Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-12-07

a nature not to startle or offend the
fears or the prejudices Of any, he con-
trived, with no little ingenuity to bring
expressions of their feelings and opin-
ions. He saw, from these few and
brief evidences, that their feelings were
not with their rulers-that they sub
scribed simply to a hard necessity,
and would readily seek the means OF
relief, did they know where to find 1t.
He himself took care. while he uttered
nothing which could be construed into
an offence against loyalty, to frame
what he did say in such a guise that 1t
must have touched and ministered
largely to the existing provocations.
He could see this in the burning in
dignation strong in every countenance.
as he dwelt upon the imperative neces-
sity they were now under of taking up
arms in obedience to the proclamation.
His urging of this topic was, like that
Of Huck, ostensibly the obtaining Of
recruits for the contemplated troop.
His policy was one frequently acted
upon in that strange warfare, in which
the Tories, when defeated, found few
conscientious scruples to restrain them
from falling into the ranks and becom-
ing good soldiers along with their con-
querors. Such devices as that which
he now aimed to practise were freely
resorted to; and the case was not un-
common Of troop thus formed under
the eye Of the enemy, and, In his belief,
to do the battles Of the monarch, NOV
ing off, en- masse, the first opportunity,
and joining with their fellow country
men, as we'll in flight as in victory.
Such. however was scarcely now the
object Of the stranger; he simply desir-
ed that his loyalty might pass unques-
toned; and he put on a habit, there
fore, as a disguise, which but too many
natives wore with far less scruple, and
perhaps with some show Of grace. 1t
may be said, as highly gratifying to
Singleton, that in the character thus
assumed he made no converts.
But the bell for supper was now ring
ing, and, taking his way with the rest,
he passed into the inner apartment.
Bella Humphries presided, her brother
taking a seat at the other end Of the
table, and ministering to the guests in
that quarter. Singleton was assigned
seat, possibly by way Of distinction,
nln tn ha hA
ciously at his approach. Still she look
ed not so we'll satisfied. Neither Of her
squires was present, and her eye wan
dered from side to side among unat-
tractive countrymen at the table rest
ing at last, as with dernier hope. up
on the manly and handsome face and
person of our adventurer. The coquette
must be busy. 1t Is her necessity. She
has smiles to circulate, and, like the
counterfeiter with false coin, she Is
ever on the lookout for the fiat. While
she watched Singleton with ready
smiles, he had an opp ortunity Of scan
ming her features more narrowly. She
was very girlish, certainly very youth
full in appearance, and her face was
decidedly handsome. He saw, at a
glance that she was incapable of any
Of that settled and solemn feeling which
belongs to love, and which can only ex-
ist along with a strongly marked char
acter and truly elevated sentiments.
Her desire was that Of display and
conquest made the chief agent to this
end. 1t mattered not how doubtful
was the character Of her captives. so
that they were numerous: and Single
ton felt assured that his simple Goose
Creek convert, Davis, but for the lack
Of red coat and command, stood quite
as good a chance in the maiden's heart
as the more formidable sergeant. How
long he would have scanned the feat
ures which seemed not unwilling to at
tract his eye, we may not say: but his
gaze was at length disturbed by the
entrance of Davis, who. taking his seat
at the opposite corner of the table,
now appeared in a better and a more
conciliatory humor. He addressed
some country compliment to Bella,
which she was not displeased to listen
to. as she was perfectly satisfied to
have a swain. no matter who, in the
absence sf the greater favorite. She
answered some few remarks Of Single
ton and Davis with a pretty, childish
simplicity, which showed that, after
all, the misfortune of the girl was only
a deficiency in the more interesting
points Of character. and not the pres
ence Of any improper or wanton state
Of feeling.
Meantime the supper proceeded. To-
wards it's conclusion, Humphries, the
brother, giving Davis a look and
sign. which the latter seemed to COM
prehend, left the apartment. Davis
followed him. They were gone about
quarter Of an hour, which time was
spent by Singleton in lively chat with
the girl. when. through the window,
he saw the face Of a man. and the mo-
ton Of a hand, which beckoned him.
In a moment after the person was
gone: and suffering some few seconds
to elapse. Singleton also rose and obey
ed the signal. He took his way into
the yard, and under the shadow OF
tree, at a little distance from the house,
distinguished the person Of the younger
Humphries. Singleton at once ap-
preached him-the other motioned ST.
lence seeing him about to speak. and
led him to the stable. where all was
perfectly in shadow.
I'VE are safe now" said he. Single
ton Immediately addressed him. and
with some show Of impatience. on
subject which had much employed his
thoughts during the past hour.
well, Humphries, say. can we not
strike at that fellow Tracy? Is 1t
possible to do anything with his de-
tachment?"
Travis. not Tracy, major" replied
the other 1T is possible, sir: and
there is a strong chance of our success
If we manage we'll. and If you can post
pone going to The Oaks tonight"