Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-08-27
CHAPTER VIII.
THE DUEL.

3Ex = off the road. which
E~1 1 here widened into q
10y small area trodden fat
@ by many feet. into the
grassy field at the side. and stood at
the horses heads In readiness.
The men on the ladder, who were
pulling away at the thatch with zeal
stopped their work. "What's that,
GeorgeT asked one. Seems like
horses. They're coming after the young
lady likely" So he slid down. the lad
der. followed by the other. and they
ran round to the front, seizing their
poles in case Of need. At elections and
on the occasion Of a street fight the
chairman's pole has often proved q
very efficient weapon. Handled with
dexterity. It Is like quarter staff. but
heavier. and will not only stun man,
but will brain him or break arm. leg
or ribs for him.
"For my part" Molly told me. II
saw them suddenly desist from theif
work. though in a few minutes the
hole In the thatch would have beer
large enough to admit Of mans pass
ing through. was waiting within.
knife in hand. DO you think ! would
have suffered one Of those fellows to
lay hand upon me? Well. In the midst
of their work they stopped. they listen
ed. and they stepped down the ladder
What did this mean? There was no
window 10 the loft except q single
frame of glass with half dozen small
diamond shaped panes. too high up to
serve any purpose except to admit q
little light. put my head through the
hole In the thatch. and heard-tmag'
inc my JOY the clatter of horses' boots
and the voices of the horsemen. And
then knew and was quite certain that
my rescue had arrived. Jack l said
to myself. has found out the way taken
by this villain and is riding after
him"
Alas. I who should have been riding
I'm the front Of all was at that moment
unconsciously sleeping In my bunk
,OOard the Lazy or Lynn.
81 thought that at such a moment
Mr.. Rising would be wholly occupied
with defending himself. l therefore
Withdrew the boards from the top of
the stair and looked down. No one
was In the ROOM below that l could
see cautiously descended. In the
corner OF the settle by the fireplace
there was the old woman Of the house.
"'They are coming after you. missy
she said. 4 knew how it would end
l warned him. I told him that every.
thing was against it. I read his luck
by the cards and by the magpies and
by the swallows. Everything was
against it. They are coming. Harkl
They are very close now. And they
will kill him.
IL ran to the open door. Mr.. Rising
was in the middle Of the road, without
his hat, his sword in his hand; behind
him stood his chalrmen. He was not
going to give me up without fight.
The postboy had drawn the chaise into
the field, and the sedan chair was
standing beside 1t. And down the
road, only q little way off. saw in the
growing light Of daybreak Lord Fy.
lingdale leading, the captain beside
him and half a dozen gentlemen fol.
lowing, all on horseback.
""There she Is! There Is Mollyr
cried the captain. What cheer, lassi
What cheer?
Lord Fylingdale held up his hand
The whole party drew rein and halted.
Then their leader dismounted. They
were now about 20 yards from the
men. He threw his reins to the near
est of the little troop. Gentlemen
he said. we must proceed with this
business without hurry or bluster or
threats. Mr.. Rising will perhaps
threaten and buster. We are here to
rescue lady and to punish villain.
Let both be done without appearance
Of wrath or revenge. Captain Crowle.
do not dlsmount, l entreat you, until
the conclusion of the next act. Molly
is. as you see. apparently safe and un.
hurt
"They obeyed.
81 shall now measure swords with
the young gentleman who thinks that
he can carry off heiresses with impu.
nifty. would advise you to advance
a little closer to the house. He must
understand that punishment awaits
him. If not from me, then from some
other Of this company
look at Tom said one Of them.
His blood is up. He Is now all for
fighting. He means mischief, If ever
he has meant mischief. remember at
Swaffham when he fought the young
squire of Headlngley. That was about
a girl. too-a mere, worthless drab OF
a tavern servant. Tom broke down his
mans guard and ran him through In
half minute. wish we were we'll
out Of this job
tom stood in the road, as | hava
said. his sword in hand, his hat lying
on the ground before him. II flaming
checks and eyes rs fiery as those Of
bull brought to bay mean mischief,
then Toms intention was murderous.
ITO thwart Tom In anything tho
gentleman went OH. is dangerous; but
to take away his girl-and such girl
to roi him Of that great fortune just al
the moment Of success, would madden
A., ,,,;1,3oSf of mon Hn lOnkS like q