Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-01-31
CHAPTER XVIII.

laid up for repair. One has to search
q bit for record of more wicked fire.
But we deserve not all the glory some
histories have bestowed, for we had
a larger feet and better, II fewer, guns.
It was, however, a thing to be proud
of, that victory Of the young captain.
Our men, of whom many were raw re-
cruits-farmers and woodsmen--stood
to their work with splendid valor, and,
for us in the north, 1t came near being
decisive. D'ri and were so put out
of business that no part OF the glory
was ours, albeit We were praised In
orders for valor under fire. But for
both l say We had never less pride
of ourselves in any affair we had had
to do with. Well, as I have said be-
fore, we were at our best with sa-
Der, and big guns were out OF our
line
We went into hospital awhile, D'ri
having caught cold and gone out Of his
head with fever. We had need Of
spell on our backs for what with all
our steeplechasing over ys.wning
graves-that is the way always think
Of tive were somewhat out OF breath.
No news had reached me Of the count
or the young ladies, and took some
worry to bed with me, but was up in
a week and ready for more trouble.
had to sit with D'ri awhile before he
could mount a horse.
September was nearing its last day
when we got OF brig at the Har-
Dor. We were no sooner at the dock
than some one began to tell us OF
new plan for the invasion Of Canada.
knew Brown had had no part in 1t,
for he said in my hearing once that
It was too big chunk to bite of.
There were letters from the count
and Therese, his daughter. They had
news for me, and would | not ride
over as soon as / returned? My
mother-dearest and best of mothers
had written me, and her tenderness
cut me like sword for the way had
neglected her. Well, 1t Is ever so with
a young man whose heart has found
new queen. I took the missive with
wet eyes to our good farmer-general
of the north. He read 1t, and spoke
with feeling Of his own mother gone
to her long rest.
BELL" said he, "you are worn out.
After mess in the morning mount your
horses, you and the corporal. and go
and Welt them. Report here for duty
on October 16."
Then, as ever after kindness, he
renewed his quid Of tobacco, turning
quickly to the Uttered desk at head
quarters.
We mounted our own horses fine,
frosty morning. The white earth glim-
mered in the first touch of sunlight.
All the fairy lanterns of the frost king,
hanging in the stubble and the dead
grass, glowed brief time, flickered
family, and went out. Then the brown
sward lay bare, save in the shadows Of
rock or hill or forest that were still
white. A great glory had fallen over
the far-reaching woods. Looking down
a long valley, we could see towers Of
evergreen, terraces Of red and brown,
golden steeple-tops, gilded domes min
areted with lavender and purple and
drared with scarlet banners. 1t seemed
as II the trees were striving after all
the green riot Of summer, and making
ready for sackcloth and ashes. Some
stood trembling, and as If drenched in
their own blood. Now and then a
lead was bare and bent, and naked
arms were lifted high, as If to implore
mercy.
Fine air." said l, breathing deep as
we rode on slowly.
"T is sart'n," said D'ri Mother
used t say at the frost wus only the
breath O. angels, an when it melted
it gin us a leetle O. the the air o.
heaven"
Of earth or heaven, it quickened us
all with new life. The horses fretted
for their heads, and went off at gal
lop, needing no cluck or spur. We
pulled up at the chateau well before
the luncheon hour. D'ri took the
horses, and l was shown to the library.
where the count came shortly, to give
me hearty welcome.
And what Of the captives% l In
quired, our greeting over.
Alas! 1t lie terrible; they have not
returned" said he, ''and am in great
trouble, for l have not written to
France of their peril. Dieu! l hoped
they would be soon released. They are
well and now we have good news. I'm
bien, we hope to see them soon. But
of that Therese shall tell you. And
you have had terrible time on Lake
Erie?"
He had read of the battle, but
wanted my view Of it. l told the story
of the Lawrence and Perry; OF what
D'ri and ] had hoped to do, and or
what had been done to us. My ac-
count of D'ri-his droll comment, his
valor, his misfortune-touched and
tickled the count. He laughed, ne
clapped his hands, he shed tears OF en-
thusiasm; then he rang a bell.
THE M'sieur D'ri-bring him here
said he to a servant.
D'ri came soon with worried look,
his trousers caught on his boot-tops,
an old felt hat in his hand. Somehow
he and the hat were as king and coro-
nal in their mutual fitness; if he lost
one, he swapped for another OF about
the same shade and shape. His brows
were lifted, his eyes wide open with
watchful timidity. The count had
opened a leather case and taken out
of it a shiny disk Of silver. He stepped
to D'ri, and fastened 1t upon his waist
coat.
Pour Ia valeur eprouvee-de PEm-
pereur," said he, reading the inscrip-
ton as he clapped him on the shoulder.
"It was given to a soldier for bravery
at Austerlitz by the great Napoleon,
said he. "And, God rest him! the SOL
dier he died of his wounds. And to me
he left the medal in trust for some
man, the most brave, intrepid, honor
able. M'sieur D'ri, have the pleasure
4 lo1~