Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-10-02
The STORY Teller.
THE ROCK OF WRATH.

A small band of pioneers went ou
to establish new homes in the wilder
ness, nearly 100 years ago, and chos'
spot near the eastern slope of tn
Alleghanies, distinguished by pecu
liar landmark. This landmark was
lofty pile of rock jutting up and out
ward in such a way that it seemed tt
threaten with instant annihilation an,
one who stood looking at it from be
low.
One of the leaders of the party
Salmon Drew, vigorously objected t.
the locality. ~ say it's risky" h'
declared. "There's plenty of free lane
round here, and if We build undel
that big tower of stone it may toppl'
over on us some day."
Pennel Harding, another leader
treated his protest with contempt. A
hot argument ensued. But Pennel-
a tall, stalwart, gloomy.browed man
leaning one hand on his fint-lock
gazed at the frowning mass of stone
with frown of defiance as unyieldine
as itself, and said: "1t stood there
long before our fathers we're born OF
thought of, and I guess it will stay
where it is long after we are all gone
Them that's afraid, though, can move
off to one side."
This settled the question. Salmon
accepted the covert challenge, and
when they made their clearings, be
placed his cabin right opposite Pen
nel's, under the shadow of the Rock
Tower, from which the village that
ultimately sprang up there, took its
name. But it was not long before the
rivalry shown in this first dispute be.
tween Salmon and Pennel extended
itself to every important question that
came up. They quarreled over land
livestock, traps and game.
Only one thing kept their mutual
hostility within bounds, and that was
the fact that Pencils son, Luke
loved Salmon Drew's daughter, Julia,
and had declared that, with her con
sent, he was going to marry her. AT
length, one day a favorite dog of Pen
nnl Harding's was found dead on Sal
mans land. Pennel came over to the
cabin, carrying his gun, and inquired
for Salmon but his neighbor had gone
hunting. Pennel went hunting, too
but the object of his hunt was nothing
less than his neighbor. He was re-
solved to have satisfaction, even if il
were human life, for the death of his
dog. Striking into the forest, he found
a trail, which he believed to be Sal.
mons, and followed it with rapid
strides. 1t was hard to trace and
went about circuitously; but the keen
woodsman, spurred by passion, sue
ceeded in pursuing all its deviations.
At last it turned, taking the home
ward direction, and then Penne! re.
doubled his speed, as if fearful that if
once the other man reached the set-
tlement his purpose of holding him to
account would be frustrated. Night
approached and a storm threatened
vet, by some fatal instinct, Pennel
managed to make his way unerringly.
Finally, just as the storm burst in rain,
thunder and lightning, he came up
with Salmon at the top of the Rock
Tower, preparing to descend a steep
slope at the side.
Resting his gun in the bend of his
arm he called to Salmon, who turned
and faced him unhesitatingly.
"Why did you kill my dog?" Pen
mel demanded.
II didn't kill him." said the other.
eff I had I'd give you leave to kill
me-"
"Well, I'll take leave anyhow" "
Pennel declared. He advanced threat
enipgly, with his gun in both hands.
Salmon also grasped his piece defen-
sively, but retreated out upon the
rock, protesting his innocence and
warning the other not to attack him.
The wind blew the rain around him
like winding sheet; thunder broke
in furious detonations, as if it would
wrench the mountains from their base,
and in the gathering darkness it was
hard for Salmon to be sure of his foot
ing. The terrific tempest did not
seem to appal Pennel. If it had any
effect it increased his unreasonable
violence.
With further oaths and accusations,
he raised his weapon and leveled 1t TO
fire. At that instant a prodigious
blaze of lightning dazzled the eyes OF
both men. Salmon, however, saw the
gun barrel pointing toward him anc
the fierce face at the other end OF 1t.
He started back involuntarily; he was
very near the edge; his foot slipped,
and he fell over backward to his death,
the one loud shrek that he gave being
drowned in an overpowering burst OF
thunder which followed the lightning
as he went down into the depths.
Stunned by the strangeness of this
catastrophe, which accomplished his
murderous purpose at the same time it
prevented him from actually killing
his enemy, Pennel recoiled. He dared
not remain alone on that rock in its
awful desolation. A moment before he
had the companionship, such as it
was, of the man whom he meant to
slay. Now he felt himself utterly for.