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

shall lie fiat upon the airth before you
and you shall then give me satisfaction
for all them there matters that tell W
of. You're a bigger man than me
you're used to the broad sword; / car
handle 1t too, though does 1t rough
and tumble, and had no schooling in tht
we'pon: and you shall have as fair
chance as ever you had in all your borr
days before And that's the offer
make you. Only say the word, and II
go to the spot-carry out the horse
carry out the swords, and send the SEN
tries off from the track where I shall
take you"
The proposition took Hastings by
surprise. He was no coward; but, un'
der existing circumstances, he woult
rather have avoided the encounter ir
the novel shape which 1t now put on
Yet. as he reflected, he grew more ant
more satisfied with the plan. He hat
manifestly all the advantages OF
strength, and personal knowledge and
practice Of the weapon; and his appre-
tensions of 'Humphries were too great
not to desire to escape at all hazards
from his clutches. Guilt made a cow
ard Of him, as he thought Of Bella's
brother. and as he remembered how
completely he had been unmasked be-
fore him. In a few moments he had
determined upon his answer, and the
Goose Creeker rejoiced to find It In the
affirmative.
Its a bargain. them" said Davis
you swear to it?"
II do: | will go with you. Get al
things ready. as you have said, and
will fight you whenever you please"
We'll, now, that's what I like; and
I'm glad to find you're so much man
after all. Keep quiet while I'm gone
and when the horse is clear upon the
skairt of the swamp, I'll come to you
and set you loose; all you have to do Is
to follow-nobody will see us; but you
must be shy how you speak. Only fol-
low. that's all"
Saying these words. Davis departed
from the hut AS he emerged from Its
entrance. he was startled to hear the
wild laugh of the maniac Frampton, as
he bounded away from the immediate
neighborhood. Frampton had evident
ly been a listener. But Davis was toe
much absorbed in the affair before
him. to give much heed to an Interrupt
ton so slight. and hurrying away
without farther hindrance, proceeded
to the execution Of the devised plan.
The plan had all been heard by the
watchful ears Of the maniac. Crawling
to the hut of Hastings. as once before
he had done. when differently occupied
he was about to lift the birch cover
from the rear probably with the same
murderous intent which he had before
put into execution when the approach
and entrance Of Davis had compelled
him to be quiet. Concealed in the
edges of the hut, and well covered by
it's shadow. he had lain close and heard
every syllable Of the preceding dia-
logue. A strange purpose took posses
sion Of his unsettled mind while he
listened: and when Davis left the
hovel. he ran off bowling and laughing
with the fancied accomplishment be-
fore his eyes. of that new scheme
which. with all that caprice which
marks the diseased intellect. had now
so Suddenly superseded the original
object which he had in view. Hast
ings. meanwhile, with as much philoso-
ply as he was master Of, strove to
season his thoughts for the events
which were at hand.
ITO be Continued).