself between thcyodllgulldiss.
and the villains held them at bay. .:His
person was the target'for'a’dosel‘fiHo‘us
blows,with surprising adroitneI=h'o:t"l‘sfid
aside and bofilcd. . ‘- ‘A2 ~‘ '
The four men were now
unequal conflict. - . e. .. . V
‘ Fly to the swamp, girls, whiletweksop
the miscreants in check l’ ' ‘sdmouiihed
Hazelbnrst. . .
The maidens ran like frightened‘ idesr,
but their defenders had-the mortifieation
to see two Torries in psrsuitof nianics-.
out being able to go to -their ismlstsuss.’
Overpowei-ed by nuinbers, .:tlio_v.ii‘.gnvo
ground. by inches. They weribruindhld
bleeding ; they began to dflpuir. - . 2 '
‘Take ’em alive, that we---may! have
the pleasure of hangin’ ’e‘in’3l’*' shouted
Vantussle. .. ,.T E -. .- I . T
A single-rifle shot rang shsrpoud5d_sad-
ly through the pir. A to_ry,svh'q was
pressing hard upon Hutter,Ithrow.1IplIb-
arms and fell dead at thefest of mpg‘.
rades. .. . ._ ; .3.
‘Hounds of hell 1’ criedfa tlisndi'oU-
voice. ‘You love--blood; un‘d-"slauglitsr-
and carnage ; you shall hov'e-it.l’~ -. 7-? -
An athletic man, with ‘a black 
over his loft eye, a rifle slung athis hack,‘
a pistol in each hand and-a largo aim
swinging at his side, a peered in-‘tlio
midst of the Tories as if e hid suddenly.
fallen from the clouds. ~ He fired his pis-
tols and unsheathed his sabre.‘ i I p
‘ Tremble, miscreants, for :0I‘I‘e-eyed
Soul is among you i’ The tone of his
voice, the fierceuess of his icounteuauoe,
and the fatality of his arm struck 
and consternation to the hearts of the
Tory renegades. The survivors turned

‘Gowardsl wretches i come book, and
I will meet you single-handed l’

One-eyed Saul looked wildly around
and laughed mockingly, then turning to
Hatter and his panting and bleediug.'eoIn-
panions, and pointing ln'ths"dis’Ictio'I'Iho
girls bad fled, exclaimed : ‘ '

‘Why do you stand here? i After
them, for they need your help. Therosre
shrieks yonder ; nway—awsy l’ It‘ is
Saul, of Laurel Swamp, that commands
you. I have work to do, work to do,
must go this way and that way, and there
is no rest for my head this night.’

With these words" ‘rapidly and vehe-
mently uttered, One eyed Saul strode
away, and in an instant was lostto view.

cus'Fn:_n iv.
IN ‘Ill IVAN’.

Casting anxious looks behind then! the
fair fugitives saw the flames of their burn-
ing homc, and groupes of menstruggllng
in the light of the red glare. It was s.
mournfnl thrilling spectacle, and they hur-
ried to escape it. Jupe, who had’ rovsd
courageous and active, encoura theta
by precept and example. Ruth Nevil-
und being a little behind her companions
heard the footsteps of pursuers ended-
innnished her friends of the fact, who need-
ed no new stimnlousto excite them tothe
greatest effort of which they were,c'eps-
ble. They reached the swauip'si_id took
shelter in it. like frightened birds. The
laurel was well nigh impenetrable '; innu-
merable arms were streched outtocppose

opposed their passage. ' Their hands were
lacerated by contact with continually pro-
jccting poin s, and shreds of‘ gs":-mi-cts
were left upon brake and briar. Urgiug
their way along in the darkness and tar-
i-Eble imricacy, they soon and unwillingly
became separated, while their attempts
to find each other involved them in new
labyrinths. Turn and bleeding, fainting
with fear and exhaustion, Jessie Burnside
sank upon the earth. ,' ,' i
For a time her physical and mental
faculties were in such a whirl of a’ temp-
est, that a consciousness ofieverything
around her seemed slipping away-
her. . There remained with her’ only a
heavy realization of something -fearful
and shocking. At length the chillinel
of the ground and the night air cooled
her fevered system and _restored ‘her co-
herency of thought. She raised herself
and supported her head upon her held;
her dishevelled tresses, disordered gnu-
ments, and her laceratod person remin-
(led her of the ordeal through which she
had passed. There was a lattioo-work
of vines around and above her. She
thought of the sudden change of circum-
stances. When the sun went down last,
51.,-, had a comfortable home ; but
now she had none, but was a hunted.
persecuted fugitive, cowering in a dark-
some swamp, the resort of wild beasts
and lawless men. She could not be so
selfish as not to think of her companions.
Where were they? She shuddored at
the possibility of what might have_ he-
fallen them, A painful recollection in re-
gard to. her brave defenders, added _un-
speakably to the distraction of her mind.
l~‘iir off in the depths of the swamp she
heard the shriek of the _pautber,—tho howl
of the wolf, and the dismal notes ill!
owl. Fi-ightfui contrast to the poucoand
seourit_v of Loci-elwoodi ‘ Ip-
ward through the tenacious foliage into
the dim sky, she beheld a black cloud of
smoke-—all that remained of her father's
mansion, save a few charred and

cring brands that still sent up ainocrnfsl
incense from go family-d'::
we t, sorrow , ray _ - , .

Gold, at last, the? the tossed, '_Itl'l030lo
and disappointed_miud turns. -‘Tho in-‘
stincts and experience of thswholo hu-
man rsce prove be!°'d “"5 'l'“’‘’* °‘

t’ , th t He alone can confer bind-'
ihmnh? contolatiou upon the‘ beresvfllu
agictedpnd world-crushed

soul. Prayer

Altfliflo

to Ilim made her oahior.

Come on—s. doses of, F‘ .

‘Seize the gels l seize the .-
. f .,,

leveling a pistol at Paul. A-bullet 

engsged r

tlwnl, a‘ net work of vfuesand braiiches -