Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-10-17

SLTQlkuUO u u ulll0, oSCl ING dNiNt III
and so down to where the road ends at the
broad middle pike. Then west half a mile
to the little hamlet Of Fillmore, with
Brame's tavern in the center. AS he rode
up to the door old Brame came out Of the
courtyard at the left. He came up:
How do, Prent?" he called, in his loud,
CHEEKY voice. "Glad to see ye. Where y
bound now9 Been rather givin' it to
Driver, amt yer Have him rubbed down
and eat some oats fore y 60 on"
There were several idlers hanging about.
Broom took his cue. He said nothing
about the roam mare.
"Tell, square, guess I will come in a
Dit,' he said.
The hostler took away Driver to the
stable. They went in.
"Come inside and have a bite" says the
squire.
And Prent followed him through the
bar into an inner room.
"Prent," said the squire, 81 dom. like
the looks of things at all. There's been q
stranger here tonight in q buggy. He
was dressed in the best; had a beaver on,
and leg o. mutton whiskers and long hair.
Looks amazin' like q swell parson, only
parsons don't gin'ally sit in hotel parlors
and smoke cigars, with their legs on to
the table, and drink no end of brandy hot
and hot. He went off just now. I say I
don't like it, Prent."
"Can't help it, square," said. ~ must
go on"
(There-it's out at last. So, gentles, by
your leave, Well drop this round about
third person for the downright first. My
name is Prentiss Broom).
"Well, if you must" he said, 'look
here"
He showed me a pad of tow cloth, made
up to fit under q saddle. It wa stuffed
with wool; he ripped n side with his
knife and showed me.
"Now, I'll put the money in place OF
this wool. Don't fear. No one can hear
or see US here. Your saddle is worn thin;
this will fit under it prime. I'll fix it my
self. Let me see your arms"
I showed him my pistol, Colts make,
six barrels.
All charged ~ he asked.
I nodded.
He examined it carefully, nipple and
trigger.
you'll do, I guess" he said. "Prent
Broom" he asked seriously, 'there's one
word I want to say to you. It's one thing
to be brave, and another to be rash.
When you turn off the pike tonight put
Skylark into a run, and give her her head.
Don't stop her for man or devil till you're
safe home. II any one tries to stop you
drive her at him and fire. If anything
serious happens let the mare go and give
in. She'll bring the money to me If she
IN.
"Now, sit down and eat; I'll have the
mare round in five minutes"
mounted her at the door. Old Brame
whispered:
"Take care, Prent, and remember
Nell"
"Good night, square," I called, and
started down the pike. It was = mile to
the fork where our Hilbury road turns
north. Skylark is a fiery beast, powerful
in breast and quarter, 1.-the of limb and
flank, a long, small head and ears, quick,
bright eyes and a very deer to rum. I
trotted her sharply down the pike, she
pulling hard. Coming to the fork, we
turned it sharply. I chirruped to her,
broke her up and gave her her head. She
shot away north like q flight. I just
guided her, kept the bit in her mouth and
let her run. Soon she settled down to a
long, low, regular lope that was very easy
riding, and dropped the miles behind like
a swift gliding panorama Of night in the
lonely hills. Up hill, along the level, down
the long decline, through the level
meadows and pasture lands, up again
breezily, striding, striding-ever the same
long, easy, bounding lope.
There was Jason's place now, up on the
slope of Kinnel hill-seven miles more to
Nell at Sicklefeld. I thought of her
watching for me, anxious enough, I knew.
I whistled to the mare. She leaped to it
gayly, and we whirled along, down the
long mile that skirts round Kinnel hill
and the Elder swamps. on again north
over Harmony fats, till we struck the hills
again at Nine Mile rock, on the Joram
road.
So we held on through the Brandon
hills, keeping the long, low, flying lope.
Leaving the hills, the road dips down
smooth mile, through thick, dark woods
of hickory and oak. I felt q little anx-
ious about this mile Of gloom ahead. It
was not just the road one would choose to
ride on a dark night, with $4,000 in
notes and bonds. I tapped up the mare,
and we dashed down the slope and into
the woods black shade. She was q brave
horse as ever trod or tramped, that fiery
roam mare, Skylark. I let the rein hang
loose. She doubled her neck, sprang out,
and galloped fierce as fire. kept a keen
lookout, though I might have saved my
pains. 1t was dark as the pit in that
close grown tunnel of shade. Once out Of
this gloomy hollow, I should not fear.
There were only two miles Of the open
high road beyond, with houses scattered
every little way. We tramped along
through the hollow; 1 kept the mare
up to her best. The long level slipped
behind. The woods began to thin
and tighten a little. A little fur
ther on we struck a slight ascent-the
foot of our Hilbury hills. A minute
more and we should be clear of the woods,
and safe. I felt the ground steepen under
US. Skylark slackened her pace. The
road was steep before US; I had ridden
her hard, up hill and down. I felt safe
now. I didn't care to urge her. She
labored up the ascent, breathing quick
and hard.
A bright glare flashed in my eyes ! A
crash in the bushes-the mare SHE'D and
plunged. A mans form, dimly seen, vas
hanging by her bits. struck my heels
in her TANKS, drew my ~pistol-fired. The
mare was plunging wildly; I was blind
with the glare in my eyes-I missed. I
felt myself grasped from behind, drawn
heavily backward. I felt the mare going
from under me. I kicked at her furiously
flung the pistol 1T her head as I fell.
She snorted and plunged, made one great,
frightened leap high in the air, flung the
fellow that held her heavily into the fence,
and shot away up the hill.
AS I fell the light glanced one side from
my face and showed me the maj who
held me full and plain. Tall and light
made, with small, white hands, pale
face, black, silky side beard and mus
tache, keen gray eyes, thin lips and per-
feet teeth, long hair, glossy and jet
black. He was dressed in fine black cloth,
linen spotless and unruftled, and n high
silk hat. sawt the light glance from his
polished boots; from a diamond ring on
his hand. He had q cigar in his mouth.
There was nc passion or excitement in his
face. He looked us cool, as fearless, rs
devilish rs ever hope to see the face Of
man, rs he dragged ME back and threw
me on the ground-held me down by the
throat.
"Jiber!' he called. "Quick, will you'll"
I did not fight. The mare was off with
the money. 1 knew there were two Others
ut hand. I was unarmed. I knew they