Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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HORSE-SHOE ROBINSON A TALE OF THE TORY ASCENDENCY BY JOHN P. KENNEDY CHAPTER XLIV. A Melancholy Incident. The hand of the reaper TakPg the ears that are hoary. But the voice of the weeper Wails manhood in glory.—Scott. Brief time was taken by the fugi tives for refreshment at David Ham- says dwelling. Here Butler put on the disguise which Christopher Shaw had provided for him. Then arming himself with a pair of pistols which John had appropriated to his use, the trooper himself using a similar pre caution, our two adventurers resumed their journey. Their first object was to gain a point, some seven or eight miles distant in the direction of the Fair Forest, where John Ramsay had concealed a few troopers that had b*en furnished him by Williams, to g>*- their aid, if necessary, in secur ing Butler’s escape. FTom this point they were to pro ceed. with all possible despatch, to William's camp. However hazardous the experiment of attempting to tra-1 verse the country in open daylight,, it was deemed still more dangerous to tarry any length of time so near th* scene of their late adventure. Butler and his comrade, therefore, pushed forward with as much expe dition as possible, resolved to outrun the fresh pursuit which they had rea- f) ftj Cf>r . “] )V w hat ! led through a piece of thin wood that j i covered a small tract of marshy i ground, the nature of which brought the party into a more compact body as they approached the narrowest point of the defile. At a short, dis tance beyond this impediment the track became broader, where it as- | cended a hill thickly covered with an undergrowth of bushes. Our friends had scarcely arrived i in the narrow pass before they per ceived on the hill in front of them a company of some ten or fifteen horse, rapidly advancing towards them. In a moment all conversation was check ed, and Harry Winter, turning to his companions had barely time to re mark. ••j answer all questions: be silent, and if ask-ed. swear to the truth of i very word I say—steady; these fel lows are Tories.” As he ceased speaking the fore most of the strangers had already come up to them. “Where from, and whither do you go?’’ asked Harry Winter, with a stern accent. “From below Ninety-Six, and on our road to Fort Granby,replied a clown ish voice. “Peace, you knave!” interrupted one who appeared to be the leader of the party, and whose carriage and demeanor announced him to be an The discriminating SLOAN’S farmer keeps a supply of LINIMENT For spavin, curb, splint, sweeny, capped hock, founder, strained tendons, wind puffs and ail lameness in horses • For thrush, foot rot and garget on cattle and sheep • For hog distemper, hog cholera, thumps and scours in hogs- For diarrhoea.canker and roup in poultry - 7 ' AT ALL DEALERS - — - PRICE 25 «. 504. £ $ 1.00 Send For free book on Horses. Cottle, Hogs ond Poultry - Address Dr.Earl S.Sloan. Boston. Moss. sot to apprehend upon the discovery which the morning must produce at the miller s habitation. Soon after sunrise the rain ceased to fall, tlie clouds dispersed and a fre^h brilliant morning broke forth upon the heavens. The success of their late exploit had raised the spir its of the wanderers. A sense of in tense delight animated Butler's feel ings: a consciousness of liberty once more enjoyed, after hopes deferred and almost despairing captivity, seem ed to regenerate him and make him acquainted with emotions he had never felt before. His heart was full of gratitude to his new friend Ram say. and the expression of it was warm and sincere. Nature had never appeared so lovely to him as now; the whispers of the forest and the murmur of the clear brook fell on his enfranchised ear like the sweetest music: there was melody for him even in the screams of the jay and the harsh notes of the crow: and once when his companion had halted in siir’it of a buck that bounded through th~ wood before him, Butler, appre hensive that John was about to dis charge a bullet after the forest-rover, found himself involuntarily pleading the cause of the noble animal: "Do not draw your pistol on him. Ramsay, I pray you. Let him run; it is lib- Prtv—liberty good comrade—and that is =acred.’’ Before eight o clock they had rendezvous. Here they found three troopers who, although armed, were habited in the plain dress of the country, which enabled them to claim tb.- denomination either of Whig or Tory militia. a s thei r occasions might, demand These m en had lain perdue fo r some day- in the depth of the forest, impatiently awaiting for intel ligence from Ramsay. “Well. Harry Winter," said John laughing, “what say you now? I have brought you the miller's boy at last. Have I not made my word good?" Truth. John.” replied the trooper, “rv, re is more stuff in you than we counted om silly crow to chee g from him so easily.” You would have come nearer the n ark, Harry if you had called him a -b-epy lout, for whilst he was nod ding I took bis cake off tbe grhlle. It was fair filching by night, as the Vajor will tell you. But come, lads,. "n‘ e is no time for dallyin. we musn t ha-.u the gra-s growing to our horse’s he,-]s when w‘- have a whole pack of j King George's hounds on our trail. move, boys!’ and saying these wonL. John led the party forward at a rapid gallop. They had not gone far fe ind themselves upon a answer Back authority do you a challenge on to your place. was mounted, was the yoke-fellow of the lean Wall-Eye, and the two beasts had been long accustomed to work- side by side in the same wagon. Their mutual recognition, at this critical moment, became distressingly con spicuous. Their noses were brought in contact, and they began to whinny and paw the ground in that intelli gible manner which constitutes one of the forms ol expression by which this portion of the brute creation acknowledge their attachments. The presence of mind of John Ramsay saved the explosion which must soon have followed. ||e spurred his horse between the two noisy ami restless animals, and immediately addressed a conversation to the soldier, which for the moment turned his thoughts into another channel. By this time the conference had terminated, and the two leaders res pectively directing their men to move forward, the defile was passed and each party extricated from the other. Hut no sooner was the separation completed than Butler’s brutish steed, Wall-Eye. began to neigh with the most clamorous vociferation, whilst a response was heard in the same tones as pertinaciously reiterated from the retreating companion on ilu- other sid' 1 of the defile. “We were in great, danger from yonde r Tories.” said Ramsay, address ing Butler, “did you see that one of these fellows rode the mate of the beast you are on? Who could he he “It was one of Macdonald’s men,” replied Butler, “l knew the fellow the moment we met; hut. thank heaven, this humble dress conceal ed me.” “Faster. Major!'’ cried John, “tlu-se cursed horses are calling after each other now. Pray, push forward un til we get out of hearing. How un lucky that Christopher Shaw’ should have given you one of the wagon cattle!” Macdonald’s soldier, it seems, hav ing his attention drawn to the sin gular motions of his horse, had be come suddenly confirmed in the sus picion which at the late meeting for a moment rested upon his mind, as to the identity of Butler; and having communicated his thought to the commanding officer, the whole party of the Tory militia had wheeled about to demand a further investigation: they were now some hundred paces in the rea r of the fugitives, and were Yiarrion-ihi must he a vidual scanning him with a somewhat pressing forward at high speed, the „ ■ et the fox ttea his pointed scrunitv. and it was with an officer in the front calling out at the God. I fea r this blow is mortal! Sonu pt 1 emotion that had well night betrayed same time. " “ “ ‘ “ * “Hold!—Rein un and return! We undertake to the highway’: sir.” The rebuked rustic hung his head, as in* reined his horse hack into the crowd that now thronged the road. “As we are of the larger party, said the same person, addressing himself to Winter, “we have the right to the word. Who are you and whence come you?’’ "We belong to Floyd’s new draft," replied Winter with great coolness, “and left Winnsborough yesterday morning.” “And where hound?” “To Augusta, on business with Brown.” “Ah ha!” exclaimed the officer. “Brown is pinched by the rebels. It is well you have thought of him. What have you to say to him? Do yo u hea r despatches?” "Your pardon, sir—that’s a secret.” “You need not he afraid, good fel low. we are friends.” “I can hardly tell you the exact business." replied Winter. “You will meet Floyd himself with a hundred men. before you ride five miles. I believe w<* are going to reinforce the garrison.” “You will he very welcome.” said the Tory officer. "Brown will give you a heart} reception, but devilish slim fare; he is surrounded with hornets." “So much Hie better.” replied Win ter. “we have a knack at taking the sting out of the hornets, nowdays. Good morning sir. Report us. if you please, to Colonel Floyd, when you come across him. and tell him the hour of the day when you met us.’ During this short parley th„e two parties had become united into a com mon throng, completely filling up th p road; and the* proximity into which they were severely brought, gave rise to various inquiries after news amongst the subordinates on either side, in this press. Butler was startl ed to observe the eyes of an charge on a slow • nomy. and I don’t care much about two to one of odds. 1 haul;. God that business is cleanly done, and here we are all safe I hope. Wlbere is John Ramsay?" he inquired, looking around him. ami observing that their comrade was out amongst lee number assembled. “I saw him close at the heels ol the runaways.'' said one of the men. “John has a trick of seeing a scrim mage to the end; and it is an even bet that he is now upon the trail like a fresh hound. The last | noticed of him was at the crupper of a couple of the rascals that. I'll engage, be fore now he has set his mark upon.” "Then we must to his assistance!” exclaimed Butler, eagerly; and with out waiting for further consultation lie set off at full speed, in the sup- pesf’d direction of John Ramsay's pur suit. The rest followed. The\ had ridden some distance without being aide to perceive any traces of their missing companion. Butler called aloud upon Ramsay, hut there was no answer; and, for some moments, there was an anxious suspense as the party halted to listen for the sound of the footsteps of the troop- e 1 approach. At length a horse was seen far off in lie* wood, bound ing over the turf at a wild and fright ened pace; the saddle was empty, and the bridal hung about its feet. On seeing his companions, the exce ed steed set up a fiequent neigh, and. with head and tail erect, coursed im mediately up to the group of horse men. Here he came to a sudd: n halt, snorting with the terror of 1’L hrte alarm. There were drops of blood upon the saddle. “Gracious heaven!” cried Butler. "Some evil has befallen Ramsay. Scatter and search the wood.” It was with confused and melan- eliol. earnestness that they ail now continued the quest. Aft' r a painful suspense one of the men was heard to shout to the rest that their lost comrade was found. The summons soon brought, the party together. Ramsay, pale and faint, was stretched Thanks, thanks friends farewell!”; ♦'<<!>!} ejaculated the stricken soldier, ‘.nose 1 ye. alr<ad\ glazed with thej pangs of dead), now glanced upon the attending group, and after a brief j but painful interval closed in dark-j ness. .lolnj Ramsay spake no more, and his short breathing showed that life was fast ebbing in its channel. The andibb' sobs of Butler, for some mo- meiits, were alone heard in the cir- cl<■ as he sat supporting the head and grasping the hand of his brave com rade. The struggle was at last over., .ind the gallant spirit of tne generous soldier pad fled. Butler took from the wrist the bracelet of Mary’s hair, which was now stained with the blood of its late owner, and with an earnest vo\\ to redeem his promise, drew it 1 over his own hand. The scene that followed this mel ancholy adventure was one of solemn interest. Tin* proximity of the ene my. although defeated, rendered a de lay at this spot, in the present cir cumstances of Butler, exceedingly hazardous; yet h'' could not entertain ih< thought of continuing his journey until he had communicated to David Ramsay the distressing tidings of his son’s death. The last request of loiui seemed also to impose this task upon him as a sacred obligation, due To the friendship which had terminat- id in so disastrous an end. Butler’s resolution, therefore, was soon taken. Ife determined immediately, at ail hazards, to mal e his way back to Ramsay’s cottage and ,f ' endeavor to console the afflicted parents under their severe bereavement. Disdain ing, in his present state of feelings, the disguise that seemed to make him almost a stranger to himself, he threw aside the miller's dress and again ap peared in his true character, resolved manfully to meet what, he now be lieved to he the almost certain result —a recapture with all its probable consequences. Some of his party, who were acquainted with the localities of their present position, suggested to him that a Whig family of the name Perfumes upon the grass of the forest, his bos- of Drummond resided at no great dis- ■ This Week We Are Offering clmi.es, perfumes o f ■ the leading makers at half tlie usual prices. 150 and 75 Cts. an Ounce A free sample will he given to every lady whether she buys or not. Now is the time to get the best perfum es at a song. Box Cigars Free Each Week a current of Butler was seen indi om streaming forth blood. In an instant stooping over hirn. ‘‘Oh, this i 8 a heavy ransom for my deliverance!" he said with the deep est anguish, as lie raised the trooper’s head and laid it on his lap, whilst the blood flowed from the wound. “Speak, dear friend, speak! Great before they road which him, that he recognized in this person one of Macdonald's soldiers. It was the man whom the lieutenant had des patched. a few days previous, with an. errand to the post at Ninety-Six. and who was evidently at fault, for in a moment afterwards Butler could perceive, from his expression of face, that whatever might have been his first suspicion, it was quieted by another glance. The disguise was so far effectual. But another cause of alarm arose, that for an instant brought Butler into greate,- bopardy. Tii, . ,,rsc on which Tlie messeng* 1 SPENT LAST EIGHT YEARS IN MISERY Boston Banker Says His Life Has Been Hope= less for that Length of Time. Carleton H. Hutchinson, a leading banker and broker of Boston, with offices at 8 Congress Street, in that city, has recently come out with a very strong statement. In the widespread discussion over Cooper's new theory and medicines vhich lias spread over the country so ; .pidly, Mr. Hutchinson has taken the ^.de of those who say that Coopers i .oory is correct and his medicine uli • ..at he claims. Mr. Hutchinson’s emphatic state- iii is as follows; ‘‘Anyone afflicted h chronic ill health and a general in-down condition caused by stomach • ouble, who does not try this man ' ooper’s medicine, Is very foolish. 1 ay thk after a most remarkable ex- l arlenee with the medicine. “I heai.l of Cooper’s success first hen he was In Chicago, as I have a , r ivate wire to that city in connection with my business. Later, when he came East, I learned more of him and 1 is theory that stomach trouble causes most ill health. I have bad no faith in anything not prescribed by a phy sician for each particular cai| after careful diagnosis, but after eigtAyears of constant suffering, during which time I spent over $l.r,00 wlih abso lutely no relief, 1 felt that it. would at least do no harm to try the medicine which I was hearing so much about. “During these eight, years I have been forced to go without, solid food for five and six weeks a> a time. 1 always had a sour stomach, was troubled with formation of gas, and led the usual miserable btc of tbe dys peptic. I was ' ill, tired, nervous and gloomy ail the lime, and wav always constipated. “1 have taken C' op'r'., medicine a comparatively sla.rt time. For (lie past month 1 have not had tir* slight est sign of stomach trouble i run eat anything wllii no hud effect whatso ever. I have a lino appetite, an j. lin ing flesh very rapidly, am che< rful, full of energy, and my nervousness has disappeared. My bowels are In perfect condition for the first time In eight years. ‘‘I don’t hesitate to say that I would not take 160,000 and be back where I was. My relief and thankfulness Is beyond description.” We sell Cooper's famous preparation descilbed in the above statement —Gaffney Drug Co. up arm return! have questions to ask Halt, or we shall fire!” “To it, boys!” cried Harry Winter. “Your safety L in your logs!” And the party pricked onward as fast as they could urge their cavalry along the road. Th< chuso continued for some half hour or m ; >re; the little escort of Butl< r leaving the road and piuilgin-r nto th«‘ rwesses of the for- • ■-i. \ u occasional pistol-shot was ! ■'! .mirig this ntreaT. but without , ii< ( i on oitix*r sid,. The tangled ,'i ;iract,'r of Tp, around over which i , passed, groat!} ta doi| the pur- ait. and lu ft-re the half hour was - ,e!lt nolle la,I a fo\v of the boldest i.o; ne a oi the a.--aiiaiit - \\er, found pe -• i v* rinu iu the chase. Seeing • i. nuriib'-i diminished, md finding ;*l-o that tlx iior-es of his own com- i,v;es were beginning to flag. John Ram ay assumed the command, and directed id party to tu n about and elf- i,stile to the pursuers. Tlie im mediate effect of this movement was to bring the assailant to a halt. Aliicb va- no sooner witnessed by John, than h<* shouted, “Charge, lads, ,‘barge and t.ie day is ours! Hack and hew. good fellows: down with the bloodhounds!’ This animated exhortation was fol lowed up by a prompt onset, in which tin- brave trooper l°d the way; and - iCu was the impetuosity of the as- -.-.nit that the enemy, although con- si.-ting of twice the number of those in, attacked them, were forced to give ground. A sharp skirmish en sued. during which several pistol- rots were discharged on both sides, rnd some encounters, hand to hand, w, re sustained with a sturdy resolu tion; but, at last, our friends, suc- (, ed< d in turning their opponents to Might. The combat had been main tained in that pell-mell form of at tack and defence, which defied com pact ,»;• organized resistance; and the individuals of each party had been scattered over tin* wood for a con- sideta de di-taiice, so that when the laie pm-m rs were compelled to re- t • it. each man urged his horse In s i ,, a direction as wag most favor- aide to his escape. By degrees, But ler few companions began to reas semble at that part of the wood where thev had made their first stand. There is nothing like striking the liist blow at the right time,” said I Harry Winter, as, with bis hat in his hand to‘allow the air to cool his brow, he rode up to Butler, and balt- 1 ed to gain breath, "Give me a hot water, if it can be found—look for it. Winter; he has fainted from loss of blood.” Whilst Harry Winter went in search of the necessary refreshment Butler tore his cravat from his neck and ap plied it to staunch the wound. The tanee from the scene of the late en counter. and that, by bearing the body <-f the troope r to this place they might secure .for it a decent burial. The remains of the trooper were ac cordingly laid upon a rude litter, and his mourning comrades slowly and sorrowfully wended their way through the forest to the designated habita tion. Here they arrived about noon, having traversed a space of more tlmii two miles to gain this asylum. Drummond was a w’oodman. and oc cupied a rude cabin, with a small clearing around it. in the depths of the wilderness, so remite from the highway as to promise as much se- administration of a slight draught of curity from the quest of the enemy as water, after a short interval, sufti- riently revived the disabled* soldier to enable hirn to speak. He turned his sickly ami almost quenched eye to Butler, as he said: ‘ I was foolish to follow so far. T have it here—here,” he added in a !V, Me voice, a he put his hand upon his breast, “and it has done my work. I tought for you. Major, because I was proud to fight for a friend; and becau-e” here his voice failed him. as for a moim nt he closed his eyes and faintly uttered “it is all over—I am d^ins>• “Nay. good John,” said Butler, whilst, the tears ran down his cheeks; “it is not so bad as that—you are weal;, from bleeding—you will be bet ter presently, op God! oh God!” he muttered to himself, “I would not have had this to save my own life, much less as the price of my liberty “I fought for you." said the wound ed man. again reviving, “because Ma ry wished it. This will kill Mary,” he added afte r a pause. “She warned me not to be rash, but I could not help it. Be kind to her. Major Butler, and take care of her. Tell her I did not fear tr > di p ; hut for her sake, and for tlx* sake of my poor mother. Go to my parents; let them know I thought of them In my last thoughts." ‘John! John!” exclaimed Butler, un able to give further utterance to hL feelings. The dying trooper lay for some mo mentn silent, and his comrades stood around him in mute grief, and hung their heads to conceal their emotions from each other. “In my pocket,” said Ramsay, “is a Testament. Mary gave it to me for a keepsake. Take it out." Butler drew forth the small vol ume. “What shall I do with it?" he asked in a mournful whisper. "Give it to Mary, back from me. And this plait of iier hair upon my wrist, major, take it and wear It on vrti, r own; it will remind you of my Mary -you will guard her from harm ” “Before God. John Ramsay." said Rutle r with solemn fervor "I prom ise you tha* while I live -he ,hall not want. Your parents, too shall be my special care.” “Then I shall die vfl * easier heart. might be expected from any portion of the region in which he lived. He received his guests with kinuness; and as he was himself acquainted with the family of 1h<* deceased he exhibit ed a lively sympathy with the mourn ers arctind the body. When Butle r now made known his purpose to set out immediately for the habitation of David Ramsay, Win ter asked permission to accompany him, but the woodman interposed, and recommended that he alone should be permitted to perform that errand, leaving the others to remain with the corps until his return “It is, before all others, my duty." said Butler: “and eome what may I will perform it." “Then we will g<» together." added the proprietor of the cabin. “It will be wise to wait until the day is a little more spent, and return in the dark ness of the night. David Ramsay will come back with us. He would like to see his. son before we put him in the ground." “That shall he as you please, friend,’• said Butler. “I will be under your guidance.” An hour f »r two before sun down, Butler and his new companion left the cabin and took their route across the woods towards Ramsay’s dwell ing, leaving the dead body in charge of the woodman’s family and the three soldiers. The distance tney nafl to travel did not. exceed eight miles. The repulse of the Tory party in the skirmish of the morning seemed to have induced a belief, on the part of the enemy, that the fugitives bad made a successful retreat which was now beyond pursuit, and there were, in consequence, no parties on the road to molest the travellers. Under these circumstances it was stjll day light when they came in view of David Ramsay's homestead. tCONTINUED NEXT FRIDAY.) One f,0c bottle Nature's Cough Remedy will put an end to that cough; no cure, no pay. Gaffney Drug Co. 2 4- w. tff. Jones J. 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