Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-01-18
shore, and Mark judged that they had
lost the scent at the place where he had


lost the scent at the place where he had
entered the water.
Then he began to think of Souri, and
Jakey. What had they done to Souri,
when they had discovered her trick'
Would they punish her? Would they
treat the boy harshly? He was COM
forted with the thought that there would
be nothing gained by this-it would not
bring the prisoner back-but he NUT
tered a prayer for the girl who had
placed herself behind those prison bars,
who had incurred the rage of his jailers
to save him.
He heard no more of the dogs and
floated on, swimming and resting alter
nately. The high bluffs of Moccasin
point were before him on his right. An
owl on their summit, watching the ris-
ing moon, occasionally gave a dismal
hoot, the intervals being supplied by the
melancholy whippoorwill. The current
bore him on around the point, carrying
him in near the shore where he had
passed the picket with the sleeping
Jakey in his arms few nights before.
So close was he that he could SET man
walking back and forth on thevery beat
of the one he had passed. As he drifted
away he saw the relief approach and the
picket changed.
He was borne, directly under Lookout
mountain, and on down for mile to a
point where the river makes another
bend. Here the bank was low, and as
Mark was getting chilled he swan to
the southern bank for rest. He laid
himself down for few moments on the
dry ground, and then getting up walked
back and forth rapidly, swinging his
arms at the same time to restore circu-
lation and fit him to endure longer
stay in the water. He looked about for
Bome piece of wood on which he might
aoat farther. There were logs of vari-
Gus sizes scattered around, but most of
them were rotten. He was so much at
home in the water that he was not dis
appointed on failing to find one suitable
to his purpose.
Plunging in again he moved on down
past the bluffs at the foot of the Raccoon
mountains, swimming on his chest most
of the time and keepinga lookout before
him. He had not passed any boats, at
least none near him. and did not fear
this danger, but he wanted to keep his
surroundings we'll in view in order to
know his location. The moon was now
well up, and he could see quite distinct
ly. Below and to his right boat was
putting out from the east shore. 1t was
larger than an ordinary skiff, but as it
was in a shadow he could not tell what
kind of craft it was. As it came over
the river at right angles with the shore,
and Mark was drifting toward it, he
soon found That he was in danger of
meeting it in the middle of the stream.
The current was quite rapid, and before
he was aware of it he was close to the
boat. 1t was evidently ferryboat, and
Mark, who knew the location of Browns
ferry from the maps, judged that it was
the boat belonging there.
But Mark was concerned with other
considerations besides his location just
then. He was too late to get out OF the
way unobserved by swimming aside.
He made up his mind in a twinkling
what to do. Drawing several long
breaths he filled his lungs with air, and
then putting his head down and his feet
up he threw himself under water. He
had often been beneath the surface for
a considerable time, but never as long
as now. He remained under as long as
he thought he possibly could, and then
staid awhile longer. When he came
to light again the boat was hundred
yards above him and to the west of him.
Another mile brought him to an island.
He remembered it on iais map as Will
liam's island, and knew that it was
about two miles long. He recalled the
fact that the only creek flowing into tb"
river in this vicinity entered it midway
between the north and south end of this
island, and on his right, if he remem-
bered Alright. He had about a mile to
20 to reach the mouth of this creek.
Striking out, he directed his course to
the eastward of the island and swan
very near to the east bank of the river.
Along this he foated with scarcely a
stroke, except to keep in close to the
shore, watching eagerly for the mouth
of the creek. Fortunately when he
reached it he discovered it, and where
he had supposed he would find it. With
few lusty strokes he was in itand soon
at a place where he could rest in the
water with his feet on terra frma.
But the knowledge that the dogs
would soon be upon him prevented a
rest of long duration. Perhaps party
would cross the neck of Moccasin point,
thus cutting off a greater part of the
long distance over which he had fioated.
The thought added new terror, and he
began to wade and to swim alternately,
as was necessary, up the creek. Pre-
sently he came to the crossing of road.
He drew himself up on to it and looked
around. AS a scout he had long been
accustomed to keep his mind fixed on
points along the paths he Travelled, in
order that he might know them again.
AS soon as he saw the little bridge-if it
could be called o bridge-he knew that
he was on the Chattanooga pike, over
which he had passed a few days before,
and at the junction of the creek running
near the Fains' plantation.
Mark had not considered what he
would do in case he should succeed in
getting safely across the river. While
in Jail he felt that once out and across
the Tennessee he would feel assured Of
safety. Now this had been accom-
plished, he began to realize that but half
the battle had been won. Indeed there
were more chances that he would be re-
taken than that he would ever reach the
Union lines.
He wrung the water from his clothes
and put them on, shielding his face with
his sunbonnet, for, though he had no
mirror to inspect his features, he fancied
they must be streaked with burnt cork
softened by water. Then setting out
toward the Fain plantation he delib-
Grated what he should do.
It was now between eleven and twelve
o'clock-so Mark judged by the moon
being on the meridian-and he knew
that all the Fains were asleep. He
reached the corner of the yard and was
about to enter it when he heard clat-
tering of hoofs behind him. He had
hardly time to vault the fence and crouch
behind it when troop of horsemen
crossed the bridge over the creek. They
drew rein OH the hither side not hun.
dred yards away from him. Mark heard
voice:
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