Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-09

same manner as the woodman, and
equally ignorant Of its meaning. 'it
will be a bad day for Tom Eskridge
the rank, obstropolous Tory, when he
meets me, Wat Adair. I have reason
to think that he tried to clap some OF
Tarleton's dragons on my back over
here at the Waxhaws. There's hemI
growing for that scapegrace at this
very time"
"You heard of no red-coats about
the Tiger" asked Adair.
mot one" replied Lynch; "the
nearest post is Cruger's. in Ninety.
Six"
Then your way, Mr.. Robinson, Is
tolerable for today" added Adair;
"but war is war, and there is always
some risk to be run when men are
parading with their rifles in their
hand. But see! it Is hard upon SUM-
rise. Let us go and give some direc-
tions about breakfast. I will send out
some of the boys to hunt up the
horses; they will be ready by the time
we have had something to eat"
Without further delay Adair strobe
rapidly up the hill to the dwelling
house, the sergeant and Lynch follow
ing as soon as the latter had put his
jaded beast in the stable. By the time
these were assembled in the porch the
family began to show signs Of life. and
1t was q little after sunrise when But
Ter came forth ready for the prose-
cution Of his journey. A few words
were exchanged in private between
Lynch and the woodman, and after
much idle talk and contrived delay,
two lazy and lettering negro boys
were sent off in quest Of the travellers
horses. Not long after this the ami
mails were seen coursing from one
part Of the field to another, defying
all attempts to get them into a cor
ner or to compel them to pass through
the place that had been opened in or
der to drive them towards the stable.
There was an air of concern and ST.
lent bewilderment visible upon But
ler's features. and an occasional ex-
preston Of impatience escaped his
lips as he watched from the porch
the Intellectual efforts of the negroes
to force the truant steeds towards the
house.
"All in good time" said Adair, an
swering the thoughts and looks of
Butler, rather than his words, "all in
good time; they must have their play
out. 1t is a good sign, sir, to see a
travellers horse so capersome Of a
morning Wife, make haste with your
preparations; Horse Shoe and his
friend here mustn't be kept back from
their days journey. Stir yourself,
Mary Musgrove!"
"Will the gentlemen stay for break
fast?" inquired Mary, with doubtful
look at Butler.
"wnl they? To be sure they will!
Would you turn off friends from the
door with empty stomachs, you mink,
and especially with a whole days
starvation ahead Of them?" exclaimed
the woodman.
1T thought they had far to ride" re-
piled the girl, "apd would choose,
rather than wait, to take some cold
provision to eat upon the road"
"Tush! Go about your business,
niece! The horses are not caught
yet, and you may have your bacon
fried before they are at the door,"
ut shall be ready, then, in a mo-
ment." returned Mary and she betook
herself diligently to her task of pre-
paration. During the interval that
followed, the maiden several times at
tempted to gain moments speech
with Butler, but the presence of
Adair or Lynch as frequently forbade
even a whisper; and the morning
meal was at length set smoking on
the table without the arrival of the
desired opportunity. The repast was
speedily finished. and the horses
having surrendered to the emissaries
who had been despatched to bring
them in, were now in waiting for their
master. Horse Shoe put into the
| woodman's hand a small sum of
money in requital for the entertain
ment afforded to his comrade and
himself, and having arranged their
baggage upon the saddles, announced
that they were ready to set forward
on their journey. Whilst the travel
ers were passing the farewells GUS
tomary on such occasions, Mary Mus
grove, whose manner during the whole
morning gave many indications Of
painful secret concern, now threw
| herself in Buffers way, and as she
modestly offered him her hand al
parting, and heard the little effusior
Of gallantry and compliment with
which it was natural for a well-bred
man and a soldier to speak at such q
moment, she took the opportunity to
whisper-"The left hand road at the
Fork-remember!" and instantly glid-
ed to another part Of the house. But
ler paused but for an instant, and then
hurried forward with the sergeant tc
their horses.
wat, you promised to put us or
the track to Grindall's Ford" said
Horse Shoe, as he rose into his seat.
IT am ready to go part Of the way
with you" replied the woodman, 81
will see you to the Fork, and after
that you must make out for your
selves. Michael, fetch me my rifle"
| 1t was not more than half past sly
when the party set forth on their jour
ney. Our two travellers rode along a
an easy gait, and Wat Adair, throwing
his rifle carelessly across his shoulder
stepped out with long swinging steI
that kept him without difficulty
abreast of the horsemen, as they pur
sued their way over hill and dale.
They had not journeyed half mile
before they reached a point in thu
woods az which Adair called halt.
my trap is but a little off th'
road" he said, land l must beg yo'
to stop until I see what luck 1 hav'
this morning It's a short bushes
and soon done. This way, Horse Shoe
h