Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-09-02
YORKVILLE, c., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1853. -.

., .,THDRSDuA-Y, !
night when be neared the place-the moon
was down-yet it was probably some salts.
faction for the young man to look upon the
building where he supposed his lady-love to
beburied in sleep. - -
As they silently and swiftly passed along,
the watch h.dog of the farm began to bark, the
inmates Of the house were alarmed, and a
light at one of the windows showed them to
be stirring. At the same moment horse.
man rode unexpectedly from the shadow of
small patch of woods on the left, and chal-
lenged the new eomers The answer was o
pistol shot from Marks, which tumbled the
challenger from his horse. A general alarm
at the house succeeded, and was answered
BY abugle-call short distance ahead
Marks found that he had come upon post
of the enemy, and dashed on with bis. force,
At turn of the road hundred yards fur.
ther, they found a small detachment formed
across their path. As the Americans knew
the road forked on the other side of this
force, and their chances of escape were good
if they could reach theleft hand road, which
was mere by-path, be ridden by only
horseman at time, they charged sword in
hand. Three Of the troops managed to
break through and escape, but Marks, anda
stout trooper by the name Of Gahi, from
Bucks county, we're intercepted, and obliged
to cross swords with the enemy. Hprcved
useless, to contend with superior Numbers,
by this time reinforced by others from the
farmhouse, and after short and severe
contest resulting iu the death Of one of the
British troops, the Americans werestaken
prisoners, and carried back othe house of
McIlVane. ss- -. -. o."
Marks was filed with chagrin, partly at
his folly in taking the most dangerous path,
and partly at his inability to convey to'tke
commander-in.chief, the valuable information
he had picked up in the city. He veiled
his modification, however, ina cool and
careless demeanor; and in reply to the hieu.
tenant commanding the British detachment,
said that he had been oat on q foraging par
ty, and had lost his way, and managed to
get'almost in sight Of the city before be dis:
covered bis blunder. Priscilla, who with
the rest of the family was now awake and
dressed, saw, but apparently did not recos.
nize Marks. After some more questions
which were answered in what seemed to be
an open manner, the lieutenant directed the
Americans to be placed, securely bound and
guarded, in an upper room Of the house,
there to remain until moguing. Blythe way
of comfort he gave them the assurance that
| they would both be hanged as spies. ::
Marks and his companion passed sleep
less night; it was not alone. the prospect of
an ignominous death which troubled him /;
but he had learned enough in the city to
know that surprise movement similar to
that attempted on the previous 4th Of Deeeha.
Der, against the American forces, was set
down for the following day, and was aware
that it was entirely unexpected. He revolt
we'd various plans Of escape IN his mind none
of which appeared to be practicable, and e:
uaily concluded to dismiss any premeditation
on the natter and be merely prepared to
take advantage Of any unexpected circum:
stances. AS for Ghal, he took matters ike
a philosopher, and snored all night in happy
Inconsistencies of his situation. At day
light the prisoners were: brought down and
placed upon the porch, while Lieuteuant
Draper and the men under his command
took breakfast in the house. The horses Of
the troopers, with those of Marks and Ghal
also, were all saddled and hitched' to the
fences, under charge Of a little scotchman,
named Mcpherson, Priscilla, accompanied
by Lieutenant Draper, came out, the former
bearing some food. After it was partaken
of, Priscilla laid the dishes, knives and
oarks upon bench in the porch, and listen
ed with apparent interest to the questions,
put by the Lieutenant. The latter, by way
of encouragement, assured the two Amer.
cans that if they gave true statements their
lives would be spared otherwise, they would
certainly be hanged. He then left them for
short time, to digest the information, Pris-
ella remaining behind. The Quaker girl,
still appearing not to recognize Marks, said
to him, loud enough to be heard by the SOL
diers who we're passing to and fro:
ri would advise thee, friend, to tell all
thee knows. Friend Draper will keep his
word with thee, I am sure"
She then added in a low voice: "Keep
still, John, and will save thee. Answer
what say, but pay no heed to what I do"
Marks caught her intent in a moment,
and replied aloud:
"I won't turn scoundrel, Miss, for fear of
death, even if I had any surety the Captain
there would keep his word"
Other conversation followed, and Priscilla,
who had concealed sharp case-knife in her
sleeve, managed to cut the prisoners bands
without observation; cautioning them at the
same time not to move too soon. She told
them that the Lieutenant's horses, one of
which was ridden by his servant, and both
standing nearest the gate, were the swiftest
of all, and then went out and exchanged
some light observations with Mop Pherson, pat
ting and admiring the various horses, one by
one. Marks kept close watch upon her, and
noticed that she passed something under the
saddle cloth of each horse; but she did not