Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-12-04


the noble trees, the thick white moss
and the dreamy quiet Of all things
around. The place, know, Is beau
tiful."
you may we'll say so, major; finer
don't happen often in the low country
and the look at 1t from the river IL
we'll worth a Journey"
"Ah! have never seen 1t from tina,
quarter. But you said my uncle was
WE'LL and"-here the voice faltered q
little-"and my cousin Katharine-they
are all well?"
"All we'll, sir. The squire is rather
down in the mouth, you see, for he's
taken a protection, and he can't help
seeing the troubles Of the county. It's
this that makes his trouble; and though
he used Of old time to be a dashing,
hearty, lively, talkative gentleman, al
ways pleasant and good-humored, yet
now he says nothing; and If he happens
to smile at all, he catches himself up a
minute after, and looks mighty sorry
for 1t. All, major, these cursed protec-
tions-they've made many a good heart
sore in this neighborhood, and the
worst is to come yet, or I'm mistaken
"a sore subject, Humphries, and
not very necessary to speak on. But
what news-what stirring, and how
get on our recruits?"
Slowly enough, major; but that Is
to be expected while the country Is
overrun with the red-coats. The folk
are afraid to move, and our poor
swamp boys can't put their noses out
yet-not until the enemy turns his
back on them for a while, and gives
them chance for a little skirmish.
without the risk Of the rope. But
things would change, I'm certain, II the
great general you spoke of, with the
continentals, would only come south.
Our people only want an opportunity"
And they shall have 1t. But what
intelligence here from the city?"
None. sir, or little. You heard the
proclamation"
Eyes, with joy-with positive delight.
The movement Is a grand one for our
cause; it must bring out the ground
rats-those who skulked for safety in
to contracts, measuring honor by acres,
and counting their duty to their coun-
try by the value of their crops.
"True-I see that, major but that's
the thing dread. Why should you
desire to bring them out?"
"Why, because, though with. us in
spirit and sentiment, they yet thought
to avoid danger, while they believed
themselves unable to serve us by their
risk. Now, forced into the field
compelled to fights it not clear that
the argument Is all in favor Of our
side? Will they not rather fight In
conformity with their feelings and
opinions than against them? particu-
larly when the latter course must place
them in arms against their friends and
neighbors-not to speak Of their coun-
trymen-in many instances to their rel
atives. and the members Of their own
families. BY forcing into the field
those who were quiet before. Sir Henry
Clinton has forced thousands into our
ranks who will be as slow to lay
down their weapons as they were to
take them up"
II hope So major; but fear that
many will rather strike for what seems
the strongest, and not ask many ques-
tions as to which is the justest side"
Moths fear not. The class OF
people on whom I rely are too proud
to suffer this imposition, and too spir-
tied not to resist the indignity which
it puts upon them. They must be
reused by the trick which has been
practiced, and will shake off their sleep.
Let us hope for 1t, at least"
II am willing, SIR but fear It. They
have quite too much at stake; they
have too much plate, too many negroes,
and lively too comfortably to be willing
to stand a chance of losing all by TAX
Ing up d6dlllSl tiC oiitioii' "AAN
are squat close alongside Of them"
$50 should / fear with you, Hum
phries, and for like reasons, II the
projections protected them. doubt
not that they would be willing to keep
quiet, and take no part in this struggle,
If the conquerors were wise enough
to let them alone; but they kick and
cuff them on all occasions, and patriots
are frequently made by kicking.
care not for the process, so it gives us
the commodity. Let them kick on, and
may they get extra legs for the pur-'
pose!"
amen" said Humphries, gravely.
'If It makes them stand up to the rack,
as you think 1t will. But" changing
somewhat abruptly, he said to Single
ton
You were with Jack Davis Of
Goose Creek, major, when you first
came up--I thought you were unknown
in these parts?"
you thought rightly; I am still un-
KNOWN, Out lcdIllSu W hllo"
thing of him you speak Of, and circum-
stances threw us together" Here Sim
gleton related the occurrence at the
tavern, as already known to us. Hum
phries, who was the son Of the land
lord, gave close attention, and with
something more than ordinary inter-
est. He was not at any time a man to
show his feelings openly, but there was
an increased pressure of his lips to-
gether as that portion fell upon his ear
which described the interference OF his
sister, the fair coquette Bella. for the
protection Of her cast off lover. His
breathing was far less free at this point
of the narrative: and when Singleton
concluded, the listener muttered, partly
in soliloquy and partly in reply
"a poor fool Of girl, that sister OF
mine, major; loves the fine colors of
the Jay in spite of his cursed squalling,
and has played upon that good fellow,
Davis-Prickly Ash. as we sometimes
called him in the village-till he Is