Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-23
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle LII
Upper Carolina.
By JOHN p. KENNEDY.

own want of sagacity inferred by the
successful flight Of Robinson. Express
sions occasionally escaped him that in
dicated a self-reproof on this subject,
though they were partially disguised
by an affected undertaking of the I'M
portance of having such a prisoner. so
long as he retained the custody Of the
principal object of the enterprise. But
the consciousness of being again baffied
by a man who had once before obtained
the mastery over him reused his pride
into the exhibition of peevish and
vindictive demeanor. In this temper he
seconded the brutal disposition OF Ha-
bershaw, and abandoned the captive
officer to the coarse insults Of those
who exercised control over him. There
was some mitigation to this annoy
ance, In the reserved and partial spirit
in which the insurgent party OF the
squad manifested some slight signs of
goodwill towards him. An instance of
this spirit was afforded in a passing
hint conveyed by Chopper, on one oc-
CdSlOl "uCl llC liVOp hchN AAoAS>N ~
water their horses. Whatever is to
come of it, after we give you up to
other hands," he said, apart to Butler,
I'VE will stick to the ground we have
taken that no harm shall be done to
you in our keeping"
The day was intensely hot, and the
road. over which the party travelled.
rugged and fatiguing; it was, there
fore, near l o'clock when they came In
sight of the Tiger, a rough bold, i'm
petuous stream that rushed over an
almost unbroken bed of rocks. On the
opposite bank was Blackstocks, rude
hamlet OF some two or three houses
scattered over a rugged hillside-a
place subsequently rendered famous
by the gallant repulse of Tarleton by
Sumpter The troop struck into mar
row ford, and. with some scrambling
amongst the rocks, succeeded in cross
i ing the stream: they then galloped rap
idly up the hill, towards a farmhouse
which seemed to be the principal
place of resort for the people Of the
neighborhood. The approach Of the
party of cavalry drew to the door a
bevy of women, children, and ne
groes. who stood idly gaping at the
spectacle; and, in addition to these, a
detachment of militia, consisting OF
between twenty and thirty men, were
seen to turn out and form a line in
front of the house. Habershaw, with
an air of magnified Importance, halted
opposite this detachment, gave a few
prompt orders to Curry in regard to
the disposition Of the troop, and in
an authoritative tone of command, or
dered the officer Of the militia to detail
guard for the safe keeping of pris-
oner of state. The parsonage address,
ed-a tall, ungainly, and awkward sub
altern-signifed his acquiescence with
bow, and Immediately took possession
OF Butler by seizing the rein Of his
horse and leading him to one side,
where two men, armed with rifles,
placed themselves at either stirrup.
Habershaw now directed his men to
alight. accompanying the order with a
caution that the prisoner was not to
be allowed to enter the house. "The
id rascal" he added. shall not play
the trick of his rebel associate; no
more privilege of going into bar-rooms,
and lounging about doors! See the
man slowed away in the barn; and tell
the sentinels never to take their eyes
off of him-do you hear lieutenant"
You may depend upon my lookout"
replied the lieutenant, with a flourish
of hacked and rusty sword. Men,
march your prisoner straight to the
barn. Have a relief corporal. every
two hours. and towards night, set four
on the watch at time"
Look to 1t. lieutenant" shouted Ha-
bershaw. mo words. sir: do your
duty"
And having thus given vent to his
own high opinion of himself, the bulky
captain withdrew into the house.
Butler was now marched into a
large log barn, in one corner of which
an armful Of fodder, or dried blades Of
Indian corn, were shaken out for his
bed; and this, he was told, was to be
his prison until other orders awaited
sentinels. were stationed on the inner
side of the door, having the prisoner
| Immediately under their eye; and, this
disposition being completed, the officer
! commanding the detachment retired to
mingle with the troopers in the farm
house.
Half an hour had scarcely elapsed
after the arrival of the troopers at
Blackstocks before James Curry had
refreshed himself with a hasty meal,
and had his horse brought to the door.
He seemed bound upon some urgent
mission.
Captain st. Jermyn, you say, left
here at sunrise this morning." said the
dragoon. addressing the lieutenant of
the militia.
He did. He was here all day yes
terday. and thought he should hear
from you last night"
What route did he take?'
ITO Turnbull, at Ninety-Six."
rs Turnbull there now, think you?'
He is," replied the lieutenant. "They
say orders have gone up from Corn
wallis to the post for four light COM
panies. and it is expected that Captain
Campbell is now on his way with them
towards Camden; neither Turnbull nor
Cruger would leave the post"
Il have heard that this corps was
marching to headquarters. Are you
sure ST. Jermyn is not with Campbell?"
He said nothing about 1t yesterday,
but l think he wishes to join Colonel
,Innis with the loyalist cavalry"
Where is Innis?" inquired Curry.
over at Ennoree. about two miles
from Musgrove's MILL"
"Humph!" said Curry, thoughtfully
II must ride to the garrison at Ninety
Six. The devil take this cantering
about the country! l have had more
than enough of it,"
~