Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-02-21
gu @rigimal 4uarelette.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
ELINOR WESTVELT;
OR,
The TCry's Niece.
ASTORY OF THE REVOLUTION OF l776
BY CAROLINE F. PRESTON.
CHAPTER XII.
AN UNEXPECTED STRUGGLE.


sI might as well make myself comfortable, " said
the peddler philosophically, 'whIe am waiting
for the Cap'n.'
He accordingly drew out clay pipe and pro-
ceeded to fill it with tobacco, which he carried loose
in his pocket
Lucky they didn't take this, " he said. "A pipe
is a poor man sbest friend"
Jock lighted his pipe, and proceeded to smoke
with great tranquility and evident enjoyment
Thus, part of the time passed without WEAKNESS;
At length the two hours had elapsed, and still
the Captain did not make his appearance.
81 guess time passes quicker with him than with
me-" thought the pedder "Iknow it would with
me if had such pleasant company. guess Ii
wait ten minutes longer, and give 'em chance to
kiss and bid adoo to each other.
jock waited the ten minutes specified, and then
rising from his grassy seat, stretched his hmos ana
took his way to the place of rendezvous
The distance was not great, not exceeding mile,
and it did not take many minutes for the long
limbs of the peddler to traverse it.
When at length he reached the summit OF a ht-
hi]lock, from which he had an uninterrupted view
of the scene he was considerably surprised to see
no evidences of Captain Peterson's presence.
''He can't have gone to meet me, considered
the peddler. "No, that amt possible, tor l come
the only direct way Perhaps he may be In the
cabin
In order to ascertain whether this was the case'
the peddler advanced far as the entrance OF the
cabin and looked in There was nothing to pre-
vent this, since the door had been battered down,
or carried off some time since.
The reader does not require to be told that Jock
scrutiny was not regarded by any discovery. The
cabin looked deserted, and bore no marks OF recent
occupation
''Wel, that beats me" muttered the peddler.
SID like to know what's become Of the cap !
guess III reconnoitre little and see if can't find
some traces of him.
Jock emerged from the cabin and began to scru-
tinize the appearance of things about him. His
eyes were trained to watchfulness, and were likely
to discern what would have escaped the notice OF
others.
Walking slowly about, he halted beside the hol,
low oak which has been before mentioned, and his
practsed eye at once detected the marks OF strug
gle in the confused foot marks which had clearly
imprinted themselves in the soft ground
The peddler s countenance changed. he at once
sprang to the conclusion that the persons had
deprived the young officer of his freedom to whom
he had been indebted for the purloining Of his car
pet bag
''Them varmints have got the Cap'n, there ain
doubt of it, " said the peddler to himself. Con
found 'em, I'm sure of one thing, they didn't takt
him without struggle Well, there's another
grudge have got agin 'em. l had determined
before to follow 'em and see if couldn't manage
to get my pack, and now I'm doubly determined
on it. It'll be chance if the Cap n and amt
match for the blubbers, even if they are SIX to two
A Yankees match for any three Britishers, an!
day.
ssIndeed," said satirical voice close beside him
Looking up with a start, the peddler recognized
the familiar countenance of Major Amory.
$50 you've got along, have you?' said Jock
coolly.
ssWhat do you mean, fellow?' demanded Majo
Amoy haughtily. :.
GAS to that, stranger, I'm wel-meaning indl
yidual At least that what / always was told.
II believe you were making remark about tn
relative bravery of the British, as you call them
and the Yankees"
s'Not as | know on"
didn't you say that a Yankee was match 70
three Engishmen, any day?'
''Wen, 1 think it's very likely might have salt
something to that effect.
'Then your sympathies are enlisted on the A
merican side, and you have been sailing under falls
colors for long time back. =.
''How do you make hatout?' asked jock, wit
an appearance of simplicity. Il didn't tell yo
what the Yankees were match tor the English II
Judgin' from my feelns at this present moment,
reckon that I should be match for any three Bn
ishers in eating"
ssThis subterfuge will not serve," said Maje
Amory sternly. II know enough Of you to