Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-16
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina
By JOHN p. KENNEDY.

turn his coat whenever there Is money
in the way. have my eye upon him.
IF 1 chose to speak," said Gideon
Blake.
Hold your peace, you gray fox
cried the captain. Not a word!
know your doublings. Remember you
are under martial law, and blast me
If don't make you feel It! There are
more than myself suspect you"
II should like to know" said Butler
why l and my companion are molested
on our journey. Have we fallen
amongst banditti, or do you bear a
lawful commission? If you do sir, let
me tell you, you have disgraced it by
outrage and violence exercised towards
unoffending men, and shall answer for
it when the occasion serves. On what
pretense have we been arrested?"
"Hark, my young fighting cock" re-
piled the captain. You will know
your misdemeanors soon enough. And
If you would sleep tonight with a
whole throat, you will keep your
tongue within your teeth. 1t wouldn't
take much to persuade me to give you
little drum-head law. Do you hear
that?"
1T is my advice, major" whispered
Robinson, "to ak no questions Of these
blackguards."
When other cares were disposed of,
and the excited passions Of the lawless
gang had subsided into a better mood,
the dragoon took Buffers cloak from
the baggage and spread 1t upon the
ground beneath the shelter Of the
shrubbery, and the suffering officer was
thus furnished bed that afforded him
some small share of comfort, and en-
abled him to take that rest which he
so much needed. Robinson seated him
self on the ground beside his compan-
ion, and in this situation they patient
" resigned themselves to whatever
fate awaited them.
Soon after this the whole troop were
busy in the preparations for refresh
mert and sleep. The horses were eth
er hobbled, by a cord from the fore to
the hind foot, and turned loose to seek
pasture around the bivouac, or tethered
in such parts of the forest as furnished
them an opportunity to feed on the
shrubbery. The fire was rekindled and
some small remnants of venison roast
ed before 1t; and in less than an hour
this reckless and ill-governed band
were carousing over their cups with all
the rude ribaldry that belonged to such
natures.
Come, boys" said Peppercorn, who
seemed to take a delight in urging the
band into every kind Of excess, and
who possessed that sort Of sway over
the whole crew, including the leader
no less than the privates, which an ex-
pert and ready skill in adapting him
self to the humor Of the company gave
him. and which faculty he now appear
ed to exercise for the increase Of his
own influence, come, boys, laugh while
you can-thats my motto. This SOL
d!ering is a merry life, fighting, drink
ling and joking. BY the god Of war!
/ will enlist the whole Of you into the
regular service-Ferguson or Cruger,
which you please, boys! they are both
fine fellows and would give purses of
gold for such charming, gay, swagger-
ing blades. Fill up your cans and pre-
pare for another bout. I'm not the
crusty cur to stint thirsty men. A
toast, my gay fellows!'
Listen to Peppercorn," cried out
some three or four voices.
Here's to the honor of the brave
| Captain Hugh Habershaw. and his
glorious dogs that won the battle of
Grindalrs ford!"
A broad and coarse laugh burst from
the captain at the announcement of
this toast.
by my sword" he exclaimed, "the
fight was not bad fight"
Can you find a joint of venison,
Gideon?" said Peppercorn, aside. If
you can, give it, and cup of spirits,
to the prisoners. Stop, I'll do it my
self, you will have the old bulldog
on your back"
And saying this the dragoon rose
from his seat and taking a few frag-
ments of the meat which had been
stripped almost to the bone, placed
them, together with canteen, beside
Butler.
Make the best of your time" he
said, you have but short allowance
and none of the best. If I can serve
you will do it with a good heart; Sc
call on me-"
Then turning to the sergeant, who
sat nigh. he whispered in his ear and
with a distinct and somewhat taunting
emphasis, inquired:
Friend Horse Shoe. mayhap thou
knowest me?"
That do James Curry" replied the
sergeant, "and l have a mean opinion
Of the company you keep. I don't
doubt but you are ashamed to say how
you come by them"
"All is fish that comes into the
Dutchman's net" said Curry. Tonight
have caught fat game. You are a
sturdy fellow, master Blacksmith and
good at a tug, but remember, friend,
owe you cuff, and If you weren't a
prisoner you should have It,"
Show me fair play. James Curry
and you shall have chance now" said
Horse Shoe; "Pll keep my parole to
surrender when it is over"
silence. fool" returned Curry. al
the same time rudely pinching Robin
sons ear You will be a better man
than l take you TO be, If you ever wres-
tie with me again. have not forgot
ten you"
The dragoon now rejoined his COM
rades.
"Peppercorn," cried Habershaw
"d-n the prisoners, let them fast to-
night. The lads want a song. Come
the liquors getting low, we want
noise, we want uproar, lady Sing
bully. sing!"
Anything to get rid of the night
noble captain. What shall give your
1.-THE old catch master orderly The