Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-08-08
The Sturp Tellet.
AN ESCORT ADVENTURE.

and if he gets half chance, will endeavor
to give you the Slip" remarked our a5lu-
tant to me.
Every good, sir" replied.
"Here is your paper" said the officer, as
he handed me the warrant which bound
me rnder severe penalties for non-fultill-
ment of its provisions, to take Private
jeremiah Scales ''dead or alive" to the dis
trict military prison.
1 saluted the adjutant, and was turning
to leave, when the colonel entered the or
derly room.
stGood morning, colonel" said the ad-
jutant, "This sergeant is going on Scales's
escort, and was just warning him to take
great care of the rascal.
stConfound the fellowv' gru1nbled the
) colonel. "After all it seems that thescoun-
tdrel is coming hack 10 me. The court
martial that tried him-very properly,
considering his antecedents-sente
him to be discharged on the expiry of his
term of imprisonment, and now the gen
eral, presumably acting on superior in
ishment that is likely to benefit the SER
vice, During my twenty years expert
ence I have always found it the same in
the army. Last spring, for instance, dur
ing the wholesale reduction that took
place we had, perforce, to send away
number of good men, infinitely better than
this blackguard. Now the Franco-Prus-
sian business comes on the boards, and the
authorities at the Horse guards are NOV
ing creation to obtain recruits in order to
get the regiments up to full strength.
Every broken down sarecrow in the king
dom is being enlisted, at least if may
Judge from the precious specimens sent
up to me. Besides, the recommendations
- ~; o1 roo.orS m tho die.
charge with ignominy of the scum of the
army are not being given effect to, and the
rascals are allowed to remain in the SER
vice. Yes, sergeant" resumed the COM
manding officer, addressing me, you've
got cut-throat, incorrigible blackguard
to deal with, and if you don't look out
he'll give you some trouble"
I then saluted the officers and, leaving
the orderly room, retired to my quaraters
to make few preparations for my journey,
which was tramp of about eight miles
along the seacoast. These finished pro-
ceeded to the room of the private who
was detailed to accompany me, in order to
have consultation with him on the sub
ject. This man, a Welshman, named Will
liams, was a veteran whose period of ser
vice had almost expired. He was, speak
ing literally, the "hero of q hundred
fights" his experience of active service be-
ginning while boy in the second Sikh war.
I narrated to Williams the remarks OF
the colonel and the adjutant regarding our
prisoner, but the veteran affected to treat
the matter very lightly. "I've had tough
er jobs than this in my time, sergeant"
he said, and then added, significantly,
pointing to his Snider: "Just let him try to
bolt, and my word, he won't getvery far"
The prisoner, Scales, was a repulsive
looking fellow of about 25. He was more
1.-the and active than a powerful man,
nevertheless, by reason of his brutal and
vindictive disposition, the terror OF all the
peaceably disposed men of the corps. He
had served in the. army for about three
years, during which period he was always
in trouble. On the return Of the regiment
from abroad, he came to us from the depot
with an extremely bad character, and this
evil reputation he afterwards consistently
maintained. At the reduction of the ar
my referred to in the colonePs remarks,
the services of Mr.. Scales would to a GER
tainty have been dispensed with had he
not at the time been a deserter. Being
apprehended and brought back to the
corps at the beginning of the scare occa-
stoned by the disturbed relations of Prus-
sia and France, he received two months
Imprisonment, and was sent to his duty.
Three days after his release an officers
room was broken into, and all his valua-
bles distracted and in this business it was
supposed Scales was implicated, conformity
with comrade of equally bad repute.
This private deserted with the booty, and
Scales was apprehended on suspicion and
handed over to the civil authorities; but
he was liberated, owing to no sufficient
evidence being forthcoming to warrant his
being sent to trial on the charge. His
next feat was striking non-commlssloned
officer, and for this offense he was now
sentenced to nine months Imprisonment !;
the further recommendation by the court
with ignominy being remitted by the gen.
eral commanding the district.
In the afternoon Williams and l, equip
ped in marching order, and provided each
with ten rounds of ammunition and a
days rations, made our appearance at the
regimental guard room. The sergeant of
the guard gave me word of caution, and
informed me that Scales had been boasting
to the men that he meant to make his
escape.
Our man received US with stolid look,
and mechanically held out his wrists for
the reception of the handouts and after
word of farewell to the other prisoners, he
took his place beside the private, who had
ulS DdyOuSG uACu. L luou LldAShSo eAShA
out of barracks into the principal street
of the town. Perceivinga man of my own
regiment who was engaged on garrison
police duty, asked him to accompany
US to the outskirts, in case the prisoner
took fancy to bolt down one of the nu-
merous tortuous alleys that led to the
wharves near the pier. Having reach
ed the limits of his beat, the private re-
turned, and I was congratulating myself
on having nearly reached the open coun-
try, in which Scales would run poor
chance of escaping from our custody, when
we were met by large drove of oxen.
In spite of the exertions OF the .drovers,
the cattle passed on either side of us, and
Scales, handcuffed though he was watch
ing his opportunity, suddenly sprang
aside, and dodging among the animals,
gained the footpath and ran toWnWards
with the fieetness of a hare. Disengaging
ourselves as quickly as possible from the
cattle, we started in pursuit; but as we
were encumbered with our rifles and
knapsacks, we made but little headway,
only managing to keep the fugitive IN
sight. We shouted to a few rustics to in
tercept him; but the yokels perceiving
that it was only soldier running away
from an escort, greeted him instead with
cries of encouragement. Suddenly, to my
delight, policeman appeared ahead, who
spread out his arms and tried to catch the
runaway; but Scales, dropping his head,
butted him like ram, and knocking over
the guardian of the peace turned to the
right and disappeared down lane little
distance ahead. This lane led into yard
which was situated at the back of a row of
storehouses, and which was a curl de sac.
Re-enforced by the policeman, we follow
ed close on the heels of the fugitive, feeling
certain that as there was no means of exit