Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-06-19
The LONELY OUTPOST.
BY ALMEDIA NJ. BROWN.

there was one man who gained great
reputation for courage. His name
was Elwell; he was a great, stout,
| muscular fellow, six feet in height, and
possessed of that cool, dauntless cour-
age 30 necessary in a soldier. He be.
longed to a troop of cavalry, and amid
all the exciting scenes of the war was
always the same. -.
|. If there was post of danger Elwell
was there, and by his dauntless cour-
age, put new life into the men. One
bright, sunny day, fierce battle was
raging. The small troop of cavalry
were mounted, and made quick and
successful charges upon the enemy,
and after discharging theirfifles wheel
ed and retreated to reload. Soon a
fatility seemed to attend each charge,
for at every advance an officer fell,
and although as soon as one fell an
other was ready to take his place, the
spirits of all began to fall. Elwell's
quick eye had roved to and from over
the field. He saw the gallant troop
advance and pour deadly volley into
the enemy's ranks, and at that moment
blue smoke curled up from clump
of bushes at the right of the troop, and
the young officer fell, as his comrades
had done.
Quick as thought Elwell put spurs
Ito his horse, and drawing hstchet
from his belt dashed forward. There
was large hollow stump, around
which had sprung number OF thrifty
shoots, making a complete hiding
place. Here an Indian was stationed,
rife in hand, coolly picking off the Of
fcers. As Elwell approached, he
raised his dusky head, with a grim
smile of satisfaction on his features,
when, like a whirlwind, the avenger
swept down upon him. The hatchet
descended into his brain, cleaving the
head to the shoulder.
The tide of battle was turned; the
troops, eheered by the death of the
fatal marksman, rallied to new
charge, and were victorious.
In the autumn the cavalry were
called upon to defend lonely outpost
on the frontier. and prompt to obey
orders, they marched to the post.
Sentinels were placed, and the duties
of camp life commenced. There was
one lonely spot at quite a distance
from the camp, where sentry was al
lowed q horse to do his weary rounds.
One morning, at daybreak, the horse,
without q rider, came into camp. A
party set forth to discover the fate OF
their missing companion, but no trace
of him was to be found.
Thus, morning after morning, rider
less horse appeared in camp, until the
men shrank from the post of sentinel,
for there was a nameless dread in be-
ing selected as mark for secret foe.
Those who would boldly have advanced
to the cannon's mouth shrank from
this new danger. Lots were cast, and
night after night some poor soldier
went forth to meet his fate, destined to
greet his comrades never again. Ell
we'll had watched to whole affair with
keen interest, and resolved to sift the
matter thoroughly. He presented
himself one morning at the officers
tent and said:
II will be sentinel tonight on the
outpost"
"You know the danger you incur,
Mr.. Elwell ?"
"I do; and I am prepared to
meet 1t. I may as we'll die as any
more of my companions. l am re-
solved to solve the mystery that hangs
over the spot"
"Have you any request to make be-
fore you go?"
"None, only if give an alarm let a
company be ready to come to my re-
lief"
"It shall be done. And now, I need
not advise you to be wary and cautious.
Good bye."
When it was known that he had Of
fered himself as sentinel on the
lonely post, his companions regarded
him with wonder and admiration, and
parted from him at night with the
feeling they should greet him no more.
Left alone, Elwell commenced his
round in the beaten track which bis
comrades had made. 1t was clear,
starlight night, and he surveyed the
ground around curiously. On one
side was q large swampy tract OF land,
covered with tall, coarse grass, and
concluding that danger would come
from that direction, he kept his senses
all alert. Back and forth he paced
his horse for an hour or two without
hearing anything then amid the
swamp grass he heard low sound,
and as it approached he concluded it
was q wild hog, as numbers OF said
animals were prowling around near
the camp. But, as it came nearer,
and the tall grass parted at the top as
though some large body were making
directly for the spot he occupied, he
watched it moment curiously, sooth.
ing his horse, which showed signs OF
restiveness. AS the parting grass came
nearer still, and the grunting grew
louder, he took aim and fired. To his
surprise, huge Indian sprang up sew
eral feet in the air, then fell back with
a groan. :,
~