Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-12
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A Romance of the American Revolution
nv w. GILMORE SIMMS

swamp, and route was chosen by
Humphries which enabled him to keep
away from all beaten roads; the nee
essity still existing, while in the neigh
borhood of a superior force. for the
utmost caution, as the objects of the
partisan required security from obser-
walton even in preference to any sue
cesses which so small a party might
obtain.
It was not long before they began to
enter the swamp, and to meet with
its distractions. The twilight grad
ually ceased to glimmer, the trees
crowded more closely on the path, and
the shades stalking about them inces-
sanity grew incorporated into huge
masses, from which the trees them
selves were scarce distinguishable
Then came the varieties Of the swamp;
the black and stagnant puddle, the
Shiny ooze. the decayed and PROSTATE
tree, and the hanging vine swinging
across the route. The night came
down shortly after they had penetrat-
ed the morass, and, though clear
starlight evening. it was only now
and then that glimpses could be OBJ
tanned of the pale and melancholy
watchers suddenly peering down into
the openings of the trees overhead.
A closer order of march was now
imposed upon the troop, as. carefully
leading the way, Humphries guided
them through one little creek. and
along the banks of another. The earth
between the two parallel waters lay
tolerably high. and formed a defile. as
II were. through which they continued
to move with no other distractions
than such as were presented by the
occasional morasses formed in the
curves Of the creek. and the close
trees. that suffered them to move only
in single file. Only fairly in the
swamp. Humphries had a torch light
ed and carried by trooper in front
with himself. This serving sufficient
ly to pick the path. though yielding no
assistance to those who came after,
they were compelled simply to keep
close, and follow the leader
The lieutenant kept unrelaxing watch
during all this period, and the utmost
order was observed during the pro-
gress. His ear was keenly observant
of every sound that reached his ears.
though deceived by none of them. He
was skilled in woodcraft, and knew
well how to decoy the bird, and to de-
ceive the reptile. by his various imita-
tions. At this time, however, he
permitted himself no exercise Of his
powers in this respect: but watchful
in the highest degree, he gave his or
ders briefly, in a low tone, and with
cut the employment of unnecessary
words.
At length the defile narrowed, the
underground thickened about the trees
in luxurlant vegetation, and so dark
was the place that the figure Of each
individual horse could only be made
out by the rider Immediately behind
1t. To the instinct and better vision
# the animals themselves the move
ment was in great part left; the troop
er and his prisoner, alike. only taking
care not to fall far behind the steed in
advance. This being the case, and
heedful of his charge-while Davis
was directed closely to watch and bring
lp the rear-Humphries stationed him.
self at the mouth of the defile, having
first led the way through which they
were yet to pass. There, with uplifted
torch. he numbered one by one the
steeds of all that came through and
passed before him: and in this way
with q precaution which he considered
the most complete that could be adopt
ed, confidently thought that there
could be no risk Of losing any OF his
prisoners. And indeed. with the ordi-
nary prisoner, the man only skilled to
fight bulldog fashion. without inge-
nuity, and solely relying upon his
teeth. the precaution would have been
enough.
But Google was not of this descrip-
ton. He had the gift, along with In
dian blood. of Indian subtlety. He had
kept his course quietly and patiently
with the rest. and there was no gloom,
no dulness, no tagging of spirits about
him. All was GOODNESS in his mood,
and he knew his ground. He had
heard the orders of Humphries, read
lily understood the route, and prepared
to avail himself Of circumstances as
they might occur In his favor. There
was q cry which the troops were heard
to utter successfully. as they advanced
through certain point Of the detile,
the meaning of which he clearly enough
understood. A ragged pine had thrust
an arm directly over the path, and so
low as to endanger the head Of tall
cry of each rider. therefore, as he
passed under it, was to his immediate
follower
"Stoop low!-heads down."
Google heard this cry before he
reached the obstruction. He coolly
prepared himself for little scout sprac-
tice-buttOned his jacket closely. and
freed his feet from his stirrups as he
proceeded He did this without the
slightest precipitation or impatience.
In order to accustom his horse TO the
relaxation of the bit, so that his move
ment might not undergo any change
at the trying moment, he gradually
yielded up the bride. until the animal
failed entirely TO feel its restraints
upon his mouth; then, dropping the
reins altogether as he heard the cry OF
his predecessor to "stOop," instead OF
doing so. he threw his arms upwards,
caught the overhanging branch firm
ly with both hands. and with the ac-
tivity of an ape. lifted himself fairly
out of the saddle, and for moment
swung in air. The horse passed from
under him. and with his old habit,
followed the lead to which he had been
accustomed. The succeeding steed ap-
| preached, Google gave the cry, in the