Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-08-27

}chamber. ~ - .'..''
Not muscle of the invalid's betrayed the leas
1symptom of embarrassment, excitement or alarm
He eyed the intruder with gaze of cool and con
temptuous indifference, and without dei"ning II
return areply to his question, calmly demanded Il
what regiment his unwelcome visitors belonged
The man involuntarily yielding to the tone of su
periority in which he was addressed, readily gave
the information asked for
"What officer is in command of this detach
ment?' demanded the invalid, again. ., '-
| "You'n find that out soon enough, without ask
ling, replied the man with meaning laugh, as hs
glanced back at his comrades. "You rebels are
going to get it this time-but here comes Captain
Train himself.
As the soldier spoke, a short stout man of abou,
thiryfve years of age, with an extremely red face
and a long pointed goatee of the inverted cone
style, and broWnish-red moustache of prodigious
length, made his way to the door, putting and blow.
ing with the exertion of having to mount the stair
way. He carried a drawn sword under his left
arm and his stout legs were encased in long caval
Try boots reaching up to his knees A short blue
jacket ornamented with little brass buttons in great
profnsion- more fit for q merry-andrew than
an oficer-reached to his middle, between the lap
pels of which projected an immense shirt rufle of
exceedingly fine texture, but much soiled and very
filthy. 1t was probably part of the 'con6scated'
property of some Virginia planter, whose house he
had sacked on his march; for the confscation Of
teaspoonsand garments, belonging to eithersex was
one of the means adopted for crushing out the
rebellion" A cast in his dull blue eyes, one of
which turned away as if in disdain from its fellow,
increased the sinister expression of his evil and
forbidding countenance His exceedingly large
and coarse red hands and thick lips, rendered him
still more british in appearance Taken, all in all,
he looked like some aspiring hostler, who had bor-
rowed Harlequin's jacket and Beau Brummers
best shirt and set out to play the gentleman, with
no other stock in trade than Ancient Pistols fiery
valor, and his own over-weening impudence.
He entered the chamber with staggering gait,
making as much CHATTER and parade as possible
Staring sayagely around as he approached, he
strutted into the chamber, and though he quailed
somewhat before the calm, quiet, gentemanlyeye of
the invalid, be mustered up impudence enough to
play his part.
'What are you doing there in bed, you rebel
youp' cried he, with gesture of his sword to-
wards the invalid; 'get up this moment, and let
us see what you We got hidden about this settle
tment Hurry up, and look sharp. A short horse
is soon curied-we want you to 60 around and
show where your things are hidden-silyer and
valuables."
"You will find no valuables hidden upon my
place, so far as am aware" replied the selfpos-
sessed man lying before him.
"You have no money!" asked the officer, curt
ly, but with an eager and covetous expression in
his eyc
81 have some" replied the invalid, ''very safe
ly, think, deposited in the Bank in Petersburg "
'Where is your plate, sir?" demanded the Off
Ger.
II am not in the habit of attending to petty
household Details" replied the invalid, with a
quiet smile. ''If you will call in my housekeeper,
she may perhaps inform you. "You will find but
few gentlemen in this section who meddle with
such matters as the safe keeping of their spoons
and forks. Our waiting men give attention to
such matters"
These words were spoken with smile that cut
like poisoned dagger. There are some smiles
compounded of good humor and scorn, that ranke
like thorn broken off in the flesh. The smile
which the sick man gave was one of that charac-
ter
The red face of the upstart officer turned shade
darker.
"You are disposed to be merry, sir, answered
he sbut before I am done, shall try to find bit
strong enough to do for you. I don't think you
will feel like laughing in your sleeve when get
you well in hand. Dress yourself in hurry, or
shall burn down this Internal house over your
head"
ISL" replied the invalid, raising himself upon
his elbow, with evident pain imprinted on his fine
features, do you intend to carry on the war a,
gaiust US in this savage manner, plunderng and
burning private houses like horde of lawess ban
dtti For the sake of the uniform you wear-i
that be the uniform of the United States army
and the speaker cast glance half of humor, and
half of scorn, at the bedzzened jacket Of the off
cer-''or the reputation of country, once 80 deal
to me, abandon this savage mode of warfare
Leave it to the Navahoes and the Camanche tribe!
to practice this mode of warfare, unknown among
respectable nations am wounded ofhcer-suf
fering from a recent wound, and demand honor
able treatment"
"Aye that's the trick, is it?' exclaimed the rut
fan, with o gleam of delight and satisfaction OF
his features. "a wounded officer! That's luck!
for US Your name and your rank?''
"Colonel Thomas Danvers of the til Firgini'
Cavalry" replied the invalid composedly; "ane
as soldier and an officer, demand such treat
ment as, according to the laws and usages Of wa
among civilized nations, you are bound to exhibit
I am your prisoner, sir; helpless and severe.
wounded, but I demand that my home and prop
erty be protected"
tThis is better and better,'' exclaimed the rut
fan, in surprise You id rebel officer, ant
dare to ask for protection! Have your torches a
hand, bows! be ready at a word to set tire to thu
rebel establishment; L ii break this wild horse in
it takes Bedouin bit to doit."
Two or three soldiers towhom he had especiall
addressed himself, left the apartment to execut
his bidding, and coward as he was, he made
stem or two towards the rear, to be near the door
There was an expression in the eyes OF the lnvail
whom he had driven to extremity, before which h
ouailed. He remembered that even the weak, tn
defenceless and the PROSTATE, may prove danger
Gus when driven to desperation, and ne shran
back before the suffering invalid, who was unabl
to turn himself in bed
''Do you really intend to fire my house while
am in this helpless condition, and unable to ris