Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-06-29
If Major Burr had lived in the da

ly-SSNcIi "AO sui iShoSA
ed at Fort Washington a short time
afterwards, only five hundred, or less
than one-fifth. survived the ill-treat-
ment they received in the prison ships
Of England. Partly on account of the
!, unfortunate difference between him
and the commander-in-c chief, and
partly on account Of the malign inf1u-
ences that followed him wherever he
went, he never reaped from this bril-
liant achievement any substantial ad-
vantages.
That night General Howe camped in
front Of the Americans. his right resting
on the East river, his left on the Hud-
son. The next day our troops had re-
covered from their panic, and, in a
sharp action Of four or five hours du-
ration, obtained a decided advantage
over the British. The spirited conduct
of the men in this affair, so different
from that of the day before, surprised
General Howe, and deferred him from
making a general assault on Washing
tons position. 1t did more; 1t inspir-
ed him with so much caution, that for
three weeks he lay almost wholly in
active in sight Of the enemy.
James Billings had followed the re-
treating army from New York, and on
the third day after the occupation of
Harlem, he was seated on one Of the
guns of Hamiltons battery, apparent
ly watching through a telescope the
movements of the enemy. 1t was not
long before he was joined by that Of
Eficer, who inquired
why did you not come to my tent
Billings, instead of asking an inter-
view here?"
Canvas walls" was the cool reply,
ARE liable to two very serious objec-
tions: they obstruct sight, and do not
obstruct sound. 1t might be inconve-
nient to have our conversation over
heard and repeated by a lounging SOL
dier at the back of your tent. 1 prefer
the open air, where you are certain
that no one can come near enough to
listen without your knowledge"
~
the discussion Of private matters, and
l should not have suggested 1t If had
supposed you had anything of import
ance to communicate so soon."
Nor have l much to tell, If you al
lude to our plans in reference to Ma
jor Burr Most men have been too
busy since our last interview to waste
time in listening to stories Of private
scandal; yet l have not been altogeth-
er idle. I have already whispered a
pretty little story Of the seduction of
Miss Moncreffe, in a quarter where 1t
will be sure to reach the general. BY
the way, captain, do you know l have
a shrewd suspicion that we are much
nearer the truth this time than we
were before?'
why so? What have you SEEM"
Nothing myself but servants will
talk, you know, and both General Put
nams and General Miff1in's speak Of
longer interviews and more tender
partings than were to have been ex-
pected between the daughter of Brit
ish major, and a rebel in arms against
J his king"
II do not believe it. Mrs. Putnam
would have turned them both out Of
the house at the first appearance Of
impropriety, much less of criminal in
tercourse."
well, l do believe it, but as it will
equally favor our schemes whether he
is really guilty or we only make him
appear so, 1t is not worth while to dis
} cuss the truth of the case. Besides, !
do not want to have my belief in his
present guilt dispelled After having
been actively instrumental in circulat-
J ing one false story of the kind it is a
comfort to think that have discover
ed a true one at last"
: The color faded from the cheek of
, Hamilton, and his voice trembled as
he replied
| Let me beg of you, Mr.. Billings,
not to refer again to Adelaide Clifton
) That tragedy has been played out and
would rather hear no allusion to It,
: particularly in your cold and devilish
tones. AS to Major Burr, l am half
: inclined to abandon my plans against
him. When he came to my side the
other day and generously assisted me
in arresting the flight Of my panic
} stricken men-when l heard his earn
est appeals to them not to abandon
} their guns, and saw him desperately
expose his life to save me from that
! deep disgrace, the memory OF the
, wrongs l had done him smote me like
= bot of iron; and the thought has
2 ever since haunted me that it would
5 be better, as it is the more manly pol
S icy, to discard all underhand intrigues
t and trust to superior energy or supe-
rior fortune in the race between u.s."
1 There is little question to be set
e tied, Captain Hamilton, before taking
Y that resolution, which l should be sor-
n ry to think you had entirely overlook
5 ed"
\ Pray what is that"
How far you have a right to engage
e men in schemes for your benefit and
j then abandon them to the mercy Of
n enemies they have made on your ac-
count"
:, If l remember rightly, you had the
n frankness to inform me that your SER
S vices were rendered chiefly with view
e to your own advancement"
4 Certainly! 1 am not so fond of tor
n tuous paths as to tread them without
a the hope of reward. Still, you mus
/, not forget that it was yourself who
+ devised a plan for the destruction Of 6
S dangerous rival In the execution Of
a that plan you sought my assistance
I When your views were unfolded to me
= | concurred in your opinion, and labor
= ed faithfully according to your direc'
= tions. l had no other interest in L
than that of binding you to me by such
s ties that hereafter you could not de-
d Gently refuse any reasonable request
e might make. You showed me a mean.
|, of accomplishing the object l had a.
f heart. and l adopted it. If you hat
= shown me any other 1t would have