Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE WEEKLY Ski OK TIME!. ?i[cot<t<l to iMipttury jortiiiuUurit, gom^tiq tgnonomt, |oj|tMM?ttori|, fjoliliijH, and tfuj Current $eu>R of the $aj. . ' ' ZStMm- f ' 11 ; " - , i Jt"T X * Series. UNION C. H., SOUTH CAROLINA, MAY 16, 1879. NUMBER 20. W V? > W-*-.- I -!- ?1-1 . ? J - I U- A- . ?? ? ? |,|| I .. I ' T^? TT *n^ J I THE RANGER'S OH A SW I .u. .V - a , ..i-. ~ tiiiuj n. nougcr ?DEALER IN? GROCERIES, HARDWARE, BOOTS AND SHOES. MANUFACTURER OF TIN WARE, STOVE PIPE AND SHEET IRON PANS. ROOFING, GUTTERING AND REPAIRING Dank AT KUnnT WAVirv ML JLIVAAVCM v ? ? ? .J-- VP;. v' III AVE just received a largo lot of Groaeries, consisting of Sugars, Coffee, Tea, Molasses and Syrups, Daoon, Lard nnd Salt, Flour, Rice and Grists. Cheeso and Canned Goods. ALSO A COMPLETE STOCK OF BOOTS, SHOES AND HATS. HARDWARE. In this line 1 hare everything you may want, from a Cambrio Needle to a 11 road Axe. :o: * Cooking and Heating Stoves. NEVER SO CHEAP BEFORE. I invito an examination of my Stock, knowing that I can plcaso in quality, quantity aud price. Do You Want Tin Ware? T manufneture my own Tin Ware, Stove Pipe and Sheet Iron Pans, which I warrant to bo of tha very best quality, . ROOFING, GUTTERING and REPAIRING " DONE PROMPTLY AND WELL. Castings for Stores furnished at the Shortest Notiec. DON'T NEGLECT TO CALL ON J. II. RODOElt. Nor 20 48 tf_ E QN@M1! ?OOOKIHO OX HIA1ISD- * New Excelsior Oil Stove. lut Um Thlag for U|ht Honwfcwplsg. It win Broil, Keest, and Bake better than a Goal or Wood Store. Band for Circulars. AGENTS WANTED. COLEHAH OAS APPARATUS AND OIL COts linn Sr., - CmcAoo, III. The Great Cor* for Dyspepsia, Indigestion, Blllona Headache, Lirsr Complaint! ferarand Af~? .*t * " ^ wmc ttijucU 11 Medicated p ABBORPTIOIT. II BELTS. usnigss i log the Absorption (hire and the reroluUon It is canning tn the triinu of nil! sine. D7ip*P*t? Belt, fx. r fersr and Anna Bait, M. w ^ ?W?i ?. IttfcMti Bait, th These Belts will be sent to any add reel free of postage ?f receipt of jEOO each, or |lxX) for Infant's Belt. AGENTS wonted In erery oountr in thd United Stotee. Address, FISHER MEDICATED BELT CO. 282. Illinois St., Chicago. Feb 21 8 8m J. C. WALLACE, ATTORNEY AT LAW AND TRIAL JUSTICE, TTMIONT C. H., go. C?. WILL practice in all Courts of this State.? Prompt attention to business. a r.ci Justice business transacted without delay. Office opposite Hotel, in 11. L. Qoss' new building. April 18 18 8m | v cr" a o u L j?.* ATTORNEY AT LAW. OFFICE OVER fell A N D A NUNHO. \Vitl practico in the Circuit end Supreme Courts Cr Hie State. lart 8 5ms.* P S AMDiL S. STOK E S ~ TRIAL. JUSTICE, Union C, II., ?. C. All business in the jurisdiction of a Trial Jusglee attended to with promptness. Office over Sleedman & llawls' law office. Ian 3 I tf Old Pnnrrn tV??* w?i? "pJWjUJR.U ?t M.in office. ?* A Western Story of the War of 1812. BY J. L. M'CONNEL, AUTHOR OF "TALBOT AND VERNON," ETC. CHAPTER IV. THE CAPTIVE FREE. The ucigh of a horse, faint and distant, but unmistakable, had come floating up tho ravine upon tho still night air. And though, after waiting many minutes, it was not repeated, it had been so distinct as to all doubt. "It must have come up the hollow," bo muttered, "1'roin any other direction I could ucvcr have heard it." And. withflytiAnitilinir ? _ < y v ill 4 no prcpftrodTo go in tho direction indicated. Throwing his blanket at tho foot of the tree, ho grasped his rifle, poured fresh powder iuto tho pan, lest the night air might have affected the priming, and then, drawing his belt around so as to bring his | knife convenient to his hand, he set out ( cautiously down tho ravine?one man in , pursuit of more than twe'nty ! Cautiously and slowly he proceeded down the bed of the ravine?gradually descending toward the lower level of the river bottom. lie was guided wholly by the little ' rivulet which tinkled quietly along his path ( ?for the dim starlight could not penetrate the depth iu which he walked; and his progress was consequently very slow. The way was winding, too, and seemed almost to run parallel with the river;* and its channel grew deeper and uioro broken. Other streams came flowing in on either Uauo, uua uc uvciy uiuuieuii bo nuo compelled to halt and gropo his way across the gorges. Lurgc trees stood obstinately iu bis path ; and roots and briars, vines and thickets, impeded his advance. But patient perseverance, strengthened by the hopo of rescuing tho captive, still carried him forward over ovcry obstacle. More than an hour had been spent thus, and he had begun to listen more attentively, aud, if possiblo. watch more closclv for signs of bis enemies. Ho baited on tbe brink, of a deep ravino, wbicb furnished a cbunnel for auotber small stream; and, before venturing down into its bed, Btoopcd nearly to tbe ground, and remained for many minutes profoundly listening to every sound. The stillness of night was quite unbroken, and be was on the poiut of beginning the descent, when bis eye caught the flash, as of faint lightning playing briefly upon tbe leaves at the bottom of the raviue ! It was gone iu a moment; aud his first impulse was to look up through the tree-tops at tho.sky. But the stars were shining serenely?there was not the slightest cloud in the heavens. He watched for a long time for its reappearance?but the darkuess remained as deep as before. It might havo been a fire-fly ; yet it was strange tkat it was not repeated ; and it had been, not so much a light, as a flicker, like the blaze of thiu fuel, uud it had died out gradually, not suddenly disappeared. Whilo he stood irresolute, reflecting upon the singularity of the appearance, an imperfect sound, as very distant thuudcr, scorned to float along the earth and die away at his feet. He placed his car to the ground, andjagain listened. The stamp iuh ui numerous uorses Dccauic plainly I audible?aud they could bo but a short 1 taneo. faoo'.irnTniar'ilndugh?and ho had no difficulty iu determining its locality. lie at onco roso to his feet and again examined his arms. Moving cautiously and slowly, he then descended tho bank until ho reached tho bottom of the ravine.? Turning to tho right, he glidod silently and stealthily along its bod for two or three hundred ynrds, when, on, coming to a bend whero tho stony soil had-resisted tho actiou ot the elements, his progress was suddenly arrested by a stream of light which shone from boyond the projection, and cast deep shadows upon the opposite bank. The fire from which it came was evidently built ' within tho ravine for concealment?for it wus only from above that it could become visible at any considerable distance. To approach nearer in this directiou would not be prudent?for, by the shadows ou the bank, Kdgar could see that at least twenty horses were picketed just beyond tho shoulder of the ridge, and a snort from ono of these might attract attention. He had no Ataw A?1 # jvui ui utuur pud 11D0I8 ; 1)0 well understood the Indian practice of posting uoue; for, apparently so negligent aro these most vigilant of all warriors, that even in their incursions, when they are constantly liable to attack, every man lies down to sleep, trusting solely to concealment and their Monitons for protection. The ranger thercforo slowly retreated a few paces, and then silently climbed the bank upon the left. From this point ho oould see no light; but upon advancing along the ridge, a little nearer than he had Ventured below, bo gained a view, not only of the light, bat also of the fire, and the formidable gtoup around it! More than a score of swarthy Indians, all iu their war-paint and grotesque ornaments, and each with his gun and tomahawk beside him. imnllnr. ? ,l , wnr,iiin;i Ul?: other, in a circlo aboul tlio firo ! A little mvuuui. >uo 11110 n 10 ^xcuea captain could 01 indistinctly sec the abapc of Bonictbing im white ; and, na his eprea became accustomed wi to the light, all douDt vanished?it was tho its Captive Bride, seated apart from ber captors, sel with her faco buried in her bands. Could she have known whose eyes wcro at that an moment atraiuing their gaze upon her, how or different must have been her emotions. to' Edgar grasped his rifle and knife with be 0 Gerce energy, which threatened the suicide as of an immediate attack. But he coon re- lib covered his calmness, and aet coolly about flu making a thorough elimination of tho po- be sition, and calculating tho chances of a res- dc cuo. The place had been woll cho6en for con- flic ccalmont. It was a circular area, iaolofecd sci more tlmn^n^acro^u^M^^^^^^V^^ deed, a sort of basin nmong tho hills; and th it was the volume of water, collected here th into one stream, that had cutout the ravine aloug which Edgar was advancing. It was da dry now, however, and the grass, which in fri this country everywhero follows the raiusof S\ spriug, was growing luxuriantly beneath to the shelter of large oak and hickory trees. Jc Of these there was a little clump or grovo he in the uorthcrn arm of the area; and it was cx just within the edge of this that the fire of wuskiudled. From that side an experienced w< scout might have approached within a few paces unobserved ; but what could ono man an do agaiust twenty '{ All that hn could now to effect, Edgar thought, was to watch the ? movements of his enemies, and take advan- dr tugc of whatever opportunity might offer; oy or, if none should present itself, as was be UlOSt probable. tn nwaU ?ho nrri l>i val of his men. h< And now a harassing reflection occurred: sh What if White should not meet them, or hi they should miss the way ? He would lose br the benefit of all the diligence he had used, of aud having success aud rescue almost with- be in his grasp, would have tho misfortuno to sa Bee them glide out of his powor ! Here, within a few rods of him?buried, perhaps, fr< in thought of hiui?sat tho captive, snatched ti< almost literally from his side at the altar; ur and, though she might have heard his voice, so ho dared not raiso it?though lie might gr reach her side in one minute, he dared not au advance 1 His rifle might do him service ; &h for, even at that distance, his unerring skill fo would havo disabled an cu^my at every shot; to but he knew that, at the first discharge, the ?ti pursued would become pursuers, #nd j?ll fe ehauce of a rescue would bo at an end ! He was sure, besides, that tho first motion of tii the savages upon an attack would be the th murder of their prisoner; and. bravo a? he pc was, he shuddered and shrank from the sa thought. of While he stood in tho shadow ot a tree, th harassed by these reflections, a sudden m movement took plucc in the circle of suva- th ges. One, who seemed the chief, rose to di his feet, aud the council broke up. The warrior turned toward the captive, aud, tuk- tii ing a large blanket from the ground, sprcid th it at the foot of a tree, and beckoned her cV to take it. lie did this with so much more h: courtesy than was usually displayed by In- ti dians to their female prisoners, that Edgar's tl blood tingled to the very ends of his fin- tl gcrs. "The redskin dog designs her_fp|^|a g wife 1" hs.jpyiAffn*'" ' tc Jane rose quietly from her scat, and, wrapping tho blanket about her, lay down to upon the ground. Tho chief and two ns other warriors then placed themselves ?u uear her, to prevent escnpc; the relu maindcr of the party spread their blnn- so kets around tho firo and, within a few min- rn utes, all was as still within the faintly light- in cd space, as if not a living being breathed between the rivors. The fire gradually th burnt dowu to a bed of coals; as tho flame c? went out the shadows crept closer aud clos- f"] er to the dusky group; and so still was the wj night that, on stealing a little nearer, Ed- fr< gar could plainly hear the heavy breathing of the tired sleepers. *h Still nearer and nearer ho slowly crept, cs< though with no definite design or plou of ,,,e action. The bride who had been snatched ho almost froth his arms, was within that cir- th cle?and this gavo it a fascination not to fid be resisted. lie was now upon tho bank, ft" which sloped gently down to tho levol of the wt oioouac; and Here a narrow, sandy path ca wound round the jutting points, and feu di- th rectly toward the smouldering flro. Almost at without an effort of the will?drawn by the 8U charin of her presence?he stepped upon tho noiseless sand, llo commenced the de- 8'' scent?issued from tho shadow of a little *1* ridge?was, for a moment, in full view of the whole party?passed on again into the wi shadows, and stood within twenty feet of the object of his search. ou Tho light from the dying fire played fitfi.lltf nnnn .Tonn'o A??? ? *?' ' j U|IU? wnuuo mvU| ouu i% cuuie, serene r" as in her happiest moments, gavo meaning "I to tho flitting shadows. Beside her, motionless as fallen statutes, lay the stern, im- he passive forms of her captors; but Edgar knew too well that, rigid as they seasswi, "I prOfounldy as they slept, the slightest noise hi would ronse them to a dangerous vigilance. Three of them lay between her ana him? ^0| and two were near enough to grasp her, bti should she rise. But he gased upon her *1 face once more, beautiful In the holy c?lm fn sleep?as tranquil as a summer sky. The pulse which had led him thus almost thin arm's length of her, slowly shaped olf into a purpose?tho rague attraction ttled into conscious resolution. He began to movo cautiously to tho left, ound the sleeping circle, within the deepshadows of the grove, from tree to tree, ward that beneath which Jane was slumring. Nearer, step by step, and silently the closing in of night, he approached (c a shadow. He was now within tho inicncc. of the light, and but one trco stood tween him and that which ho was enavoring to reach. A breathless pause, durg which he gazed upon tho form of evory ?per?they were apparently as unconious, as if each had been a corpse. And how. Cafffyfwns ?hp risk at every step, io slightest rustle of a bush, the breaking twig, even the grating of- his feet upon e gravel, might awako his enemies?aud en farewell all hope of rescue! Hut his was not a nature to shrink from nger. Cautiously drawing tho rauirod rom his rifle, he took the irrjvocablc step, riftly, but silently, he glided from one tree the other. Within four feet of him lay mo, iu profound and tranquil sleep, her iad resting upon her arm, and one hand tended toward him ; while on each side her, but still nearer than he, her captors ;rc ready to awake at tho first movement. Hut again ho resolved to tako the risk, id stretching forth the ramrod, gently uchcd her open hand. She did not movo ho touched it again?and she slightly ew it away." Oucc more?she opened her. cs, and guzed upon the sleeping Indian ifore her?fortunately, without disturbing 111. lie Dasscd tlii> r?ul slnwly Kaf?r? Uu> >ad, and was about to speak, when he lowed himself for an instant, and pressed s finger to his lips. She was silent, though cathlcss with excitement. But the nerves a true frontier girl were not easily sha:n ; and Jane saw at once that her lover's fcty, as well as her own liberty, depended >on her self command. Obeying a sign am him, she commenced slowly and caujusly, though with trembling hands, to ifold the blanket tvhich protected, but al impeded her. As fold after rold fell adually off, her heart beat with a wilder d stronger pulsation; and when, finally, e found herself free, she could scarcely rbear springing to her feet, and rushiug inEdgar's arms. By a great efFort she rerained herself, and cautiously roeo to her QtFull fifteen minutes?an age at such a me?had passed since Edgar approached 0 tree. But the suspense was amply comtnsatcd, when, without the least noise, he w her, by his direction, gain the shadow 1 the first tree. lie lingered still to see at she was unobserved, and then one uioout brought him to her side, and joined cir lips in a kiss as intense as was the inger by which they were surrounded. Yet he dared not speak, and there was no me to be lost. The savages might discovic escape at any momeut, aud their last lance would be gone. lie took her by the ind, and walkingly swiftly, though can ously, began to retrace his steps through ic wood. Fivo minutes brought them tc \e head of the ravine, and here he should irn to the left, if he wished to regain the ^*l\ifevco^l^c)'ho must take a wide circuit i avoid the Indian encampment?and every omcnt was precious. Turning, therefore, > the right instead, he led her, as rapidly she could walk, in the direction, as he ipposcd, of the dividing ridge, along which j had traveled in the evening. His obrvation of localities was usually so nccute, that there seemed no danger of missg tho way. JJut he had been so muoh isorhed in the approach to tho bivouac, at he had not noted the windings of the mpass j and his surprise was very great on iding, after an hour spent in pushing forird, that he was apparently as far as ever jrn the ridge. It was long past midnight, and hut a ort time could elapse before the prisoner's cape must bo discovered. It was vitally cossary that ho should recross the river fore sunrise ; and yet, without his horse, is was impossible. Jane expressed conlence in her ability to walk cvon much rthcr; but tho speed of even so activo a ilker as sho was far from sufficient for cspe. Edgar grew silent and anxious, ough the obcerfitlnoss of his companion another time would have drawn many a me irom the gloom of his faoe. "We can only push forward, John," said e; "an cotei-priso ho successfully begun ould not be given up in despair." "I can nover despair so long as you arc th mo, Jane," ho re plied; "but I ought tell you thut, unless 1 can Gnd my horso, r capturo is certain." "See, then, if I am not a belter nightnger than Captain John Edgar," sho said; hear your horse, now !" The Hanger drew her to him and kissed r warmly. "I shall resign in youf favor," said he. should have passed without hoaring ml" This was more compliment than earnest; r. as he spoke, a low nicker from the ishes directly in firont, indicated the apol lere his horso Was still standing. The ithful animal was aware of his master's approach. A few momenta sufficed to prepare hiui for retreat. Edgar doubled his blanket, aud placed it behind the saddle.?? Lifting Jane to this imjyromjitu pillion, ho threw himself into bis scat, and turned his horse's head toward homo. "What is that 1" Jane exclaimed. Floating up the ravino came a prolonged warwhoop, riogiug among the trees, and dying away in echoes along the ridges. "They have discovered your escape," Edgar said. He waited to hear no more, but rcgainiug the dividing ridge, set off at a swift pace toward the south. The order was reversed ?the chased were now the pursuers?aud speed alone could decide the race. Edgar rodo a powerful horse, who had borno him safely through many -n fight ns well as march ; but the double weight he was now carrying, the journey he uad made, and the efforts still expeoted of him, forbade the idea of rapid traveling. Yet the bloodhounds were upon his trick; and at the dawn of day, now scarcely an hour distant* Edgar knew that they would sweep down upou him like the wind. Eseapo seemed as difficult as before the rescue. Yet the Hanger was not cast downr and the strong-hearted pioneer's daughter gave little thought to danger. As in all women of her class, excitement only evolved her energies ; and she talked with a sort of cheerful elation, as if the perils were already passed, and homo onco moro regained.? Edgar was far from being so much at hiscase ; but he had never known fear, and, save on account of the loved one, whose arms encircled his waist, ho would rather have made his dispositions for battle than C\>* His only hope was thnt tho Indians mightbe delayed in searching the woods around their encampment until he could gain a sufficient start; and this hope vanished al^ most as soon as formed. They had scarcoly ridden three miles, when tho thunder of many hoofs came rolling down the ridge.? The enemy were in full chase, scarcely a mile? behind. "Wo must try the virtue of spoed," saidc Edgar ; dashing his spurs into his horso's flanks, he sprang away at a rate which gave1 promise of soon distancing the pursuers.Their footsteps soon dictl away in the distance ; and. could he have kept up the papo at which he started, the anptain hoped ho might reach the river bfcfore being over-taken. Hilt at the end of a few minutes,he was forced to draw his rein. Tho ridge had grown so narrow, that the ravines oir cithor hand intersected each other, and broke it into steep and dangerous gorges.? At tho first of these his horse came to a dead holt " " , luikv iilii ojiur coutu iorcohim foFwnrd. Edgar sprang to the ground*, and looking over the precidicc, shuddered at the leap he had been endeavoring to take. A hollow, whose bottom he could not see,, cut directly across his path, and extended both to the right and left, farther than his eye could penetrate. "They are coming, John P'? exclaimed Jane, springing to the ground; and he had scarcely time to lead his horso a few yards ' to the left, when twelve or fifteen Indians 1 dashed furiously up, and, like him, came 1 to a sudden halt. He could plainly see the - dusky outlines of their forms, riding b?oU turn lurward, searching for a crossing. lie ; drew Jane, whose white dress might betray them, behind a tree, and breathlessly awaited i their motions. At a word from tho chief they all turned directly to Ward him. He seized Jane by the arm, and droppib^ his horse's rein, sprang down the precipitous bauk. A fearful yell* from the pursuers told him that he was seen ; and a rush and a scramble, regardless of tho crumbling bnnk, brought them almost upon him. "Hun, Jano ! Down tho ravine?run 1'* lie exclaimed and ?:a. ? - , Ilia rilic up, mo foremost warrior fell to the ground, pierced through the head. Another yell, moro fearful than the first, heralded a wild spring upon him. Hut tlie ranger was more ngilo tliau any savage ; with one bound he gained a tree, uud before they had recovered from their confusion, his riflo wm reloaded.? Slowly he began to climb tho bank?but hid first movement was observed, and again they rushed toward him. He turned and fired his la6t shot?another savage rolled grounding down the bank. Hut the odds Were too great. His enemies wero to wear to allow his again charging his gun, and an attempt to retreat up the steep ascent 1 would bo iuatant death. He gave himself up for lost?but, drawing his knife, resolved to dio fighting to the lust.. The click of a rifle-lock directly behind him caught his nttoution, and the next momenta voUey of balls whistlod over his head. A rush down the bank immediately followed. Tho company of rangers, led on by White, had-arrived in time tosaveiheir captain. The savages, taken by surprise, were unable to make u stand , fer with them, as among all undisciplined men, apaoio waw erremediable. Edgar joined his men, snd assumed the command, pushing the charge directly home upon the confused and scattered party. Bat such as were not disabled by wounds sprang actively up the ascent, nod gaining their horses, took to flight ? TL ? A juuuy mi Bcveii of their warrior?, among whmn was the Udl ohief, lying<dead in. the bottom of the rimne.' j [ Cnvrhttbtl on 4 th I\tjpe.J