Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-22
CHAPTER xxx.

While the events which we have just
recorded had been going on IN one
quarter others not less imposing,
though perhaps less important to the
partisan, had taken place in the
swamp. There, as we remember,
Humphries. after the escape Of Cog
gle, had bestowed his men in safety.
Deeply mortified by that occurrence,
the lieutenant had been more than
usually careful of his remaining pris-
ers, as we'll as for his appointments at
the camp. The fires had been well
lighted, the several watches duly set,
and all preparations were in even
progress for the quiet passage OF the
night.
To John Davis much OF these mat
ters had been given in charge, and, in
their proper execution, he approved
himself the same trusty soldier that we
have elsewhere found him. The pris-
oners were put entirely and particular
ly under his direction; and having
placed them separately, each securely
tied, In the little bark huts which were
scattered about the island, through the
cooperation and continued presence
Of the sentries closely set around them,
their custody was quite as complete as
under existing circumstances, it could
possibly have been made.
Such, among others, was the condi-
ton Of the luckless Hastings. His hut
was isolated from the rest, and stood,
on the very edge of the island, upon
a slight elevation. Tied. hand and foot,
with cords too stout for his strength,
he lay upon a pile Of rushes in the
corner of his cabin, musing, doubtless,
like most of his fellows who have ex-
perienced a sudden reverse, upon the
vexatious instability of fortune. Nor
did his musings prompt him at all times
to that due resignation which prop
er course of reflection, in such a case,
would be most usually apt to occasion.
He suffered himself to be too much
disquieted by his thinking; and, such
moments. seeking to elevate himself
from his PROSTATE condition, he would
lose his balance. and roll away from
his place, like a ball under some for
eign compulsion. A few feeble efforts
at release, resulted always in the same
way, taught him at least to remain in
quiet, though, had he known the fate
of Sergeant Clough, upon whose bed
of death he now lay at length, his re-
fections. most probably, would have
been far less satisfactory than even
now he found them.
They were far from agreeable. The
sergeant chewed but the cud of bitter
fancy: the sweet was all denied him in
his dungeon Of bark. He could not
misunderstood or mistake the dangers
of his position. He was the prisoner Of
the man he had striven to wrong in the
tenderest part; he beheld the authority
which that man exercised over those
around him: he we'll knew the summary
character of the times, which sanction
ed so frequently the short shrift and
sudden cord; and, considering himself
reserved for some such fearful mode
of exit, as the meditative vengeance of
Humphries might best determine, he
bitterly denounced his own evil fortune,
which had thus suffered him to be en-
trapped. He writhed about among his
rushes as these thoughts came more
vividly to his mind; and despair Of es-
cape at length brought him a certain
degree OF composure. If not Of resigna-
tion. He drew up his knees. turned
his face to the dark wall, and strove
to forget his predicament in the kindly
arms of sleep.
Yet there was hope for him at hand
change was full of promise to Hast
ings. The hope which had been par
TALLY held out to him by Davis, before
conducting him to the swamp, was now
about TO be realized. The watches had
all been set, Humphries himself had re-
tired: and, apart from the sentries, but
n single trooper was visible upon the
island. in the centre of which, by a
blazing fire, he stood, with one foot Of
his horse over his knee. from the
with hook and hammer to extract a
pebble.
From his couch of pine brush, under
the dark shadow of tree. Davis look
ed forth. momently and anxiously, up
on the hOrseman. At length the latter
proved successful. The horse was led
away to the end Of the island, and, af-
ter little while, the trooper himself
had disappeared. With the exception
OF the sentries. all Of whom Davis him.
self had placed the partisans had each
taken the shelter Of his greenwood tree.
Some were pillowed here, some there,
in little clusters of two or three, their
heads upon their saddles. their hands
clutching fast the rifle or brOadSwOrd,
and the bride hanging above, ready
for sudden employment. Sometimes,
a solitary trooper stretched himself
alone, under a remOter shelter, and en-
loved to himself those sOlacing Slum-
bers which it is always so pleasant to
share.
With the perfect quiet of all things
around him, Davis rose from his own
place of repose. He cautiously survey
ed the course he proposed to take, and
stealing carefully from the inclining
shadow of one tree to that Of another,
he approached unobserved the hut of
Sergeant Hastings. The sentinel was
prompt.
Dl-the wnr1i"
continental congress! It's a big
word, Ralph Mason. and hard to
come at: the more 50 when it's a
quick sentry like you. that doesn't give
body time to look it up. But that
amt much of a fault. any how. in a
soldier. Better too quick than too
slow. and the good sentry is more to
the troop than the good horse, though
the one may carry him off when the
Tories are upon him in double quick
time. You can go now, Ralph; go to
my straw. and you can lie down till