Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-12-22
CHAPTER w.
THE BANNER OF THE DRAGON.

TO meet the coming SQuduTOho'
He returned home and ate hearty
meal. AS he emerged from the dining
room, Phil seized him by the arm and
led him under the big oak on the lawn:
sCameron, old boy, I'm In lot OF
trouble. I've had a quarrel with my
father, and your sister has broken me
all up by returning my ring. 1 want a
little excitement to ease my nerves.
From Elsie's incoherent talk l 1udse
you are in danger. If there's going 10
be a fight, let me In"
Ben took his hand:
You're the kind Of man I'd like
10 have for a brother and I'll help you
in love-but as for war-it's not your
fight. We don't need help"
At 10 o'clock Ben met the local Den
at their rendezvous under the clifr, TO
prepare for the events Of the night.
The forty members present were
drawn up before him in double rank
of twenty each.
Brethren" he said to them, solemn
Iy, 81 have called you tonight to take
step from which there can be no re-
treat. We are going to make daring
experiment of the utmost Importance.
II there Is a faint heart among you'
now is the time to retire"
I'VE are with all you!" cried the
men.
There are laws of our race, old be-
fore this Republic was born In the
souls Of white freemen. The fiat OF
fools has repealed on paper these laws
Your fathers who created this Nation
were first Conspirators, then Revolu-
tionists, now Patriots and Saints. l
need tonight ten volunteers to lead the
coming clansmen over this county and
disarm every negro In 1t. The men
from North Carolina cannot be recog-
nized. Each Of you must run this risK'
Your absence from home tonight Will
be doubly dangerous for what will be
done here at this negro armory under
my command. ask OF these ten men
to ride their horses until dawn, even
unto death, to ride for their God, their
native land, and the womanhood OF the
south!
ITO each man who accepts this dan
gerous mission, 1 offer for your bed the
earth, for your canopy the sky, Tor
your bread stones; and when the flash
of bayonets shall fling into your face
from the Square the challenge Of mar
tial law the protection I promise you
Is exile. Imprisonment, and DEATH Let
the ten men who accept these terms
step forward four PAGES"
With a single impulse the whole dou-
BILE line of forty white-and-scarlet fig
ures moved quickly forward four
steps!
The leader shook hands with each
man, his voice throbbing with emotion
as he said
Stand together like this, men, and
armies will march and countermarch
over the south in vain! We Will save
the life of our people"
The ten guides selected by the Grano
Dragon rode forward, and each led
division of one hundred men through
the ten townships Of the county and
successfully disarmed every negro be-
fore day without the loss of life.
The remaining squadron Of two hum
dred and fifty men from Hambright,
accompanied by the Grand Titan IN
command Of the Province Of Western
Hill counties, were led by Ben Came
ron into Piedmont as the waning moon
rose between twelve and one o'clock.
They marched past Stoneman's place
on the way to the negro armory, which
stood on the opposite side of the street
a block below.
The wild music Of the beat Of thou
sand hoofs on the cobblestones of the
street walked every sleeper. The old
Commoner hobbled to his window and
watched them pass, his big hands
fumblipg nervously, and his soul stir
red to its depths.
The ghostlike shadowy columns NOV
ed slowly with the deliberate con-
sciousness Of power. The scarlet cir
cles on their breasts could be easily
seen when one turned toward the house,
as could the big red letters K. K. K.
on each horses flank.
In the centre of the line waved from
a gold-tipped spear the battlef1ag or
the Klan. AS they passed the bright
lights burning at his gate, old Stone
man could see this standard plainly.
the black huge dragon with flaming
eyes and tongue seemed living thing
crawling over a scarlet tipped yellow
cloud.
At the window above stood a little
figure watching that banner of the
Dragon pass with aching heart.
Phil stood at another, smiling with
admiration for their daring:
by George, 1t stirs the blood to see
It! You can't crush men of that
breed"
The watchers were not long in doubt
as to what the raiders meant
They deployed quickly around the
armory whistle rang its shrill cry
and a volley of two hundred and fifty
carbines and revolvers smashed every
glass in the building. The sentinel had
already given the alarm, and the drum
was calling the startled negroes to
their arms. They returned the volley
twice. and for ten minutes were an
swered with the steady crack of two
hundred and fifty guns. A white flag
appeared at the door, and the firing
ceased. The negroes laid down their
arms and surrendered. All save three
were allowed to go to their homes for
the night and carry their wounded
with them.
The three confederates in the crime
of their captain were bound and led
away In a few minutes the crash OF
a volley told their end.
The little white figure raped al
Phirs door and placed a trembling
hand on his arm:
Phil" she said softly. please go tc
the hotel and stay until you kno"
all that has happened-untily you kno"
the full list Of those killed and wound
ed I'll wait. You understand"