Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-07-23

Sam Stockbridge was down at the waters edge
fishing for cats, and he got in Holiday way to try
and dissuade him; but Holiday went around hin
as naturally as if he was awake, and into the wate
he went; and after swimming across took ur
camp under an old cypress, where he slept unit
morning. Next morning we could hardly make
the fellow believe he had swan across. He walked
over bluff into the Mississippi one night, and
doubt nightly if he has walked up yet. And that!
what you call socambulist p
"a somnambulist, Robin-somnambulist.
fear I am one You may be sure, eould. moi
have been awake when dressed myself No wide
awake man would ever have dressed himself as
did. l remember a. good deal that took place to-
night, but nothing distinctly. How did l act
Corporal, when we went to inquire into the alarm
Did I act like man fully awake? Did I show
any discretion and judgment?"
"Well yes, captain" answered corporal Swim
uey, you acted splendid You sent us under
cover, out of the ERE of the enemy, and made US
trail arms when We come out of the grove into the
low shrubbery. No body could have shown bet
ter Judgment. You done just as would have
done, captain.
| 'Thank you. corporal, for your compliment, "
returned the captain; ''ifI did we'll, 1 suppose il
was all habit-mere habit. I'm wide awake now
and would like to go down to the point to know
what tale those youngsters really did tell me.
don't think questioned their prisoner very close.
ly, which you know would have done if had
not been walking in. my sleep. 1 think you had
better take guard-a file of men will do, corpo'
ral-and 20 down and gather what facts you can
from the prisoner I must send off report to
camp at daylight, so please to get detailed ac'
count from those young men on post, of the facts
as they really occurred-or to use the phrase Of
one of our most popular writers-as they trans,
PRED"
'Transpired, Captain ?" asked Swinney.
eyes that's the word, corporal, rejoined the
captain find out all that 'transpued in its ex.
act order; and hark you, corporal, try to find out
whether those youngsters suspected was walking
in my Sleep If they did not discover it, don't
breathe word it? 1t would weaken my indu'
ence and authority as an officer, to let my atlction
be known This is the first time, however, have
been troubled with such q weakness, and hope
it will be the last time. And, one more word cor,
poral 90 the rounds among the men on picket,
and see if you can learn anything of Giles Shorter.
suppose he must be there; if you find him, see
that he returns with you men must not be per-
mitted to straggle away from their place. He
must remain with the picket reserve, for there is
no telling at what time he may be needed. At
tend to my orders, corporal, and report back IN
time tor Inc to write out my report by daylight.
That is all-you can 60 now, corporal: only carry
couple of spades with you"
The corporal saluted, and taking file of sol,
diers, withdrew to perform the duty required oi
him.
| Giles Shorter was chafng-no that is too weak
word-but, to use the expression Of corpora
Swinney, when reporting the matter on his return
was ''rfp-snorting" under his treatment Firmly
believing that he had yankee prisoner in charge
young Prescott was at no pains to mitigate hi
treatment by relaxation Of the stringency of hi'
orders. There was vengeance and death in his de-
termined eye, and poor Giles driven to frenzy anc
desperation by the humiliation of being under
guard, and of being forsaken, in his extremity, by
his captain, had not the selfcontrol to render hi
position an easy and quiet one by silence, ane
submission to inevitable necessity. He wept with
rage, and swore as terribly as 'did our army IL
Flanders" notwithstanding the only effect was tt
increase his humiliation and trouble, by subectint
himself to marking time, at whatever step his guare
chose to prescribe. Giles was a strong and
brave man, but his rage was so great that nj
blubbered like school-boy.
''Let him sit down and rest, Prescott" inter
posed Victor, whose feelings were touched by tn
prisoners distress.
mo, l must obey orders, responded Prescott
drily; eff he will not keep his tongue quiet, h
must mark time"
"Here will take him under my own charg
awhile" said Victor, hearkening to the stronl
promptings of humanity. He took his place b.
the prisoner, while Prescott withdrew moodily, ant
seated himself by the tree where they first tool
post.
"Now, my good man, you may rest awhile,
said Victor to his prisoner "Take your seat Oh
that ledge, and endeavor to be quiet, obey orders
and will make you as comfortable as may. -
Victor pointed, as he spoke, to ledge Of earth
messy and soft, just above high tide mark, whicl
afforded convenient and comfortabes seat. Giles
glad to rest, and somewhat paci6ed by the kim
manner in which he was addressed, gladly availe'
himself of the permission and, seating himself, en-
deavored to be silent Crossing his legs, he So
continually shifting them. His red cotton hand
kerchef was drawn from his pocket, and he wipe
his eyes and blew his nose, and sat sadly lookin
down on the ground and ruminating Suddenl
his frame commenced shaking. and applying hi
handkerchief to his eyes, he began to blubber.
s "Just to think-that's what hurts me so-tha
r Captain Carberry and I have marched together
S messed-you may say, together-fought together
s and, when the battle was over, lay down and slep
side by side, like brothers, and now, like Judas
that denied his lord and master, he won't acknow
D edge me-boo-hoo-hoo."
LOOK here, blue-belly;" said Prescott, wit
t provoking calmness, mimicking the Yankee di'
n lect-"the school marin had ought to been mol
s particular in larnin' you the cathechism. 1t VIZ
not Judas that denied his lord and master-it We
y Peter"
sDurn you and the catechism and Peter too !!
j. cried Giles, all his grief being suddenly converte
into rage, as he rose from his seat his eyes hasl
It ing fire. "If only had half dozen switches,
e take your breeches down and lay it on to you t
!; you beloved like calf Id do it in spite of ht
g muskets!"
is 'sLook here, Yankee, since I'm not allowed
shoot you, as 1 wish to do" said Prescott, layir
# his musket on the ground and rising to his fec
n 81 would wish nothing better than the fun OF Sc
7 ino Won try it. There lies my musket-if you thir