The Real America in Romance (9)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ...his gun, keeping his horse between himself and the enemy, who had halted for consultation. It was nearly noon and a scene of peace and quiet lay all about the young patriot. On his right was a farm with a rail fence between him and the field. A farmer was ploughing in the field, and a pig was rooting among the leaves close by the fence. Simon had halted just to the left of the road near the woods which extended for several miles on the left to a creek. Albert had disappeared over the hill, and Simon determined to hold the enemy as long as possible, for his own horse being fleet, he could easily escape when he tried. Having reloaded his gun, he waited for the enemy to approach within range. The pig grunted with satisfaction among the leaves, and the birds twittered in the bushes on his left, while Simon waited patiently for the enemy. His heart beat violently as he contemplated seven men opposed to him. Simon was silent but deadly. His dry humor which made him the life of camp and field was hushed. His large blue eyes were flashing with fire and determination. The council of war was at last over and the Britons began operations. They dismounted leaving the horses with two, and the remainder began to ascend the hill, taking advantage of every tree, stump and stone which afforded the slightest shelter. They knew the deadly effect of Simon's aim and dreaded it. Suddenly from behind a stump there came a little puff of smoke, and a carbine ball whizzed HIS HEAKT BEAT VIOLENTLY AS HE CONTEMPLATED SEVEN HEN OPPOSED TO HIM. across the road and struck the ground so near the pig as to scatter the leaves, sand and gravel over the porker, causing him to utter a squeal, whisk his tail and run away as fast as his short legs could carry his fat body. Another...