Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-09
CHAPTER III.

An Incident That savors Of Romance
BY the time the sun had fallen tc
the level of the SUBMITS Of the Blue
Ridge, Butler and Robinson had prog
ressed. so far in their journey, as to
find themselves In the vicinity OF the
Rockflsh rivera rapid mountain
stream, that traverses the southern
confine of Albemarle, and which, al
that period. separated this county from
Amherst. Their path had led them, by
a short circuit out Of the ravine oi
Cove creek along upon the ridges oi
the neighboring hills; and they were
now descending from this elevation
into the valley Of the Rockfish, near
to the point where the Cove creek
forms its junction with this river The
hill was covered with q stately forest
and a broad, winding road had been
cut down the steep side. in such a man.
ner as to present a high bank on one
hand, and an abrupt sheer descent on
the other. From this road might be
seen, at intervals, glimmering through
the screen OF underwood, the waters OF
the small river below: whilst, at the
same time, the circuitous course OF the
descending track left but few PAGES of
its length visible from any one point,
except where, now and then, 1t came
boldly forth to the verge Of some wild
crag, from which glimpses were to be
obtained Of its frequent traverses to-
wards the deep and romantic deli that
received the mingled tribute Of the
two streams.
Here, as our travellers journeyed
downward, their attention was awak-
ened by the cry Of hounds in pursuit
of game These sounds came from the
wood on the crest Of the hill above
them: and the clamorous earnestness
with which they assailed the ear, and
reused the far echo Of the highlands,
showed the object Of chase to have
been suddenly surprised and hotly fol-
lowed. The outcry was heard for some
moments, pursuing direction towards
the river, when, suddenly from the
midst of the forest, the sharp twang
Of a rifle shot showed that some hunter
was on the watch to profit by the dis
covery of the dogs.
Robinson, as soon as he heard the
report, urged his horse forward with
speed, to the first turn Of the road be-
low, dismounted, and throwing his RI
fie into the palm Of his left hand stood
ready to give his fire wherever he
might find occasion. Butler followed,
and refined up close beside his COM
panion.
There Is game afoot," said Gal
braith,, "and II that shot has not done
it's business, 1t may be my turn to try
a hand"
These words were hardly spoken
when a wounded buck rushed to the
brink of the bank, some twelve or
fifteen feet above the heads Of the trav-
elers and regardless Of the presence
of enemies. made one frantic bound for
ward into the air, and fell dead almost
at Robinson's feet. So effectually had
the work Of death been done upon the
poor animal. that he seemed to have
expired, in the convulsion Of this last
leap. before he reached the ground;
his antlers were driven into the clay;
his eyes were fixed, and not a struggle
followed.
'It was a home-shot that brought
this poor fugitive to the earth
said Butler as he stood gazing
at the piteous spectacle before him,
"and sped by a practised hand"
II don't count him good man, ma
jor," said Galbraith, with professional
indifference "who would mangle his
meat by random firing. Now, this buck
was taken sideways as he leaped above
the top of the bushes, which is the tick
lishest of all the ways of shooting a
deer. The man that plucked this fell
low, I'll warrant, can plant his ball
just where he likes; right under the
thing couldn't have been prettier done
If the man had had a rest and stand
ing shot,"
During the short interval. the hounds
had arrived on the spot where the buck
lay bleeding, and these, after a few
minutes were followed by two hunters
of very dissimilar appearance, who
came on foot, slowly leading their
horses up the hill.
The first was a tail. gaunt woodman
Of sallow complexion, jet black eyes
and round head Of smooth black hair
His dress was simply coarse linen
shirt and trousers, the heat Of the day
being such as to allow him to dispense
with coat and waistcoat. He carried
in one hand, battered straw hat and
in the other, trailed long rifle. His
feet were covered with a pair of moe
casins of brown leather, and the or
binary hunting equipments were sus-
pended about his person.
The second was a youth apparently
about sixteen. dressed in a suit of green
summer cloth, neatly and fancifully
adapted to his figure, which was grace
full and boyish. The jacket was short
and gathered into a small skirt behind
and both this and the pantaloons were
RdTUlSHSu With VI DioiSh
cord and small black buttons. A highly
polished leather belt was buckled round
his waist; cap of green cloth rested
somewhat conceitedly. amongst the
rich locks of a head of light, curly hail
that fell. with girlish beauty, over fail
brow. and gave softness to counte'
nance of pure white and red; and
neat foot showed to advantage in g
laced boot The whole appearance o.
the youth was Of one Of an amiabl'
and docile bearing, and the small riff
or carbire which he bore in his hand
as we'll as the dainty accoutrement'
that belonged to it, amongst which wa:
a diminutive bugle, looked more lik'
the toys of a pampered boy than an!
apparatus of service.
No sooner had these two approached
near enough to Butler and his attend