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


"Is Major Butler up yet?" asked
the woodman thoughtfully.
"Who do you say? Major Butler"
"Major!" cried Adair, with affected
surprise.
"Yes, you called him Major But
ler?"
"I had some dream I think, about
him; or. didn't yon call him so your
self, Horse Shoe?'
Most undoubtedly, did not" re-
piled Robinson seriously.
"Then I dreamed 1t, Horse Shoe;
these dreams sometimes get into the
head, like things we have been told.
But Galbraith, tell me the plain up
and-d truth, what brings you and
Mr.. Butler into these parts? What
are you after in Georgia? 1t does
seem strange to find men that are
wanted below, struggling here in our
woods at such a time as this"
There are two sorts Of men in this
world, Wat" said the sergeant, with
a smile, them that axes questions,
and them that won't answer ques-
tions. Now, which do you think, be-
long to. Why, to the last, you tinker.
Where are our horses, Wat? Tell me
that Who let them out Of the sta
ble?"
Perhaps they let themselves out"
replied Adair. they were not hal
tered"
you are either knave or fool, Wat.
Come here. There are the tracks Of
the beast that carried the man up this
road, who sot loose all the horses that
were at that stable"
Mike Lynch, perhaps" said Adair,
with an assumed expression Of ignor-
ance. where can that fellow have
been so early? Oh, I remember, he
told me last night that he was going
this morning to the blacksmith's. He
ought to be back by this time"
"And you are here to larn the news
from him." said the sergeant, eyeing
Adair with a suspicious scrutiny.
you have just hit 1t, Horse Shoe"
returned Wat, laughing. II did want
to know II there were any more
squads of troopers foraging about this
district; for these cursed fellows whip
In upon a man and cut him up blade
and ear, without so much as thanks
for their pillage, and so I told Mike
to inquire Of the blacksmith, for he is
more like to know than anybody else,
whether there was any more Of these
pestifarious scrummagers abroad"
"And your traps, Watt"
That was only a lie, Galbraith-1
confess it. 1 was afeard to make you
uneasy by telling you what was af-
ter. But still 1t wasn't broad, stark
daylight lie either; it was only a civil
fib, for was going after my wolf trap
before I got my breakfast. But here
comes Mike"
At this juncture Lynch was seen
emerging from the wood, mounted on
a rough, untrimmed pony, which he
was urging forward under repeated
blows with his stick. The little ami
NAL was covered with foam; and,
from his travel-worn plight, gave evil
dence of having been taxed to the ut
most of his strength in a severe jour-
ney. At some hundred PAGES distant
the rider detected the presence of
Adair and his companion, and came
to a sudden halt. He appeared to de-
liberate as If with a purpose to es-
cape their notice; but finding that he
was already observed by them, he put
his horse again in motion, advancing
only at a slow walk. Adair hastily
quilted Robinson, and. walking for
ward until he met Lynch, turned
about and accompanied him along the
road, conversing during this interval
in a key too low to be heard by the
sergeant.
Here's Horse Shoe thrusting his
head into our affairs. Conjure line
quickly about your being at the black
smiths: I told him you were there to
hear the news"
AYE, aye! 1 understand"
You saw Hugh?"
Yes. The gang will be at their
post"
Hush! Be merry; laugh and have
joke-Horse Shoe is very suspi-
cious."
You have ridden the crop-ear like
a stolen horse" continued Adair, as
soon as he found himself within the
sergeant's hearing. See what a fur
ry you have put the dumb beast in.
If it had been your own nag, Mike
Lynch, 1 warrant you would have been
more tedious with him."
THE crop-ear is not worth the
DEVILS fetching Wat. He is as lazy as
land-turtle. and too obstinate for any
good-tempered mans patience. Look
at that stick-I have split it into a
broom on the beast"
You look more like man at the
end of the day than at the beginning
of it," said Robinson. How far had
you to ride. Michael?'
"Only over here to the shop OF Bill
ly Watson, in the BuZZard's nest, re-
piled Lynch, which isn't above three
miles at the farthest. My saw wanted
setting. so thought I'd make an ear
ly job of it, but this beast is so cursed
dull I have been good three-quarter:
of an hour since left the smiths"
What news do you bring?" in
quired Adair.
"Oh, none worth telling again
That cross-grained. contrary. rough
and-tumbling bear-gouger, old Hide
and-Seek, went down yesterday will
the last squad of Ferguson's new
draughts."
wild Tom Eskridge," said Wa
Adair. You knowed him, Hors,
Shoe, a superfiuous imp Of Satan!'
continued the woodman laying par
ticular accent on the penultimate o
this favorite adjective which, he wa
accustomed to use as expressive o
strong reprobation. 80 he is cleared
out at last! Well, I'm glad ont, 70
he was the only fellow in these hill
| T ,,,o, ofoorad would oiye Won trOuhle