Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-26
CHAPTER xxx.

one" #
The prospect of his revenge oerore
him. Davis hurried away with the view
to its accomplishment. The rough
countryman had too deeply embarked
his feelings in the frail vessel whicn
his more audacious and imposing rival
had, to his eyes, so completely carried
away. not to desire this object at al
the hazards which he was about to In
cur. He was violating his duty-a
matter which, In that day, an inexpe-
rienced militia man was not apt to re-
gard as any very great offence-ano
was about to peril his life, as well as
his honor, for the qualification OF his
passions. Yet these were too greatly
excited TO make him regret, or even
feel his risks, in the hope Of the strife
on which he had set his heart. Too
burningly eager for this strife. to be
at all regardful of the inequality of
skill and strength between himself and
his enemy, he thought only Of the mo-
ment when he should confront him
with the weapon and the will to slay'
Thus excited and eager, he sped across
the narrow islet, broken with quag-
mire and pond and brooklet. with a
haste that needed no distractions. He
had nearly reached the spot, where, as
In a pound. the horses Of the partisans
were all securely tethered. Verify
John Davis was a magnanimous en-
envy, with all his vindictiveness. He
was to free his foe. put weapons into
his hands, find him a horse ready sad
died and bridled for his flight and
asked nothing in return but the chance
Of slashing him to pieces In single
combat-a qualification for which he
was to yield like privilege to his op-
ponent.
But as he approached the horses. 1t
was necessary to observe a greater
degree OF caution than he had thus far
out disturbing the sleeping encamp-
ment, or the watching sentinels-with-
out causing stampede among the
steeds themselves-was no easy mat
ter: and when he fancied he had near
ly attained his object, he was destined
to sudden interruption, When on the
edge of the thicket where the horses
were kept, and which skirted long
dark pond, which was fed by numer-
Gus sluices from the swamp. our for
ester came rather Unexpectedly upon
no less a person than Lieutenant Por-
gy,
What was the fat lieutenant doing
In such a situation? What was the
nature OF that occupation which he
pursued by the precious starlight, and
when most honest men are sleeping
Davis could not divine the answer to
his own question. 1t was enough that
the lieutenant was greatly In his way.
Had Porgy been sleeping? No! He
was bright enough when he found him.
self disturbed. But he had certainly
been in a state OF very profound rev.
erie when the unconscious footstep OF
Davis sounded In his ears. Rifle In
grasp, and crouohing low upon the
bankside. looking out upon the dark
water which glittered in spots only be-
meath the starlight. the philosophic
epicure was as watchful as a sentinel
on duty, or a scout on trail. Davis
could not say at first whether he lay
fiat upon the ground, or whether he
was on his knees. To suppose him to
be crawling upon all fours, would be a
supposition scarcely consistent with
the dignity OF his office and the d.
mensions OF his person. Yet there was
so much that was equivocal in his at
titude. that all these conjectures sew
orally ran through the head OF the
woodman. He started up at the ap-
proach OF Davis. disquieted by the in
trusion. yet evidently desirous OF
avoiding all alarm. His challenge
who goes there?" though given In
very quick. was yet delivered in very
subdued accents. Our woodman gave
the answer; and the tones Of Porgys
voice underwent some change, but
were still exceedingly soft and low,
They embodied good recog-
milton.
."Ah! Davis, my good fellow. you are
just in time"
For what. lieutenant?"
For great service to me. to yourself
to the whole encampment. But nc
noise. my good fellow. Not breath
not word above your breath. He is
q fool who suffers his tongue to spoil
his supper AS quiet as possible, my
boy"
What's to do. lieutenant" was the
whispered query of Davis, much won
dering at the anxiety Of the speaker
who seldom showed himself so. and
who usually took events without ask
ing for the salt or sauce to make them
palatable.
What do you see?" he continued
as the eyes Of Porgy were strainins
across the imperfectly lighted pond.
"See!-what do see? Oh! Blessed
Jupiter. god of men as little fishes
what do l not See?"
And as he spoke, he motioned to Da-
Wis to sink down. crouch close, and
creep towards him. Davis, much be-
wildered, did as he was required, Por-
gy meanwhile. soto voce, continuing
to dilate after his usual fashion of elo-
quence-a style. by the way. that was
very apt to bewilder all his hear
erS. Davis had never studied in the
schools OF euphuism; nor in any
school, indeed. except that of the
swamp He fancied he knew the phil
osophy of the swamp as we'll as any
other man; and that Porgy should eX-
tract from IT a source of knowledge
hitherto concealed from him, was
subject of very great amazement. He
began, accordingly, to question the
sanity of his superior. when he heard
him expatiate in the following Ian
guage:
I'VE live in a rerv pleasant world
Master John Davis. Nature feeds u:
in all our senses, whenever we are