Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-03-02
gu 0rigiuaI Starg*
!: .:P8GG88&s.As.
4 THRILLING STORY OF WESTERN L1FI
BY MRS. HENRY pl1AS.
CHAPTER XVII.

Z lcClOla, Ou leaViuS VIC CaFo AoA 'ao sSsoa~
time, had pursued her difficult journey with
uudaunted resolution, although hourly grow
ing more faint and weary, and often compell-
ed to stop and rest by the way. Her feet
we're now cut and torn by stones and briers,
which had made their way through her worn
out shoes, andthe pain they caused her could
not but impede their progress, though she did
what she could to allay it, by binding cool,
fresh leaves around them, and occasionally
bathing them in some rivulet or pool. When
the wind and rain ceased, and the sky cleared
away, the sun came out with potent heat, and
though sheltered from its immediate influence
by the leafy boughs Of the closely-growing
trees, the warmth of the atmosphere oppressed
her, and gave her feverish feeling which
rendered exertion doubly difficult. Notwith-
standing these obstacles, however, she contin-
ned to push on, allowing herself only such in
tervals of relaxation as were absolutely nee
essary to her over-strsined powers; and bear.
ing in mind the Importance of the mission on
which she was bound, resolved to perish Of
fatigue rather than voluntarily abandon it.
She came to the mountain road at last which
led, in one direction to the valley, and branch
ed off in another, to the place of her destina-
ton It was now again nightfall. Since the
middle of the night before she had journeyed
without food, except wild roots and fruit she
had gathered, and she felt that it would be 8
desperate effort to travel even the remaining
miles that lay before her. The effort, howev-
er, must be made-the work was nearly done,
and she could moi falter nowl The friendly
moon would shine out after time, and light
her on her rugged way. Meanwhile she was
forced to wait, afraid of losing the right path
ifshe went on in the dark.
Stretching herself on pile Of fallen leaves,
she rested her head on stone, and, complete
ly overpowered, soon fell asleep.
Her slumber lasted longer than she had in.
tended it should, and when she awoke, the
moon was shining brightly upon the now
open road. She halfstarted up, but for
moment was unable to rise, so stiff and chilled
were her limbs. By dint of vigorously rub
bing them, she succeeded at last in restoring
something like pliancy to her cramped mus
cles,s and painfully struggling to her feet, she
addressed herself once more to her task.
A very, very hard task it had become now /;
task so laborious that chill of dismay crept
over her at the thought that she might per-
e.: - Ill Az
Tor 5ffsnErn and ara, n5S ever, wenr dp ffdalv
her heart; and fortified by an inward assur-
ance that Providence, having so wonderfully
helped her thus far, would not forsake her
now, she toiled on, leaning for support on
stick which she had picked up from the
ground, for she was no longer able to proceed
without some assistance Of the Sort
Every mile she trsversed seemed to assume
the proportions of league every pebble her
feet struck against was like huge stone; ev-
cry trailing vine an almost impossible bar-
rier to her tagging footsteps. Often, and more
often, came the intervals of rest-longer and
longer at time was she compelled to pause
to recruit her still-remaning strength. More
than once, hopeless tears rained down her face,
as she was forced thus to protract her jour-
ney, and the dread of failure .overcame her.
.."How miserably weak am-as if crying
would do any good" she said, Indignantly, to
herself, as she dashed away the involuntary
tears II must be almost there nowhere
cannot be but a mile or two, for the most,
ahead of me. IwM 60 on viH not fail p
The powerful will, enshrined in her young,
slight frame, prevailed over the weary limbs,
and urged them on.
Courage, for the end is nearly reached |!
Yonder, on level plain, some scattered cab
ins show white in the moonshine. They are
General KS headquarters, and from more
than one of the windows glimmers beacon
light to guide you on your way.
The sight renewed her almost exhausted
courage, and with last vigorous effort, she
pushed forward to the goal. The astonished
sentinel, who was pacing slowly to and fro,
stopped as she drew near and hailed her.
"A message-to General K,"-she managed
to falter. us he here?"
She was shown the way to his presence, and
in few broken sentences told her story.
"My brave, heroic child p said the veteran,
in tones of mingled admiration and surprise,
as he gathered from her, by dint Of question
ing, the difficulties she had encountered, "is it
possible that you have taken this long jour-
ney, on foot and alone, in such a space Of
time? But your information is Important
there must be no farther delay! Could you,
after resting and refreshing yourself, under
take to be our guide if provide you with a
horse, or ere you too weary to ride p
"Oh Senior, can ride without difficulty
it is only that my feet are sore, and long fast
ing makes me weak"
A good meal was provided for her, and
while she partook of this, and afterward
stretched her tired limbs on sofa, as the
General insisted she should, for brief rest
everything was prepared for immediate de-
parture. And an hour after the time of heI
arrival saw her once more on the road, but
this time mounted on feet steed, and with
an escort of twenty armed men for her pro-
lection. Her heart beat high now with re-
stored confidence snd hope, and her spirits re-
covered their wonted buoyancy, in the JOY she
felt at the success which had thus far crowned
her expedition, and the excitement Of the
pursuit in which she was engaged.
They rode rapidly, but it was already sun
rise when they reached the mining camp