Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-12
CHAPTER XIV.

night as this"
The course of Singleton lay for The
Oaks" He was about to pay a part
ing visit, and to seek, II possible, TO
persuade his uncle to set forth with
him for the Santee, with whatever
force might have been procured by
him from among his neighbors. This
was. indeed, his only opportunity. he
had arrested one courier, 1t Is true;
but others must succeed in giving to
CORVALLIS the important intelligence
which, for the present. he had stayed.
The movement of CORVALLIS towards
Camden, in compliance with the nee
essity of the case, and Rawdon's solic-
itatlons, would have the effect OF
breaking up communication through
out the intervening country. and max
ing any effort to pass 1t dangerous to
the partisan. This was a consideration
which he necessarily concluded must
influence Colonel Walton's conduct;
and the opportunity of passing at Mel
sons, now filled with Marion's men,
was one not to be disregarded. His
hopes were, that his uncle would car
ry with him a decent number OF stur-
dy fellows into the camp Of the conti-
nentals. Nor was this hope an un-
reasonable one. Colonel Walton, though
slow in taking up the cause OF his
country, had, at last, set heartily
about 1t. BY his earnestness and in
dustry, since his determination had
been made to resume his arms, he
strove to appease his conscience, and
do away with any reproach that might
have been due to his past forbearance.
He had made some progress with his
recruits, and was night and day inde-
fatigable. He rode through his neigh
borhood among all sorts Of people, and
played his game with skill and cool
ness. He knew that Proctor watched
him, and he was circumspect accord
ingly. But, though cautious he did not
lowed his resolve to come out, and the
moment under our view, he had Sc
cured some twenty pledges-pledges
of stout honest woodsmen-men who
had been chafed by the insolence of
their oppression, borne down by
wrongs, and were impatient for re-
dress. He was now, even while Sim
gleton rode with his attendant towards
the river. engaged in close council with
a little band at Johnson's house, on
10 Nx,hn hG cnNNlgS-
fully urging such considerations as
did not fail. In the end. to effect the
object he desired. Let US there leave
him. for the present, and return to the
camp at EIacon's Bridge.
With the close Of day, Humphries
made his preparations for moving to
the Cypress in obedience to the COM
mand OF Singleton. The horses were
saddled quickly the arms prepared.
the surplus baggage put upon pack
horses. the prisoners were mounted,
and all appearance Of a camp broken
up In that quarter. The prisoners
were placed under the immediate sur
veillance Of Davis. who brought up
the rear of the troop.
The custody of Hastings placed the
rivals In q novel sort Of relationship to
one another; and the sturdy Goose
Creeker did not feel less Of his bitter
ness OF spirit because he was compell-
ed to suppress Its utterance. His old
love for Bella Humphries grew active
with the feeling of jealousy which the
presence OF the sergeant necessarily
provoked. He really loved the girl,
and his hate for the dragoon was in
consequence. entirely without qualifi-
cation. He felt that he was getting
angry, as, while arranging the prison
ers his eye continually fell upon Hast
ings. But he knew and respected the
situation Of the enemy too much to
give utterance to his feelings at large:
feelings which, at the same time, were
sufficiently evident to the eye Of the
dragon.
He. on the other hand. conscious Of
his danger, and apprehenslve of pun
Ishment corresponding to the out
rageOus character OF his last offence,
strove to be very conciliatory, and ad-
dressed some soothing and gracious
speech to his rival, as the latter ap-
preached him: but the other was not
To be soothed in this fashion. glance
Of contempt. mingled with hate, was
the only response given to the obse-
QuiOus remark of Hastings; and, in
few minutes after. when he could do
so unobserved, Davis came back TO
where his prisoner stood. and in low
tone thus addressed him
Look ye, Sergeant Hastings. there's
no love lost between us. and it's no
use for you to make sweet speeches.
but I've got sich a grudge agin you,
that must be satisfied. and I'll be on
the lookout. though it's agin orders. to
work a clear way for you out of this
hobble. If so be you'll only promise
to give me satisfaction when I've done
So Say the word now that you will
cross swords with me- If help you to
a clear track. and here's my hand up
on it. that you shall have a fair fight
and free passage"
"Well-but. Davis. my friend"
"No friend. If you please. I'm your
deadly enemy. and If so Se l can, as
God shall help me. I'll cut your heart
out of your hide. or there's no snakes.
We'll. well-but I've no weapon"
I'll bring you one-only say the
word" was the pertinacious and quick
reply Finding there was no escape
the sergeant readily enough closed
with the terms. and Davis then prom
iscd to seek him out in the swamp
conduct him to a clear ground. and
make the terms of fight equal between
them. This done. he turned away from
the prisoner with something more OF
ight-heartedness than usual, as he
anticipated the pleasure of that strife
with his enemy which promised to re-
venge him for so many wrongs.
The prisoners were soon all mount