Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1906 — MARION’S BRIGADE [ARTICLE]

MARION’S BRIGADE

By MAJOR J. H. ROBINSON

CHAPTER IV. There was quite a number of persons collected at Rocky Creek on the Catawba river. They were.men used to toil and hardship; they could wield the implements of agricultural industry, or level the rifle with deadly precision; they could force the rugged soil to yield them a subsistence, or live by hunting the game with which that section abounded. Those pioneers had met to be initiated into warlike art. They had heard of the villainies of Wemyss, Cunningham, Huck, Gainey and Ferguson, and, in fact, some of them had already been despoiled by Tory cupidity. The men of Rocky Creek were now drawn up in line armed with muskets, rifles and fowling pieces. A tall thinlooking man, with sharp features, and long light-colored hair, was in the act of drilling them. The individual was no less a personage than Captain Nicodemus Hawes, who had been unanimously chosen to command the “Independent Fire-Eaters,” because he had seen some service. The company numbered thirty persons. Like Marion’s brigade, thew wore no uniform, and exhibited a curious variety, which, taken all together, gave them a rather unique appearance. “Corporal Higgins, straighten up yer file,” ordered Captain Nick. “Tom Jones, turn yer toes out, and look more sol-dier-like. Attention the hull —heads up! Joe Sawyer, which way are you lookin’?" “I’m cross-eyed, cap’en,” said Joe. Nicodcmus Hawes fell back a few paces, and contemplated hie company 'with obvious admiration; then deliber-, ately unsheathing a sword which had doubtless been long in the Hawes family, for it was antique and rusty, he went on with the exercise. “Rear, rank—take distance—march!!’ The evolution was performed with a tolerable degree of accuracy. “I reckon ye’ll git the hang on’t after a while. In that ere pertickeler evolution, you must remember to step back four paces, and dress to the right; the eargeants take their places in the front rank, and the non-commissioned officers who are in the rear, stick where they are. Now, I’m goin’ to put ye through another operation. Rear rank —close to tha front. March! Corporal Higgins, what on airth are ye dewin’? Straighten ’em up, JTom Jones, you hold yer shootin’ stick ™s though you’s afeared on’t. Toe out, yer tarnal critters—lean fo’ard more and make yer ehists more promernent. You can’t stand the British baganets without you stand bent a little to the front. Lieut. AndeVson will now shove you through some o’ the manooal exercises, after which I’ll make you an all-killin’ speech, which’ll raise all the military sperit you happen to have about you.” Lieut. Anderson proceeded with the drill, while Captain Nick observed them at a little distance. While matters were progressing in this manner, a horseman suddenly appeared upon the river road, approaching at a headlong speed. “I wtfnder what’s in the wind now?” said the captain, approaching the lieutenant. “Something uncommon, I should think,” replied the latter. “He rides as though he didn’t value his neck very highly.” No more was said by the parties until the horseman dashed up in front Of the company, covered with dust, and much excited. ~- / - “The Tories,” he cried, in a loud, clear voice, “have discovered what you are about, and will soon be upon you. You must fight, or save yourselves by flight.” “If they’ve found out what we’re at ■o soon as this, there must be some eueakin’ informer amongst us!” exclaimed the captain. “And if there is. and we can discover him, he needn’t expect no mercy. How many of the Tory villains do you think’ll be upon us?” “About forty, armed and mounted,” replied the man who had brought the news. “You hear what he says, feller soldiers; what do you feel disposed to do, fight or run?” asked Captain Nicb. “Fight it out!” exclaimed' several in the ranks.

“That's what I say. Nick Hawes will never run as long as he can stand up and use a weepon o’ war. Load your pieces with balls, and tarnal destruction to the feller that tries to shirk his duty. If shan’t never be said by cornin’ generations, that the Independent Fire-Eaters ever turtied their backs on their enemies." "Right, right!” ran along the ranks of the men of Rocky Creek. “I admire your spirit,” said the horseman, who still sat upon his panting steed an interested listener. “I shall be most happy to take part in the fray.” “You appear to be a pretty game sort bf a chap yerself, stranger, and the Fire-Eaters’ll be glad of your help,” replied Captain Ilawes, warmly. In a few minutes only ten of the company occupied the plateau where they had exercised. Lieut. Anderson and Sergt. Davis commanded those concealed in the thicket, and the captain reinaiued with those left to decoy the enemy- , While the men of Rocky Creek are Waiting for the approach of the Tories, we will solicit the reader's attention for a short time to the individual who hnd brought the intelligence respecting the contemplated onslaught of the Loyalists. . During the captain’s patriotic and somewhat original speech, he had dismounted. and now stood beside his reeking horse, with his arms laid across the pommel of the saddle. He wns nearly thirty ydtrs of age, and of a large and sinewy frame. His face, though somewhat stem in its expression, was nevertheless quite handsome, and calculated to prepossess one in his fairor. It was evident at the first glance that he was a man of firmness and resolution and well adnpted to the times in which he lived. Ho was armed with pistols and • short saber, and presented a bold and soldier-like appearance. His name was HWMMI . ‘ T--- - ——r “This Is a dark picture In the history

pf South Carolina,” he observed-to the captain. . “I reckon you’re about right, stranger,” replied the latter. “Satan seems to be let loose- for a season to turn things upside down in fflesq parts.” ; “We must fight, and there’s no honorable alternative. There are. men enough in this State to achieve a glorious victory, if they will only concentrate and organize under efficient leaders. See what Gen. Marion has done within a few days; he has infused new courage into the hearts of the people, notwithstanding the defeat of Gen. Gates at Camden.’\ “Tarnel destruction, stranger! You dqn’t mean, to say Gates has been whipped at Camden?” exclaimed Hawes. “It is too true. He has sustained a total defeat, and the remnant of the American army is flying panic-stricken from the successful legions of Cornwallis; but Marion and Sumter are destined to revive the courage of the patriots,” replied Henderson. “T feel as if you had given me a heavy blow in the region of the stomach,” said Captain Nick. “Never despond, sir, while you are able to bear arms against the enemy,” added Henderson. “Hark!” said Hawes. “I hear the sound of horses’ feet. The Tories are at hand. If my brave fellows take good aim, we’ll pay ’em off for some of their old tricks and cruelties.” While Hawes was speaking the advance of the Tory band' swept round a point into sight, and presently the whole party was visible. As soon as the advancing horsemen perceived the captain’s little party of ten they spurred forward more furiously with loud shouts of exultation. It was very obvious that they felt sure of cutting the force of Rocky Creek to pieces without losing a man; for it seemed to them like sheer madness for so small a party to resist them. . John Henderson sprang into the saddle and Captain Hawes hurried his men from the approaching enemy at a double quick step. When he had retreated about a hundred yards he gave the order to “halt,” and "fight about face,” and the parties stood boldly with their front to the foe.

“Here I mean *to -stay,” exclaimed the captain, energetically, “until some of them saddles are empty. Straighten up, my lads, and stand firm; and if they trj to ride you down, fire; ami let ’em ride on the p’ints of your baganets, if they want to. Here they are; now we’ll see what our fellows in ambush will do.” The Tories came on, unconscious of danger; but the' bold bearing of the handful of meu under Hawes caused them to abate their speed when they had reached the plateau between the thickets. The moment was auspicious for the patriots; a well-directed fire blazed from the ambushed Americans; the effect was to put mauy of the Tories into confusion. Hawes improved the time and poured in his tire, which effectually checked their advance. The voice of the leader was heard trying to rally the astonished Tories; but they could not be easily rallied, for their enemies were concealed from view, and their fears magnified their numbers greatly. The Tory officers shouted and threatened iu Tain; those who could do so turned and fled t and the officers were obliged to follow their example. When once fairly in motion their terror seemed to lend them wings, and they spurred on without regard to order, glory or superiors, until they were far beyond the reach of the men of Rocky Creek. “If your men were only mounted!” exclaimed Henderson. “They must be mounted.” replied Haw Cs. “We can never do what we want to without horses. I’ve been thinkin’ on’t for some time. Horses are scarce, for the Britishers and Tories have stolen the best ones; but where there’s a will there’s a way. Men, catch them animals that are runnin’ about yonder without any riders.” Several of the Royalists were found dead and half a dozen were severely wounded. The dead were buried on the spot, nnd the wouuded were suitably cared for. . i

“They didn’t make much by that movement,” said Hawes, thoughtfully, “and we are in duty bound to thank you for it, stranger,” he added, turning to Henderson. The latter bowed without reply, and the captain resumed, in a lower tone of voice: "That there is an informer among my men I nm fully convinced. The Tories couldn’t have come down upon us so sudden, and with so much certainty, if they had not been well informed about us. We've all been uncommon secret in regard ineetin's and intentions; and if there hadn't been a traitor among us, things couldn’t hare leaked out so soon.” "Do you suspect any one?" asked Henderson. “Yes,” replied Hawes, “and I shall keep my eye on him mighty sharp. Come, stranger, go with us up to the settlement. I should like to have your advice, at you appenr to be well acquainted with the state of the country. I have got a scheme in my head to provide tny fellers with horses and arms, and I dare say you are both able and willin’ to assist me. providin' you ain’t otherwise engaged.” The Independent Fire-Enters were then faced for the settlement, and marched uway.

CHAPTER V. It wns the dim hour of twilight at Rocky Creek. Captain Hawes was seated beside a yuan who had been mortally wounded in the aITVay of that very morning. The apartment which the partie* occupied was one of tltose small rough and low rooms found the early settlers of a new country. A single candle was burning upon the sideboard, and threw out a pal* and sickly light, which rendered the woundtfd person's bloodies! face still more ghastly.

The expression of Captain Hawes was serious, but not stern, yet far more dig* nified than usual. “The surgeon thinks there is no hope for me,” said the dying man.jfaintly, * “Not in this world,” replied Hawris. “Then I must try and make the best improvement of what littje time remains,” added the Tory, speaking with much difficulty. ' \ “I’m sorry, neighbor, that you’re dyin’ in a bad cause,” said,’the captain, sorrowfully. “We are brethren, and citizens of one common coiintry; and if you had been called on to give up airthly things while fightin’ side by side with me, I shouldn’t have felt so bad about it, because I have an idee that death under such circumstances wouldn’t have been disgraceful but glorious.” \-—“I begin to feel, now that my life is

approaching its close, that you are en-, gaged in a, more honorable cause than that in which I received this mortal wound,” remarked the Tory, sadly. “I haven’t come here to reproach you, by no means whatever, friend Simpsopj but there is one thing I want to knot* before you shut your eyes forever on the changin’ concerns of this present world. Our plans have been betrayed by some vile traitor, who eats bread with us daily. I want to find out the villain, and I hope you’ll feel free to tell me. You probably can’t hold out more than an hour or two at the most, and perhaps gettin’ such a thing? as that off your conscience may kind of straighten you up for the change, and make you stand firmer, and with a bolder front, before the great Commander-in-Cnief of all the armies of the airth.” . Simpson shuddered, and for a moment was so convulsed that he was unable to reply. When he became easier and calmer, he turned his glassy eyes upon the captain with an expression truly mournful. .He hesitated a moment, as if not quite decided, and then motioned for Hawes to give him his oar. The captain bent over the dying man eagerly, and he whispered a name. “It is well,” said Hawos. “I reckon the accoutrements of your conscience will be in better order for inspection, when you answer the last roll-call." “I thank you, I’m sure, for your wellmeant kindness,” said Simpson, while a tear moistened his dim eye. “I scope We shall meet in the ranks of heaven, where all is concord and peace.' As jrou go* along, I wish you wo.uld be good enough to ask Elder Martin to step in and see me.”

“I will. It's a good idee, for he knows better than I do what you will need on a long march,” said Hawes. “I- hope you will forgive me, neighbor,” added Simpson, stretching out his cold hand. “God knows how freely,” said the captain, in a- subdued voice. “Good-by, Simpson, <4ll I jine the army above,” he added. “Farewell, captain.-. If I should recover, I would gladly fight under you. Farewell, for the drummer of death is indeed beatiug the reveille,” said Simpsou, feebly; and a moment after Hawes was proceeding toward home in a very thoughtful mood. He met Henderson on the way, aud the two walked away together, conversing in a friendly manner, until they were opposite the dwelling of Rev. William Martin.

Hawes knocked at the door, and both were immediately admitted by the pastor iu person. The former introduced Mr. Henderson, and they were soon on excellent terms. The minister was a man of scnSe and courage, xvhose name will long be remembered by the country for which he labored and suffered. While he was engaged in au animated discussion with Henderson, the door opened aud a young lady entered the room. Mr. Martin, with characteristic politeness, instantly introduced her to his new acquaintance ns his daughter Kate. Mr. Henderson arose, bowed and said he scarcely knew what; for the sudden and uuexpectd appearance of such a female as he now beheld disconcerted him not a little. Kate Martin was exceedingly fair of face, and of a figure exquisitely formed for grace and symmetry; and when we have passed these encomiums upon her, we have not said all that the case allows of; for she possessed good sense and energy of character —two traits that served greatly to enhance the charms of personal beauty. Kate, though gentle nud modest, might also be called a brilliant girl, inasmuch as she was endowed with those high qualities which are calculated to make every legitimate effort more or less.brilliant. (To be continued.)