Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-06-12

termine how soon l may become VIC
tim to its tyranny. If you aid me,
hope to accomplish a great mission
If you refuse, that mission may be ter
minated by a halter"
The superior was a Frenchman, and
therefore hereditary enemy to Eng
land. He was a Catholic, and therefore
felt bound to wage an eternal war
against the power that had dealt such
terrible blows at his church. He was
a man, and the genuine enthusiasm
which sparkled In every feature OF
Burr's face won it's way to his heart
and from that hour the young adven-
turer had a friend no misfortune could
upon his hand, it was several minutes
before the monk made any response to
the frank communication he had re-
ceived.
81 will serve you,' at length he said,
ito the extent of my ability. But to
render that service effectual, you must
trust me fully. Half condolences are al
most always dangerous, and the parties
to them not unfrequently find them
selves unintentionally playing at cross
purposes"
Such is my own judgment, father;
and If you will give me your attention
for one-half hour, you shall know all"
Burr then rapidly recounted the
causes which led to the American Rev.
olution; described the scene at Lex
ington, and the battle Of Bunker Hill.
In words of fire he related the daring
scheme that Arnold had formed of
penetrating the wilderness and storm
ing the heights Of Quebec, at a season
Of the year when the extreme cold
would prevent any reinforcements from
reaching the garrison. The dangers
and miseries over which the American
force had thus far triumphed were
concisely stated, and he ended by in
forming, his astonished auditor that he
was charged with a verbal message to
Montgomery without whose co-opera-
tion success was impossible and all that
had been accomplished would be worse
than profitless.
1t was a scene worthy the pencil of
one of the great Italian masters. The
venerable priest, his form bent and
his locks whitened by the frosts of
seventy winters, leaning his elbows up
on the table and listening in rapt at
tention to the boy orator and soldier,
while he gave voice to a peoples
wrongs, and proclaimed their unalter-
able purpose to conquer, or perish In
the attempt The varied play Of his
features gave evidence Of the mingled
feelings which were struggling within
him. The film of age passed from his
eye, and when the narrative ended, he
struck his hand upon the table with un-
canonical energy and exclaimed
You will conquer, my son! Such
men are ever victors. A people ami
mated by the love Of liberty, and en-
dowed with the courage and energy
you have already exhibited, require
little training to become invincible.
The colonies are lost to Britain"
II rejoice, father to hear you speak
so hopeful Of our cause. To the over
wise and the fearful 1t looks dark
enough. Do l trespass on forbidden
ground by inquriing If you have always
been a priest?"
NO In my youth bore arms in a
cause less holy than yours. The wild
excitement of battle, the gloom Of de-
feat, and the fierce joy Of victory, have
been experienced in turn; and none OF
them are entirely forgotten, though
years Of penitence and prayer have
done much to blot out their footprints.
But it avails not to recur to such things
now BY morning 1 will find a messen-
ger who shall bear your tidings to Gen
eral Montgomery"
Pardon me reverend sir, must be
that messenger myself"
you! Why If you could elude the
on the watch to intercept any commu-
nication between the two American
commanders, you could not bear the
fatigue and exposure that must be un-
dergone; and If you attempt it, your
slight frame will wither before half the
distance is accomplished"
You forget that have just travers-
ed five times that distance through an
unpeopled wilderness, and may well
consider the journey before me as
pleasure trip in comparison. Remem-
Der, too, that my honor as soldier Is
involved l have no right to transfer
to another 6. duty assigned to me
Whether he failed or succeeded, men
would call me coward, If they did not
name me traitor 1t was not for such
a purpose. that l sought your convent
Only give me the information you
possess of the country. the woods, and
the people, and / shall go on my way
with a light heart and grateful mem
ory Of your kindness"
Father Pierre made no immediate
answer. He was absorbed In thought
His lips moved, but no sound escaped
them. The burrows on his brow deep
ened, and it was evident that his eye
took in no object distinctly. His rev.
erie lasted so long that Burr began to
be doubtful and impatient. He felt
greatly relieved when at last the old
man said,-
II believe you are right. At least,
am sure that at your age l should have
reasoned as you do. Leave all your
preparation to me; it Is past the
tenth hour, and you must be stirring
early. Here is your chamber"
So saying, he opened the door of a
little room. appropriately denominated
a closet, and pointing to a low couch
which was almost its only furniture, be-
slowed upon the youth his blessing
and left him to repose. Seating him.
self at the table from which his
guest had risen, he was for some time
engaged i'm elf-communion. Then he
touched a small silver bell. and said
to the servitor who answered It,
Tell Raoul that | would speak tC
him."