BRAVE KATE.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 57, 1 February 1868, Page 4

BRAVE KATE.

The year 1781 was a dark and gloomy one' for the Americans, who were then struggling for liberty. In South Carolina affairs were in a critical situation. General Green made an unsuccessful attack on the British post of Ninety Six, and withdrew his men beyond the Tiger aid Broad Rivers. Lord Rawdon followed Kim, but could not draw the patriot general into an engagement. At that period there stood, in South Carolina, a plain and unassuming house;, it was a one-story building-, neatly whitewashed, and surrounded by a fence. The garden contained many choice flowers; and the beautiful honeysuckle shaded the doors and windows. It was the home of Mrs. Heath, who lived with her two daughters, while her son George was in Washington’s army, fighting for freedom. Kate, the eldest of the daughters, was a beautiful girl of sixteen summers; her auburn hair hung in graceful curls down to her shoulders, and her face beamed with kindness, while her eyes shone like the stars that light up the azure vault of heaven. One evening, as Kate was standing at the cottage door, she beheld two mounted officers approaching. They were richly dressed, and one of them she recognised as Lord Rawdon, the commander of the British forces in that part of the counti-y. They rode up to her, and Rawdon leant over his saddle, and said, in a kind voice, “ Well, miss, can you let me have the use of a room for a few minutes ?” “ Yes, sir; our house is open to you.” “ Come, Colonel, let us hurry to. business,” said Rawdon, dismounting, while the Colonel did the same, the latterleading the horses to the stable. Lord Rawdon advanced to where Kate was standing, and said, “ Whose house is this, miss ?” “ Mrs. Heath’s, my lord.” “Ha! her son is in the rebel army, under Washington, is he not ?” Kate trembled at the insult, and she looked at the Briton with a searchingglance. “ My brother is no rebel, Lord Rawdon ; be is fighting for his country.” “ I am sorry for that. He is a brave boy, and would no doubt make a good British soldier,” returned Rawdon. “ Lord Rawdon, you insult me. I would sooner see George die a felon’s death than see him in the King’s army,” was the heroic answer. “ I see, you are a rebel, too, Miss Heath. But here comes the Colonel,” said Rawdon, as he saw that worthy coming from the stable. They entered the house, and went into a small room to hold a consultation. Kate thought they might have something important to say; so she resolved to play the part of eavesdropper. She told her mother of her intention, who approved of it; and Kate placed herself in a position to overhear the Britons’ plans. It was a dangerous undertaking; and she knew that if she was caught in the act of listing she would be treated as a spy, and perhaps executed, for Lord Rawdon knew no mercy. She cautiously approached the door and looked through a crevice. Rawdon and his Colonel were seated before a small table, on which Jay maps. They were examining them closely while Rawdon was explaining them to the Colonel. “Here is Greenes camp,” said he “and here is ours. We must make a bold stroke; and if it be successful, Green will be destroyed.” “ I don’t see why it should not succeed, do you, my lord ?” “No; if our troops fight as well as they have heretofore, we shall succeed,” said Rawdon, his face assuming a triumphant expression. “ I shall feel happy when the cursed rebels are driven away from Carolina, and then their rule will be over,” said Colonel Roberts. “We must crush Green, Colonel. I do not want to go hack to England and let it be said thatl was out-generalled by a rebel. No, never!” exclaimed Rawdon, rising to his feet. “Then we make that attack at daybreak, do we not ?” asKed the Colonel. “ We do. Have your regiment ready, and make your men fight like demons.”" “ Let us go now. But hold ! what is the countersign for the pickets to-night, my lord ?”. “England,” answered Lord Rawdon, lowering his voice. Kate listened to the Britons’ plan with a wildly throbbing heart, and she resolved to save the patriot army. When she heard the countersign, she left the door, and bisued herself in her household duties; and soon the two officers emerged from the room. “ We must go, Miss Heath ? but first let me thank you for your kindness,” said Rawdon. “Your thanks are received,” replied Kate. Their horses were saddled, and the officers were soon on their way. Kate watched them till they were ought of sight, and then prepared for her perilous journey. She threw on her shawl, and went to the stable. Her fleet-footed horse neighed as she entered, and she patted him on the head, and said, “ Well, noble Selim, yon must carry me sgfely tonight, for if you do not, Green will be destroyed.” The animal seemed to understand her, for he gave a loud whinny. Our heroine saddled Selim, led him from the stable, arid was soon* riding towards Green’s camp which was. eight miles distant. She rode swiftly for she wanted to reach her destination in time to let'the patriot General form his m'en to meet the assault. The British pickets

were four miles distant, and she would be compelled to pass through their lines;; hut as she was in possession of the countersign, she did not fear the result. Soon Kate saw the picket’s bayonet gleam in the moonlight, and heara him cry out, “ Who goes there ?” “ A friend, with the countersign.” “ Advance, friend, and give the countersign.” She approached the picket, and whispered, “ England!” “All right; pass on. But stop!” cried the picket, as he caught a glimpse of her face. Kate stopped her horse, and laid her hand on a pistol. The picket approached, and said, “ Is that you, Miss Heath ?” “It is, Guy,” returned Kate; for she recognised the soldier to be Guy Jackson, who had often visited the gardner at their house. “ Where are you going to-night, Miss Kate ?” he asked. “To see Mrs. Blake; she is very ill.” “ Just like you, Miss Kate —always visiting the sick ; you are a ministering angel,” said the British soldier. “ Thank you for the compliment, Guy. But I must be going. Good night!” And Kate was again on her journey, while the picket returned to his post. She had to pass four miles yet ore she would be safe so she urged on her steed. Belore she had gone a hundred yards from Guy Jackson, a dozen mounted Britons rode furiously up to the picket, and their leader cried out, “Did any person pass this post a short time since ?” “Yes, sir,” was the pickets reply. “ Do you know who it was ?” “ I do; it was Miss Heath.” “ Had she the countersign ?” “ She had.” “ I fear she is safe. Forward, men! If she escapes, Green is saved! A hundred golden guineas and a commission to the man who catches her !” cried the leader of the band, as they dashed after the brave girl, leaving the picket in a state of bewilderment. Kate soon heard the sound of her pursuers, and she pushed on faster. It was a race for life or death. The British horses were fresh, while hers was beginning to show signs of fatigue. “ Forward Selim! You must take me to General Green’s camp!” said Kate to her horse. But her enemies are upon her, and one of them seemed bent on catching her, for he was some yards in advance of his comrades. Kate herd the omnious tramp of his horse, and drew hor pistol. Hearer he came, until he was at her side, and then cried out, '“Halt, you cursed rebel!” Those were his last words, for Kate fired and the bullet crashed through his brain. The others did not stop to look at their dead comrade, but pressed on. They neared her again, and another trooper received his death-wound. The remainder halted, and a moment afterwards Kate heard the American picket cry out“ Who goes there?” “ Kate Heath!” cried our heroine, as she dashed through the line. The soldier had raised his gun, but when he heard her name, it was lowered, and he answered, “ All right!” The American camp was reached; Kate threw herself from the saddle, and placed her faithful horse in charge of a soldier. ‘ Where his Green’s tent ?”she asked. “To the right, there, where you see that light,” replied the man, pointing to the place. She entered the General’s tent, and found him engaged in writing. He raise’d his eyes, then arose to his feet, and said, “ You come here at a late hour, Miss Heath.” “ 1 do, General. You are in danger.” “Howis that?” exclaimed Green, The brave girl told her story, and the patriot grasped her hand, while the tears trickled down his war-worn cheeks. “ Thank heaven! you have "saved my army, Miss Heath! I can never repay you!” “ I want no payment. The thought that I have done my duty, and the thanks of General Green are worth more than gold and diamonds,” was the heroic reply. “Take my thanks, my brave girl, and may the Great Jehovah watch over and guide you through the changing scenes of life,” responded Green. “ And may He save my country, too,” added Kate. “You need rest. Here, sleep in my tent to-night, while I seek a restingplace amoung my men,” said the kindhearted Green. “ I do not wish to rob your couch, General.” “You will not. I shall be engaged in forming my troops to meet the attack.” And General Green left the tent. Kate enjoyed a good rest that night; and in the morning General Green came to her, and joyfully exclaimed, “ Good news ! Lord Rawdon is in full retreat. Wa took a prisoner this morning, who says you frustrated their plans and saved the army. Heaven bless you for that good act! But I must leave you now, for I am going to follow Rawdon, and teach him that we can fight. When are you going home ?” “ In a few minutes, General.” “ Good-bye j and may you have a safe journey,” responded Green, shaking her by the hand. Her horse was led forth, and she was soon on the way to her home, which was reached-in sa'ety. Kate Heath lived to see the war close, and peace and plenty spread their wings over the land; and not long afterwards she was wedded to Walter Gordon, who had been a colonel in. the American army, * ,