Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-09-03

shrewd soldier might, however, wisely suspect he
is near the fire when he sees sparks pouring from
the chimney. Soldiers will not straggle far from
their regiments after such days work, and in
such country as this You may rest assured that
no Confederate soldier would straggle from Wal.
than Junction into the very jaws of the enemy.
After driving your forces back, you may expect the
Confedentes will speedily and promptly advance.
IF you find stragglers you will reason well in con-
Guiding they are from regiments that have been
pushed forward to begin to-morrow's fight by a
surprise. If you are enveloped and cut off to-
night, it Will be your own fault; but pardon me for
thisfriendly oounsel-your pickets, / presume will
give you timely notice of any advance. ="
The dismayed Captain cast an alarmed and ap-
prehensive glance around him. -..--s
"Piekets the devil! neglected to put out
pickets An ambush tonight would play the devil
with US" muttered Captain Train, to himself.
"And you think, sir, the rebels intend to advance
on us2'' continued he aloud. II thought their
force was too small for that"
pardon me, SIR, said Colonel Danvers, aus
terely, SCI am not accustomed to hear such term
as rebel applied to my countrymen. The result
of to-day fight ought tohave undeceived you as to
their numbers Your leaders will certainly discov-
er their mistake, if they tay till the sun is up to-
morrow"
"And what information can you give me as to
the numbers of the rebels, or Confeds' if you will
have it so ?'' ...
"None, whatever, sir, answered Colonel Dan
vers. ST have already said more than designed
saying. will, of course give no information that
can compromise my countymen. You should be
aware Of that
"We'n have the truth out Of you, )" exclaimed
Train, with ferocious frown eff we have to force
it out. You shall not harbor rebels and hold COM
munication with the enemy, and then defy u.s. [
I make you speak"
What reply the wounded and badgered, but high
spirited man, would have made to this truculent
threat is unknown. At this iuncture, an exclama-
ton from one of the soldiers broke off the COLO
quy and attracted the attention of the party.
The soldiers were behaving in dsordery and bois-
ferrous manner. One had drawnhis sword and was
wantonly thrusting, with the point at the various
articles of furniture within his reach. The knot
hole in the panneling through which Victor had
established lookout, attracted his attention, and
in mere wantonness, he made lunge at it with
his sabre. The point caught in the aperture, and
the surprise of the soldier thepannel sided from
its place, leaving an opening large enough to ad-
NIT the body of portly man.
y-just-see-here, Captain" exclaimed
he, with an oath, giving an emphasis to every
word-''here's hiding-place now, where you
might put whole company! Well have the
rascals yet! To my thinking they be in here"
"An islost !'' muttered Colonel Danvers, with a
moan of despair, and in a tone so low as to reach
only his daughter ears.
Nellie bowed her head and whispered a few
words into his ear, when he raised his glance to
hers and gave smile of gladness.
This little by-play passed unobserved, for it oc-
cupied but moment, and the attention Of all,
whose suspicious it might have excited, was attract
ed to the trooper, who stood exultingly regarding
the opening into the dark recess which fortuitous
thrust of his sabre had laid open.
"Well, this is discovery" calculated their
Captain. You have been id careless in the
search, boys, or we would have found this hiding
place long ago. Hand candle here, Jonas, and
let us bag the foxes and go, before some accursed
ambuscade is laid to send half of you to the devil
In with you, JONAS and we II fire the concern and
ride"
These words were addressed to private Jonas, a
1.-the, active man. belonging to the troop, who was
about to descend into the dark recess that yawned
before him, but Michael Walsh, who had been
standing near the side of the Captain, deeply in.
terested observer of all that occurred, strobe for
ward at this juncture.
"Let me in" said he ''I'n make short work
of one of them"
"You have heart for the work, Mike" said
Captain Train, motoning his follower to give place
to the eager volunteer.
"Yes, blast him !' cried Walsh, whose thoughts
were intent on vengeance; 'I'shall not sleep we'll
until my knife is red with his blood, and feel his
neck writhing under my heel'
A wild laugh from the horde of ruHians greeted
this savage speech from Walsh, as he let himself
down, feet foremost, into the opening. The can,
! die was handed him by the soldier called Jonas
and he began carefully to explore every corner oi
, the gloomy recess into which he had descended
The group gathered closely around the opening in
to which he had disappeared, and one or two
. kneeing down and thrusting their heads forward
peered eagerly into the dim loft, desirous witness
the result Of the affair.
Il The group of soldiers were 50 absorbed in the
result of Walshs explorations, that they noticed
not at the time, the addition made to the party
in the chamber.
j A young being, seemingly scarce older than Mel
lie, plainly yet neatly dressed in calico gown, anc
with face crimsoned with confusion, came to the
threshold of the door and paused, as though a
larmed at the presence of so many rude and bois
terous men. The quick eye of Colonel Danvers a
once caught the figure of this hestating and blush
ing being, and beckoned her to his side. Nellie Al
once made way for her, and with kindly smile in
viing her to the place she had occupied, hersel
moved to the other side between the bedstead ane
) the wall, to make room for her companion.
"Do you see any one, Walsh?" shouted Captain
Train impatienty, to Walsh, who, by the light o