Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-02
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina.
By JOHN H. KENNEDY.

ments, thronged the table Of the COM
mon room of the house, where spirits
and water had been set out for their
accommodation, and rude jokes, laugh
ter and oaths, were mingled together
In deafening clamor.
Move out the prisoner" shouted
Habershaw; "he goes with the infan-
try afoot. I'll never trust another of
the tribe with horse"
Follow, sir" said one Of the senti-
nels near Buffers person, as he faced
to the right with his musket at an
advance" and led the way to the
door.
Butler rose and before he placed
himself in the position required, ask
ed
Where is it you purpose to conduct
me?
"Silence!" said Habershaw sternly.
"Obey orders, sir, and march where
you are directed"
Butler folded his arms and looked
scornfully at the uncouth savage be-
fore him as he replied
II am a prisoner, sir, and therefore
bound to submit to the force that con-
strains me. But there will be a day
Of reckoning, both for you and your
master. 1t will not be the lighter to
him for having hired such a ruffian to
do the business in which he Is asham-
ed to appear himself"
Devils leavingsi" screamed Haber-
shaw, almost choked with choler, dare
you speak to me so? BY my heart l
have mind to cleave your skull for
you! My master, sir! You will find
out, before long, who is master, when
Hugh Habershaw has tied the knot
that is to fit your neck"
Peace, villian!" exclaimed Butler;
'T cannot come too soon into the pres
ence of those who claim to direct your
motions"
Here James Curry interposed to
draw off the incensed captain, and
Butler, having received another order
from the officer Of the guard, moved
out upon the road and took the place
that was assigned him, between two
platoons Of the foot soldiers.
The troopers being mounted and
formed into column Of march with
Habershaw and his trumpeter at the
head and Curry in the rear now mo-
forward at slow gait, followed by the
detachment Of infantry who had the
prisoner under their especial charge.
1t was near noon when the party
took up the line Of march, and they
prosecuted their journey southwark
with such expedition as to tax But
ler's powers to the utmost to keep even
pace with them over roads. that were
in many places rendered miry by the
late rain. Towards evening, however,
the sun had sufficiently dried the soil
to make the travel less fatiguing; and
by that hour when the light Of day
only fingered upon the tops OF the
western hills, the military escort with
their prisoner, were seen passing
through defile that opened upon their
view an extensive bivouac OF some
two or three hundred horse and foot
and occupying a space of open field,
encompassed with wood and guarded in
its rear by a smooth and gentle river
The spot at which they had arrived
was the camp of a partisan corps un-
der the command of Colonel Innis. A
farmhouse was seen in the immediate
neighborhood, which was used as the
headquarters Of party Of officers.
Numerous horses were attached to the
trees that bounded the plain, and va
rious shelters were made in the same
quarter, in the rudest form of accom-
mediation, of branches and underwood
set against ridge-poles, that were sus-
tained by stakes, to protect the men
against the weather Groups Of this
irregular soldiery were scattered over
the plain. few wagons were seen COL
lected in one direction, and, not far off,
line of fires. around which parties
were engaged in cooking food. Here
and there a sentinel was seen pacing
his short limits. and occasionally the
roll Of a drum and the flourish Of a
fife announced some ceremony of the
camp police.
! The escort marched quickly across
this plain until it arrived in front of
the farmhouse. Here a guard was
drawn up to receive them; and, as
soon as the usual military salute was
passed and the order to stand at
case" given, Habershaw put the de-
tachment under the command Of the
lieutenant of infantry, and, accompan-
led by Curry. walked into the house to
make his report to the commanding Of
ficer of the post.
In a few moments afterwards Col
onel Innis. attended by two or three
military men-some of whom wore the
uniform of the British regular army
came from the house and passed has
tily along the line of the escort, sur
veying Butler only with a rapid glance
Having regained the door, he was
heard to say
1T is very well let the prisoner
have a room above stairs. See that he
wants nothing proper to his situation;
and, above all. be attentive that he be
kept scrupulously under the eye oi
his guard"
When this order was given, the COL
onel retired with his attendants to his
quarters, and Butler was forthwith
conducted, by file Of men. up mar
row. winding stairs to a small apart
ment in the angle of the roof, where he
was provided with a chair, light, ant
a comfortable bed. His door was lef
open. and on the outside of it, full II
his view, was posted a sentinel. HI
was too weary even to be troubled witt
the cares of his present condition
and. without waiting, therefore, fol
food, or seeking to inquire into whose
hands he had fallen, or even to turn hi
thoughts upon the mysterious chain o
circumstances that hung over him, III
flung himself upon the couch, and sanl
into a profound and grateful sleep.