Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-05

the ground, and then walked away
while l came up to get them. Though
I didn't think much Of the fashion I
was waited on, and had sometimes to
quarrel with the bulldog for my sup
per, I don't believe I ever ate with q
better appetite in my life. The first
bread of freedom, no matter how
coarse, a man eats after his escape
from prison Is the sweetest morsel In
nature. And I do think 1t Is little
pleasanter when he eats 1t at the risk
Of his life"
Butler nodded his head.
"Well, after this" continued Horse
Shoe, II had like to have lost all by
another mishap. My course was for the
upper country. because the nearer I
got to my own home the better I was
acquainted with the people. That
scrummaging character, Tarleton, you
may have hearn, scrampered of as
soon as ever Charlestown was taken,
after Colonel Abraham Buford, who
was on his way down to the city when
the news was fotch him Of our surren-
der. Buford accordingly came to the
right about, to get out Of harms way
as fast as he could, and Tarieton fol-
lowed close on his heels. Think Of that
devil, major, trying to catch man q
hundred miles away! 1t was a brazen
hearted thing! considering, besides,
| D,,fa rurff
him. When nobody thought 1t any
thing more than brag, sure enough,
he overhauls Buford yonder at the
Waxhaws-onawares you may say
and there he tore him all to pieces.
They say 1t was a bloody cruel sight,
to see how these English troopers did
mangle the poor fellows. doubt there
wasn't fair play. But, major, that
Tarleton rides well and is a proper SOL
dier, take him man to man. 1t so hap
pened that as was making along to-
wards Catawba, who should I come
plump upon, but Tarleton and his lads,
with their prisoners, all halting beside
little run to get water!"
Again in trouble, sergeant! Truly
you have had full measure Of adven-
tures!"
'I was pretty near nonplushed, ma
jor," said Horse Shoe, with q broad
laugh, but I thought of a stratagem.
I let fail my under jaw, and sot my eyes
as wild as a madman. and twisted my
whole face out Of joint-and began to
clap my hands, and hurra for the red
coats, like a natural fool. So, when
Tarleton and two or three Of his peo-
pie came to take notice Of me, they put
me down for poor idiot that had been
turned adrift."
did they hold any discourse with
you?"
"A good deal; and, just to try me,
they fiogged me with the flats Of their
swords; but I laughed and made mer-
ry when they hurt me worst, and told
them thanked them for their polite
ness. There were some Of our people
amongst the prisoners, that knew.
and I was mortally afeard they would
let on, but they didn't. Especially.
there was Seth Cuthbert, from Tryon.
who had both Of his hands chopped OF
in the fray at the Waxhaws; he was
riding double behind a trooper, and he
held up the stumps just to let me see
how barbarously ne was mangled.
was dubious they would see that he
knowed me, but he took care Of that.
Bless your soul, major! he saw my drift
In the first shot of his eye. Thinking
that they mought take 1t into their
noodles to carry me along with them
back, I played the quarest trick that
suppose ever a man thought Of; 1t
makes me laugh now to tell 1t. made
spring that fetched me right upon
the crupper Of Colonel Tarleton's
horse, which sot him to kicking and
flirting at merry rate; and, whilst the
creature was floundering as II hornet
had stung him, took the colonePs cap
and put 1t upon my own head, and
gave him mine. And after I had vag-
aried in this sort Of way for little
while, I let the horse fling me on the
ground. You would have thought the
devils would have died laughing. And
the colonel himself, although at first he
was very angry, couldn't help laughing
likewise. He said that was as
strange a fool as he ever saw, and
that 1t would be pity to hurt me. SO
he threw me shilling, and whilst they
were all in good-humor, I trudged
away.
1T was a bold experiment, and
might be practised a thousand times
without success. II / did not know
you, Robinson, to be a man Of truth,
as we'll as courage, should scarce be-
lieve this tale. If any one, hereafter,
should tell your story. he will be ac-
counted a fiction-monger."
'I do not boast, Major Butler; and.
as to my story, 1 care very little who
tells 1t. Every trick is good In war.
I can change my face and voice both,
so that my best friends shouldn't know
me: and in these times, am willing
to change everything but my coat, and
even that. If have witness to my
heart and it will serve turn to help
the country. Am 1 not right?"
mo man ever blames another Tor
that, sergeant, and II ever you should
be put to the trial you will find friends
enough to vouch for your honesty"
when 1 got away from Tarleton 1t
wasn't long before I reached my own
cabin. There mustered my horse and
gun, and some decent clothes; and af-
ter a good sleep, and belly full OF
food, l started for the north, as fast
as I could. with my letter. I put 1t
into your own hands, and you know
the rest"
This will be a good tale for a WIN
ter night" said Butler, ito be told
hereafter, in a snug chimney corner, to
your wife and children, when peace, as
I trust it may, will make you happy
in the possession of both. Your en-
bassy has had marvellous good luck so
far. hope it may prove happy omen
for our future enterprise. Now 1t Is
20 fa11 a.