Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-02-03

carpeted with moss and needles. w
peered OF into the gloom, but saw
nothing.
D'ri blew out q thoughtful breath,
looking up into the air coolly. as he
filled his pipe. ..... ...
"Consarned IL ever I wanted t have
a smoke g. bad n all my born days"
he remarked.
Then he moved his holster, turned
his scabbard, and sat down quietly,
putting his pipe with some look OF
weariness and reflection. We were sit
ting there less than five minutes when
we heard a football near by; then sud
denly two men strode up to US In the
dim light I recognized at once the
easy step, the long, 1.-the figure, OF his
lordship in the dress Of citizen, saw
ing sword and pistols.
"Ah, good evening, gentlemen" said
he, quietly. How are you?"
Better than-than when we saw you
last" l answered. ...
D'ri had not moved; he looked at
me with sympathetic smile.
81, presume" said his lordship, In
that familiar, lazy tone, as he lighted
cigar, there was-ah-good room
for improvement, was there not?"
Abundant" said I, thoughtfully.
"You were not in the best Of health
yourself that evening""
"True," said he; Il was in bad
fettle and worse luck"
How are the ladies?"
Quite WE'LL" said he, blowing long
puff.
Ready to deliver them" I in
quired.
Presently" said he. There are
some formalities."
(Which are" I added quickly.
"A trife of expenses and a condi-
tion," said he, lazily. ....
How much. and what?" inquired,
as D'ri turned his ear.
Zone thousand pounds" said his
lordship, quickly. mot penny more
than this matter has cost me and his
majesty"
What else?" said I.
"This man." he answered calmly,
with little gesture aimed at D'ri.
My friend rose, struck his palm with
the pipe-bowl, and put up his knife.
"Ef ye re goin' t TEX me-" said he,
better begin right off, er ye won't hev
time fore breakfast"
Then he clapped the moose-horn to
his lips and blew a mighty blast 1t
made the two men Jump and set the
near thicket reeling The weird barry
tone went off moaning in the far
wastes Of timber. It's rush Of echoes
had begun. I put my hand to my
sabre, for there in the edge Of the
gloom I saw thing that stirred me to
the marrow. The low frs were moving
toward us, root and branch, their twigs
falling Gods of war! 1t made my
hair stand for jiffy to see the very
brush take feet and legs. On sea or
land never saw a thing that gave
me so odd feeling. We stood for
breath or two, then started back, our
sabres flashing; for. as the twigs fell,
we saw they had been decorating a
squad Of the British. They came on.
] struck at the lantern, but too late,
for his lordship had swung 1t away.
He stumbled, going to his knees; the
lantern hit the earth and went out. I
had seen the squad break, running each
way, to surround us. D'ri grabbed my
hand as the dark fell, and we went
plunging through the little pines, hit
ting a man heavily, who fell grunting
We had begun to hear the rattle OF
boats. shouting, and quick steps on
the shore We crouched a moment.
D'ri blew the moose-horn. pulling me
aside with him quickly after the blast.
Lights were now flashing near. I could
see little hope for us, and D'ri, I
thought, had gone crazy. He ran at
the oncomers, yelling, 'Hey Rube!" al
the top of his lungs. lay low In the
brush a moment. They rushed by me,
D'ri in the fore with Tending sabre. A
tawny hound was running in the lead,
his nose down, baying loudly. Then
I saw the truth, and made after them
with all the speed Of my legs. They
hustled over the ridge. their lights
flashing under. For jiffy could see
only, here and there, leaping glow In
the tree-tops I rushed on, passing
one who had tumbled headlong. The
lights below me scattered quickly and
stopped. l heard great yelling, a
roar of muskets, and clash Of swords.
A hush fell on them as came near.
Then l heard voice that thrilled me-
"Your sword, sir!" it commanded.
STOP" said I, sharply, coming
near.
There stood my father in the lantern
light, his sword drawn, his gray hair
stirring in the breeze. Before him
was my old adversary, his lordship,
sword in hand. Near by the squad of
British, now surrounded, were giving
up their arms. They had backed to
the rivers edge; I could hear 1t lap
ping their heels. His lordship sneered,
looking at the veteran who stood in
a gray frock Of homespun, for all the
world, l fancy, like one Of those old
yeomen who fought with Cromwell.
Your sword, sir" my father re-
peated.
Pardon me-" said the young man,
with fascinating GOODNESS Of man
ner, "but shall have to trouble you"
He hesitated, feeling his blade.
"How? said my father.
ITO fight for It," said his lordship.
quietly.
"Surrender-fool!" my father an
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