Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-27

heavy volumes Of smoke into the air
they threw also q blaze Of light upon
the venerable figure Of the miller, as
he poured forth an impassioned sup
plication to the Deity; which, accord
ing to the habit Of thinking Of that
period and conformably also to- the
tenets Of the religious sect to which
the speaker belonged, might be said to
have expressed, in an equal degree, res
!lignation to the will of Heaven and de-
fiance Of the power of man. Though
the Office at the grave was thus pro-
longed, 1t did not seem to be unex-
pected or wearisome to the auditory
who remained with unabated interest
until they had chanted hymn, which
was given out by the miller, and sung
In successive couplets. The religious
observances of the place seemed to
have taken a profitable hold upon the
hearts OF the mourners; and before
the hymn was concluded, even the
voice of Mary Musgrove rose with a
clear cadence upon the air. and showed
that the inspirations Of piety had al
ready supplanted some Of the more
violent paroxysms Of grief.
This exercise of devotion being fin
ished the greater part Of the company
began their retreat to the woodman's
cabin. Winter and his comrades re-
mained to perform the useless and idle
ceremony of discharging their pistols
over the grave, and when this was
accomplished they hurried forward to
overtake the party in advance.
They had scarcely rejoined their
companions, before the horses of the
wagon were seized by an unknown
hand; and the glare of the torches pre-
sented to the view of the company
some fifteen or twenty files of British
troopers.
"Stand, charge you ALL in the name
Of the king!" called out an authorita-
tive voice from the contiguous thicket;
and before another word could be ut
tered, the funeral train found them
selves surrounded by enemies.
Hands off!' exclaimed Butler, as
soldier ad seized him by the coat. A
pistol 81 hot was heard, and Butler was
seen plunging into the woods, followed
| by Winter and one or two others.
The fugitives were pursued by num-
bers Of the hostile party. and In a few
moments were dragged back to the
lights.
who are you, sir?' demanded an
officer, who now rode up to Butler,
that you dare to disobey command
in the name Of the king? Friend or
foe, you must submit to be question
ed" =.
I'VE have been engaged" said Allen
Musgrove. "in the peaceful and Chris
tian duty Of burying the dead. What
right have you to interrupt u.s.?
"You take a strange hour for such
work." replied the officer, land, by
the volley fired over the grave, doubt
whether your service be so peaceful as
you pretend, old man. What is he that
you have laid beneath the turf to-
Inight?' ...- .. - ...
"A soldier" replied Butler, worthy
Of all the rites that belong to the sep
ulture of a brave man."
And you are a comrade, suppose"
II do not deny It,"
What colors do you serve"
"Who Is he that asks?"
Captain MAlpine of the new le-
vies," replied the officer. Nov, sir
your name and character? You must
be convinced of my right to know It,
Il have no motive for concealment,"
said Butler, "since 1 am already In
your power. Myself and four comrades
are strictly your prisoners; the rest
| Of this party are inhabitants OF the
neighboring country, having no con-
nection with the war, but led hither
by a simple wish to perform an office
of humanity to a deceased friend. In
surrendering myself and those under
| my command l bespeak for the others
an immunity from all vexatious deten-
ton. am an officer of the Contilen-
tai service; Butler is my name, my
rank. a major Of infantry"
After a few words more Of explana-
| ton, the party were directed by the
British officer to continue their march
TO Drummond's cabin. whittier. in a
brief space, they arrived under the es-
cort of their captors.
A wakeful night was passed under
the woodman's roof; and when morn
ing came the circumstances Of the re-
capture of Butler were more fully dis
closed. The detachment under Cap
| tain M'Alpine were on their way to
join Ferguson, who was now posted In
the upper district; and being attracted
by the sound of voices engaged In
chanting the Psalm at the funeral oil
John Ramsay and still more by the
discharge of the volley over the grave
they had directed their march to the
spot. which they had no difficulty In
reaching by the help Of the torches
borne by the mourners.
The detachment consisted Of COM
pany Of horse numbering some fifty
men, who had no scruple In seizine
upon Butler and his companions as
prisoners of war. 1t was some relief
to Butler when he ascertained that his
present captors were ignorant Of his
previous history, and were unconnect-
ed with those who had formerly held
him in custody. He was also gratified
with the assurance that no design was
entertained to molest any others Of the
party, except those whom Butler him
self indicated as belligerents.
Captain MAlpine halted with his
men at the woodman's cabin, until af-
ter sunrise. During this interval, But
ler was enabled to prepare himself fol-
the journey he was about to COM
mence and to take an affectionatt
leave of Musgrove and his daughter
David Ramsay, and the woodmans
family.
Allen Musgrove and Mary. and theil
friend Ramsay, deemed it prudent tt
retreat with the first permission giver
them by the British officer; and, no
o,l, nd hiS