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

Grimball House, only replying in answer to the ia
miliar interrogatories that were made Of him, as
to the cause of alarm, that the young pickets had
certainly killed one, and possibly two yankees, and
captured their boat with prisoner, who seemed
to be most desperate character; and that he
Judged it fit to leave him in their keeping until
daylight, when he might be forwarded safely to
camp. AS the guard emerged from the grove into
the moonlight, the captain took the wise precau-
ton of making his men trail arms, carrying them
very low, that their glittering might not betray
their movements to the enemy, who had not yet
entirely ceased their firing.
Corporal" asked the captain, when they had
regained the place where they had made their
biyouac, lis Giles Shorter with you p
HE is not here, Captain, replied the corporal,
land wonder at it, for Giles is generally prompt
enough when an alarm is given"
please, Corporal, to look around and ascertain
where Giles is, and send him to me, said the cap
tain. II particularly desire to see him. foumay,
BY short search, find him asleep under some tree.
Do Lawrie my boy, step into the room and con-
suit my watch, hangingove the mantel board, and
see what hour it is; and bark you, Lawrie, If it
does not want more than two hours to day light,
put little fuel on the fire. | am chilled by the
night air and can scarcely sleep again.
Lawrie, in few minutes returned and reported
that it was half past three, and that the FIRE was
kindled.
''Now, my good Lawrie, you saw where slept
to-night-just at the foot of that live oak; gather
up nv blankets and carry them in to the fire. and
also look on the ground, and you will find my
coat-my suspenders, too, Lawrie; l am not
formed for hip-breeches, and am weary Of hold
ing on to the waistband of my pantaloons, like a
miller tugging at the corner Of corn sack. Bring
them into the chamber. I will sit there by the
fire and smoke until daylight.
Some six or eight soldiers, chilled by the night
breeze, followed the captain in to share the genial
warmth of the fire. Clustering around the hearth,
on terms of perfect social equality with the COM
mander, they lighted their wooden pipes, and soon
the room was clouded with their smoke In a few
minutes Lawrie appeared at the door with the
captains baggage. .,
''Spread my blankets in that corner, Lawrie, "
said the captain, indicating the place with ges-
ture II cannot sleep any more, but will lie down
and rest till morning. Did you find my coat and
suspenders, Lawrie?'
"Your coat wasn't there Captain" answered
Iawrie, but here's your breeches and gallowses. "
my pantaloons, you mean-but they are not
mine, I am sure. don't carry spare suit on
picket" replied Carbery. ..
"Why, Captain, what ails your legs!" exclaim-
ed Robin Lassiter, whose attention was attracted,
by the conversation, to the captain dress. MAY
l be everastingly walloped, if you amt got your
Jacket on where your pantaloons ought to be, and
your. legs in the sleeves ~
''Bully ofme-that is fact, cried the captain,
looking down. II thought it was queer fit
Look here men, don't let this be spoken of out,
side of this chamber, or II never hear the last Of
it. Hold up your hands, like good fellows, and
let me swear you all to secrecy"
81 am agiu all swearing, Captain, replied one
of his men, when the roar of laughter that follow
ed the exposure had subsidized. Tomorrow night
we'll be off duty, and next day have leave to &c
into the city. If you will treat the crowd right
handsomely, Captain, you may count on me, fol
one, to hold my tongue. If you don't" and th'
speaker laughed and shook his head-''ysul nev
er hear the last of it"
"A treat, Captain a treat u responded one ant
auother-"and the matter ends right here. -
Every well, boys" replied the captain, steady
ing himself by the mantel board while by Law
rie's assistance he managed to divest himself
the misplaced garment, II surrender at discretion
and accept your own terms. Honor bright now
boys never mention this 10 living soul. con
fess, Ifelt-now pull the other leg, Lawrie-seeve
aye well then. sleeve, over my foot-like hat
been melted and poured in, and thought ther
was an ugly rent where there ought to be none
but, to tell the truth, meyer suspected anything
wrong. God what figure I would have cut Of
dress parade"
At this moment, Corporal Sweeny opened tn
door and diverted the captain thoughts.
'Well, Corporal" said he, ''did you find Gile
Shorter?"
II have looked everywhere, Captain, reptile
the subordinate, ''but I can't find him"
"Ihope no harm has occurred to Giles; but it
very strange thing" said the captain, that afte
such an alarm as we have had tonight, Gle
should be ought of place. fear something
wrong"
''Gies was bent, Captain, on seeing if thos
young fellows were doing their duty" chlmed l
Robin Lassiter, "and he intended to play trio
on them, as they were but raw recruits, and see
he couldn't get their guns away and bring the'
into camp. It's poor opinion of raw soldier
Giles has, any way
SIS Giles very sound sleeper" asked the cal
tain.
why, bless you, no !' answered Robin Lass
ter; Giles never will sleep, as long as he can tr
anybody to talk to. When dropped to sleep Ia
night, Giles was still talking to me; and when v
are on post together, his tongue goes all night
and don't know why it is, but instead of keeplr
me awake it puts me right off to sleep. Giles
fond of keeping awake and talking"
perhaps, Robin, after you slept, he went
TO find better listener in some of the pickets
most" responded the captain. "As for myself,
sleen yery soundly. Twas scarcely awake to-ng
until I felt the warm glow ofthis fire. I'm almo
somnambulist I fear;" and the captain wi
had now betaken him to his blankets in the corn
of the chamber, shook his head and looked We
sad. ~,
Awhat, did you say, Captain?' asked koD %
Iassiter. ''Ive been hunter more thlrty-n
wears, and hain't hearn Of critter, on Wood
swamp of that name, yet.
"A somnambulist, Robin; have you never SCI
q man walking about in his sleep with his ey
wide open, doing everything as reasonably as II
Il. .,d NOT kpow nothing of what he b.