Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-03-20

selected one least advantageous for q
horse n follow. Wherever he could
find a thick clump of trees or low
growth. sknoll, a ravino, indeed any
thing difficult for horse to pass, he
would 70 over or through it. Now he
would stop to listen for some sound such
nc n bnse is liable to make, and now
wonldsteal on his hands and knees or
oravlon his belly over some eminence
whe, if he should stand upright, his
bodywould make silhouette against
the sky. On crossing q bit Of level
pround he suddenly heard horse's
Splutter. He was near clump OF
hmhes in which he lost no time in con.
ealing himself. A cavalryman rode by
within 80 feet of him, walking his
horse slowly, tho butt of his carblne
resting on his right leg and in posi-
lytion to be used readily. He was patrol
I, / ling beat. Ratigan waited till he had
! gone past, then darted onward to trees
which, from their irregular line, he
judged grew beside the creek. He was
not disappointed and was soon standing
in shallow water, resting for few
minutes under a low bank.
Once past the creek he felt that one
half his danger was ended. He had
! doubtless got beyond the range OF his
own comrades, and now came great
danger of meeting the Confederate
pickets. Leavingthe creek, he ascended
slight eminenoe and made survey OF
the surrounding country All was 81
lent, except that he could hear an occa-
sional sound like distant burst Of
laughter, ora shout from the direction
of Ringold, in his front. Presently he
heard the unmistakable rumble Of q
train coming from the south.
"It will pass right down there be-
hind that clump of trees and 90 through
the ont, 1" said the corporal. "Oi wonder
wouldn't it be q good plan to take ad-
vantage of its noise when it passes to
slip through the outposts. They'll be
thinkin Of the train, and Oi can follow
in its wake. "
He advanced cautiously to the trees
beside the track and waited for tho
train. Presently the headlight Of loco
motive shot out from around curve.
The corporal had forgotten that its light
would reveal him to the engineer. He
crouched down out Of sight with a high
beating heart, and none too soon, for
had he staid where he was the light
would have shone directly on him. He
waited while the engine puffed slowly
by. 1t was drawing long train of mix
ed passenger, cattle and platform cars,
every car crowded with troops.
"They' preparin to give us brush
in earnest. Like enough these are re-en-
forcements, muttered the corporal.
Ratigan determined to follow the rail-
road north to Ringold, which he Judged
to be only mile distant. The train
loaded with Confederate troops having
Just passed, the guards no might meet
would probably not be very suspicious
of all enemy. He walked ON the track
for short distance, expecting q chal-
lengo with every step.
he received one suddenly, just before
entering wood. A man Oh horseback
aimed carbine at him and gave the
customary:
"Who comes thar"
Ratigan at once threw up his hands,
which his challenger could distinctly
see, and cried out, 81 want ye to take
mo to Colonel Fitz Hugh. "
"What do you want with hlm!'
'Do ye know him?"
"He commands regiment in our bri-
gade"
Seeing that the corporal held his
hands abovohis head, tho man permitted
him to draw near. Once here, Ratigan
informed him Of the nature of his mis-
sion and begged him for Colonel Fitz
Hugh's sake to send him to Ringold at
once. The yedetto was convinced from
Ratigan's earnestness that he bore
message of Importance, and calling his
comrades ordered one Of them to dis
mount Then, taking the precaution to
blindfold the stranger, he mounted him,
and placing q horseman on either side
of him sent the three Gathering toward
Ringold. 1t was not long distance to
the town, but all distances, all periods
of waiting, seemed long to the corporal.
Was not the terrible event to take place
at sunrise? And now it must be near
midnight.
~ at is the timer he asked Of his
tenty minutes to H.. "
rs 20 faster. Colonel Fitz Hugh
be as anxious for me to got on as
meself if he knew me errand
fright. Let's light out, Pete. !"
kigan felt the motion Of gallop
gse he rode And now came
rom guard and an answer,
Advance and give the
One OF the men goes for.
spose Then the party
pit what tnsT pass or
- Ratigan -no.--
nd tnsssiLsoYs that
-. to suit NJ not
the oorporaf
>cunt. There
lily from
Qne, tw'