Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-01

were successfully given slack rein as
they entered the ford, and were allowed
to drink. This delay separated the pla-
toons and those who first passed over
had advanced a considerable distance
before the stragglers Of the rear had
quilted the stream. For some minutes
that stir and noise prevailed which, in
a military party. generally attends the
the attempt to restore order amongst
confused or broken ranks. The fire.
quent command of officers, summoning
the loiterers and chiding their delay,
were given from front to rear In loud
tones, and the swift gallop of those
who had fingered In the stream, as they
obeyed the order and hastened forward
to their places, sent forth quick and
spirited evidence Of hustle, that broke
sharply upon the silence Of the sur
rounding forest. These indications Of
activity unfortunately pricked with a
sudden astonishment the ear Of one
who has heretofore figured, not with
out renown. in this history-the lusty
and faithful Captain Peter; who, not
sufficiently alive to the distinction be-
sniff, and paw the ground, and then
with a long and clear note Of recogni-
tion, to express his feelings Of good
fellowship towards the unseen strang-
ers. Another moment, and the gay
and thoughtless steed reared, plunged,
broke his bride, and bounded through
the woods with a frolicsome speed that
brought him into the midst Of the troop
where he wheeled up and took his
place, like a disciplined charger, on the
flank of one of the platoons.
This incident caused the officer In
command of the party to come again
to halt, and to despatch portion OF
his men to seek the owner Of the
horse. An eager search commenced,
which was almost Immediately termi-
mated by the wary sergeant presenting
himself to the view Of the troop, on a
prominent and exposed point Of the
rock, where he seemed to be busily and
unconcernedly engaged with his jack
knife, in stripping the bark from the
roots of sassafras tree that grew out
of one Of the assures Of the cliff. APP
parently, he gave no attention to the
clarnor around him, nor seemed to show
la wish to conceal himself from notice
who in the devil are you-and what
are you about?" exclaimed the leading
| soldier, as he mounted the rock and
came up Immediately behind Robinson,
who was still fixed with one knee upon
the ground, plying his labor at the root
Of the tree.
Good day, friend" said Robinson,
looking up over his shoulder. Good
day! From your looks you belong to
the army and, If that's true, perhaps
you mought be able to tell me how far
it is from here to the river?'
Get upon your feet" said the other,
land follow me quickly! 1 will take
you to one who will oil the points of
your tongue for you, and put to study
ing the catechism. Quick fellow, move
your heavy carcass, or, / promise you,
| will prick your fat sides with my
sword point"
Anywhere you wish, sir, II you will
only give me time to gather up this
here bark" said the sergeant, who.
hereupon, needless of the objurgation
of the trooper, deliberately united the
handkerchief from his neck, and
spreading it out upon the ground, threw
| Z. 90 ho, hn ho6 hapn
cutting, and then. taking it in his hand,
rose and walked after the soldier.
He was conducted to the troop, who
were waiting in the road the return or
the men that had been despatched on
this piece of service.
Quick quick, move yourself! We
have no time to lose," cried out the Of
fcer in command of the detachment,
as Horse Shoe and his guide came In
view: and then, after an interval Of ST.
lence, during which the sergeant walk
ed heavily to the spot where the troop
waited for him, he added with an i'm
patient abruptness. Make few words
of it, sir. Your name, where from, and
where are you going?'
| MY name. captain-if your honor Is
captain, and If 1 miscall you, ak
your honor's pardon; my name isis
Stephen Foster, Steve most common
| ly."
We'll. whence do you Gomez
From Virginny.'
Fool, why do you stop?"
You axed, think, where was
going? was going to get on my
horse that's broke his bride, which l
see you have cotched for me; and then
back to my young mistress, sir, that
was taken sick over here at a gentle
woman's house on Pedee. She thought
a little sassafras tea might help her
along, and l was sent out to try and
get a few scrapings Of the bark to
take to her. l suppose l must have
rode out of my way a matter of some
eight or ten miles to find it, though
told her that I thought a little balm
out of the garden would have done just
as well. But women are women, sir,
and a sick woman in particular"
| 'InlS 1ellOW is more hlldNe lildIi loOi,
take it, cornet," said the officer to a
companion near him.
His horse seems to have been train
ed to other duties than gathering herbs
for ladies of delicate stomachs," re-
piled the other.
my horse" interrupted the sergeant,
would have broken clean off If II
hadn't been for your honor; they say
he belonged to a muster In Virginny
and | was warned that he was apt to
get rampagious when there was any
thing like set of sodgers nigh him
and that is about the reason, | expect
why he took it into his head to fall in
to your company"
Get on your beast" said the officer
limpatiently, you must go with us. If
upon further acquaintance l form a
better opinion of you, you may &c
about your business"
Il am somewhat in a hurry to get
back to the lady"
silence! Mount your horse, fall tc
the rear. Gilbert. attend to this fellow