Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-16
CHAPTER XVIII.
Buffers Difficulties lnorease-lnnis
Finds Occasion to Think of the
Adase-"There's Many Slip Be-
twixt the Gun and the Lip."

Buffers Difficulties lncrease-innis
Finds Occasion to Think of the
Adage-"There's Many Slip Be-
twixt the Cup and the Lip"
When Arthur Butler was conducted
back to his place of confinement, af-
ter his trial, orders were given that
no one should be allowed to approach
him, except the officer to whom was
intrusted his safe custody. The inter-
course of this person with him was
short; and concerned only with the
scant accommodation which his condi-
ton required. He was, therefore, de-
prived of all chance of becoming ac-
quainted with the extraordinary events
that had led to his present respite from
death. In the interrogations that had,
during the first moments Of excite
ment, been put to him, in regard to
the letter, he was not told its import;
from what quarter it had come; nor
how 1t affected his fate. He only
knew, by the result that it had sus-
pended the purpose of his immediate
executions; and he saw that 1t had pro-
duced great agitation at headquarters.
He found, moreover, that this, or some
other cause, had engendered a degree
of evaporation against him, that
showed itself in the retrenchment OF
his comforts, and in the augmented
rigor of his confinement.
,,I h hto IN @
mind was too busy to permit him to
close his eyes during the night that
followed; and in this wakeful suspense
he could sometimes hear. amongst the
occasional ramblers who passed under
his window, an allusion, in their con-
versation, to a victory gained over the
royal troops. Coupling this with the
name of Sumpter which was now and
then uttered with some adjective of
disparagement, he conjectured that
Horse Shoe had probably fallen In
with that partisan, and was. perad-
venture, leading him to this vicinity.
But this conclusion was combated by
the fact that there seemed to be no
alarm in the camp, nor any prepara-
ton foot either for instant battle
or retreat Then the letter-that was
mystery altogether impenetrable. There
was only one point upon which his
mind could rest with satisfaction; of
that he was sure-Horse Shoe was
certainly at the bottom of the scheme,
and was active in his behalf.
The whole of the next day passed
over in the same state of uncertainty.
1t was observed by Butler, with some
stress upon the circumstances, that
Capt. st. Jermyn, who had heretofore
evinced a disposition to make himself
busy in his behalf, had absented
himself ever since the trial; and he
thus felt himself cut off from the
slightest exhibition of sympathy on
the part of a single individual in the
multitude of fellow beings near him
Indeed, there were various indications
of a general personal ill-will against
him. The house, in which he was con-
fined, was so constructed that he could
frequently hear such expressions. In
the conferences of those who inhabited
the rooms below stairs, as were uttered
above the lower key of conversation
and these BODIED him no good. Once
during the day, Colonel 1nnis visited
him. This officers countenance was
severe, and indicated anger. His pur-
pose was to extort something from the
prisoner in reference to his supposed
knowledge of the course Of operations
of Sumpter, from whose camp Innis
did not doubt this letter regarding st
Jermyn had come. He spoke In
short, quick, and peremptory tone,-
"It may be well for you," he said
that your friends do not too rashly
brave my authority. Let me advise