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

solemn deliberation with me, and II
will be long, sir, before shall bring
myself to lift arms against my coun-
trymen."
There is way Of evading that ne
cessity, Colonel Walton" said Proctor
eagerly.
The other looked at him inquir-
ingly. though he evidently did not hope
for much from the suggested alterna-
tive.
THAT difficulty, sir, may be over
come: his majesty has need Of troops
in the West Indies; Lord Cornwallis,
with a due degard to the feelings OF
his dutiful subjects Of the colonies,
has made arrangements for an ex-
change Of service. The Irish regiments
will be withdrawn from the West In
dies, and those of loyal Carolinians
substituted. This frees you from all
risk of encountering with your friends
and countrymen, while at the same
time it answers equally the purpose
of my commander"
The soldier by. profession saw moth
ing degrading, nothing servile in the
proposed compromise. The matter had
q different aspect in the eyes of the
southern gentlemen. The proposition
which would send him from his fam
lily and friends. to engage in conflict
with and to keep down those to
whom he had no antipathy, was
scarcely less painful in its exactions
than to take up arms against his i'm
mediate neighSors. The suggestion,
too. which contemplated the substitu-
ton of troops Of foreign mercenaries,
in the place of native citizens, was
lnexpressibly offensive as 1t directly
made him an agent for the increase OF
that power which aimed at the de-
struction of his people and his prin-
pies. The sense of ignominy grew
stronger in his breast as he heard 1t,
and he paced the apartment in un-
disorder.
Il am no hireling. Major Proctor,
and the war; hand to hand with my
own sisters child, would be less
shameful to me. however full Of pain
and misery, than this alternative"
There is. no other, sir, that I know
Of"
"Ay, sir, but there is-there is an
other alternative, Major Proctor; more
than that, sir-there is a remedy"
The eyes of the speaker flashed, and
Proctor saw that they rested upon
the broadswOrd which hung upon the
wall before them.
What is that, sir?" inquired the
Brlton.
I'm the sword. sir-in the strife
to take up arms-to prepare for bat
tle!" was the stern reply.
Either the other understood him not,
with an obtuseness not common with
him, or he chose not to understand
him, as he replied ="
"Why that, SIR is what he seeks-it
is what Lord CORVALLIS desires, and
what. sir, would. permit me to say. be
to me, individually, the greatest pleas
ure Your cooperation here, sir,
would do more towards quieting dis
content than any other influence
The manner of Walton was unusu-
ally grave and deliberate.
You have mistaken me, Major
Proctor. When I spoke Of taking up the
sword, sir, spoke Of an alternative. l
meant not to take up the sword to
fight your battles. but my own. II
this necessity is to be fixed upon me,
sir. shall have no loss to know
my duty"
"Sir-Colonel Walton-beware! AS
a British officer, in his majesty's COM
must not listen to this lam
guage. You will remember. sir. that
/ am in command of this garrison, and
of the neighboring country-bound to
repress every show Of disaffection, and
with the power to determine, in the
last resort without restraint, should
my judgment hold it necessary.
would not willingly be harsh: and you
will spare me, sir, from hearing those
sentiments uttered which become not
the ears of loyal subject"
"I am a free man, Major Proctor
l would be one, at least. Things l
must call by their right names. and
as such. | do not hesitate to pronounce
this decree a most dishonest and GRIM
inal proceeding, which should call up
every honest hand in retribution. Sir
Henry Clinton has done this day what
he will long be sorry for"
"And what permit me to add, Colo
mel WaltOn-what l myself am sorry
for. But it is not for me to question
the propriety of that which my duty
calls upon me to enforce"
And pray. sir, what are the penal
ties of disobedience to this mandate?'
"Sequestration Of property and i'm
prisonment. at the discretion of the
several commandants Of stations"
Poor Kate:-but 1t is well 1t is no
worse" The words fell uncOnsciously
from the lips of the speaker; he half
strobe over the floor: then, turning
upon Proctor. demanded once more to
look upon the proclamation. He
again read it carefully.
Twenty days, Major Proctor. l see
have been allowed by Sir Henry Clin-
ton for deliberation in matter which
leaves so little choice. So much is
scarcely necessary; you shall have my
answer before that time is over.
Meanwhile, sir, let us not again speak
of the subject until that period"
"A painful subject, sir, which | shall
gladly forbear," said Proctor rising;
"and l will hope. at the same time.
that Colonel Walton thinks not un-
kindly of the bearer Of troublesome
intelligence"
God forbid, sir! am no malignant.
You have done your duty with all ten
derness. and / thank you for it. Our
enemies are not always so consider
ate"
mo enemies, / trust, sir | am In