Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-13
CHAPTER XXV-CoNTINUED.

ceeding Of the court boded Ill to him,
The haste of his trial, the extraordina-
ry nature of the charges, and the gen.
eral unsympathizing demeanor of the
court itself, only spoke to his mind as
evidences of a concealed hostility,
which sought to find a plausible pre-
text for making him sacrifice TO
some private malevolence. He was
therefore prepared to expect the worst
when, at the close of the half hour, st.
Jermyn entered his chamber.
"I come, sir" said the officer, Ito
perform a melancholy duty. The court
have Just concluded their delibera-
tions."
And l am to be sacrifice to their
vengeance. Well, so be 1t! There
was little need of deliberation in my
case. and they have soon despatched
it." said Butler, with bitter spirit, as
he paced up and down his narrow
chamber. What favor have these. my
impartial judges, vouchsafed to me In
my last moment? Shall l die as
common felon. on a gibbet, or am / to
meet a soldiers doom?"
THAT has been thought Of" said st.
Jermyn. THE commanding officer has
no disposition to add unnecessary sew
Gritty to your unhappy fate"
Thank God for that! and that the
files detailed for this service are to be
drawn from the ranks Of my enemies!
l will face them as proudly as I have
ever done on the field of battle. Leave
me, sir; have matters in my thoughts
that require should be alone"
your time, fear, Is brief" said st.
Jermyn. THE guard is already at
hand to conduct you to the court, who
only stay to pass sentence. came
therefore to break the unhappy news
to you"
1T Is no news to me-" interrupted
Butler. II could expect no other is
sue to the wicked designs by which l
have been seized. This solemn show
of trial was only got up to give color
to a murderous act which has been
long predetermined"
At this moment, the heavy and reg
ular tap of the drum. struck at equal
intervals. and a mournful note from a
fife, reached the prisoners ear.
"I GOMEZ" exclaimed Butler. These
fellows are practising their manual for
an occasion in which they appear i'm
patient to act One would think, Cap
tain St. Jermyn." he added. with
smile of scorn. that they needed but
little practice to accomplish them for a
ceremony which has Of late, since his
majesty has extended his merciful arm
over this province, grown to be a ia
milIar piece of military punctilio,"
st. Jermyn hastily fled from the
room, and rushing out upon the grass
plot where the guard was collected,
cried out
"Silence, you base and worthless
knaves! Is ii thus you would insult
the sufferlngs of an unfortunate enc
my by drumming, under his very ear,
your cursed death-notes. Strike but
one note upon that drum again and 1
will have you up to the halberds."
"The music did but try flourish of
the dead march," replied the sergeant
Of the guard: "they are little rusty
and seeing that the Whig officer"
Another word, sir, and you shall be
sent to the provost marshal. Attend
the prisoner"
81 am here" said Butler, who had
overheard this conversation, and had
already descended to the door.
With a mournful heart though with
q countenance that concealed his emo
tions under an air of proud defiance, he
took his place in the ranks, and march
ed to the spot where the court were
yet assembled.
"A chair for the prisoner" said some
of the individuals present, with an Of
ficious alacrity to serve him.
II would rather stand" replied But
ler. 1T is my pleasure to hear the be-
hests of my enemies in the attitude a
soldier would choose to meet his foe
In the field"
MlnC 10 q pCliillu4 uuNS' NA"JS' DNN
ler," said Innis rising, as he addressed
the prisoner. 1T is to announce to
you that, after full and most impair
tial trial. in which you have had the
advantage of the freest examination of
witnesses, and every favor accorded to
you which the usages and customs of
war allowed, you have been found
guilty of two of the charges imputed
to you in the list with which you were
furnished this morning. Notwithstand-
ing the satisfactory testimony which
was given in your behalf by the girl,
Mary MuSgrove, in relation to your
conduct at the house of Adair, and
however disposed the court were to
abandon an accusation which thus
seemed to be refuted, it has occurred
to them. upon subsequent reflection
that, by your own confession-glVen
sir. permit me to say, with the frank
ness of a soldier-you came into this
district in disguise and under false
names. and thus enabled yourself to
collect information relative to the con-
dition of the royal forces, which l,
was doubtless your purpose to use tc
our detriment. The court, for mo-
ment, might have led you to entertain
hope that they were satisfied that II
this charge you had been wronged
The simple affecting, and no doubt
true, narrative made by the miller''
daughter produced a mementary SEN
sation that was too powerful TO OF
combated. That narrative. however
does not relieve you from the effect O
your own confessions, since both ma!
be true. and the charge still remain
unimpaired against you.
1.-The offence of breaking your pa
role and infringing the terms OF tn
capitulation of Charleston, is open TO
legal doubt. and therefore, in tender
ness to you, has not been pressed al
though the court thinks, that the yer!
circumstance of it's doubtful characte
should have inculcated upon you tn