Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-18
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina.
By JOHN II. KENNEDY.


the gibbering and shrill reptiles tha
inhabit these recesses seem to inves
with a voice; the earth beneath the
feet, carpeted with "the raven down Of
darkness" has an indefinite surface
that caused the traveller to think Of
pitfalls and sudden banks. and fearful
chasms; and the gray light ol
the glowworm, or the cold gleam Of the
rotten timber, shine up through the
gloom, like some witch-taper from
haunted ground. Then, high above the
head, the sombre forms of the trees nod
in the night-wind, and the stars-in-
efrectual to guide us on our way-are
seen only in short and rapid glimpses
through the foliage: all these things
affect the mind with sadness, but the
chattering Of the teeth and the cold
creep Of the blood. rendered sluggish
by a frosty atmosphere, make 1t still
more sad.
Mildred and Mary Musgrove expert
enced a full share Of these imaginings
as they now rode in the dark, side by
side; and peradventure, an occasional
expression of impatience, might have
been heard, in whispers, between them
BY degrees this feeling extended to
Henry, and, in due course of time
seemed also to have reached the SER
geant and miller; for these two, as If
suddenly struck with the necessity OF
making some provision for the night
now came to a halt. with a view to
inquire into the comfort of the weaker
members of the troop, and to deliberate
on what was best to be done. To make
a fire, erect a tent, and resort to the
contents of their haversacks for sup
per, were the only eXpedients which
their situation afforded; and as these
arrangements were but the customary
incidents of travel, In the times to
which we refer. they were now resolv-
ed upon with but little sense Of in
convenience or hardship. 1t was prop
er, however, that the party should en-
camp in some position where they
ject, they continued to move forward
until they should find themselves in the
neighborhood Of a running stream
an event that, from the nature Of the
country, was soon likely to occur.
There can be no moon tonight" said
the sergeant, as they rode. along In
quest of their leagiRg-plaee, s.yet-yen-
der light would look as If she were
rising. No, it can't be, for 1t Is west
ward as judge, Allen
1T Is westward" replied Musgrove,
looking towards a faint light which
brought the profile of the tree-tops into
relief against the horizon. There
must be fire in the woods"
The party rode on, all eyes being
directed to the phenomenon pointed
out by Horse Shoe. The light grew
broader, and flung a lurid CLEAN to-
wards the zenith; and, as the travellers
still came nearer, the radiance increas-
ed, and illuminated the summit Of a
hill, which. 1t was now apparent, lay
I'VE must rest here for a while"
said the sergeant, refining up his horse
in a dark and narrow ravine; "the fire
Is Just across this hill In front. 1t
would be wise to reconnoitre a little;
there may be travellers camping on the
other side, or troops for aught we
know; or 1t may be an old fire left by
the last persons who passed. You, Al
len Musgrove, stay here with the wo-
men, and l will ride forward to look
into the matter"
Henry accompanied the sergeant, and
they both galloped up the hill. When
they came to, the top, a rich and
strange prospect broke upon their
sight. Some three or four hundred
yards In advance, at the foot OF the
long slope of the hill. huge volume
Of flame was discovered enveloping the
entire trunk Of a tall pine, and blaz-
ing forth with sudden flashes amongst
the withered foliage. The radiance
cast around from this gigantic torch
penetrated the neighboring forest, and
lit up the trees with a lustre more daz-
/ zling than that of day; whilst the
strong shades brought into such i'm
mediate proximity with the sharp, red
light, as it glanced upon every up
right stem or trunk, gave a new and
grotesque outline to the familiar OBJ
jects of the wood. The glare fell upon
the sward of the forest and towards
the rear upon a sheet Of water, which
showed the confiagration to have been
kindled on the bank of some river
Not less conspicuous than the loca
features of the scene were the figures
of considerable party of soldiers pass
ing to and fro in idle disarray through
the region Of the light, and a short
distance from them a number of horses
attached to the branches of the neigh
boring trees. Horse Shoe and his
young companion stood gazing fol
1 some moments upon the spectacle, the
sergeant in silent conjecture and per-
picked thoughtfulness as to the char
acter of the persons below. Henry in
tent only upon the novel and pictur'
esque beauty of the view.
The light shone directly up the road
and fell upon the persons of our two
friends. a circumstance to which th'
sergeant seemed to give no heed, unit
Henry pointed out to him a horseman
from the direction of the fire, who wa!
now advancing towards them.
Sergeant, turn back into the shade,
cried Henry; that man Is coming af
ter us"
Keep your ground" replied Hors
Shoe; "he has no ill-will to US. HI
wears the dress of an honest man ant
a good soldier"
Who goes there" called out tn
horseman. as he now came within
speaking distance. stand and tell m
who you are!"
Friends to the hunting-shirt am
buck tail" replied Robinson.
Il am glad to hear you say so" re
Joined the scout, as he advanced still
Inearer. Where from, and what di