Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-19
CHAPTER xxx.

day"
The stars were yet shining, when the
slumbers of Major Singleton were
broken. His page, Frampton, STOOD
beside him, where he slept in the
shadows Of the greenwood tree, MS
hand gently laid upon his shoulder,
How now, Lance what's stirring!
What disturbs you?"
Such was the demand Of Singleton
as he stared into consciousness. But
he needed no answer to his own ques-
ton. His senses, completely awaken
ed, took In sounds of stir from every
side. The partisans were stirring all
about. rousing from sluggish dreams,
and filling the woods with hustle; and
the shrill voice of Marion himself, a
few rods distant, brief and emphatic,
was heard in accents Of command.
The Swamp Fox suffered nobody to
surprise his people but himself. But
he beat up their slumbers frequently
enough. He was preparing for one
of his rapid movements. His policy
was-here today-tomorrow where?
on the wing-not to be traced. not
to be pursued; not found by his enc
mics, except at moments when his
presence was not wanting, and far
less than grateful. Singleton soon
comprehended what lay before the
brigade, and was on his feet and In
armour in the twinkling Of an eye.
Lance Frampton already had his horse
in readiness. Meanwhile the buzz OF
preparation everywhere went on.
Horses were heard approaching from
the upper edge Of the swamp; below
other steeds were in motion also.
Above all other sounds, wild, shrill,
and sudden, came the quick, signifi-
cant whistles of scouts coming In. The
bugle sounded soon after and Single
ton hastened to join his commander.
You are prompt Major, and as 1
would have it," said Marion as he
rode up. Make your own men ready
still keep their command, till our
disposition may be made more uni
form-and put them into a column
of advance. Horny Is just coming In
with his troop, from which your lead
will be taken. Our scouts are all in,
and one brings me a courier with
news from the army. Dekalb is now
on the way, In rapid march from Sal
isbury, with two thousand continent
tails; Colonel Porterfield, with Vir-
ginia horse, is moving to join him;
and General Caswell, with the North
Carolina militia in force, arming for
the same object. Though better pro-
vided than ourselves, as well as in
arms as in numbers, we must not hesi-
tate to show ourselves among them.
General Gates will doubtless bring a
force with him; and it will be hard, II
our boys. ragged though they be,
should not win some laurels and
blankets together"
Alas! for these fond estimates
these famous promises Of congress
and continental generals. Dekalb's 8
force consisted of only one, instead
Of two thousand regulars, and Gates
joined his command without bring
ing any accessions Of force. But OF
these details hereafter. The present
movement of our Swamp Fox was to
join his little squadron to the grand
army. His proceeding was that OF
scores of partisan leaders besides,
each of whom made his little contri-
button of militia men, swelling the
nominal strength of the conqueror Of
Burgoyne with additions which, in
their unfed, unframed, unarmed, and
naked condition, added little OF his
real capacity for action. One OF Mar
ions best military virtues was CELEBRITY.
He reused his people with the view
to a timely junction with the conti-
nentals, while yet they were on the
march, and within the limits or North
Carolina. He had a wild region to
traverse before he could attain TINS
anu CNSly iSoSoS Va oANNAAN
was in the possession of certain enc
mics or very doubtful friends. To
work his way through these demand
ed all his caution, and, required that
he could lose no time. AS soon, there
fore, as his advices brought him posi-
tive intelligence Of DeKalb's progress,
he set his troop in motion. He had
no reserves with Singleton, and read
lily told him all that he had need to
hear. Our hero soon set his own little
command in motion, and was as
promptly on the ground as any Of the
rest. But We must not so summarily
dismiss from notice the routing up of
certain of our dramatis personae.
Porgy had slept, and still slept,
with the profound wisdom Of soldier,
who will always secure every oppor-
tunity for the performance Of his
duty Porgy valued sleep too we'll TO
abridge its enjoyment unnecessarily
Whenever this necessity occurred in
his case, it impaired the serenity Of
his temper. Now, his colleague, Lieu
tenant Humphries, had kindly dis
patched a sergeant to awaken his
brother officer. The sergeant was a
rough, untutored forester, who usual
ly adopted the most effectual process
es for effecting his object. In the
present case, he had seized forcibly
upon the needs Of the blanket in which
our epicure was still comfortably
wrapped. and hauled away with the
energies of a person whose muscles
were perpetually claiming to be en-
ployed Under his very decided
action, one of Porgy's arms was nearly
twisted from it socket, and one or MS
legs was dragged out from beneath
the covering, tossed over it's fellow,
and let to fall with an emphasis which
effectually tested the sensibilities OF
the other member. Porgy opened his
eyes in the dim light of the morning
star, with a soul full of indignation.
1T is scarcely civil young man. he
cried, endeavoring to unwrap himselt
from the thrice twisted folds Of blan-
ket in which he slept his anger in
creaslng with the increasing Difficult
ties of the effort. scarcely civil,
young man, l repeat! What If the
blanket is your property"-the idea
of its adroit appropriation by him
self, the night before, still running in
his head-"suppose it is true. l say,
that the blanket is your property. Is
this the way to seek for it? l have
never denied ii, sirrah, and a polite
demand for it would have at once OBJ
tanned 1t. But to disturb, in this rude
and insolent manner, the repose of a
gentleman, It's a foul offence-an
offence which shall have its punish
ment. by Hercules, or I'm not the man
to thresh an impertinent. Let me but
unwrap. I'm a pacific man. My tenn
per is not harsh, not irritable. I'm
slow to take offence. I'm of forgivng
nature. But there are some things
which mortal patience cannot bear,
and which. by Jupiter, l will not
bear To disturb ones slumbers
which are so absolutely essential to
the digestive functions of large man
is an offence not to be forgiven.
BY this time he had extricated him
self from his wrappings. and stood
erect What would have been his next
proceeding, it would be difficult tC
say. The sergeant who aroused him
was evidently bewildered by his evil
dent indignation. Porgy advanced up
on him, and with sabre in hand
though scabbered, he would, in al
probability. have laid it heavily on the
shoulders of the offender. but for the
happy interpositiOn of Humphries
who now showed himself.
Whats the trouble lieutenant?'
demanded this third party. What
veXes you?"