Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1893-01-04
CHAPTER vi.
IN THE ENEMY'S LINES.

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Mark handed the .ctld ,phtskered ferry:
man the crisp ten dollar note.
"Jakey," said Mark as they passed be-
hind trees that hid them from the house,
II don't like that officer coming to the
Fain plantation just at this time. There'll
surely be some mention of us, and it is
possible he may want to have look at
us. You know, Jakey, we're only poor.
modest people. and don't want to be
stared at.
1--WE amt got our store clothes on,
and don't want ter make no acquaint-
ances," Jakey observed solemnly.
Mark had noticed Laura Fain's agita-
ton when she caught sight of the officer
at the gate, and knew there was good
reason for it. He did not fear that she
would betray him Intentionally, but that
she might be led to do so from her very
anxiety to keep his secret.
"The first chance we get, Jakey, we'll
take to the woods. We told them we
were going to Chattanooga, and if this
officer takes it into his aristocratic head
to escort rs with true southern polite
ness part of the way he'll expect to find
MS on the Chattanooga pike"
IN twouldn't be perlite TO ter git in
his way"
They had gone but tritiing distance
when they came to 4 creek flowing-as
wayfarer they met told them-through
Moccasin gap The road crossed it by
something between hedge and a cul-
vert, Mark led the way from the road
up the creek and began to climb the
hills, on which there was sufficient
growth of timber to afford concealment.
For an hour he trudged along with
Jakey beside him. He tried to get the
boy to give him his hand to help him
along. but Jakey demurred Indignantly
and kept his sturdy little legs 80 well at
work that he never once fell behind his
companion.
At last they came to hut occupied
by an old negro.
"Good morning. uncler said Mark.
"Mornen, sah."
"Hev y seen anything OF colored
boy bout eighteen years old 60 by hyar
this mornenT
mo, sah."
Hes my boy Sam, and I'm a-hunten
him. He run away last night. He'll git
hundred eff ketch him.
II amt saw him, sab, n tell yo' what,
marst'r, eff had saw him | wouldn't in
form yo' OBJ de fac"
"Thet's the way with you niggers,
l-ufnas ~ttIe TGEXJes SurHCu YOUR Heaus.
But it won't last long. Our boysll
drive EN- so fur moth pretty soon that
you darkies'll hev to stoprunnen away"
Now don yo' believe dat so sarten."
DO you really believe the Yanks can
whip us3'
"De Lo'd hes sent EN- to tote his COL
ored people out o bondage"
Mark was satisfied with this preliln-
mary examination that he could trust
the old man.
Uncle, I'm no secesh. I'm Union
man. want to stay with you today
and travel tonight. Keep me all day.
and I'll 60 away as soon as it is dark"
"Fo' de Lo'd. knowed yo' want no
south'n man all de time"
"How2"
"Yo' amt got de south'n man way o
talken. Yo did hit we'll enough, but 20
CANT fool me-"
well. will you keep us9'
Reckon will"
What's your nameT
"Randolph's my name, sab. Jeff'son
Randolph. My marst'r said he glib me
mighty big name, but hit didn't do no
good. Dey always call me notten bUs
jeff"
You're as we'll off rs the president of
the Confederacy in that respect" said
Mark. ii guess we'll 20 inside"
Yes, go in dar. Keep dark"
Mark and Jakey waited for the day to
pass, and as they had no means of anus
ing themselves it passed very slowly.
Jakey played about the creek for awhile,
but both were glad when the darkness
came and they could get away.
Before setting out on his expedition
Mark had carefully studied map of
the region. preferring to fix it in his
mind than to carry it about his person.
Upon leaving jefferson Randolph's hut
he made direct for the Tennessee river.
Once there, he knew from his remem-
brance OF the map that he was not far
from Chattanooga. and that between
him and that place was Moccasin point,
formed by bend, or rather loop, in the
river, the point putting out southward
for more than two miles. with a dis
tance of nearly mile across its neck.
But he knew the ground was high on
the east shore of the peninsula, and he
did not know the proper place to strike
inland and cut off the distance around
the rivers margin. There was no one
near to inform him, so he kept on by the
river.
1t was late at night when they reached
q point where the river took a slight
turn to the east, and about mile from
the quick bend around Moccasin point
Marx was anxious to enter Chattanooga
either late at night or soon after day
light, hoping to meet few people, that
his entrance might not be noticed. He
cast his eye about for some means of
crossing the river. Noticing a skiff
moored just below hut, he surmised
that the skiff belonged to some one liv-
ing in the hut. Going to the door he
knocked.
who's tharT
DO you uns own the skiff on the river
below hyar%
WAL, supposen | doesT
Il want to cross"
What d. v want ter do thet fur at
shis time o nightT' 81,
"Father dyen. Just got word spell
ago"
"What'll y give ter get over"
Five dollars"
What kind O. shinplasters9'
"Greenbacks.
.'Whar d. y git 'em'"
From some people ez got 'em traden
with the Yankee sojers at Battle Creek. "
"All right, stranger, but it's sight o
bad times ter be called ter mans door
at night You uns go down ter the river
n ri cover y with my gun tel know
yer all right" -,
~ won't mind small thing like that
,,, -. T., ,,,y loot1a brother