Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-02-28
walking hastily toward the stables, to mount

"Currie," said Tilford to young Lowden
as they stood together near the stable, taking
no part in the preparation, 81 don't like this
going off half.cocked I have PRESENT.
ment that harm will come of it"
"Thornton never stole that money" said
Currie decidedly; "but how are We to make
it APPEAR"
They were interrupted by Currie's youn'
ger brother, lad of ten years.
"Nellie wants you" he said to his brother,
ssand she says am to stay with Mr.. Tilford
and watch Tom Bolton"
"Precisely what I was thinking of" ex-
claimed the two in breath: without wait
ing further to compare notes, Currie hasten.
ed toward the house, while Tilford and the
boy entered the stables, and guided by the
light of lantern, for it was now dark, sought
for Bolton.
eSThornton is innocent, Currie," were Mel,
lies first words, as her brother approached
the spot where she was walking up and down
in great agitation.
sI'm sure of it." said Currie "but we
can't make the company believe it without
some evidence" -a-
"Will they bring him here ?" she asked.
"Of course; but how can We shield him
then ?"
ri will shield him with my own body"
she exclaimed "he has been wronged enough
already"
Her brother gazed at her in surprise he
had never before seen her so much excited,
and his spirit felt rebuked in the presence
Of passion deeper than his conceptions.
"Where is Bolton?" she suddenly demand
ed but, without waiting for reply, went
on: "Go you to the stables--send George
to me-take Tilford and follow the company
protect Thornton as if he were your broth
er! Go; they may commit some high
handed outrage before you can be present" "
Currie was two years her senior, but the
high, stern spirit, which so suddenly devel-
oped itself, overmastered him; and, without
even asking question, he hurried off to
obey her rapid and peremptory orders.
':The william p she exclaimed, as she
heard the loud, arrogant voice of Bolton cal
ling the company together and dying in the
distance, as they galloped away toward the
south. "But the fowler shall be taken in
his own net !" she added, setting her teeth
hard and turning toward the house. She
had scarcely crossed the threshold, when, to
her astonishment, her father entered. His
brow was knit as in thought, and his motion
denoted mental conflict.
"Father," she exclaimed impulsively, and
with reproach in her tone, 'who fills your
post in the company"
elbow does that concern you?" he de-
manded sternly, perhaps glad to direct to-
ward another his dissatisfaction with himself.
"Go to your chamber, and don't let me see
you out again before sunrise"
Implicit obedience had been the first les
son of Nellie's childhood, and, though her
impulse was toward rebellion now, she knew
her father too we'll, loved him too deeply, to
risk open defiance. But she met her broth
er George at the door as she passed out, and
drew him silently into her chamber.
"Who commands the company to-night"'
she asked, as she closed the door.
"Bolton," replied the lad. ':Father d.
rected him to seize Thornton and bring him
here forthwith"
George" said she, after few moments
reflection, "steal out to the stables, and put
my saddle upon Jenny then saddle horse
for yourself, and bring them both round to
the stile. Twill meet you there in twenty
minutes"
George hesitated, but her tone was too i'm
perious to be gainsaid, and the proceeding
was one which appealed to his boyish nature.
He crept stealthily out, and proceededto exc
cute her command.
In themean time, after clearing the inclo-
sures of Lowden's farm, the Regulators, led
by Bolton, galloped tumultuously along the
road toward Thornton's house. Bottles Of
spirits had been circulating freely among
them during the whole day, though without
much visible effect; the access Of this new
excitement infamed the latent FIRE Of the
liquid, TASKS of which were still passing from
hand to hand, preparing the reckless hand
for any outrage. Tilford and Currie Lowden
rode together in the rear, silent and anxious,
unwillingly accompanying the disorderly
mob, but doing SO in hope that some oppor-
tunity might offer to be of service to Thorn
ton. According to Nellie's direction, too,
they were watching Bolton but, beyond his
excessive zeal to arrest Thornton, they saw
nothing unusual in his manner.
Some of them yelling like savages, and
others silent with the closed lips and knit
brows of deadly purpose, they dashed across
the stream, and, gaining the open ground,
urged their horses again to pace which
must soon bring them to Thornton's house.
"If Bottoms horse should fall and break
his masters neck" said Currie, sit might
save an innocent mans life"
"Such lucky accidents but seldom hap
pen," Tilford replied. "But you don't sup
pose they will dare to take Thornton's life p
'They have done worse things than that, y
Currie said
"Scarcely, should think" his compan
ion answered; "but what are We to do il
they attempt tt"
"Resist them to the knife ~ said Currie
fercely.
owe must get them to take him back tc