Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-20
THE RIVA AIS.
A Story of the Times of Aaron Burr and
Alexander Hamilton.
BY JERE CLEMENS.

L
own 1t. I am"
THAT is enough. l can make ou
the remainder without your help. Un'
button that coat"
The order. was sullenly obeyed, anc
the open garment revealed a belt con
tanning two pistols and one of the
broad hunting knives Of the day. By
successive orders Colonel Burr COM
PEELED him to draw out first one pistol
then the other, and then the knife, ano
drop them at his feet. This done, he
marched him forward five PAGES, count
ing the steps and following as he ad-
vanced; then he made him lie down or
his face until he leaped from his
horse and secured the arms. This
done, he again mounted his horse and
ordered the Tory to rise.
Where is your troop now?"
Three miles ahead, in the woods al
the back of Jordan's house"
who is Jordan?"
He is a Tory, and keeps the only
public house on the road"
That at least tallies with my own
information; and pray, remember ir
your answers, that did not come here
in entire ignorance Of anything it con-
Germs me to know. shall most GER
tainly detect you In any attempt to de-
ceive me. and then your fate is sealed
Will any of your troop be prowline
about before dark?"
Not on this side. was sent to
watch here"
Burr unused a moment, and then
said,-
Now, Mr.. Alexis Durand, l propose
to sup this night at Jordan's, and as
do not like solitary meals, 1 shall take
you along for company. AS much
however, as love the society Of sim
gle friend, object decidedly to larger
parties, and if any unpleasant intru-
ders should join us, or any other cir
cumstance should occur to mar the fes-
tivities of the evening, my dissatisfac-
tion will be instantly manifested by
sending brace of bullets through your
skull. You understand me, I hope
Now, forward, march,"
They had proceed in this way for q
little more than half a mile, when they
came to a place where a bridle-path
led off from the main road through the
woods. Here his prisoner indicated a
wish to halt, and Burr, refining up, in
quired what he wanted.
Il should like to ask you a question,
sir, that l hope you will not refuse to
answer 1 know l am in your power,
and you may do as you will; but
swear by all that is holy that 1t shall
do you no harm, to tell me truly wheth-
er or not you are Colonel Burr?"
II do not think 1 should attach much
importance to your oath, If l did not
myself feel certain that it can make no
difference whether you know me or
not. l was Colonel Burr, but l have
resigned my commission and left the
army"
Then for Gods sake go no farther
on this road"
why, you told me just now that 1t
was free as far as Jordan's house"
so it is; but your horse would not
be in the stable five minutes before 1t
would be known by those who will
compass earth and hell to spill your
blood
Your care for my blood" answered
Burr coldly, has wonderfully improved
in the last hour. Methinks it is not
very long since you had some such
purpose as murder in your own head"
81 did not know you then, and sus-
pected you of being a spy Of General
McDougall."
And now that you do know me, ]
cannot understand what has produced
worthy intentions. 1 am not generally
held in high esteem by my country's S
foes"
You saved my fathers house from
being burned; you set watch over 1t,
to protect my mother from insult; and
you fed her starving little ones when
you knew US to be friends to King
George and enemies to Congress. am
the son of John Durand, of Westches-
ter. Have you forgotten him."
No my good fellow, 1 remember
him well. l remember, also, since you
have brought it to my mind, that his
eldest son was accounted a confirmed
robber and murderer, and while l pro-
tected your father and mother as an
act of justice. and fed your little
brothers and sisters as an act of hu-
manity. l should have taken singular
pleasure in hanging you to the first
tree that offered"
II did not begin it, and it is not my
fault if there has been a long and
bloody account run up between me and
those who drove me to take up arms
when l was willing to remain in peace
with the old folks at home. But, there
is no time to talk it over now. The
sun is going down. Will you trust me
and follow me? Believe me, there is
no other escape from death"
Il will trust you," answered Burr
without the least hesitation. Lead
on think you mean well, and If you
do not, my hand Will be as steady and
my aim as certain in one place as an
other"
Durand turned into the bridle-path
and walked rapidly on until they were
entirely out of sight or hearing from
the highway. Here again he paused
until Burr rode up to his side.
Il am taking you," he said, ito the
house of a friend of mine who is, OF
course, in British pay. There will be
no use in telling him anything we car
help. and therefore / should like to ask
another question or two. Where are
you going?"
ITO General Washingtons headquar-
ters."
so 1 expected. Do you bear dis
patches"
mo. have only verbal messages"
That is safer and better. Bill Jen-
kin's cabin is in less than a mile Of
US: there you can have your horse fed
get your own supper and some hours
sleep. After that, l will myself guide