Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-06
even this brief insight into the con-

even this brief insight into the con-
dition of the prisoner.
The sun was set, when with her con-
voy, Christopher Shaw, arrived at
Ramsay's. Always an acceptable guest
at this house, she was now more than
ever welcome. There was business to
be done in which she could discharge
a most important part, and the service
of Christopher Shaw in reinforcing the
garrison was Of the greatest moment.
When the intelligence regarding the
movement of Butler to Innis' camp
was communicated to the sergeant, 1t
suggested a new device to his mind,
which he determined instantly to
concluded, inthe hands of those who
had engaged the ruffians to set upon
him at Grindall's ford, and it was not
improbable that he would be summari-
ly dealt with; there was no time there
fore, to be lost. The sergeants plan,
in this new junction, was, to compel
the young ensign to address a letter to
the British commandant, to inform
ment. and to add to this information
the determination of his captors to put
| him to death, in the event OF any out
rage being inflicted upon Butler. This
scheme was communicated to Ramsay,
Shaw and Mary. The letter was to be
Immediately written; Mary was to
return with 1t to the mill, and was to
contrive to have 1t secretly delivered,
in the morning, at Innis' headquarters;
and David Ramsay himself was to es-
cort the maiden back to her fathers
house, whilst Shaw was to attend the
sergeant and assist him to transport
the young ensign to some fit place Of
concealment. The private soldiers
were to remain prisoners, under the
guard Of Andrew, until his fathers
return. when they were to be released
on parole as prisoners Of war.
| The plan being thus matured, Rob-
inson went forthwith to the prison.
house, and directed Ensign st. Jermyn
to follow him into the dwelling. When
the young officer arrived in the family
parlor, he was ordered to take a chair
near a table, upon which was placed
light. some paper, pen and ink.
young man. said Robinson, take
up that pen and write as bid you"
ITO what end am l to write? l
must know the purpose you design to
answer. before | can put my hand to
paper"
ITO the end" replied Horse Shoe
firmly. and with unwonted gravity, "of
the settlement Of your worldly affairs
IL the consarns of tomorrow should
bring i'll luck to a friend Of mine."
81 do not understand you sir. II my
life Is threatened to accomplish an un-
righteous purpose, 1t Is my duty to tell
you at once, that that life belongs to
my king; and If his interests are to
suffer by any forced act of mine. I am
willing to resign it at once"
Never was purpose more righteous
sir in the view Of God and man, than
ours, SalQ DdVlQ fIdHlSdy.
II have a friend" added Horse Shoe,
greatly excited as he spoke, "who has
been foully dealt by. Some Of your
ten,isted gangs have laid an ambuscade
to trap him: villainy has been used by
them that ought to be ashamed to see
1t thriving under their colors, to catch
gentleman who was only doing the
common duties Of a good sodger; and
by mean bush-fghting, not by fair
fields and honest blows-they have
seized him and carried him to the camp
of that blood d-sucking Tory, Colonel In
mis-. l doubt more harm is meant him
than falls to the share of a common
prisoner or war"
81 know nothing of the person, nor
Of the circumstances you speak about"
said the ensign.
$50 much the better for you," replied
the sergeant. "If your people are
brave sodgers or honest men, you will
not have much occasion to be afeard
for yourself: but by my right hand!
if so much as one hair of Major Arthur
Buffers head be hurt by Colonel Innis,
or by any other man among your pill
Laying and brandishing bullies, I my
self will drive a bullet through from
one of your ears to the other. This
game of war is a stiff game, young
man, but we will play it out"
Major Arthur Butler" exclaimed
the officer, with astonishment, "is he
TAKEN"
"Ha! you've hearn Of him, and know
something, mayhap, of them that were
on the look out for him."
81 cannot write" said the officer sui
lenly.
mo words, sir" interrupted Horse
Shoe, "but obey my orders; write what
tell you, or take your choice.
will bind you hand and foot to tree
on yonder mountain. to starve till you
write that letter; or to feed the wild
vermin with your body, If you refuse"
| The ensign looked into Robinson's
face, where a frown Of stern resolution
brooded upon his brow, and kindling
tempest of anger showed that this was
not a moment to hazard the trial Of
his clemency.
What would you have the purport
of my letter." asked the officer in a
subdued voice.
THAT you have got into the hands
of the Whigs," replied the sergeant;
land that if so be any mischief should
fall upon Major Butler, by the contriv-
ings of your friends, you die the first
minute that we hear of It,"
Il have had no hand in the taking
of Major Butler" said the young St.
Jermyn.
Il am glad Of It," answered Robin
son, for your sake. You will die with
better conscience. If you had a
hand in it, young man. I wouldn't ask
you to write a line to any breathing
man: your brains would spatter that
door post. Take up the pen and write,
or stand by the consequences"
The officer took up the pen, then,
IhesitatinP a moment flung Ii down,