Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-24
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina.
BvJOHN p. KENNEDY.
CHAPTER XLIv-CoNT1NUED.

suddenly cOnnrneu III the SuSPiSioH
which at the late meeting for a mo-
ment rested upon his mind, as to the
identity OF Butler; and having COM
municated his thought to the COM
manding officer, the whole party OF
the Tory militia had wheeled about to
demandy further investigation; they
were now some hundred PAGES in the
rear of the fugitives, and were press
ing forward at high speed, the officer
In. the front calling out at the same
time
Hold! Rein up and return! We
have questions to ask. Halt, or we
shall fire."
ITO 1t, boys!" cried Harry Winter.
"Your safety Is in your legs!"
And the party pricked onward as
fast as they could urge their cavalry
along the road. The chase continued
for some half hour or more; the little
escort of Butler leaving the road and
plunging into the recesses of the for
est. An occasional pistol-shot was
fired during this retreat, but without
effect ON either side. The tangled
character Of the ground over which
they passed. greatly retarding the pur-
suit, and before the half hour was
spent none but q few of the boldest
horsemen of the assailants were found
persevering In the chase. Seeing their
number diminished, and finding also
that the horses OF his own comrades
were beginning to flag, John Ramsay
assumed the command, and directed
his party to turn about and offer bat
tie to the pursuers. The immediate
effect of this movement was to bring
the assailants to a halt, which was no
sooner witnessed by John, than he
shouted Charge lads, charge and the
day is'ours! Hack and hew, good fell
lows; down with the bloodhounds!"
This animated exhortation was fol-
lowed up by a prompt onset, In which
the brave trooper led the way, and such
was the impetuosity Of the assault
that the enemy, although consisting
of twice the number of those who at
tackled them, were forced to give
ground A sharp skirmish ensued,
during which pistol shots were fired
on both sides, and some encounters,
hand to hand. were sustained with
sturdy resolution; but, at last our
friends succeeded in turning their OPP
ponents to fight. The combat had
been maintained in that pell-mell
form of attack and defence. which de-
fed compact or organized resistance;
and the individuals of each party had
been scattered over the wood for
considerable distance, so that when
the late pursuers were compelled to
retreat, each man urged his horse In
such a direction as was most favora-
BILE to his escape. BY degrees, But
ler's few companions began to reas-
semble at that part OF the wood where
they had made their first stand.
There Is nothing like striking the
first blow at the right time" said
Harry Winter, as, with his hat in his
hand to allow the air to cool his brow.
he rode up to Butler. and halted to
gain breath. "Give me a hot charge
on a slow enemy. and I don't care
much about two to one Of odds. Thank
God that business rs clearly done, and
here we are all safe I hope. Where
Is John Ramsay" he inquired. look
ing around him, and observing that
their comrade was not amongst the
number assembled.
"I saw him close at the heels of the
runaways," said one of the men,
John has a trick Of seeing a scrim-
mage to the end: and II is an even bet
that he is now upon the trail like
fresh hound. The last I noticed OF
him he was at the crupper of cou-
pie Of the rascals that. I'll engage, be-
fore now he has set his mark upon
Then we must to his assistance!
exclaimed Butler, eagerly: and with
out waiting for further consultation
he set off at full speed, in the suppos-
ed direction of John Ramsay's pur-
suit. The rest followed. They had
ridden some distance without being
able to perceive any traces of their
missing companion. Butler called
aloud upon Ramsay. but there was nc
answer: and, for some moments. there
was an anxious suspense as the party
halted to listen for the sound of the
footsteps of the troopers approach
At length, a horse was seen far of In
the wood, bounding over the turf at q
wild and frightened pace; the saddle
empty, and the bridle-rein hung about
his feet. On seeing his companions
the excited steed set up frequen,
neigh, and. with head and tail erect
coursed Immediately up to the grouE
of horsemen. Here he came to sud
den halt. snorting with terror of his
late alarm. There were drops OF
blood upon the saddle.
Gracious Heaven!" cried Butler
some evil has befallen Ramsay. Scat
ter and search the wood"
1t was with confused and melan-
choly earnestness that they all no"
continued the quest. After painfu
suspense, one OI the lliSli was "NN'N
to shout to the rest that their lost COM
rade was found. The summons soor
brought the party together. Ramsay
pale and faint. was stretched upon the
grass Of the forest, his bosom stream
ing forth a current of blood. In an In
slant Butler was seen STOPPING ovel
him.
"Oh, this Is a heavy ramSon. for my
deliverance!" he said with the deepes
anguish, as he raised the troopers heac
and laid 1t on his lap, whilst the olooc
flowed from the wound. Speak d"d'
friend, speak. Great God. l fear thi'
blow is mortal! Some water. II l. cal
be found--look for It, Winter; he ha'
tainted, from loss of blood"
Whiist Harry Winter went in searci
of Rb6; sgecessary refreshment. Butle
tore HIS ieravat from his neck and ap
piled It to staunch the wound. Tn
administration of a slight draught o
water, after a short interval, sum