Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-06-15
CHAPTER III.

Shall we see that falcon eye
Redden with its inward lightning,
AS the hour of fight drew nigh!
Never shall we hear the voice that'
Clearer than the trumpets cal'
Rade us strike for King ard Country
Bade us win the field. or fall!
The evening meal had long been
concluded, and the convent bells had
chimed the hour of nine Aaron Burr
was still in earnest conference with
the Superior. A gentle tap on the door
announced the appearance of visitor
He was evidently expected, for the
door Immediately opened, and the
priest, pointing to chair, anXiously
INQUIRED of the new conner what news
he had gathered.
"The country is aroused and vigi-
liant" briefly responded the man. and
patrols of horse are securing the
roads"
For what? Heard you for what
Julien%
There is a rumor of rebel army
encamped before Quebec: and 1t IS
said that rebel emissaries are travelling
in disguise to create disaffection among
the people"
This is worse" said the monk
thoughtfully; much worse than I ex-
pected. You may go, Julien" he con-
tinued, after a pause, "and partake OF
some needful refreshment-but hrst
send the guide Raoul hither."
I'VE have need of your advice my
son." said the monk, when Audigier ap-
peared in obedience to his summons.
Julien reports that the country peo-
ple are alarmed, and horse patrols
securing the roads. You, who are
soldier by profession, will understand
what amount of danger is to be antlc-
ipated, and what are the best means
of avoiding 1t"
81 have been a soldier, father, and
remembered so much Of my old calling
as to go out myself on scouting ex-
pedition this evening. julien has not
reported matters any worse than they
are"
so l feared! so 1 feared; What do
you adviser"
''It seems to me, father, there Is but
one thing we can do safely, and that
is, to remain within your walls until
the patrols have disappeared. They
will not molest US here, and l hope
and believe they will soon get tired OF
riding about in such bitter weather as
this
The monk fully agreed with the
guide, but such an arrangement was
exceedingly distasteful to Burr. and he
protested vehemently against 1t. Every
hour lost now, he argued, lessened the
chances Of a glorious termination 10
the campaign. 1t gave the enemy time
TO recover from his first panic, and'
which was of more Importance, ena-
bled him to add to and strengthen his
fortifcations. He contended that the
patrols were likely to be just as vigil
liant some days hence as now, and add
ed, that he felt bound to make the at
tempt to proceed, however great the
danger. The guide heard him without
interruption and then calmly replied
II acknowledge the force of much
YOU have said, Monsieur Burr. l know
the Importance of speedily reaching
Montreal, and it is because l do know
II that l advise present delay. To pro-
ceed now will be to throw yourself IN
to the hands of the enemy; not prob
ably, but certainly. We might gain
few hours by starting at night, but the
tracks left in the snow would enaDie
them to follow at speed, and COM
manding as they could. and would
fresh horses at every farmhouse on
the road, our escape would be impossi-
BILE. We must remain, monsieur, and
If your anticipations of the continued
vigilance of the horsemen should prove
correct we can take advantage OF the
first snow storm which will fill up the
tracks behind US, and lessen the dam
ger by that much at least. l am per-
suaded, however, that much more Will
be gained. The people of the country
have no heart for this business, and
the British horse who have nothing
more than vague suspicion to animate
them, will soon find, in the severity OF
the weather, a sufficient excuse Tor
leaving the road and betaking them
selves to more comfortable quarters
The arguments of the guide were
warmly seconded by the priest, and
Burr was compelled to submit to an
arrangement he could not alter. Hav-
ing.consented to remain, he did not, as
so many men would have done, see fit
to render it disagreeable to his host
by an exhibition of fretful impatience.
On the contrary, during the three days
of his enforced detention he seemed to
forget his warlike mission entirely,
and directed the conversation into
channels the most familiar and the
most agreeable to his hearers. Upon
subjects of philosophy and religion, he
was at home; and the good fathers
tlety of his reasoning as by the extent
and variety of his learning.
Every night Raoul communicated the
information he had gathered during the
day. On the third evening, after his
usual report, he said,-
lie Quasi 10 ISdl ~ SlSS1i' iiiSii'''N 90 >
and the clouds betoken a snow storm
before midnight. If you will take a
few hours sleep l will have everything
prepared to start by the time it sets
in"
Burr was so delighted at the pros
pect of being again in motion, that
sleep was banished from his eyelids.
He had no preparations to make be-
yond a careful examination of his arms.
These were secured in a belt beneath
his monks robes, and then he began
to pace the floor with quick and
nervous tread After awhile he seated
himself in a chair and, taking up
Latin volume, tried to pass off the time
in reading His efforts to confine MS
attention to the book were OF no avail
The words seemed to run into one an
other and he became conscious that'
Il a