Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-08-29
ELLEN CAMPBELL
KINGS MOUNTAIN
Written for the Enquirer Mary A Ewart
CHAPTER ".
The arms are fair
When the intent Of bearing them Is just


When the intent Of bearing them Is Just
In a fork made by the waters of
Crowder's Creek and the Catawba
river,aa party of troopers were biv-
ouaciSing on a night, In the last quar-
ter of the month Of September. Fires
had been kindled for the preparation
of their evening meal, and though
late, had not died out; and with the
torches that were constantly moving
above, gave life and character to the
brilliant panorama The party con-
sisted. of about thirty men. their tents
the broad sky above them, their can
opy the leafy bowers. The most OF the
soldiers were stretched upon the
ground with their knapsacks for their
pillows, the grassy sward their bed.
whileS saddles, brides, muskets and
sabres- hung from the adjoining boughs
or leaned against the trees. The horses
were picketed near. and their OCCASION
al neigh or fiery snort with their inces-
SAINT trampling added yet more to the
excitement of the scene.
At the farthest extremity Of the
camp, and retired from the hustle by
a thicker natural growth, assembled
a body of officers. A few blazing pine
faggots, stuck in the neighboring trees,
served to illumine the countenances or
the party. The most Of them were
lying on the ground with the wearied
air of tired men. but the most prom
inent figure, and from the uniform.
the leader of the troop, stood as II In
anxious expectation.
'I trust no harm has befallen Bow
en-; he should be here by this time"
AS he spoke, ne drew from his breast
his watch, and exclaimed, I'll o'clock,
and not yet here! This must be seen
to. Ho! there. Darby, order out a re-
connoitering party"
mo need. sir, II you want tidings
of Captain Bowen. Here is Hotspur,
now galloping into the camp"
How, now, Hotspur, what newsT
said Major Davie, for he 1t was,
"nere'S Bowen!
THE Tories are halting about twen-
ty-five miles from here, at Catawba
ford, near the Waxhaw, and will not
venture the crossing before they have
daylight, to transport their roguery,"
he said, full Of the principal news.
THE captain sent me on with the in
telligence; he's coming with the rest"
And good news 1t is; no! here. wake
up, boys. Darby sound. sound to sad
dle.' Up! boys. up. Officers to your
duty"
At once, everything sleeping, start
ed: troopers were hurrying rapidly
across the ground; the clanking Of
their broad swords, the priming Of
their muskets, equipping their horses
made every hand busy.
How many men has Bowen with
him..
About thirty: as clever a set Of fea-
lows as ever handled broad sword
full rugged, too. The mans had
witches at work for him-but there
he is to speak for himself"
And as he spoke. Captain Bowen,
at the head Of his men, came dashing
into the camp. The soldiers could not
refrain from huzzas of trump at the
goodly accession, but Major Davies
stern "silence!" reduced them quick
ly to order; while in more modulated
tones they welcomed their companions
in arms.
Welcome! Bowen, welcome; you
have indeed been busy" said Major
Davie, as he grasped Bowen's hand.
Fine stalwart fellows, too. and every
man we'll mounted: but what news Is
this of Hotspur?"
THE Tories have been securing the
country, foraging for supplies for
CORVALLIS at the Waxhaws, or Raw
don at Camden, I cannot learn which;
they have been unusually fortunate,
and are encountered with their pro-
visions"
What force have they?"
"One hundred, shall say-certainly
not less; but we are a match for them
unencumbered as we are-do you not
think so?" said Bowen, seeing the ma
jor hesitated.
Certainly / do" replied Davie. Il
was thinking II our force could man.
age the prisoners and supplies both.
We must have arms. Sewer is need
ing them, and what plunder we cannot
restore we will use ourselves. Tne
prisoners might go on parole TOT l
cannot delay my motions with them;
but there is no honor in these rascally
Tories. Ten to one, they will fre on
our backs. II they can succeed In con-
cealing or stealing a single weapon.
We'll, catch them first. and then
dispose of them" laughed Bowen.
That's not my way, you know. cap
tain," replied the major in high good
humor at the promised prize, "but we
must not waste time. Form In hne'
he thundered. and springing on
spirited charger and followed oy MS
officers, galloping to the head or MS
men by a rapid movement wheeled
them into column. and clear above the
clashing Of sabres. the tramping OF the
horses and the impatient directions
Of the officers, rang his clarion voice
Forward"
II was before the grey Of the morn
ing when the Whig cavalry reacheo
the ford. The Tories. under the COM
mand Of Captain Hardy. an officer OF
Lord CORVALLIS. were lazily rousins
themselves after a nights debauch, and
slowly preparing to take the road
The baggage and plunder had been
left in rear of the camp, but the
horses were near the rivers edge for
the greater convenience of watering
Suddenly. the report Of fire arms at
tracted attention, and the cry or to
horse!" resounded through the camp;
but ere they could mount. the frish'
tened outposts were driven in' ano
laundering quick upon them, the WING
cavalry burst into the camp. 1t was
scene Of widest confusion. Rouseo
from their slumbers. the Tories rusheo
out, half naked. to be cut down pS
the victorious cavalry. A few gained