Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-07-17
A TIMELY SHOT.

In the year 1910, the English sloop-of-war
Canton, after cruising successfully against
the vessels of the French, lay anchored OFT
Calcutta.
Soon after the anchor was down, fine
young sailor, named Henry Melton, man OF
refinement and education, who however, had
shipped as foremast hand, made application
to the captain for permission to 60 ashore to
visit his old mother, who anticipating the YES
sells arrival at her present port, had sailed in
a trading vessel all the way from England to
Calcutta for the sake of seeing her son.
Too i'll to 20 aboard, she had sent word to
Henry on her arrival, begging him to come
to her:
Old Captain Knowles, of the vessel, was a
strict disciplinarian. Although his beautiful
daughter Sylveen, girl Of eighteen, who had
Joined her father at Spanish port, where
she had been staying with her brother, be-
sought her stern parent to grant the sailor
request, yet it was decidedly refused
The consequence was that Henry Melton,
VINO had finally learned that his mother was
not expected to live, deserted on certain
dark night, in boat in which he went ashore
from the war.vessel, as one Of the crew, for
provisions.
The young man was just in time to receive
his mothers last blessing, and 10 close her
eyes in death. He had with him sum Of
money part of this he took to an English
merchant of whom his mother had hired her
lodgings and from whom he obtained a prom
ise that the remains of his parent should be
decently buried. With the cash he had left,
he purchased small pistol, which he loaded
with powder and ball, and concealed in &C.
cret pocket of his jacket
The instrument was one Of the best Of its
| kind. Herbert, in his prosperous days, had
taken lessons of celebrated professor of pis.
tol practice, who had not only taught him to
always hit his mark, but also how to choose a
good weapon.
He knew he would be arrested, and be
condemned either to fogging with the fear
full "cat o mine. tails" or to death, for his de-
sertion. -.,.. ..,..
- Should the sentence against him prove
to be punishment with the lash, he now had
means of avoiding it. Sooner than suffer the
disgrace of fogging, he would shoot himself
through the head with his pistol.
He resolved to endeavor to avoid capture
until his mother was buried, that he might at
least have the satisfaction of seeing that cold
form deposited in fit resting-place.
He therefore struck far out into the coun-
try, and finally concealed himself in cav
ern.
Toward night the next day, who should
pass his retreat but the captain and his daagh.
ter, who had been out all day accompanied
by guides, for stroll.
Unfortunately for Henry, there was with
the party small dog, which soon discover
ing the young man, set up loud barking.
The captain, with his Hindoo guides, at
tracted to the cave by the noise, saw the
sailor.
"Ha!" exclaimed the old commander. $50
here we are Arrest him, guides! He is
one Of my men-a deserter y
Melton soon was prisoner
"How far are we from the city2' inquired
Captain Knowles Of one of the guides.
''Six miles," was the response.
"Then we will pitch our tents in that plain
yonder, and encamp for the night. Keep a
good watch over the prisoner, guides
"Oh, papa" pleaded Sylveen, with tears in
her beautiful blue eyes, "let him co.
"Humph p growled the captain. "A pref
ty navy we'd have of it if we took the advice
Of women. No, ma am, that man must not
go. He has deserted in time Of war. He
will be shot,"
The tents were soon pitched by some of the
guides, who carried canvas and blankets.
Though much fatigued, yet Sylveen could
not sleep for thinking of the prisoner.
His calm, handsome face, showing neither
fear nor bravado, when her father had men-
toned his destined fate, haunted her mind.
Through crevice in the tent she could
now see him standing composed and cheerful
looking, out there in the clear moonlight,
amongst his dusky guards
At last the young girl dropped to sleep.
At dawn she was walked by a strange feeling
of oppression in her chest.
A thrill of horror went through her frame.
Motionless s-speechless with fear-she lay, at
sight Of looking serpent coiled upon
her breast
The monster was about four feet long, its
folds wound up in three rings, in the centre
of which was its head, slightly elevated, its
two gittering eyes turned full upon her face,
its forked tongue moving back and forth with
lightning rapidity in its halfopened mouth :!
The body was of dark color, and had the
appearance Of being covered all over with Sill
my-looking spots or scales. Under the throat
were two stringy sppendages hanging like
miniature hammocks to that part Of the crea'
ture, and adding to the uncouth aspect of the
reptile.
Sylveen had heard descriptions enough Of
this fearful pest of India to realize at glance
that her horrible visitor was the terrible co.