Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-13

might arrive by daylight the next
morning, and remain for a few days al
small risk of discovery; and thither,
accordingly, it was resolved they
should repair.
This being settled, Horse Shoe now
procured a supply Of provisions from
Mistress Ramsay, and then proceeded
to arm himself with the sword and pis-
tolls of the ensign, whilst Christopher
suspended across his body the sword
of Goliath. as the sergeant called the
brand he had snatched up at Black
stocks, and also took possession OF one
Of the captured muskets.
"If it don't go against your con-
science, Mistress Ramsay" said Horse
Shoe, when the preparations for the
journey were completed, II would take
it as a favor, in case any interlopers
mought happen to pop In upon you, II
you would just drop hint that you
have heard that Sumpter's people had
been seen about these parts. 1t would
have an amazing good bearing on the
Tories. Besides making them wary
how they strayed about the woods 1t
would be sure to put the bloodhounds
on a wrong scent, II they should
chance to be sarching for the young
ensign. l know you women are little
ticklish about a fib, but then it's an
honest trick of the war sometimes.
And, to make you easy about 1t, 1t will
be no more than the truth to say you
did hear it-for you obsarve, tell you
so now."
But" replied the scrupulous ma
tron, "if they should ask me who told
me, what should I answer"
why" said the sergeant hesitating,
"just out with it-ten 'em you heard
1t from one Horse Shoe Robinson;
that'll not make the news the worst in
the point of credit. And be sure, good
woman, above all things, to remind
David. when he gets back tonight,
that the rank and file, in our prison
yonder, are not to be turned loose be-
fore three o'clock in the morning"
This last caution was repeated to
Andy, who still performed the duty of
a sentinel at the door of the outhouse.
All things being now arranged for
their departure, Ensign st. Jermyn was
brought from the chamber where he
had been confined, and was invited to
join the sergeant and Christopher at
supper before they left. This meal was
ably and rapidly discussed by the
stout yeoman, and scarcely less honor
ed by the prisoner, whom the tolls and
privations Of the day had brought to
enjoyment of a good appetite.
With many cheering and kind ex-
pressions of encouragement from the
sergeant, the young officer prepared to
comply with the demands of his cap
tors, and was soon in readiness to at
tend them. Robinson lifted him into
his saddle with a grasp as light as II
he was dealing with a boy, and then
bound him by the surcingle to the
horses back whilst he offered a good
humored apology for the rigor of this
treatment.
1T is not the most comfortable way
of riding Mr.. Ensign" he said, with
chuckle; but fast bind fast find. Is
Almost an excellent good rule for a
traveller in the dark. l hope you don't
think l take any pleasure in oncom-
moding you, but 1t is my intention to
lead your horse by the rein tonight,
and this friend of mine will keep in the
rear. So, by way Of a caution, would
just signify to you that II you should
think Of a Playing a prank you will
certainly bring some trouble upon your
head-as one or another of us would
in that case be obliged to fire. 1t Is
nothing more than military punctilium
to give you friendly warning Of
this
You might dispense with this sever
ity, l should think" replied the pris-
oner, upon my pledge of honor that /
will make no effort to escape"
Il can take no pledge in the dark
returned Horse Shoe: daylight
make a difference. If we
should happen to fall in with any OF
your gangs I'm thinking a pledge
wouldn't come to much more than
cobweb when I ak you to gallop out OF
the way of your own people. Flesh Is
weak, as the preacher says, and, to my
mind, it Is a little the weaker when
the arm is strong or the foot swift
Temptation is at the bottom of all
backsliding. No, no, Mr.. Ensign, you
may get away, If you can; We'll take
care of you whilst we're able-thats
simple understanding"
Without further speech the party
proceeded on their journey. They
travelled as rapidly as was consistent
with the ease of the prisoner and the
nature of the ground over which they
had to move. For the first eight or
ten miles, their route lay across
country with but few impediments,
except such as arose from the unsea-
sonable hour of the ride. After this
they found the toll and hazard Of trav-
el continually increasing. They had
been retreating from the settled coun-
try towards a rough wilderness, which
was penetrated only by an obscure
road. so little beaten as to be scarcely
discernible in the faint starlight, ana
which it required all Christophers s
skill in woodcraft to follow. Our trav-
e!ers, consequently, often lost their
way. and were obliged to get down
from their horses and grope about to
ascertain the path. The stars had
shone all night through a cloudless
armament, but the deep shade of the
forest thickened around the wander
ers, and it was frequently with diff
Guilty, even that they could discern
each others figures.
They reached at length the small
stream upon whose banks, some miles
above, was situated the place to which
their steps were directed; and they
were thus rendered more sure of their
road, as they had only to follow the
ascending course of the brook. the
delays and impediments of the journey