Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-12-28
T'ff:H.
CHAPTER x.

The whole anair vas over III the
space Of ten minutes. In as little time
the wagons were sacked. The swords
and pistols were strewn upon the
ground. and each tOoper made his
selection without stint or limit. In ad-
dition to this. each soldier was re-
quired to carry an extra sword, and
holsters with their 0ntents; and In
this manner supplies we're secured for
a much larger force than that which
Singleton now commanded. The rest
were broken against the trees-musk-
cts. pistols. and swords sharing the
same fate-while the wagons them
selves. carefully tumbled from their
axles. and their wheels torn apart,
were thrown into the slough by the
roadside. There was no concealing
their spoils, under the circumstances.
and with prisoners to take care OF;
and the necessity which called for this
destruction Of property, so valuable
at the time, was the subject Of no
small regret with the troopers. Even
Davis muttered to the major his desire
that the wagons, or at least one OF
them, should be preserved and filled
with spoils so highly important to the
enterprise. But Singleton knew bet
ter than to cucumber his party, whose
utility consisted chiefly in the rapidity
Of its movement, with such burdens,
and peremptorily enforced the order
which destroyed the valuable residue.
This done, he gave orders to mount;
and having carefully secured his pris-
oners, the party moved at a brisk pace
along the road downward until they
came within ten miles of the city: then
moving to the right, they crossed Ash
ley ferry without rlolestation, and to-
wards evening had placed themselves
in safety, with all their spoils in the
close swamp thickets Of the river. on
the western side, and but short dis
tance from Dorchester itself.
Here Singleton made his camp. with
in a few miles OF his uncle's planta-
ton. He now felt secure for brief
period, as he was taught to believe
that the affections Of the people were
with his cause. and the rapidity OF his
proceedings must bafie any pursuit.
Still he knew that he could not hope
to maintain this security for any time.
ssFhe Saadacity Of the two efforts which
he had made that day, so nigh the
garrison, could not long be concealed
and must soon call out superior force
sufficient for his annihilation. This ne
we'll knew: yet he required but few
days for all his purposes.
His object was two-fold-the at
tainment OF recruits. and the arousins
of his uncle, whose bravery was vel
known, and whose influence In the
country was considerable, to a proper
sense Of his duty. The first or these
objects promised we'll. 50 far as op'
portunity had been given him to judge
Of the second. he did not despair. par
ticularly as he we'll knew what mus
be the influence upon Colonel WaltoI
Of the recent proclamation OF Sir Hen
ry Clinton. He knew the stern sens
of integrity which the colonel insist
ed upon with the tenacity OF pro
fessional moral disciplinarian; and n
did not err in the thought, that nj
sense of humanity was sufficiently aliv
to prompt a due Indignation at IN
many atrocities hourly committed o.
the Tory leaders under the especia
sanction Of the British. Other motive
for the contemplated visit might no
be wanting to his mind. as ne tnough
OF his lovely cousin-the stately an
the beautiful Katharine Walton-on
Of those highs creatures that a"
while they attract. and, even while the
invite and captivate, control ana ols
courage. His sister. toO-she wa
there: a meek, sad, but uncompialnin
girl. perishing of disease. without nav
ing lived-one Of the unrepining SUI
ferers, whose melancholy fortunes
much at variance with what we Kno'
OF their deserts, would lead us some
times improperly to doubt OF that 1us
tice which we assume to marx all Ut
decraas NJ Providence. But let us NJ
anticipate.
Having placed his camp In such 81
curity as he thought necessary AT
which was practicable. Major Single
ton towards sunset rode forth In II
direction of Dorchester Bridge TO me-
Humphries. as had been agreed upo
between them. The lieutenant we
In waiting at the time appointed an
came forward to meet his superior.
Ride aside, Major Singleton. II yo
please. The brush is best for US Jul
now. There are strange birds on OF
road that we must sheer from
What mean you, Humphries-whs
birds?"
British officers. Major Procto
himself. and another have just gor
by: and II l mistake not, on visit
The Oaks They say he looks hal
upon your cousin, sir. the beautif'
Miss Katharine"
"Ha! do they say that?" responde
Major Singleton. with something like
start-"and she?" he continued, ir
quiringly.
"They say nothing Of her, wheth,
she likes 1t or not; but young ladit
will be young ladies, major; and
smart officer, with a kings commi.
sion in his pocket, and snowy re
coat on his back. is no small dangt
to an easy heart"
mo, indeed" replied the other, in
tone which seemed to have four
nothing consolatory in his companion
reflection, and in which there may hay
been something Of latent bitterness
mo. indeed!-such attractions are 6
all times sweet With the sex, and SCI
dom utterly unsuccessful. They 10,
the conquest. always, even when the
may despise the game. 'Tis with mo.
OF them after this fashion, and tn
goodly outside is fair offset to wort
and good manners. But how shall W
know, of a certainty. the destination {
Drontoro"