Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-16
CHAPTER XVII.
Seene In the Bivouac.

troop, as they were gathered, still on
horseback, under the chestnut. I'VE
have made a fine nights work Of It,
and, considering that we fought In the
dark against men ready armed for u.s.
this has not been such a light AFFAIR.
To be sure, in point Of numbers, II Is
a trihe: but the plan, Peppercorn-the
plan, and the despatch. and the neat
ness Of the thing-that's what / say l
am entitled to credit for. Bless your
soul, Peppercorn, these fellows were
sure to fall into my trap-there was no
getting off. That's the effect OF my
generalship, you see, Peppercorn.
Study it, boy! We could have managed
about twenty more of the filthy rebels
handsomely: but this will do, this will
do. I took, as a commanding ofhcer
ought always to do, the full RESPONSE
bility Of the measure, and good share
of the fight. Did I not. Peppercorn?
Wasn't l, in your opinion, about the
first man in the river?"
"Tu bear witness, valiant and VIC
torious captain" answered the dragoon'
that You fired the first shot; and l
am almost willing to make oath that l
saw you within at least twenty PAGES
Of the enemy, exhorting our men,"
Now lads-wait for the word-dis-
mount" continued the captain, "and
make your minds TO pass the night
where you are. Peppercorn, the pris-
oners put under your Identical charge.
Remember that! keep your eyes about
you. Set a guard Of four men upon
them; / will make you accountable"
He then added, in an undertone, hold
them safe until tomorrow, man, and /
promise you, you shall have no trouble
in watching them after that"
you shall find them" replied Pep
percorn.
Silence" interrupted the captain;
hear my orders, ard give no reply.
Now, sir, before you do anything else,
call your roll. and report your killed,
wounded, and missing"
Upon this order, the dragon directed
the men, after disposing Of their horses,
to form line. He then called over the
squad by their real names, and imme-
diately afterwards reported to his su-
perior, who, in order to preserve a
proper dignifled distance, had retreated
some PAGES from the group, the follow
ing pithy and soldier-like account
Two men wounded noble captain, in
the late action; two missing; one horse,
saddle and bride lost; one horse ard
two prisoners taken from the enemy"
"The names Of the wounded sir?"
TON Dubbs and Shadrack Green;
one slightly scratched, and the other
bruised by kick from the blacksmith" /"
THE missing?"
Dick Waters, commonly called
Marrow Bone, and Roger Bell, known
in your honor's list by the name of
C!apper Claw"
"They have skulked." said the cap
tain.
nail, SIR" said the orderly with per-
feet indifference, and standing affected
ly erect. HE fell in the river, and the
probability is that Clapper Claw keeps
him company"
What" roared Habershaw. "have
the diabolical scoundrels made away
with any of my good fellows? Have
the precious lives of my two brave SOL
hxy rah h
els? BY my hand, they shall feel
twisted rope, Peppercorn!-! cold iron
is too good for them"
Softly, captain!" said the orderly.
You don't blame the enemy for show
ing fight? We mustn't quarrel with the
chances of war. There is not often a
fray without a broken head, captain.
We must deal with the prisoners ac-
cording to the laws Of war"
"Of Tory war. Peppercorn aye, that
will 1! String the dogs up to the first
tree. The DEVILS pets, why didn't they
surrender when we set upon them! To-
morrow; let them look out tomorrow.
No words, orderly; send out two files
to look for the bodies, and to bring in
the stray horse If they can find him.
A pretty nights work! to lose two
good pieces of stuff for a brace of
b!ack-hearted Whigs!"
The two files were detailed for the
duty required. and Immediately set
out, on foot, towards the scene Of the
late fray. The rest Of the troop were
dismissed from the line.
81 would venture to ask, sir" said
Butler. addressing the captain, for a
cup Of water; 1 am much hurt"
silence. and be ID to you!" said
Habershaw grufly, silence, and know
your place, sir. You are a prisoner
and a traitor to boot"
Don't you hear the gentleman say
he is hurt?" interposed Robinson. "Its
unnatural, and more like a beast than
a man to deny a prisoner a little wa
ter"
by my sword william. 1 will cleave
your brain for you, If you open that
rebel mouth Of yours again."
fSnd", pSnd". captain f1dDeI- =
shaw, this will never do" said Pepper
corn; "men are men, and must have
food and drink. Here. Gideon Blake
give me your flask of liquor and bring
me some water from the river. 1t is
my duty, captain, to look after the
prisoners"
Gideon Blake, who was a man OF
less savage temper than most Of his
associates. obeyed this command with
alacrity, and even added a few words
of kindness, as he assisted in admin
istering refreshment to the prisoners
This evidence of a gentler nature did
not escape the comment Of the ruffiar
captain, who still remembered his ole
grudge against the trooper.
Away sir" he said in peremptory
and angry tone, away and attend tc
your own duty. You are ever fond oi
obliging these beggarly Wings. Hari
YOU, Peppercorn," he added. speaking
apart to the dragoon, take care how
you trust this skulking vagabond; ne