Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-04-17

eral attention and expectation, as to the result
of his investigations-he proclaimed far and
wide, that he had found the horse at last,
hid in a timber bottom near Longs! This,
Of course, seemed strong confirmation of his
guilt, and though themob were most of them
horse-thieves, to all intents, yet it was an
objectionable crime for any one to practice
professionally among themselves; so that
Long was loudly denounced, and threatened
on every side, and ordered to leave the coun-
try forthwith.
These proceedings Jack by no means COM
pretended, or felt disposed to be moved by ;
but gave them one and all toundcrstand, that
he meant to remain where he was, until it
entirely suited his convenience to 90 and
that if his time and theirs did not happen to
agree, they might make the most of it,
And Jack was such an promising snag-
gish looking somebody, and his reputation
which had now spread crerywherc-of poss-
essing such consumate skill with his rife,
that he thought it a condescension to shoot
game anywhere else but in the eyes-was so
formidable, that no individual felt disposed
to push the matter to personal COLLISION
lie might still, therefore, have been left in
quiet, but Hinch had unfortunately taken
up the impression, from Jacks conduct in
the shooting-match affair, that he must be a
coward, and if this were true, that all his
skill amounted to but little; and like any
other bloody, wolfsh brute, he followed him
up the more eagerly for this very reason,
which would have disarmed generous foe
Besides, Jack had given fresh and wciehtier
matter of offence, in that he had refused to
obey, and delicd his authority as Regulator.
The very being of that authority seemed to
require now thata wholesome example should
be made of him, for the awing of all rclrac-
tory persons hereafter. The wretch, who
was cunning as ferocious, had sworn in his
inmost heart to ruin and disgrace Long, from
the moment of that triumph, now availcd
himself remorselessly of all his influence, and
knowledge of the society around him, to ac-
complish it, Several horses now disappear
ed, and robberies of other kinds, perpctated
with singular dcxtcrity, followed in quick
succession. All these things he managed,
through the clamors of his scounlrelly troops,
to have laid directly Or indirectly, to Jacks
door.
But in the popular estimation they counted
as nothing, in fixing the charge of danger
Gus malice upon poor Long, in comparison
with one other incident. About this time
not only TIinch himself, but every other per-
son who had made himself conspicuous, by
insisting upon Jack guilt, and the necessity
of punshng him summarily, began to lose,
every day or two, valuable stock, which was
wontonly shot down sometimes in sight of
their houses and it soon began to be re-
marked that every animal lost in this way,
had been shot IN Mc cyc!' This was instant
y associated, of course, with Jacks we'll
knownand curious predilcction for that mark
in hunting, and a perfect storm of indgna-
tion followed. A meeting was at once con-
vcncd at 'the store of which the planter
was the chairman; and at it, by an unani-
nous vote, resolution was passed condemn
ing Jack Long to be whipped and driven out
of the country-and Hinch with his Regula-
tors appointed to carry it into effect! He
could hardly contain himself for joy for
now, whatever extreme his pitiless maligni-
ty might choose to indulg lgc itself in, he had
no fear of after-claps or questioning.
1t was the third day after this meeting.
Jack, during all these prosecutions, had de-
ported himself with the most stolid indiffer-
cnce. Avoiding all intercourse with the
settlers, he had continued to hunt with even
more assiduity than usual, and was in great
measure ignorant of the unenviable notorety
he was enjoying. He had heard something
of the charges with which his character had
been assailed, but attributed them all to the
jealous enmity he had incurred at the shoot
ing-match. lie could understand perfectly
how one man could hate another who had
beat him in shooting, and thought it natural
enough; but he could not understand how
that hatred might be meanly and desperately
vindictiye, and therefore gave himselfno un-
easiness about it. ITewas only anxious that
his wife should not hear and be annoyed by
any of these things, and preserved his usual
cheerfulness of demeanor
He had just returned from hunting, and
laying aside his accoutrcments, partook Of
the simple meal her neat housewifery had
prepared for him; then stretching himself
upon the buffalo robe on the floor, romped
with his two rosy-cheeked boys, who rolled
over his great body, and gamboled and scream
ed in riotous joy around him but mother
wanted some water from the branch, and the
frolic must be given over while Jack would
go and bringit So jumping up, he left the
little-folk pouting willfully as they looked
after him from the door, and started. The
stream was only about hundred yards from
the house, and the path leading to it was
through a dense high thicket. 1t was against
Jacks religion ever to leave his house with
out his gun; but the wife whom he loved
above all the universe of sentiment and eve-
rything else, was in a hurry for the water,
and the distance was so short, he sprang
gaily out with the vessel in his hand, leaving
the rifle behind. The water had been dipped
up, and he was returning along the narrow
path closely bordered by the brush, when he
ielt light tap on each shoulder, and his ca