Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-01-22
gu 0rigiual Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
DESTINY;
OR,
HOUNDED DOWN.
BY NELLY MARSHALL McAFEE.
CHAPTER XIII

pated every nOur anu auoIuel nio" wac
wounded severely, though it was believed that
with extreme care and caution he would sur
vive. Beyond those, the shots fired in the
subterranean passage had not taken effect
The old lady had behaved, "out and out"
like one of the Furies of the Commune; and
seeing her, none doubted whence came the
sons inheritance of daring. When she was
arrested, her face was dusky, and her lips, es-
pecially, livid with passion. Her gray hair
had become loosened, and hung in dishevelled
tangles about her ferocious face; her eyes, too,
were cleaning with courage that was over
strained to the pitch of madness, and blazed
defiance on those who had her at their mercy.
They succeeded in arresting her; but she was
shot in the arm, and thus disabled, before they
could conquer her at all. The rage of the
people against her was intense, and it was be-
lieved that mob law would prevail in her case
before the civil law could be enforced.
Guards we're kept around the prison tor two
DAYS and two nights; and then, all seeming
quiet, they were disbanded and the Jaller lett
to fulfill his duties unaided, because danger
was no longer expected. One night fearful
storm arose-lightning, wind, thunder-and
rain that fell in absolute torrents-pourlng
down, like second deluge. In this dark
ness, while the elements we're at war, there
came upon the door of the prison, rap after
rap. Presently the jailer appeared and de-
manded from within
"Who comes there?'
"a friend !" answered a voice.
"Who?"
"a friend!' again replied the voice.
"But give your name. l have strict COM
mands to open the door to no man." answered
the jailer, resolutely. Then there was ST.
lence, and, standing within doors, quaking in
his shoes, he heard murmuring voices with
out. Then the first speaker said again
"Open the door, will drown in this del
uge."
"Return, then, whence you came" answered
the prison functionary. The murmurng
without grew louder, and then the spokesman
again cried out
"Open the door, else we will batter it down.
The jail is surrounded. If you refuse, it will
be the worse for you; there is no escape"
The taller shuddered, as he opened the
massive portals wide but he knew there was
no way to give the alarm and bring assistance,
and that ngle-handed resistance would even
tuate in defeat and death.
Once opened, thirty or forty armed men
rushed into the vaulted passage, all disguised
in black masks and cloaks, and demanded
the clanking keys at the jailer's hands
"Do you come for my prisoner? ?? he asked,
with convulsive gasp.
eyes we came to unburden the world from
so dangerous a wretch. She is to suffer to-
night" At these words, the hands of the
taller clenched themselves tightly; his teeth
we're closed fast and the cry which arose in
his throat never found utterance.
"You cannot see i.er," said he.
The masked men looked at him.
blessed Lord !' calculated one, in OPEN
eyed establishment at his audacity in attempt
ing to maintain his official duties.
81 am answerable to higher authority for
the prisoner" answered the jailer, gathering
strength.
eve don't care for that. Tonight she is
to be put out of the world with secrecy, clev-
erness, privacy and dispatch" answered an
other.
The jailer shuddered
"Surrender the keys" shouted the leader.
He obeyed
"Where is the wretch confined p was the
next enquiry.
In reply, the jailer pointed over his shoul-
der.
"Down that arched passage p
"Down that arched passage" he answered,
still trembling and irresolute.
(Which of these keys fit the lock of the
prisoners cell.door ?" questioned the leader.
The jailer once more reluctantly designated.
The maskers then proceeded along the be-
aforementioned passage, which echoed every
football, and every breath they drew. At
length they came to an iron-plated door, Sc
cured with several massive bolts, and with a
huge lock. Here they paused, placed their
light upon the ground and glanced around
them. The jailer could hear the beating of
his own heart, and for moment there was no
sound else in that dreary place.
Then the key was fitted in the key-hole, the
wards were turned the bolts all drawn away
the heavy door yielded and was wide open.
"Katrine McDonald~ cried a voice in
hoarse and disguised utterance.
"Who's there?" answered she, in choked
tones of wonder and the massive frame OF
the woman partially raised itself from her
straw pallet and looked in bewilderment and
amaze at the intruders, whose faces, owing to
the fact that the lantern was behind them,
we're concealed from her view, and consequent
ly her recognition.
II do not know you," she said; "you have
opened my prison.doors. DO you come to
lead me out to freedom 2"
"Ask no questions but prepare to accompa'
ny u.s."
"Prepare?" she exclaimed; "you forget that
am weighted down with heavy, accurscd
chains-the heaviest the jailer could find"
"You will not have far to carry them" an
swered one of the maskers; "follow us!"
Slowly the unhappy woman raised hersel
to her feet Her face was haggard; but the
fire in her eye was not extnguished, and hel
majestic dignity remained still unchanged.