Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-03-26

| "Qulte correct, Salu Cne Judgej II
approve. It's verdict. Carry out
the sentence, yew," he added to two
of his associates. "And now, gentle
men, I think we've done our duty ;
the hosses wait. Hev ye anything to
say ?" he inquired of the criminal.
The poor man pleaded earnestly for
mercy, and protested his innocence
wildly, but it was useless. The ma
iority of the party then left the hut,
and the two men, placing their unhap.
py prisoner astride mule, unbound
him, except for a turn of the rope on
his left wrist, and walked beside him
to the place of execution. There his
outer clothing was taken from him,
and his boots-those fatal witnesses
laid aside. He was then fastened to a
tree. The place of execution was
we'll chosen. 1t was low point jut-
ting out into the river just above the
rapids. The current was running
swiftly, swollen by the melting SHOWS
and the tremendous rains, which was
still descending in torrents. From this
point the river descended rapidly.
Higher up, but then obscured by the
thickly falling rain and mist, was a
high ridge, which projected across the
river, and formed a sort of bowl-like
enclosure, in the centre Of which was
land is) small wooded island. Below
this spot the river divides. 1t be-
comes narrower, and passing on the
right side over a small rocky break
water, or natural barrier, it takes a
tremendous leap sheer 100 feet over
the rock, spreading out from the base
for many feet in its descent. On the
left side of the island the stream has
worn away the rock to great extent,
and on that side the water hurries
down rapid at steep angle, and at
the bottom meets deep water, which
drives in a swift current over to the
right shore, to strip of beach on low
ground-a watering station for anil
mails.
The men charged with the execu-
ton had we'll chosen the place. The
prisoner stood with hands clasped as
one of the guardians was making pre-
parations, and the other stood ready
to fire should the prisoner attempt to
escape. One was adjusting the cord
upon a neighboring tree, underneath
which the mule had already been led,
when an exclamation from him made
the other guardian turn his head.
The quick eyed Mexican seized his op.
portupity. With swift sweep of his
right hand he severed with the con-
cealed knife the rope at his wrist, and
with a desperate backward spring he
threw himself into the eddying, boil
ing river.
The heavy splash was the first init
nation that the other men had of the
Mexican's escape; and, with revolver
ready, one waited till the swimmer
should reappear. He rose, and struck
out boldly for the opposite shore.
The man raised the pistol, when his
companion stayed his arm.
"Give him a chance, Bob," he said.
"You or me may want a good turn
some day; and, besides, don't b'lieve
he lifted them animals. Soft Smiths
an idjit."
"Well, mebbe yer right" replied the
other, as he returned his pistol. "Poor
chap !" he added, with a touch of feel
ing to which he had long been a
stranger. "Poor chap! the fall will
save US the job, anyhow"
"He's gone!" replied the other.
"He can't git over, eh?"
"You bet !" exclaimed his compan-
ion. "He's right enough, 1 do declare !;
he'll git out now! !"
Meantime the unfortunate fugitive
was struggling vigorously to gain the
centre of the stream. He was SWIM
ming strongly, hand over hand, and
every now and then he cast a glance
at the ridge of rocks that fringed the
rapid leading to the fall of sheer
hundred feet. Could he clear this, he
might be saved. He was making good
way, but ever being drawn nearer and
nearer by the resistless current TO his
destruction. The men on shore watch
ed his progress with feverish anxiety.
Another yard or two and he would
gain the rocky ledge which ended the
fall, and where the less dangerous
rapids began. Would he last ?
The men clasped hands in their
strong excitement, and by simulta-
neous impulse cheered the swimmer
on. The poor wretch heard it. 1t
gave him courage. One minute more
and he would be clear with renewed
energy he strove, and with a despair.
ing effort clutched the rock. His legs
swung for a second into the milky
mass of water above the cataract.
Could he bear the strain ? A cheer
from shore; mighty effort-he swung
himself over, and with long, sweep
ing stroke dashed down the rapids
and disappeared.
The men turned away, breathing
more freely, and returned as hastily as
possible to camp to report. The
storm still continued; the river had
run up the creek, and it was night
fall ere, wet to the skin, and chilled to
the bones, they gained the saloon.
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