Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-08
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A Romance of the American Revolution
by w. GILMORE SIMMS

the younger Frampton to his person
He chose him as too young for treason
and indeed, he wanted no better com
panion to accompany him on his ram
BILE. Setting forth by monday, he KEEP
boldly along the common Ashley rivel
or Dorchester road, as winding in ac'
cordance with the course Of the stream
1t carried him above and completely
around the spot chosen for his camI
in the Cypress.
The two saw but little, for some
time, to attract them in this ramble
They traversed the defile Of thick oaks
which form so large a part Of the
growth of that region; then fell into
a monotonous pine land track, through
which they pushed their way. Cheer
less quite. bald of home and habita-
ton. they saw nothing throughout the
melancholy waste more imposing thar
the plodding negro with his staff ir
hand, and with white teeth peerine
through his thick, tagging lips, In
sort of deferential smile. at their ap-
proach. Sometimes, touched with the
apprehensions of the time, he toe
would start away as he beheld them
and they might see him, as they look
ed backward. cautiously watching theii
progress from behind the pine tree, OIL
the crumbling fence. Occasionally they
came to a dwelling in ruins. or burnt
the cornfield scorched and blackenet
with the recent fire, the fences over
thrown. and the cows, almost wild
having free possession, and staring
wildly upon them as they drew nigh.
And this is war;" said Singleton
musingly. This is war--the merci-
less, the devastating war! Oh, my
country, when wilt thou be free from
invasion-when will thy people come
back to these deserted dwellings
when will the corn flourish green along
these stricken and blasted fields, with
out danger from the trampling horse
and the wanton and devouring fire!
When-oh, when?"
He spoke almost unconsciously, but
was recalled to himself, as, wondering
at what he heard. the peering eyes OF
Lance Frampton. as he rode up be-
side him. perused keenly the unusually
sad expression of his countenance
Singleton noted his gaze, and without
rebuking it, addressed him with q
question concerning his father, who
had been missing from the troop ever
since the affair with Travis.
Lance. have you heard nothing OF
your father since I last asked you
about him."
Nothing. sir: nothing at all, since
we left the Cypress"
You did not see him then, at our
departure?"
mo, sir: but / heard him laugh long
after l missed him from the troop
He couldn't have been far off, Sir
when we came out of the swamp;
though 1 didn't see him then. and
and-I didn't want to see him."
why not. boy?-your father. too!'
"Why. sir, father is very strange
sometimes, and then we never talk to
him or trouble him, and he don't want
people to see him then. We always
know how he is when he laughs, sir
and then we go out Of his way. We
know he is strange then. for he never
laughs at any other times"
What do you mean by strange-is
he dangerous?"
Sometimes, sir. he plays dangerously
with you. But it's all in play, for ne
laughs, and doesn't look in earnest;
but he is apt to hurt people then
He once threw me into the tree wher
he was so; but 1t wasn't in earnest
he didn't mean to do me hurt, I'm sure
but he didn't know; he can't tell wha,
he does when the strange fit is or
him"
And where do you think he is now
in the swamp"
Yes. sir: he loves to be In the
swamp"
And how long, boy, is it since HI
became stranger"
"Oh, a very long time. sir: eVel
since was a little child. But he ha.
been much stranger since my mother:
DEATH"
mo wonder! no wonder. That wa!
enough to make him so-that crue
murder: but we will avenge 1t, boy
We will avenge It,"
Yes. siry that's what l want to do
as soon as you'll let me. l long to have
chance to cut man over the head.
The boy stopped and blushed-hal
fearing that he had said too much
but the kindled fire of his eye wa:
hadowed. and there was a quiver o.
his lips. and an increasing heave O.
his breast. that did not escape the keer
glance of Singleton. The latter wa:
about To speak. when suddenly the bo!
stopped him. bent forward upon hi!
horse. and pointing with his finger t
an opening from the roadside, called
the attention of his commander in tina
direction.
I'm sure. sir. it's a mana white
man: his back was to us, sir. he's II
there"
At the word. Singleton drove th
spur into his steed, and the boy fol
lowed him. In few moments. he wa
at the designated spot, and there, SUR
enough, even as his companion ha'
said, in the little break Of the woods
on the hillock's side, strange mai
stood before them.
The person. thus surprised, now evi
IDENTIFY beheld them for the first time
He had been tightening the saddle
girth around his horse. that stood qui
etly cropping the grass at their ap
proach: and the eyes were turned owe
his shoulder, surveying the new-com
ers. He hesitated. and his manner ha'
in It something of precipitation. Thi
was the more evident to Singleton, a
on their appearance, he began to whis
tie. and obviously assumed degree
CompOSure which he did not feel. H
had been taking his midday repast a
the spring. which trickled from tn