Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-16
CHAPTER XVII.
A Retreat After the Manner of Keno
phon.

A Retreat After the Manner of Keno
phon.
The next morning, little after sun
rise, as Robinson was holding the
watch on the outer ledge OF the rock,
In a position that enabled him to sur
vey the approaches to the spot through
the valley, as we'll as to keep his eye
upon the ensign and Christopher Shaw
vino were both asleep under cover OF
the crag, he was startled by distant
noise of something breaking through
the bushes on the margin OF the brook.
At first 1t struck him that this was
caused by deer stalking up the stream
but he soon afterwards deserted the
head and shoulders OF man, whose
motions showed him to be struggling
through the thicket towards the base
of the hill. This person at length
reached a space os open ground, where
he halted and looked anxlously around
him, thus revealing his figure, as he
sat on horseback, to the observation OF
the sergeant, who, In the meantime,
had taken advantage Of a low pine
tree and a jutting angle Of rock to
screen himself from the eager eye OF
the traveler-at least until he should
be satisfied as to the others character
and purpose.
A loud and cheerful halloo several
times repeated by the stranger, SEEM
ed to indicate his quest of lost COM
panion; and this gradually drew the
sergeant, with a weary motion, from
his hiding place, until assuring HIM
self that the conner was alone, he step
ped out to the edge Of the shelf OF
rock, and presenting his musket, per-
emptorily gave the common challenge
of who goes there?"
"A friend to Horse Shoe Robinson"
was the reply Of the visitor, in whom
my reader recognizes John Ramsay.
Before further question might be
asked and answered, John had dis
mounted from his horse and Chamber
ed to the platform, where he greeted
the sergeant and the hastily awakened
Christopher Shaw with hearty shake
Of the hand; and then proceeded to
communicate the pressing objects OF
his visit, and to relate all that he had
learned Of the recent events during
his short stay at his fathers house.
In the consultation that followed
these disclosures Ramsay earnestly
urged his comrades to make instant
preparation to quit their present re-
tirement, and to attempt the enter
prise Of conducting the prisoner to
Williams, who was supposed to be ad-
vancing into the neighborhood OF a
well known block-house, or frontier
fortification on the Saluda, about forty
miles from their present position.
The message with which Ramsay
was charged from Sumpter to Will
liams, made 1t necessary that he
should endeavor to reach that officer
as soon as possible; and the sergeant,
rejoicing in the thought of being so
near a strong body of allies who might
render the most essential aid to the
great object of his expedition, readily
concurred in the propriety of the
young troopers proposal. This enter
prise was also recommended by the
necessity Of taking some immediate
steps to preserve the custody of the
ensign whose capture had already been
so serviceable to the cause Of Arthur
Butler. In accordance, moreover with
John Ramsay's anxious entreaty,
Christopher Shaw, it was determined,
should hasten back to the mill at the
earliest moment.
A speedy departure was, therefore,
resolved on, and accordingly all things
were made ready, in the course OF an
hour, to commence the march. At the
appointed time the ensign was directed
to descend into the valley, where he
was once more bound to his horse.
The conferences between the sergeant
and his two comrades had been held
out of the hearing of the prisoner;
but 1t was now thought advisable to
make him acquainted with the late
proceedings that had transpired with
regard to Butler, and especially with
the respite that had been given to that
officer by Innis. This communication
was accompanied by an intimation
that he would best consult his own
comfort and safety by a patient sub
mission to the restrictions that were
put upon him; inasmuch as his cap
tors had no disposition to vex him
with any other precautions than were
necessary for his safe detention during
the present season Of peril to Butler.
With this admonition the party be-
gan their journey. The first two or
three hours were occupied in returning
by the route of the valley, to the En-
noree. When they reached the river
they found themselves relieved from
the tolls Of the narrow and rugged
path by which they had threaded the
wild mountain dell, and introduced
into an undu!ating country covered
with forest, and intersected by an oc-
casional but unfrequented road leading
CHRISTOPHER Shaw was to take leave OF
his companions, his path lying along
the bank of the Ennoree, whilst the
route to be pursued by the others
crossed the river and extended thence
southwards to the Saluda. The young
miller turned his horses head home
wards, with some reluctance at part
ing with his friends in a moment of
such interest, and bore with him many
messages of comfort and courage to
those whom he was about to rejoin-
and more particularly from the SER
geant to Butler, in case Christopher
should have the good fortune to be
able to deliver them. At the same
time, Horse Shoe and John Ramsay,
with the prisoner forded the Ennoree,
and plunged into the deep forest that
lay upon it's further bank.
For several hours they travelled with
the greatest circumspection, avoiding
the frequented roads and the chance
of meeting such wayfarers as might