Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-23
CHAPTER XIX.

Horse Shoes successful escape from
the hands of the Tories, 1t Will De
conjectured, had been aided by Clop-
per. The sergeant had sufficiently as
sured himself of the present safety OF
Butler, from the spirit with which a
strong party of Habershaw's followers
had resisted the bloody purpose OF
their leader before breakfast; and he
had also, by the timely reward secretly
conveyed to Chopper, received a pledge
from that individual that the same
protection should still be accorded TO
the major, in the event Of his own ex-
trication from the gang by the perilous
exploit which he then meditated. II
is no doubt apparent to the reader,
that the favor which saved the lives
of the prisoners was won from the
captors by the address Of Robinson, ana
that whatever good will was kindled
up amongst them, was appropriated
principally to the sergeant, Butler hav-
ing ELECTED but little consideration
from the band, beyond that interest
which the toughest men are apt to
take in the fortunes of a young and
enterprising soldier. Neither the ma
jor's manners nor temper were adapted
to conciliate any special regard from
such natures.
The escape of the sergeant, there
fore, although it added nothing to the
,,o,i,s 30 u,tla,.s Situa tiop still onera-
ted in some degree to his present in
convenience. 1t caused him to be more
vigorously guarded than before, and
consequently to be more restricted In
his personal comfort. He was hurried
forward at a rough and uneasy pace;
and both from Habershaw and Curry,
and those more Immediately Of their
party, he experienced a surly indiffer-
ence to the pain that this occasioned
him. They seemed to have no regard
either to his wants or feelings, and In
the passing remarks that fell from
them he could gather harsh surmises
as to the manner in which he was now
likely to be disposed Of.
IL 10 lLlCll O"li LodiIf oeAAN Wv "a
them to his companion, as Butler over
heard the conversation; IF every pris-
oner is strung up and shot nowadays.
He makes no more of hanging our
people than so many wolves; and there
was Captain Huck-will any man say
that Sumpter hadn't him murdered in
cold blood?"
Yes" added the other, "let a Tory
be caught over yonder amongst the
Iredell Wings, on either side Of the
line, or in Tryon or down here at the
Waxhaws, why, a gray fox in barn
yard with forty dogs would have as
good a chance for his life. So, for
my share. 1 am glad to see our folks
break up that blasted breed, root and
branch"
"Innis has got as keen nose for
Whig as a bloodhound" said the first
speaker "and won't stop long to con-
slider what's right to be done, if he
gets this chap in his clutches; so 1t
Is of no great account that we didn't
make short work Of it this morning"
Such remarks produced a gloomy ef-
feet upon Buffers mind. He had wit
messed enough, in the scenes Of the
morning, to convince him that Haber-
shaw had been employed to waylay
him and take his life, and that the lat
ter purpose had only failed by the lucky
conjuncture of circumstances which
led to the mutiny. He was aware, too.
that Curry was the prime conductor Of
the scheme, and drove matters, by
secret influence, as far as he could to-
wards it's accomplishment, whilst with
a professional hardihood and most hy-
pocritical bearing he affected to be In
different to the issue. This fellows
malice was the more venomouS from
his address. and the gay. staggering,
remorseless levity with which he could
mask the most atrocious designs;
nothing could battle his equanimity:
and he seemed to be provided, at all
times, with a present eXpedient to
meet the emergency of his condition.
The most perplexing feature in this
mans present position was his recent
connection with Tyrrel; a fact that
recurred to Butler with many alarming
doubts. All the other circumstances
accompanying Buffers condition, at
this moment were subjects of dis
tressful uncertainty. Ignorant of the
place to which he was to be taken, in
to whose hands he was to be delivered,
how he was to be disposed of, he could
only anticipate the worst. 1t vas OBJ
vious that his journey was an expected
one. and that the gang who held him
were employed by persons in author
ity. set on, no doubt, by the agency Of
was he?-and what influence could he
bring to bear against his, Buffers life,
now that he had failed in his bloody
purpose of lying in wait; and that 1t
was resolved by these ruffians. who
had in part only obeyed his behests, to
deliver their prisoner up to the regular
authorities of the British army? The
mention of the name of Innis by one
Of the troopers was not calculated to
allay his inquietude. This person he
knew to have been an active confeder-
ate and eager adviser Of the new cour;
lately established at Charleston, to
promote the confiscation of the estates
of the inhabitants of Carolina disaf-
fected to the royal cause. He was be-
sides. a Jealous Tory partisan, and
having lately Joined the army. was
now in command of a detachment Of
loyalists on the Ennoree.
Then, again, there was abundant
cause Of anxiety to the unfortunate Of
ficer in the question whether Robin
son could be kept acquainted with his
condition. or even of the place to which
he might be removed-and If acquaint-
ed with these particulars, whether, in
the disturbed state of the country. he
could render any service. These
thoughts all contributed to sink his
spirits.
Notwithstanding the usual assumed
levity of Curry, he had now become
4 "a