Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-09-13

There were a hundred men in the COM
pany Leaving the table he sent for
the officer in command. In his softest
manner he inquired why the men were
so slow at their work. The gun was
heavy, said the officer. He was told to
parade his men. He did so. Let every
fourth man step to the 'front.'" said
Christophe. The order was obeyed. He
then ordered that those who had step
ped to the front be shot. They were
shot. You are now seventy-five," said
Christophe in his sulkiest tones to the
survivors. Let me see you pull the gun
up" The seventy tried and failed.
Once more they were paraded. Every
third man stepped to the front in an
swer to Christophe's low command.
They were shot. You are now fifty
men," he said; "let me see you pull
the gun in place." With the despera-
ton of despair the fifty men strained
at the ropes and succeeded in their
tasks. II thought you could do it." said
Christophe with a smile. Then he or
dered the fifty men shot. They were
shot and he resumed his luncheon.
He was walking on the battlements
one day with a young man toward
whom he had shown some kindness
"How far is it to the bottom?" he ask
ed of his young companion, looking
over the edge, which bordered preci-
pice. 1.-TWO thousand feet, SIR" was
the answer. LET me see you jump
over" said Christophe. The young man
sprane into space. From the sides OF
the precipice grew some sturdy bushes
and from top to bottom there were
strong and elastic creepers. In some OF
these bushes the young mans body, as
| by a miracle, was caught. With won
derful agility he made his way to the
bottom, then climbed the mountain
trail, and, appearing before Christophe,
torn, bleeding and breathless, murmur-
ed: Your bidding has been done, SIR
LET me see you do 1t again, SAID
Christophe. Only one miracle was per-
formed that day and ne did not return.
When Christophe heard of subject
who had money he sent for him. If he
failed to produce as much as was ex-
pected, he was thrown over the battle
ments or dropped into a bottle-necked
dungeon. When a majority Of his SUD-
iects had given all they possessed to
the Black Napoleon and his gains
amounted to many millions, he had
them buried, it is said. by some OF his
most trusted guards. In a short time
the guards were seen no more. They
disappeared one by one, ION secret mis-
sions." Christophe said. The Haytiens
were long suffering, but they rose at
last. Christophe was in his Palace OF
Sans Souci when he heard OF the revolt.
He called his guards. gave them money.
which was not his custom, and told
them to slay and spare not. Had ne
been able to accompany them he might
have won one more battle, so great was
the fear inspired by his presence. But
he had been stricken with paralysis. ror
which he took baths Of rum and pepper.
His wife and daughter were with him
when word was brought that his guards
had Joined the insurgents. He found
strength to hobble into a vacant apart
ment of his palace. There he put pis-
tol to his head and pulled the trigger.
His body was carried to La Ferriere oy
his wife and daughter and buried IN the
fortress where, it Is said, his millions
lie hid.
The guard at La Ferriere Is changed
at short intervals to this day. that they
NAV not find Christopher's millions. Of
fetal and unofficial digging for the
buried treasure has been carried on
from the day Of Christophe's death un-
til the present.
Some years ago a rumor fashed
through the island that the treasure
had been discovered. 1t was during the
term of President Hippolyte. A young
man appeared at one Of the gaming Ia
bles at Cape Haytien and paid his losses
in old Spanish doubloons. He gampied.
lost and paid with the air or one 10
whom money is dross. His manners
and his money attracted much atten-
ton. The Haytiens are born gosslps
and tales of Christophes millions are so
ripe that many were quick to Suggest
that the stranger had dug to some pur-
nose. The tale was borne to Hippolyte.
The president sent for the stranger.
"Conflde in me and become gene
rail-" said Hippolyte. in his suaVest
fashion. The stranger said that ne hao
nothing to confide. This was exaspera-
ting. but Hippolyte kept his temper un-
der control and maintained friena'S
attitude. For many days entertaining
the stranger. who seemed quite AT ease
Finally Hippolyte grew tired Of playing
the gentle-mannered host and threaten
ad The stranger betook himself to ST.
lence. He was thrown into prison. HIS
taller practiced arts upon him which
were calculated to open his mouth and
his golfers They failed to extract
confession or q fortune. The prisoner
was set at liberty and followed by spies
day and night. He disappeared as H'ys-
teriously as he had come.
In spite Of the many and persistent
efforts of the Haytien government and
the attempts of thousands of private
|adventurers to find the buried treasure
of the Black Napoleon there Is much
Of La Ferriere that remains unsearche
cd. There are dungeons and gloomy
passages into which even threats ot
death fail to drive the soldiers who are
ever on guard there. There are thick
and rusty iron doors, the creakins or
which sends shivers through the poor
wretches who open them to the few