Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-12-05
CHAPTER XI.

Ten O'Clock and no one yet came rid
ing back from the column with later
news. Almost as soon as the command
had disappeared from view Mrs. Farrar
had gone home, Helen, Ellis, Kitty and
Will in close attendance, and there they
were presently joined by Aunt Lucretia,
whose volubility even calamity seemed
powerless to check, and then, to the re-
lief Of all the women, Captain Leale
knocked and was promptly admitted.
IT am in search Of my right hand
man." said he, with his bright, cordial
smile. "They tell me he is playing
Achilles and sulking in his tent, but /
have work for him to do, )" and then
once more did Kitty look remonstrance,
for she could form no idea of work for
him that did not involve deprivation for
her.
"You are not going to send Mr.. Far
rar away after ALL" she began, but
Leale laughingly checked her.
"Far from it" said he. II need him
at the guardhouse and mean TO put him
in charge Of the prisoners when they
come in. The chances are that the
colonel will have to arrest not few of
those fellows, and he'll do it in the in
terest Of peace and good order, despite
the fact that he has no warrant Are
you ready, sir?"
"I'm ready and willing to do any
duty, Captain Leale," answered Will
ruefully. "But I was the first to volun-
teer for that courier ride to Big Road.
and think the colonel ought to have
given it to me. I'll be officer Of the
guard tomorrow anyhow, and would
just as lief begin now. Shall I come at
once"
eyes, the second relief goes on in a
few minutes, and you would better in
spect them. Everything is started right.
You have a capital sergeant Of the
guard. Iwant the sentries Oh the north
and east bluffs instructed to listen for
all sounds from the east and to keep
close watch on that plant Of Bunko
Jim's. Watch every movement in that
rowdy town over yonder, though l be-
lieve most of the populace has already
ridden away at the bidding of the so
called cowboy king"
Will bent over and kissed his moth
er's forehead. "I'll get my sword and
go at once" said he, "and I'll be back
as soon as I've made the rounds of the
second relief. 1 suppose nobody here
means to turn in for an hour yet. We
ought to have news of some kind before
midnight. With that he quickly left
the little parlor and, vaulting the low
fence, let himself in at his own door in
the adjoining bachelor roost. Mrs.
Daunton, who had been occupying her
self close to Mrs. Farrar, presently arose
and stepped into the hallway, took a
heavy wrap and noiselessly quilted the
house. Surprised, Captain Leale looked
about him for an explanation. Ellis had
drawn aside the curtain and with pale,
set face was gazing fixedly out upon the
parade. Kitty looked bewildered. 1t
was Mrs Farrar who spoke.
''This has been trying day for Helen.
She is not strong, fear, and tonight
she is so nervous and unstruug that she
seems to shrink from company or con-
versation. I have never known her so
distracted. I fancy she wants to be
alone few minutes and to take the
fresh air on the gallery" Ellis moved
impatiently, but said not word. She
could see that, so far from having stopped
on the gallery, Helen Daunton had
hastened through the gate, and, turning
to Willis quarters next door, was there
awaiting his temperance. The boy
came out in moment, his sword at his
side and wrapping his cloak about him,
and stopped short in evident surprise at
sight of Mrs. Daunton.
Ellis we'll understood the purport of
the conversation that ensued, though
she could hear no word. Will searched
one pocket after another, then ran back
into the house, came forth again in
less than a minute. handed q square,
white envelope to Mrs Daunton. and,
raising his forage cap in farewell. has
tened away across the parade. Ashamed