Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-08-20

SO. - !, 80. - !. !. !.
like mirror, seemed to be well kept nemola
Of colonial times, when the ehsque, Of o Virgins
planter WIS as good in Lombasdy street a that q
q Lesdeu-hall magnste tga .
The glance Of Victor wandered from the furni.
ture to the portraits hanging on the wall, some O
which, in long bodied and highly embroidered coat.
With their cooked hats andswmd canes under theil
arms, carried him back to the days Of George t1s
Third. 80 @'.4 ~ s..2Fa'1
There were few, portraits of modern date, and
on two Of these his glance at last rested. One Of
these was the potrait of q man in his youthful
prime, with noble. and frank BROW on which
truth, courage and genefosiy had set their sealss
the other was that of woman in the full bloom OF
beauty. The features of both Of them seemed
strangely familiar 10 Victor, and, rising from his
chair, he stood earnestly gazing upon the petzaits
and striving to recall 10 mind the circumstancee
undz which he had met ipdiiyiid dpalof whom thee
portraits 20 strongly reminded him. 9. - -. =,
While thus engaged, Prescott and himself 81
mulaneousy started, as the sound Of horss's feet
suddenly burst upon their can, advancing towards
the mansion. They listened with that intense IN.
terest which every sound win excite in thcsewhose
Life hangs on the chances Of an hour. II was not
o solitary horseman, whose distinct tramp was
heard. It was an agglomeration Of sounds that
startled them. There was that peculiar rumble
made by q troop Of horse advancing sIoug the
road in order, and ss they listened it increased n
distinctuess, until the rushing Of leather, the
champing Of bits, and the clanking Of swords in
their scabbards, could be distinguished. As tAe
youths, listened, each eased into the eye'd the
other inquiingiy, and with painful apprehension.
Prescott" exclaimed Victor, in q low tone
'my life upon it, those are Yankees They VIII
be upon Us in two .minutes" -. :" -
sThere is the back door," said Prescott calmly;
"we can get out of this snap, easy enough. Listen
there goes an alarm gun."
Harvey had no need to expose his wherea-
bouts" said Victor, aby firing signal That
shot was from our own party They will have TO
travel ont Of the way fast enough now, and 30 VIII
we Take up your gun, Prescott, and lets 80. We
have not moment to lose. :" 80. = 60
By this time, the body Of hofsennen was at the
gate and ready to dismount twas, indeed, high
time for the young soldiers to look out for their
safety. They seized up theirguns and hurried in.
to back room adjoining the parior, in which they
sat. There was no egressfrom this chamber ave,
by q door which opened into q wide passage:xay,
which divided the house. They tried the door but
it was locked, ard the key was on the outside.
Victor shattered the socket into which the bolt
worked, by blow from the butt of his musket,
and hunying through the passage, endeayored to
make his escape by the back door ct the end OF
the passage. This, too, was securely locked. The
enemy were heard on the walk, leading to the
steps-now they were heard ascending The steps
The situation was becoming dangerous. A candle
left burning on table in the passage way, threw
its light upon them and would serve to reveal them
to the enemy the moment the front door was open
ed. A couple Of strides from the back door Has
the foot Of q fight Of steps, leading othe' uppe,
story;
forward to the staircase. We may find some hi.
ding place above. Quick! there is not a moment
to lose-the enemy are at the front door,
'They shall not catch me in a mouse trap, re
piled Prescott, with admirable sang Jroid, and
dashing across the passage-way to the door Of the
chamber, through which they had just come, he
disappeared in its darkness.
Pausing fora moment on the lower stepof the
stairway, Victor heard him raise . sash and the
next moment fall lightly to the ground, then be
had the satisfaction Of fheariDg his rapidly recedne
footsteps, as he fastened away from the dangerous
spot. It was now too late for Victor to follow his
example. The enemy had already entered through
the front door. The chamber, through which
Prescott had made his escape, lay on the other
side Of the passage-way, and Victor could not now
cross it without being discovered and fired on BY
the enemy, who, fearing an ambuscade even in
that retired country seat, held their arms in po.
sition to fire upon any object which should arouse
their suspicion or their fear BE had lost bis op.
portuuity of making his escape from the building,
and he could now only avail himself Of any hiding
place which it might afford. With q. troubled
heart he began to mount the stairway rapidly, but
as stealthiy as was consistent with his haste. The
troopers were thronginginto the ball. and the steps
of some of them we're heard approaching the foot
of the staircase. When he had nearly reached
the landing place above, the deor of the chamber
to the right opened, and by the light which stream.
ed through for moment before it was closed, he
saw young woman come forth. Her face was
turned from him at the time the door was opened,
and though her features were unseen, yet from the
passine glimpse which he caught of her form and
step, he OWNED that she must be youthful and
handsome As she passed from the light j
streamed upon bis own face. The door closed al
most instantly behind her, and the place was lsA
in deep obscurity. He conjectured that the young
woman, who had 50 suddenly passed. ike fash
before his eyes, was making her way to some Of
the other chambers, on. the same floor. As he
reached the upper landing, however, be was star
tied by hearing sweet soft voice near him.
''Follow me" said the voice, in the most mus.
cal accents, 'and fear nothing, Twill lead you to
hiding place where, I trust, you will be, safe.
You had comrade with you, named -.
Prescott" said Victor, seeing that his, fail
guide hesitated. '"He eaped from the window
and escaped. He is in safety by this time"
Following the rustling of the light dress of his
guide, Victor found himself in chamber on the
same floor, but opposite to that from which she
had just issued Turning towards the right, as
she entered the door, she passed along to the wall