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

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charge of one of the leaders of a pla-
toon, and then put the spurs to his
steed and moved to the head Of the
column.
1t was in the afternoon when this In
cident occurred; and Robinson found
himself, during the remainder of the
day, compelled to follow the troop
through a series of by-ways across
the country, in a direction Of which he
was wholly ignorant-being also In the
same degree unacquainted with the
object Of the march. When the day
closed they arrived at farmhouse,
where it seemed to be their purpose to
pass the night; and here the sergeant
towards whom no unnecessary rigor
had been exercised, was freely allowed
to participate in the cheer provided for
the party. This rest was Of short du-
ration: for before the coming of the al
lotted bed hour, a courier arrived,
bringing a despatch to the leader Of the
detachment, which produced an in
slant order to saddle and resume the
march.
Once more upon the road, the SER
geant became aware. as well as he was
able to determine in the dark, that the
party during the night were retracing
their steps, and returning upon the
same route which they had before
travelled.
A half hour before the dawn found
the troop ascending long hill, the
summit of which, as Robinson per-
ceived from the rustling Of the blades
in the morning wind, was covered by
a field Of standing corn; and he was
enabled to descry, moving athwart the
starlit sky, the figures Of men on
horseback approaching the column.
The customary challenge was given; a
momentary halt ensued, and he could
hear the patrole-for such they de-
scribed hemselves-informing the Of
ficer of the detachment that Colonel
Tarleton was close at hand expecting
their arrival This intelligence !nduc-
ed an increase Of speed which. after a
short interval. brought the nightworn
squadron into the presence Of nearly
a whole regiment of cavalry.
The troops, thus encountered, were
stationed upon the road where 1t
crossed an open and uncultivated plain
the nearer extremity Of which was
bordered by the cornfield Of which /
have spoken. 1t was apparent that the
regiment had passed the night at this
place, as a number Of horses were yet
attached to the fence that guarded the
field, and were feeding on the blades
of corn that had been gathered and
thrown before them. The greater
part, however were now drawn up In
column of march, as If but recently ar
rayed to prepare for the toll OF the
coming day.
Robinson was conducted along the
flank Of the column, and thence to a
spot in the neighborhood, where a
party Of officers assembled by a sylvan
tent, constructed of the boughs Of trees,
showed him that he was at the head
Quarters Of the commander of the
corps. This tent was pitched upon a
piece of high ground that afforded a
view OF that distant horizon In the
east, where faint streak Of daylight
lay like the traces of a far-off- town'fn
flames, against which the forms Of men
and horses were relieved, in bold pro-
file, as they now moved about In the
early preparations for their march.
A single fagot cleaned within the
tent, and by its ray, Horse Shoe was
enabled to discern the wellknown fig
ure of Tarleton, as he conferred with
company Of officers around him. After
the sergeant had waited a few mo-
ments, he was ordered into the pres
ence Of the group within,-
You were found yesterday" said
Tareton. "in suspicious circumstances
what Is your name, fellow?"
Il am called Stephen Foster by
replied the sergeant, being
stranger in these parts. At home I'm
a kind of a gardener to a gentleman
in Virginia; and 1t isn't long since l
sot out with his daughter to come here
into Carolina. She fell sick by the
way, and yesterday, whilst was hunt
ing up a little physic for her in the
woods, a gang of your people came
across me and fotch me here-and
that's about all that have got to say
A series Of questions follower. by
which the sergeant was compelled to
give some further account Of himself
which he contrived to do with an ad-
dress that left his questioners but little
the wiser as to his real character; and
which strongly impressed them with
the conviction that the man they had
to deal with was but a simple and rude
clown.
You say you don't know the name
of the person at whose house you stop
ped?" inquired the commander.
81 disremember," replied Horse Shoe;
being. as I said, stranger In the
parts, and not liking to make too free
with axing after peoples Names"
"A precious lout, this, you have
brought me, Lieutenant Munroe." said
Tarleton, addressing the officer who
had hitherto had the custody of the
sergeant. You don't disremember the
part of Virginia you lived in?' he add
ed, pursuing his examination.
"They have given 1t the name OF
Amherst" replied Horse Shoe.
And the father of Miss Lindsay, you
say resided there?"
"Sartainly, sir"
There Is a gentleman of that name
somewhere in Virginia" said Tarleton,
apart to one Of his attendants, "and
known as a friend to our cause, l
think"
Il have heard of the family" replied
the person addressed.
What has brought the lady to Car
olina?'
"Consarning some business of a
friend, as l have been told" answered
Horse Shoe.
1T is a strange errand for such
time, and a marvellous shrewd conduc-
tor she has chosen? l can make noth-