Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-03-09
CHAPTER Xxx.

a.. CHAPTER Xxx.
1t was dark, sombre night. Heavy clouds
hung low in the sky, portending storm
and the wind, now rising in ftful gusts, now
sinking to sobbing, melancholy vail, seemed
to utter prophecy of woe, warning of some
evil to come.
1t swept around the walls of the Jail in
which the notorious prisoner, Edowardo Con
zales, was confined, as though striving to find
an entrance through the solid mass Of stone
and brick; bearing, perchance, to ears that
understood it not, message Of dire import, a
solemn presage of approaching, unexpected
peril, of q frightfnl doom near at hand
Hark What sound is that, as Of hurrying
yet cautious footsteps drawing near? Is that
low murmur the gathering of the tempest, OF
the sighing of the sea as its billows break upon
the distant shore7 1t is the gathering of a
tempest, the tempest of fierce tumultuous rage
stirring in many hearts, resolute hearts beat
rug -@1th d nzs1 and gl50my PuFr5ss winch
nothing now can shake. Nearer and nearer
the footsteps come; and now mass of dark
forms gather around the prison gates, the
light of haring torches bringing into view a
group of dark, stern faces, and eyes glittering
with vengeful eagerness for the accomplish
ment of the task in view.
A low whisper of consultation runs through
the crowd then clear, loud voice rises in
commanding tones
"Jailer, open these gatesp
There is pause, moment of breathless
silence, while awaiting reply; but none
comes. ....
Again the clarion voice is heard, ringing
out an echo of the former summons
"Jailer, open US these gates, and let us in!
Presently light is seen moving in the in
terror. Then the noise of a bolt being with.
drawn is heard, and the jailer, with pale
face, comes to answer the call.
"Gentlenen," be says, in an expostulating
tone, "what is the meaning of this disturb
ance? On what errand do you GOMEZ"
"We are come to seek the prisoner Con-
zales-Alasquez as he is called. Bring him
out to us at once"
The speaker, tall brawny man, with shag-
gy brows and iron-grey hair, and features
cast in an adamantine mould, is the same one
who uttered the summons. He stands fore
most, and seems to be the leader of the group.
The iailer shading his lamp with his hand as
it flickers in the wind, looks at him through
the bars
81 know you, Amado Henriquez," he says.
can old man like you ought to be ashamed
to head an expedition of this sort. Now take
my advice, all of you, and 60 home peacea-
bly,. If you make riot here you will pay for
it; depend upon it you will"
His voice, as he gives them this counsel, is
firm enough; but there is an uneasy express
sion on his face, as he gances from one to an
other of the countenances before him, and
reads in each one plainly written resolve,
which no words of bis, or of any other mortal
man, can shake.
"Come! you know you are talking folly"
impatiently rejoined the first speaker. "What
is the use in wasting words over the matter ?
Bring out your prisoner, I say. We have
come to get him, and we mean to have him,
and the quicker you comply with our demand
the better for you"
81 can accede to no such unlawful demand y
was the reply. II am responsible for the safe.
keeping of the prisoners. know my duty,
and l mean to stick to it."
"You hear that, men?" said Henriquez
with glance around. "He knows his duty
and he means to stick to it. We all know our
duty, do we not ?"
"Yes-yes" rose in eager answer, from
every lip.
"Are you all prepared for action?"
Again the ready affirmative came in con.
cert from his followers.
"Then to work at once! Once-twice-
thrice-now~
As he uttered the concluding word, the
whole crowd, with fierce yell, rushed at the
gates, which swayed beneath the force of the
assault.
"The first man who breaks through" shout,
ed the jailer, falls by my hand warn you,
am armed"
A derisive shout accompanied by another
rush, and the fall of heavy bows upon the
gates, was all the answer given. And now
the gates shook and tottered beneath the press
ure of the living mass, and the missiles which
they brought to bear upsp them. A moment
more, and there was a crash the bars had
given way, and the attacking party swept