Camden Journal, 1852-03-30

1IIU WJAU MIIMM CUC, ill iiumiug tiiu ..? , night?whore to now, girl ? Off, like the wind, t's certain that she loves him, and as certain hat he loves her. But he is every way worthy >f her, and is the only one of my young acquainances whom I would be proud to call son-in- j aw.' Harry Singleton had graduated at a northern jollcgc. Often during his collegiate course did le picture to himself a fair form flitting among .he woods, plucking the wild flowers, or dashing ilong the road, as he had been want to do, in ler company, before his departure. How much e desired to be free to return home, can only be .old by how swiftly he sped on his way thither ,vhen the time of his emancipation camc. Sanguine as were his hopes, he was hardly able ,o realize the vision that burst upon his view, the irst time he saw Ellen. Just budding into wonanhood, she formed a fit object for his overflowng tide of affection. He did not endeaver to ; estrain himself in the least, but felt that he could >nly live for her?that she was indeed a prize j north striving for. lie became a constant visi- ; tor at her father's house, nor did he try* to hide I lis purpose. To say that she had forgot the j jne who climbed the high rock to pluck from thence the flower, growing in the crevice, or who J was ready at any time to scour through the fields m her company, where their light-hearted laugh inadp the woods ring again, would be saying more than was true. She waited, therefore, very anxiously for the j time of his arrival, for she felt as if he was her I brother. But instead of seeing him as her imagination pictured to her, she saw him a jK>rfect gentleman. Precious little sleep did she get that night. Was she in love ? Oh, no! Time passed on until at the period of the opening of thistale they considered themselves to be all in all to each other. Though he had not virtually offered himself, it was his intention to do so on an early day. It was about nine o'clock of the morning on which the previous conversation took place that a company was seen to depart from Col. Laurens's and take the road towards the left, and which led in a westerly direction. First came the Colonel, and by his side rode Ellen. Three servants followed behind, oue female and two males, who carried all the things necessary for a

x wuiu aiiu iv ia/ii ? vm ?..v .. ? ~ j ?. got here last night, and is at 'Oak Spring,' waiting for Bill Thatcher to return from up the country, where he carried an old gentleman who was mighty fraid of the Tories, and wanted some men to 'comapany him. It must ha' bin mighty curious bisness he was about, or Captin wouldn't ha' gin him so many men. Well, as Captin told Bill to meet him at the 'Spring,' he is there now, waiting for him, and sent me out to pick up news. I was goin along, jist alongside the road, to keep from being too public, when I heerd horses trampling. I dodges behind a tree and looks up the road, and seed twenty or thirty of them traitor Tories coming along, bragging and talking as if on purpose to let every body know they was coming. They spoke of taking somebody, I don't know who, and chuckled mightily to think they was about to git somebody in their clutches. One said he meant to git 'roaring drunk, as they were paid.' I heard the Captin say 'she's devilish pretty, and once mine, I'll make her beud, for all she was so haughty awhile ago.' 'Yes,' says another, leftenant, I suppose, 'and you'll keep the father to make her more pliant.' 'Damme, if I don't I'll?' That's all I heerd, and I begun to think he meant Col. Laurens, and his daughter, Miss Ellen.' 'Do you think,' answered Siugleton, 'they would dare touch a hair of her head .''

UlCll i\ gl.'UUTC UV1IIIIU IV cvv (ill nviv safe. ITc really liad great respect for Ellen's father, ami therefore did not intrude his company. He presently called one of the men to him, and after a few words turned and said to Col. Laurens? 'As our course lies somewhat different from your intended one, perhaps it would be better to quicken our speed, if you wish to have a pleasant place for your encampment; as I have the disagreeable necessity to inform you that wo will be obliged to camp out to-night.' Captain Branchville is aware that I have been accustomed to a soldier's life, and therefore it will not incommode vie in the least. But there wonc to whom the ground will be a hard bed, and canvass but a. slight protection from the night air. However, there is one who tempcreth the wind to the shorn lamb.' If it please you, we can easily move faster.' Giving his daughter one confiding look of affection, the Colonel spurred his horse on. and the whole company were soon going at a trot. Towards night they halted and encamped at 'Oak Spring.'' CHAITER 11 I. We now change the scene to Marion's camp. Perhaps no other person was as well fitted for the sort of warfare he engaged in, as was Marion. No one could tell the precise place he occupied, and at times, when the British thought him farthest off', he would pounce on them, and, committing great havoc among?if not cutting them to peices?would retire before they had

'They'd dare do anything. I know 'em well. < Any hody what would turn agin their country I wouldn't stop at murdering, or burning houses cither, if they could git money bv it.' - j 'By all that's true, they shall not. I'll go this ; minute to Col. Laurens and inform him of his danger, as I understand lie intends soon to visit his friend Joel Bunker.' 'Stop a minute, Mr. Harry, don't be in a hurry ; you'll ruin all the fun. llow would you ( like to take 'em V ^ < 'How! what do you mean ?' 'Why, I mean that we can and must take or j kill this whole band. Do you suppose 1 came i all the way here, purpose to see you, for noth- j ing ? If you prevent them from taking the , Kernel, they might 'tack his house and set it j afire afore we could get men enough to stop 'em. Don't be in such a hurry, and I'll explain.' 'Well, go on.' 'You go to Captin and tell him all I've told | you. You'll find him at 'Oak Spring,' about one mile, in a straight course in the swamp. Tell i him I'll come as %soon as I can, for the grass . shan't grow under my heels. I must go to look i for Kurnel, and maybe I can help him?-jist look what a beautiful shot.' i Ilarry Singleton lifted his eyes from the j ground, where he had kept them during the preceding dialogue, and followed the direction i J* j ? ? L; :?a ?i

UIOUgHO J llic UIUCI IUI kUE lunivu nu g.. and all started for " Oak Spring" at a fast walk. The Tory Captain's hat shone from the effect of the feather, and his face shone from his anticipated triumph. It was about nine o'clock that they came to a long sandy stretch of the road, ; and they allowed their horses to walk more slowly. First came Col. Laurens and his daughter, riding with Branchville. Next came Joe and his " son Tommy," together with the servants. After them came the whole company of horsemen. They were just passing a large walnut tree (the Captain endeavoring to carry on a conversation with the Colonel, who was too downcast to talk much) when the report of a rifle was hoard and one in an bit the dust Then followed a volley from each side of the road and others tumbled from their horses. The rest, badly frightened, and being taken surprise, all took to flight. In the beginning of the affray, Tommy Tadpole dexterously slipped his hands from the cords and cut Joe loose in an instant. He, as soon as free, turned a somerset in the air, lit on the Tory Captain's horse, pulled him from the saddle to the earth, and before he could struggle had him tied on the ground, and stood over him in triumph.?Tommy, in the meantime, slipped into the woods and soon returned, bearing two rifles. lie handed one to Joe, who quickly raised I .- i.:? ol.Mil.lnr firpd the retreatinc crowd.

branches of trees joined together, and concealed its much as (lossiblc, constituted Marion's 4 Oak Spring' abode. In this was seated Marion, enjoying a slight repast, when a man ushered in a visitor. 4 Ah P exclaimed Marion, 4 how are you, Singleton ? Happy to sec you. Take that stool, and help yourself to some of these baked potatoes. Any news ? You look as if you had something to saw' 4 And so I have, General.' And he forthwith repeated all that Joe had told him, and gave his own suspicions to add force to his story. Marion listened in deep thought; and at bust spoke. 4 May be it is not so bad. Wait until Joe comes, and we am tell what to do.' Very impatiently did he await the arrival of his most trusty scout, and often did he wish Thatcher would return, so that having a sufficient number of soldiers, he could attack and drive back the band of Tories; but being situated as he was great circumspection was necessary. Sometime before dusk, Joe returned with the intelligence of the capture. 4 Now listen P said Marion. 41 want you to go immediately to their camp. I am determined to get possession of this Tory captain. He shall commit no more ravages. Do you disguise yourself as a countryman, enter the encampment, be saucy, so as to be kept a prisoner, and endeavor "to arrange some method by which wc

inuicaieu uv ins cuiujmiuuii a iiugei, <uiu uuuuiu a noble buck gazing steadily at them, at the distance of about two hundred yards. It was , only for a moment, for, giving a start, it bounded away and was soon out.of new. 'Ef I'd < have been hunting them 'old nation' would have 1 had her talk, before you could have hopped away that easy, old fellow.' And he stroked his gun, which he called by the familiar name of ] 'old nation.' 'Well, Joe,'said Harry, 'we must be moving; , it is no evening stroll from here to 'Oak Spring.' ] 'Good bye, then, and I hope to see you agin j soon.' They parted?each taking a different course. CHAPTER II. , It is to one of those noble southern mansions 1 that I will now take mv reader. Col. Laurens , was truly a southern gentleman. Hospitable, , friendly, and, moreover, a strong Whig. None were more willing to take up arms in their country's cause. He had already seen a good deal of ( service, both against the Tories and ludians, and had thereby gained the title of 'Colonel.' lie i had one child, an only daughter, whom he prized dearly. It were useless for me to attempt to ( describe her. To say that she was pretty, would L :?cbn u'uc liPnni'tfnl I

'My half a dollar, ef you please.' Til give you this!'said Branchville, as he made a lunge at Joe, which, luckilr he avoided. The Tory Captain replaced his sword in his scabbard, muttering? 'My booty is too precions to lose. Scorn, indeed! She shall soon know into whose power she has fallen.' It was very evident that his temper was soured. It was only a few minutes before, that as be had endeavored to catch Ellen's eye, he met there such a glance of withering contempt that roused the demon in himfhnd raised his passion to a pitch beyond his control. Joe and the other person, whom he called *son Tommy,' were taken away, and bound. Tommy stood staring at every thing he saw, like a perfect idiot. Pointing to a bayonet he asked 'what that wasi' Some one taking it and, by way of answer, touched him with it, causing him to give a cry of pain?after that he asked no more questions. CONCLUSION*. The following morning, though bright and beautiful, opened gioomilv on the prisoners. On that day they would be dragged to Charleston, and perhaps thrown into prison. A horrible 41 hi ! Tl?/? Ami + Vi/\ *r>oroll woo mifOY\