Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-02-28
uHalt, berey, Tilford commanded per.

1
brought him up SO suddenly as almost to
pitch the poor "merchant" over his Rosi.
nantes head. Without waiting even fol
the rider to recover his seat, he turned him
round and continued: "Do you ride back
now, as fast as your horse can carry you, and
wait at the house for our return. COP he
repeated, as the peddler hesitated, "or I'll
pummel the breath out of you" .-.
Ketchum had not much stomach for the
work he was upon, or, it may be, that TIL
ford's threat had more influence; at all e.
vents, thus urged, he made the best speed
yet left in his tired steed toward Lowden's
house while his captors, after watching him
till he disappeared in the gloom, turned once
more to follow the company.
eff we can induce them to take Thornton
back" Tilford said, ~ think we may save
him; and they can hardly do otherwise now,
since they have no witness against him"
Before Currie could express the doubt
which arose in his mind-for be was far bet
ter acquainted than his companion with the
character of the men they had to deal with
the company had turned into the open space
which led to Thornton's house, and fierce
shout of triumph announced that they had
overtaken their victim. The two friends ur-
ged their horses to run, and few moments
brought them to the tumultuous scene.--
Thornton was just crossing the stile, which
led to the door-yard when the excited crowd
rode up; aud comprehending by their wild
threats that he was about to fall into the
hands of drunken mob, he stepped down,
and, turning, brought his gun to his shoul-
der
"Ill kill the first man that attempts to
cross that stile," he said, with sterness
quite foreign to his character.
"Shoot him Shoot the thieving soun-
Dire" " was echoed on all sides, and in an
other moment his life had been lost. But
Tilford and Curie now dashed into the tu-
multi at full run, the formers horse not
bringing up until his breath almost famed
Thornton's face. .-.
"Hold! he shouted; 'for Gods sake,
hold !" "Shoot him, oo!' commanded Bol-
ton and the rufian was about to put his
own order into execution, when blow from
Curie's stalwart arm brought him heavily to
the ground, his gun going off harmlessly in
the air. He rose Immediately to his feet,
with dangerous knife in his hand, and
springipg with the fury of a wild beast to-
ward Currie, would probably have cut him
down. But the swaying of the crowd separ-
ated them and, several of the more sober
interposing, his rage was partially quieted.
"Ragnlators - shouted on" of thoso, ''we
are not here to quarrel among ourselves let
us proceed with business, and settle other
matters another time"
Fearful of losing his precarious authority
by allowing another to assume command,
Bolton acquiesced, and walked up to the
stile, where TilfNrd was in negotiation with
Thornton, whose mother and sister, alarmed
by the noise, had rushed out and were now
clinging frightened to his arms.
"You had better go with me, Thornton" I"
Tilford urged. "These men are bent on
mischief, and it needs but little resistance
to exasperate them beyond hope. But go
along quietly to Lowden's, and l think you
will be SAFE"
$50, brother-oh 60 with him." urged
his sister; 81 am sure Mr.. Tilford is right
Il am sure he will protect you" and she
lifted her streaming eyes appealingly to the
chivalrous young Virginian's.
81 will, with my life! !' he exclaimed, as
in answer to the glance of those beautiful
eyes. ..-
81 shall not need your protection, ! hope" "
Thornton said coldly, and then hastened, as
if conscious Of the ungraciousness of the re-
ply, to add, "for innocence requires no
shield"
His sister dropped the arm she had been
holding, and timidly advancing to Tilford,
took his hand, and, her voice trembling with
emotion, hesitatingly said:
14et me thank you, then-since he will
not"
"No thanks need be given for simple
act of justice" Tilford said, holding her
hand and gazing into her eyes; "but, for
your sake, III protect him even against him.
SELF" 20.
"Whats all this about?" demanded Boil
ton roughly, advancing toward Thornton, and
attempting to seize him.
"Stopa moment, Bolton" said Tilford,
interposing. "He agrees to 60 along with
us without resistances-and this is enough" "
II agree to go upon one condition." said
Thornton-tthat I shall not be bound or
disarmed."
ono, no, no" came hoarsely from several
of the Regulators, and, at the same moment,
two of them sprang suddenly upon him, and
attempted to wrest his gun out of his hands
Tilford and Currie rushed in, each armed
with knife, but the latter received blow
from gun-barrel, which bore him to the
ground, and the former, though struggling
6ercely, was overpowered and dragged away.
Several guns exploded in the mele, though
fortunately without injury; Thornton was
dashed rudely upon his face, and, in less
time than it takes to relate it, was disarmed
and securely pinioned
Tilford soon shook himself clear of those
who held him; but one glance satisfied him
that further interference now would be not
only Intellectual but injurious to Thornton
He therefore turned to Lucy and her moth