Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-08-09
THE IRON FOOTSTEP,

Dominica, overlooking the town and the
harbor; inland, were several long one-story
buildings, hastily erected of wood, for the
accommodation of the officers of the corps,
with three or four rooms on each end, open
ing upon piazza toward the sea, and COM
municatiug with each other by means of a
side door, which was occasionally left open
for the free circulation Of the air
In one Of these barracks were quartered
three officers of the regiment, Major Ham
ilton, Captain Gordon, and third whose
name I cannot at this moment recall. Ma.
jor Hsmilton's apartment was in the centre.
he had lost aleg in the service, and usual
ly wore wooden pin, or stick, shod with
iron ; and being an alert man, fond of exer.
cise, used to walk up and down the piazza
for hours together, stopping occasionally at
Gordon's door or window, and sometimes
looking in at that of the other officer, ex-
changing a cheerful word with them as they
sat each in his apartment, eudeavoring to
beguile the time with dressing, reading,
writing, thoughts of promotion, of home,
and of speedy and happy return to Brit
ain. .......r ....
The sound of the Majors step was pecu.
liar. 1t was only the blow given by the
iron ferule at the end of his wooden leg
taat was heard for, although stout man,
he trod lightly with the remaining foot, and
heavily only witch the wooden substitute,
which gave forth its note at short intervals,
as be paced to and-fro, 80 regularly, that
there was certain pleasure in listening to
it.
Sounds that strike the ear in this meas.
ured way, affect us more than others. The
attention becomes engaged, and they grow
emphatic as we listen. The calker's ham
mer.stroke, as it flies from the dock-yard of
the busy port, across some placid bay, into
the green and peaceful country, is an in
stance of this truth; associated with this
measured movement of the Major, was his
deep oheery voice that made light of dan
ger and difficulty whether on the field of
battle, or as now amid the sickness, which,
in mockery of the beauty of tropical skies
and scenery, was devastating the colony at
this melancholy period.
This sickness proved fatal to several off
GERS of the regiment; and after some time,
Major Hamilton was taken down with it.
He expired the seventh DAY after be was seiz-
ed, wild with fever and delirium, while en-
deavoring to speak to his friend Captain
Gordon. he was buried under arms at sun
set of the same day.
Now it was on the second Dight after this
mournful event, that Gordon, had retired to
bed rather later than usual, found himself
unexpectedly awake. He was not conscious
of any distressing thought or dream, which
should have occasioDed this shortened slum-
Der, and as he commonly made but one
nap of the night, and his rest had been lat
terly broken by the kind Offices he had rem
dered his comrade, he was half.surprised at
finding himself awake. He touched his re.
peater, and found it only past one O'Clock.
He turned on the other side, and composed
himself afresh. Thoughts of his friend came
over his heart, as bis cheek reached the pill.
low, and he said "Poor Hamilton g! Well,
Goa have mercy upon US"
He felt at the moment that some one near
him said, "Amen !" with much solemnity.
BE was effectualy reused, and asked, "Who
is there ?"
"There was no reply. His voice seemed
to echo into Hamilton's late apartment, and
be then remembered that the door was open
that communicated between the two rooms.
He listened iutently, but heard nothing
save the beating of his own heart. He said
to himself, ssIt is all mere imagination"
and again endeavored to compose himself,
and thiuA of something else. He laid his
head once more upon. the pillow, and then
he distinctly heard, for the first time, the
Majors well.kuown step. 1t was not mat
ter to be mistaken about. The fe-ule sound,
the pause for the foot, the sound again,
measured in its return, as if all we're again
in life. he heard it first upon the piazza,
heard it approach, pass through the door
from the piazza into the centre apartment,
and there it seemed to pause as if the fig
ure of the departed were standing on the
other side of that open door, in the room it
had so lately occupied.
Gordon arose. He went to the window
that opened upon the piazza, and looked
out. The night was very beautiful the moon
had gone down the sky was Of the deepest
azure, and the low dash of the waves upon
the rocks at the foot of the bluff was the
only thing that engaged his notice, except
.ue extreme brightness and lucidity of
solitary star, that traced its glittering path
way of light toward him, across the distant
waters of the ocean. All else was still and
reposeful. "lt is very remarkable !" said
he;;' 81 could have sworn I heard it !"-
He turned towards the door that stood open
between the two rooms. The Majors apart
ment was darkeued by the shutters being
closed, and he could distinguish nothing
inside it. he wished the door were shut,
but felt repugnance at the idea of closing
it and while he stood gazing into the dark
room, the thought of being in the presence
e O d;sonohodied snir;t rosa in his mind :.