Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-11
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina.
BY JOHN II. KEN NNEDY.


beholder, by the unchecked liberty
with which men of all ranks, privates
as well as officers, flung themselves,
as their occasion served, into the room
and made free with the contents of the
TASKS that were scattered over the ta-
BILE.
The irregular and ill-disciplined host
under Ferguson's command lay In and
around the village, and presented a
scene of which the predominating
features bore a sufficient resemblance
to the economy of their leaders own
quarters, to raise but an unfavorable
opinion of their subordination and SOL
dier-like demeanor;. it was wild. noisy,
and confused.
When MAlpine entered the apart
ment, the words that fell from Fergu-
son showed that his mind, at the mo-
ment, was disturbed by double solic-
Notwithstanding between the opera
tions performed upon the carcass OF
venison, and certain symptoms Of up
roar and disorder that manifested
themselves amongst the militia with
out
Curse on these staggering, upland
bullies!" he said, whilst MAlpine and
the prisoners stood inside the room as
yet unnoticed.
"I would as soon undertake to train
as many wolves from the mountain, as
bring these fellows into habits of dis
cipline. Thady, you cut that haunch
too low-go deep, mana long sweep
from the pommel to the cantle-it Is a
saddle worth riding on! BY the infer
nal gods! If these yelping savages do
not learn to keep quiet In camp, I'll
make a school for them with my regu-
lars, where they shall have good taste
of the cat! nine hours drill and all the
camp duty besides! Ha, M'Alpine, Is
It you who have been standing here all
this while? I didn't observe it, man
my quarters are like a bar-room, and
have been full of comers and goers
all day. l thought you were but some
of my usual free e-and-easy customers
Damn them l am sick of these gawky,
legged, half-civilized recruits!
but 1 shall take a course with them
yet. What news, old boy? What have
you to tell of the rebels? Where is my
pretty fellow, Clarke?"
Clarke is still in the woods replied
MAlpine. 1T would take good hounds
to track him."
And Cruger, l hope, has nose
enough to follow. So. the cunning In
dian hunter will be caught at last! We
have him safe now MAlpine. There
is but one path for the fox to come out
Of the bush, and upon that path Patrick
Ferguson has about as pretty a hand
full of mischievous imps as ever Tapped
blood. The Sinking runaway never
reaches the other side of the noun
tains while l am awake. With Cruger
behind him-our line of posts upon his
right-the wild mountains, as full OF
Cheroke es as squirrels. upon his left
and these devils of mine right before
him-we have him in a pretty net.
Who have you here, captain"
Some stray rebel game, that pick
Ninety-Six This gentleman, 1 learn.
is Major Butler of the Continental
army. and these others, some of his
party"
Uco lo n,ora rabalSi damn II man I"
exclaimed the cOmmandant, why do
you bring them to me? What can |
do with them"-then dropping his
voice into a tone of confidential con-
ference. he added, "but follow the fash
ion and hang them? l have got some
score of prisoners already-and have
been wishing that they would cut
some devilish caper. that | might have
an excuse for stringing them up to
get clear of them A major in the reg
ular Continental line. sir?" he asked,
addressing himself to Butler.
Butler bowed his head.
Il thought the cuffs your people got
at Camden had driven everything like
daylight soldier out of the province.
We have some skulking bush lighters
left-some Jack o. lantern devils, that
live In the Swamps and feed OH frogs
and water -snakes-Marion and Sump-
ter. and a few of their kidney; but you,
sir. are the first regular Continental
officer | have met with. What brought
you so far out of your latitude?"
Il was on my way to join one" re-
piled Butler that but now you SEEM
ed to think in severe straits"
"Ha! to visit Clarke, eh? Well. sir,
may be bold to ask do you know
where that worshipful gentleman is to
be found?"
II am free to answer you" said But
Ter, that his position, at this moment
is entirely unknown to me. On my
journey heard the report that he had
been constrained to abandon Augusta.
Yes. and in haste let me tell you.
And marches in this direction Major
his acquaintance: and inasmuch as
YOU went to seek him. you may count
| it lucky accident that brought you
here-you will find him all the sooner
by It,"
Doubtless. sir. Colonel Clarke Will
feel proud to see you" returned But
Ter.
well, M'Alpine." said Ferguson, 81
have my hands full of business: for
certainly have the widest crew OF
devils babies that ever stole cattle. OF
! fired q haystack. | am obliged to
coax them into discipline by a some
what free use of this mothers milk
| (pOinting to the bottles)-"tO which
now and then add Il gentle caStigation
at the drumhead. when that doesn't
serve. dose Of powder and lead, ad-
ministered at ten PAGES from few
files of grenadiers. | have shot brace
Of them. since you left me. only for im-
pertinence to their officers! This
waiting for Clarke plays the devil with
us | must be moving. and have some
thought of crossing the mountains
westward, and burning out the settle
ments. Faith | would do it just tC