Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-01
CHAPTER XXI.

nails
The spot chosen by John Davis fol
the scene Of mortal combat, was wei
calculated, no less for this than fol-
the conflict Of mortal passions. The
area was sufficiently large for unem-
barrased action with the broadsword
while the trees completely encircleG
II, and shrouded 1t from sight OF al
without. The ground itself was mere
sandbank: such, as, in such a neigh
borhood, will sometimes rise suddenly
out from a swamp, and drink up the
still trickling waters Of streamlet run
ming beside 1t. The starlight gave
sufficiently strong light for the combat
and the moon was now about TO rise
Davis surveyed the ground in silence
and with something of grave reflection
crowding upon his mind as he did SO
His desire for revenge had made him
almost entirely unmindful Of the pos
sible results to himself Of the con-
templated struggle; and now that he
looked upon the sands, so soon, as ne
thought, to soak up the blood OF him
self or his enemy, or both, his refec-
tions were neither so calm nor SO
pleasant as he could have wished
them. Not that he feared death; but
the idea had not often forced itself up
on him before as a. near prospect, ano
IL does not lessen ones bravery, that
he should mediate the danger even
when he advances to encounter 1t.
John Davis did begin to think OF the
prospect before him; but the die was
cast, and no useful result could possi-
bly, arise from his reflections now, as
II was out of the question to suppose
that his determination could be chang
ed. That was forbidden by the general
sense Of society in the quarter In which
he lived; and striving heartily to dis
miss all consideration from his mind,
save that which told him Of the inJu-
ries he was to avenge, he fastened to
a neighboring tree the horse which
was destined for the survivor, and
plunging back into the swamp, TOOK
his way towards the place where the
prisoners were kept.
But the time which Davis had lost
In the terrapin hunt with his superior,
and In the subsequent removal or the
horse and the weapons, had not been
left unemployed by others. There was
a wild spirit at work and sleeplessness
In the camp of the Partisans, which was
even more terrible and threatening
than that OF our jealous duelist. 1t has
not been forgotten that, in the inter-
view between Davis and Sergeant
Hastings, they had been startled at It's
close by, the eldritch laughter of the
maniac, Frampton. There was a
strange method in the madness Of this
now savage person. He had eagerly
drunk in the language Of the parties,
and with q calculation and cunning
which we are apt mistakenly to sup
pose inconsistent with insanity, he had
treasured the matter in his memory,
and prepared to mar the plans and
preparations after a fashion OF MS
own, He suffered Davis to depart,
and for a time he watched his move
ments. Satisfied OF his absence, II not
of his immediate whereabouts, the
maniac emerged again from the swamp,
and made his way to the hut in which
the sergeant was imprisoned, Hast
ings, anxiously awaiting his rivals
coming, had not slept. He looked UP
in the imperfect starlight as the huge
form Of Fpampton darkened the en-
trance. 1t appeared to him that the
form of Davis had suddenly shot into
great bulk and height, but he soon
dismissed the notion that such was the
case, with feeling Of shame. asoribing
1t to oowardice that he should think
so,
rs that you, John Davis?"
"Come!" said the maniac-"come!
mHow can / come, John Davis" was
the reply, unless you cut the cord
I'm tied, you know, hand and foot
and can't bulge peg"
Without a word, the maniac entered
and did as he was required, He d.
vided the ropes with a hunting knife
which he carried at his girdle. He
might Just as easily have cut the ju-
gulars of the victim; but he did not
and quietly restored the weapon to his
belt,
"C,omein said he
Hastings rose from his rushes feel
ing very stiff and sore. He stretched
himself with painful effort, and Won
dered how he should ever be able to
handle the broadsword.
"A ID hard bed I've had OF 1t
John Davis and all my joints feel as
II they wanted greasing. A sup OF ia
maica, now, wouldn't be a bad thing.
want something to warm me before
fight"
"Come!" was the sullen monosylla-
BILE of the maniac In answer.
"Come!" Is that all that you car
say. l wonder?" growled Hastings n
reply; something wondering at the
sullenness and unsociability OF one
whom he was about to indulge with
fight. But he did not oppose the wish
es Of his visitor, and. of sudden, ap-
peared to think 1t prudent to forbeal
further speech to so moody compan'
ion. Stretching himself accordingly
slowly complied with the requisition o.
his visitor. and followed him forth
from the hut.
Now, but that madness Is whimsical
In its purposes, the probability Is tina
Frampton would have used the knife
upon Hastings, as he had already done
upon Clough, In most summar!
manner. But the insane man usual!
exhibits the possession Of no little
vanity A diseased self-esteem is ap
to be an active condition in the min(
Of most lunatics, and has contributed
not a little to their mental overthrow
The madman's vanity is delighted
when he can show you that he scheme!
and contrives. He loves to startle you
He anxiously seeks to eXtort from yol
acknowledgements of this character
and would seem to be pleased will
complicating his own purposes, If onl!
to compel your admiration. The lin
gering reason still strives to maintain
some Of the shows Of its authority
of its presence, at all events-in th
brain of the unhappy man, in which
harbOrs, like the fiery volume in th
core Of the volcano only for explosion
Feeble, wilful, and deprived of all it
best auxiliars of steadfastness ant
Judgment, IL still seeks, If not to eS
tablish, to assert its supremacy. How
Il plans, with what effort; how con
trives: how chuckles over its contri
vances: and with what grotesque in
genuity it will combine and create
This cunning Of the madman is, per
haps, the true key--if there be any
to his disorder. Properly studied, an
you may find in ii the clue to his Sc
cret, and in some degree the sugges
tions for his guidance.
Now, Frampton had shown himsel
thus cunning and wilful, after whim
sical fashion. when we first found hin
squat. watching behind the hovel wher
Hastings was imprisoned. He ha
made his way to that spot with tn
full purpose of destroying the prisone
as he had destroyed Clough, in tn
same situation. The approach of Da
Wis had compelled him for the momen
TO forbear and to lurk in waiting. A
he listened. and heard the propose
plan Of the duel, as suggested by on
Goose Creeker, the mercurial fancie
of the madman adopted the affair a
his own. He had watched. according
". till Davis had gone to effect nj
preparations. and had then chosen nj
time. as we have seen. to complet
for him what he had so well begur
We see how far he has succeeded