Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-13

ler.
Look to your pistols, major and
prime afresh."
I'VE seem to have ridden a great
way" said Butler, as he concluded the
inspection of his pistols and now held
one of them ready in his hand. "Car
we have lost ourselves? Should we
not have reached the Pacolet before
this?"
"I have seen no road that could take
us astray," replied Robinson, "and, by
what we were told just before sun
down, should guess that we couldn't
be far off the ford. We haven't then
quite three miles to Christie's. Well
courage, major! supper and bed were
never spoiled by the trouble of getting
to them"
"Wat Adair, 1 think, directed us to
Christie's?" said Butler.
! HE did; and 1 had a mind to pro-
pose to you, since we caught him in a
trick this morning, to make for some
other house, If such thing was possi-
BILE, or else to spend the night in the
woods"
Perhaps 1t would be wise sergeant;
and If you think so still, will be ruled
by you"
"If we once got by the riverside
where our horses mought have water
almost think l should advise halt
there. Although I have made one OBJ
servation, Major Butler-that running
water is lean fare for a hungry man.
Howsever, 1t won't hurt us, and II you
say the word we will stop there"
"Then, sergeant, I do say the word
isn't that the glimmering Of light
yonder in the bushes?" inquired Horse
Shoe, as he turned his gaze in the d.
rection Of the bivouac, "or is 1t these
here lightning bugs that keep so busy
shooting about?
II thought saw the light you speak
of. Galbraith; but 1t has disappeared
ut is there again, major; and hear
the rushing Of the river-we are near
the ford. Perhaps this light comes
from some cabin on the bank"
God send that it should turn out SO
Galbraith! for am very weary"
There is some devilment going on
in these woods, major. I saw a figure
pass in front Of the light through the
bushes. 1 would be wiling to swear
it was a man on horseback. Perhaps
we have, by chance, fallen on some
Tory muster; or, what's not so likely
they may be friends. l think I will
ride forward and challenge"
Better pass unobserved If you can
sergeant" interrupted Butler. ut will
not do for us to run the risk Of being
separated. Here we are at the river;
let us cross, and ride some distance;
then, If any one follow us, we shall be
more certain of his design"
They now cautiously advanced into
the river, which, though rapid, was
shallow; and having reached the mid
die Of the stream, they halted to allow
their horses water. .rtr
Captain Peter is as thirsty as a
man in a fever" said Horse Shoe. HE
drinks as If he was laying In for a
week. Now, major, since we are here
in the river, look up the stream. Don't
you see, from the image in the water
that there's a fire on the bank? And
there, by my soul! there are men on
horseback. Look towards the light
Spur, and out on the other side! Quick
-quick-they are upon us!"
| At the same instant that Horse Shoe
spoke a bullet whistled close by his
ear: and, in the next, six or eight
men galloped into the river, from diff
ferent points. This was succeeded by
a sharp report of firearms from both
parties, and the vigorous charge OF
Robinson, followed by Butler, through
the array of the assailants. They gain
ed the opposite bank, and now directed
all their efforts to outrun their pur-
suers; but in the very crisis Of their
escape, Buffers horse, bounding under
the prick of the spur, staggered a few
PAGES from the river and fell dead A
bullet had lodged in vital part, and
the energy Of the brave steed was
spent in the effort to bear his master
through the stream. Butler fell be-
meath the stricken animal, from whence
he was unable to extricate himself
The sergeant, seeing his comrades
condition, sprang from his horse and
| 20 &c or nd In, IA
interval the ruffian followers gained
the spot and surrounded their prison
ers An Intellectual struggle ensued
over the PROSTATE horse and rider, ir
which Robinson bore down more thar
one of his adversaries, but was OBJ
liged, at last, to yield to the over
whelming power that pressed upor
him.
Bury your swords in both of then
to the hilts!" shouted Habershaw; "I
don't want to have that work to do to-
morrow"
Stand Off" cried Gideon Blake, as
two or three of the gang sprang for.
ward to execute their captains order
stand off: the man is on his back, anC
he shall not be murdered in cole
blood" and the speaker took a posi-
ton near Butler prepared to make goot
his resolve. The spirit of Blake hat
it's desired effect, and the same assail.
ants now turned upon Robinson.
Hold" cried Peppercorn, throwing
up his sword and warding off the blow!
that were aimed by these men at tht
body of the sergeant. Hold, yol
knaves! this is my prisoner. I will
deal with him to my liking. Would {
dozen of you strike one man when HI
has surrendered? Back, ye towards
leave him to me. How now, old Hors'
Shoe; are you caught, with your ga!
master here? Come, come, we know
you both. So yield with a good grace
lest. peradventure, 1 might happen t.
blow out your brains"
Silence, fellows! You carriol
crows!" roared Habershaw. "Remem
Der the discipline l taught you. NJ
disorder, nor confusion, but take th