Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-02
CHAPTER XXI-CoNT1NUED.


near him. at whatever personal haz-
ard and he was, therefore, In momen-
tary expectation OF receiving further
intelligence from the sergeant In some
Of those strange, bold, perilous forms
of communication, which the character
of the trusty soldier warranted him In
counting upon. His knowledge tnat
Robinson had pissed by Blackstock's on
the day preceding, gave him some as
surance that the sergeant was In the
diligent prosecution Of his purpose to
seek Sumpter or some other OF the
partisan whig corps in their hiding
places, and to try the hazardous ex-
pertinent Of his (Butlers) rescue from
his present thraldom. by vigorous In
cursion into the district where he was
now confined. With this calculation
of the course of events, he was pre-
pared to hear, at every hour OF the
day, Of some sudden alarm; and ready
to cooperate, by seizing the first mo-
ment Of confusion to snatch up a. wea-
pom, and force his way through the
ranks Of his guard. 1t was with such
anticipations that now, whilst SEEM
ingly ensrossed with the satisfaction
of his physical wants at the table, he
lent an attentive ear to the CONVEX
satior which passed in the house be-
tween Curry and the company who
were clustered around him. The dra-
soon, at first, in a light and merry
vein Of narrative, recounted to his
hearers the singular visitation he had
experienced before daybreak; and he
contrived to fling over his story an ad-
ditional hue of mystery, by the occa-
sional reflections with which he sea-
soned it, tending to inculcate the belief
to which he himself partly inclined,
that the incident was brought about
through the agency Of some pranking
and mischievous spirit-a conclusion
which, at that period, and amongst
the persons to whom the adventure
was related, did not require any great
stretch of faith to sustain it. Some OF
his auditors fortified this prevailing
inclination Of opinion. by expressing
their own conviction of the interfer-
ence of malignant and supernatural
influences in the concerns Of mankind,
and gave their personal experience OF
instances in which these powers We're
active. The conversation by degrees
changed its tone from that Of levity
and laughter into one Of grave and
somewhat fearful interest, according
to the increasing marvel which the
several stories that were told excit-
ed in the superstitious minds Of the
circle; and in the same proportion that
this sentiment took possession Of the
thoughts of the company, they became
more unreserved in their language, and
louder In the utterance Of 1t, thus Civ
ing Butler the full benefit of all that
was said.
But, after ALL" said one of the men,
"Mightn't you have been asleep on
your horse, James Curry. and had a
sort of jogging dream, when a limb Of
a tree across the road. for it was a
dark morning might have caught you
under the throat and flung you out Of
your saddle; and you, not knowing
whether you was asleep or awake, for
a man who is on duty, without his
nights rest, sometimes can't tell the
difference, thought 1t was some hob
goblin business?"
NO" said Curry, that's impossible;
for 1 was singing a song at the time,
and almost at the top of my voice.
had been sleepy enough before that,
just after 1 left Ninety-Six, near mid
night. for had ridden long way; but
as it grew towards daylight, l began
to rouse up, so that when this thing
happened l was as much awake as
am now"
"Then it's a downright case OF
ghost" said the other 1T knew you
was upon a wicked errand, and so that
backhanded blow was a warning to
you. These things are sometimes
meant to be friendly; and who knows
but this overseeing you in the road
might have been intended to signify
cases Of life and death. If you would
take my advice, you would just treat
this Major Butler that you took pris-
oner-"
Curry looked at the speaker with
frown, as he made a motion, to him tc
be silent Remember where you are
and who may hear you." he said in 6
cautious voice. as he glanced his eye
toward Butler who was leaning hi:
head upon the table. as If in slumber.
"Oh, / understand" replied the SOL
dier of the guard. Il forgot he was
in the ROOM"
THE weather holds up" said Ha'
bershaw, who now walked into the
house. 1.-The rain has slackened; ant
so, orderly, If you have had a bite
of something to eat, the boys had bet
ter be got ready to march. We have
a long way to go, and as the infantry
march with us we shall get on slow
ly."
II think so, noble captain" replied
Curry. II shall be ready to join yol
before you get your line formed"
Orders were now issued by Haber'
shaw, both to the troopers of his owl
squad and to the militia detachment
to put themselves in condition for al
immediate movement. The clouds
during the last half hour, had beer
breaking away, and the sun sool
burst forth upon the wet and glitterint
landscape, in all the effulgence of mid
summer. During a brief interval o
preparation the party of infantry anC
cavalry that now occupied the hamle
exhibited the hustle incident to tn
gathering Of the corps. Some ran t
cne quarter for their arms, others t
the stable for their horses; a cracked
trumpet in the hands of lusty per
former, who here joined the troop, KEEP
up a continual braying, and was sec
onded by the ceaseless beat Of slacl
and dull drum. There were some who
having put on their military equip