Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-20
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
,ArTale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina.
By JOHN H. KENNEDY.

/
put Butler under the protection of the
rules of war, and insure him all the
rights that belong to a mere prisoner
taken in arms in a lawful quarrel. A
spirited remonstrance was accordingly
prepared to this effect. 1t detailed the
circumstances Of Buffers case, which
was accompanied with a copy Of the
proceedings of the court, and 1t con-
cluded with a demand that such meas
ures should be adopted by the head OF
the army, as comported with the rights
of humanity and the laws Of war; "a
course" the writer suggested, that
he did not hesitate to believe his lord
ship would feel belonged both to the
honor and duty of his station" This
paper was consigned to the care of an
officer. who was directed to proceed
with it, under flag Of truce, to the
headquarters of the British comman-
der.
Soon after this, Robinson apprised
Williams that Ramsay and himself had
determined to venture back towards
the Ennoree, to learn something Of the
state OF affairs in that quarter, and to
apply themselves more Immediately to
the service of Butler. In aid of this
design, the sergeant obtained a letter
from Williams, the purport Of which
was to inform the commandant of any
post of the loyalists whom 1t might
concern, that an application had been
made on Buffers behalf to Cornwall
lis, and that the severest retaliation
would be exercised upon the prisoners
in Williams custody, for any violence
that might be offered the American Of
ficer. Putting this letter in his pocket,
our man of "mickle might" attended
by his good and faithful ally John
Ramsay, took his leave Of "The Fair
Forest" towards noon of the fourth
mill.
The second morning after their de-
parture, the two companions had
reached the Ennoree, not far from the
habitation of David Ramsay. 1t was
fair summer weather, and nature was
as gay as In that piping time before
the blast of war had blown across her
fields. All things, In the course OF a
few days, seemed to have undergone
sudden change. The country pre-
sented no signs Of strife; no bands of
armed men molested the highways.
An occasional husbandman was seen
at his plough; the deer sprang up from
the brushwood and fled into the forest.
as If inviting again the pastime OF
the chase: and even when the two SOL
diers encountered a chance wayfarer
upon the road, each party passed the
day after the battle near Musgrove's
other unquestioned-there was all the
seeming quiet of a pacified country.
The truth was, the war had rolled
northumberland all behind II had sub
mitted since the disastrous fight at
Camden. The lusty and hot ot-brained
portions of the population were away
with the army; and the nom combat
ants oaly. or those wearied with arms,
were all that were to be seen in this
region.
Horse Shoe, after riding a long time
i'm silence, as these images Of tran
guilty occupied his thoughts, made a
simple remark that spoke a volume of
truth in few homely words.
"9'his Is an unnatural sort of still
ness John. Men may call this peace,
but / call 1t fear. If there Is a poor
wretch of a Whig in this district, it's
as good as his life is worth to own
himself How far off mought we be
from your father's?"
Tha young trooper heaved a deep
sigh, Il knew you were thinking of my
poor father when you spoke your
thoughts, Horse Shoe. This is heavy
day for him. But he could bear IT.;
he's a man who thinks little of hard
ships. There are the helpless women
Galbraith Robinson" he continued, as
he shook his head with an expression
of sorrow that almost broke into tears
I"Getting near home one thinks of them
first. My good and kind mother-God
knows how she would bear any heavy
accident. l am always afraid to ask
questions I'm these times about the fam
lily. for fear Of hearing something bad
And there's little Mary Musgrove over
at the mill"
You have good reason to be proud
of that girl, John Ramsay" interrupted
Robinson. $50 speak out, man and
none of your stammering. Hoot!-she
told me she was your sweetheart! You
hav'n't half the tongue of that wench
Why. sir If l was lovable man, haw
haw!-which I'm not-Tll be cursed II
| | wouldn't spark that little fusee my
self"
This fence" said Ramsay. unheedine
the sergeants banter belongs to oul
farm. and perhaps we had better lei
down the rails and approach the house
across the field: If the Tories should
be there we might find the road dan
gerous. This gives us a chance of re-
treat"
That's both scrupulous and wise
John" replied the sergeant. 80 dowr
with the panel; we will steal upor
the good folks. if they are at home, ant
take them by surprise. But mind you
my lad. see that your pistols are prim'
ed; we mought onawares get into {
wasp's nest"
The fence was lowered, and the
horsemen cautiously entered the field
After passing a narrow dell and rising
to the crest of the opposite Hill, they
obtained a position but a short distance
i'm the rear Of the homestead. From
this point a melancholy prospect broke
upon their sight. The dwelling house
had disappeared and i'm its place was {
heap only of smouldering ashes. =
few of the upright framepOsts, scorch
ed black. and a stone chimney with it
ample fireplace, were all that remained
of what. but a few days before. wa
the happy abode of the family of
brave and worthy man.
my God! my thoughts were running
upon this. l feared their spite woult
break at last upon my fathers head.