Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-10-22
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KING OF THE CHARCOAL BURNERS.
In the old times that are gone, France wasfamed
for it's dense forests, the extent and beauty OF
which were the wonder of the traveller, and the
admiration Of the people Many Of them have
now disappeared before the advancing march Of
civilization, and thriving towns and villages have
taken their places but some, ike the Forest Of
Fontainebleau, still remain in all their beauty and
luxuriance. But while these forests were pride
to the people, they were often sore trouble and
annoyance to the Government; for in their gloomy
depths they hid away from the eyes OF justice
many criminal and malefactor; and from such
haunts these men would issue constantly upon e1'
peditions Of robbery and crime. .e1A ~ a.i;os.
One Of these forests was during the reign OF
Francis L, occupied BY band OF, Chasto'raers, or
charcoal-burners, whose svocation was professed!y
peaceful, and who claimed to be true and loyal sub
jects Of the hng. But there were dark nmors ot
the deeds that were done in this forest and OF the
character Of the men who inhabited it The king,
who was man OF energy, determined to break up
the NEST OF thieves" as ne called It; and his
forces were sent against the charcoal burners. a
partisan warfare tonce ensued, inWhich the royal
troops suffered as much injury as they inflicted.
At last, the matter came to be 50 serious, that
King Francis determined 10 look into Il for him
SELF He had much on his hands at the time for
the relations of France with Spain and Germany
were Of very delicate nature, and it was not un-
certain that England, also, might join the league
against him. Nevertheless, the King determined
10 settle the matter With the Charboners as quick
" as possible So, leaving Paris with small reti-
nue., and travelling in disguise, be reached the for
est and, dismissng his escort with orders to wait
for him at neighboring village, he set of onfoot,
provided with only stoutstaf He soon reached
the wood, and had not gone far; in, when he was
stopped by large roughly-clad man, whose fea-
lures were stained by exposure and the smoke of
a furnace. In reply to the mans questions con-
cerning his business in the forest the King said he
was poor foot traveller who had lost his way in
the wood: Theman then said, as he had ventured
within the domain Of the Charboniers, be must go
with him to the chief who should determine ewheth-
ho was a spy or an, honest fellow. TO this the
King consented, and the two seto6, the monarch,
by dexterously questioning his companion, gaining
much information respecting the condition and
grievances Of the occupants Of the forest 5'@ =..
At last, after walk Of seyeraimil they reach
ed the stronghold @ OF the band Here were collect
ed more tan nundreo STURDY ieileows put stnougn
they were rough ana rude ~ looks and dress hlng
Francis could have sworn that there was not vi
Ian in the whole number, and ne began to doubt
the truth Of the tales he had heard about them
The chief questioned the King closely as to his
business in the forest, but Francis, who was an ac-
compEshed diplomatist, answered 50 readily and
pausby, that the honest foreserts voted him agood
fellow, and bade him stay with them, and partake
Of their hospitality as long as ne pleased The
King consented to pass two days with them; and
during that time they found him so charming and
lively companion, that they told him they would
be 10th to part with him when his time had ex-
pired. They answered his questions freely as to
their grievances They said they were true and
loyal subjects Of King Francis, and had taken up
arms only in selfdefence when unjustly attacked.
The King found this story to be true; and bitterly
did be repent the war he had ignorance waged
upon them. At last they proposed to him that he
should be their Chief and as be could tell their
story well, go to Paris and ask for peace at the
hands of the King. To thisthe disguised monarch
gave willing assent and promised TO 90 his best
Just then, two Of the foresters came In with
richly dressed gentleman, who, they said, desired
to speak with the chief The King motioned to
the old chief to conduct the business, and the
stranger was charged to speak his erand. he
said he came from the Emperor Charles the Fifth,
who was about to invade France. The Emperor
had heard ofthe Charboners and he wanted them
for him, hewould pay each man athousand golden
crowns. '.' -.
The old chief listened to the proposal in silence.
Then rising to his full height, he said, sternly:
$50 back to the Emperor, sir stranger, and say to
him that we be true egemen of our sovereign lord,
King Francis and that, if the war comes we will
march under the golden lilies.
The officer was then led away by the men who
had brought him. The chief turned to the King,