Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-03-08

IWnlCn showed the pdrllSdll lhdI he
had done him an injustice. The change
was quite as unexpected as it was un.
pleasant to Singleton; and he looked
accordingly, as he listened to the reply
of the boy, whose speech was now un-
broken.
mo, sir-you wrong me-Tm not
Iafraid of the enemy-that's not 1t sir
I'm not afraid to fight sir; but
But what, Lance-of what then are
lyou afraid?"
won't have the heart to shoot man,
though I know he will shoot me If he
can. It's so strange sir, to shoot al
a true-and-true man-so very strange,
sir, that I'm afraid I'll tremble when
the time comes, and not shoot till It's
too late"
And what then-how would you
help that boy? You must make up
your mind. to do it, or keep out OF
the way" ,o,,
all the time-if I could only hear you
speak to me in particular, and tell me
by name when to shoot, I think, sir,
Ii could then do 1t we'll enough; but
to shoot at q man for the first time
ITm SO afraid I'll tremble, and wait
too long, unless you'd be so good as
to tell me when."
| Singleton smiled thoughtfully as he
listened to the confused workings OF
good mind, finding itself in novel
position, ignorant of the true standard
for it's guidance, and referring to
another on which 1t was most accus-
toned, or at least most willing, to de-
pend. The boy labored under one OF
those doubts which so commonly be-
set and annoy the ambitious nature,
solicitous of doing greatly, with an
ideal OF achievement drawn before
the sight by the imagination. and
making a picture too imposing for Its
own quiet contemplation. He was
troubled, as even the highest courage
and the boldest genius will sometimes
become, with enfeebling doubts OF his
own capacity even to do toleraply,
what he desires to do we'll. He trem-
bled to believe that he should fall
short of the measure Of achievement
which his mind had made his STAN
dard, and at which he aimed.
Fortunately for him, Singleton was
sufficiently aware of the distinction
between doubts and misgivings so
honorable and so natural, and those
which spring from imbecile purpose
and a deficient and shrinking spirit.
He spoke to the boy kindly, assured
him of his confidence, encouraged him
to a better reliance upon his own
powers; and knowing we'll that moth
ling so soon brings out the naturally
sturdy spirit as the quantity of pres
sure and provocation upon 1t, he rath-
er strove to impress upon him high
er notion than ever Of the severity
and trial Of the conflict now before
him. In proportion to the quantity
Of labor required at his hands, did
his spirit rise to overcome 1t; and Sim
gleton, after few moments conVer-
sation with him, had the satisfaction
to see his countenance brighten up,
while his eye flashed enthusiasm, and
his soul grew earnest for the strife.
You shall have the place under my
4 own eye: and mark me, Lance, that
eye will be upon you. I will give you
a distinct duty to perform, and trust
that 1t shall be done WELL"
"Ill try SIR" was the modest an
swer, though his doubts Of his own
capacity were sensibly decreasing.
The time was at hand, however, which
was to bring his courage into exer-
else and trial, and to put to the test
that strength Of mind which he had
been himself disposed to underrate.
One Of the scouts charged with the
intelligence by Humphries now came
in, bringing tidings Of the Tories. They
were computed to amount to eighty
men; but of this the scouts could not
be certain, as, in obedience to the or
ders of his commander, Humphries
had not ventured so nigh as to expose
himself to discovery. He computed
the prisoners in their charge, men,
men, women, and children, to be quite
as numerous
| Singleton, on the receipt of this in
telligence, looked closely to the prep
arations which he had made for their
reception, saw that his men were all
in their places, and went the rounds,
addressing them individually in en-
couragement and exhortation. This
done, he took the young beginner,
Lance Frampton, aside, and leading
him to the shelter of a thick bush at
the head of the little hillock, he bade
him keep that position In which he
placed him, throughout all the events
manded view of the whole scene
likely to be the theatre Of conflict.
The partisan bade him survey 1t
closely.
There is a spring, Lance-there-
in short rifle distance. How far do
you call it?"
Thirty yards, SIR
. Are you sure shot at that dis
tance?"
| DeaO sure SIT, anu lie TdiSeu tile
rifle to his eye, which Singleton hand
ed him.
Your hand trembles. boy"
Yes, sir: but I'm not afraid; I'm
only anxious to begin"
Keep cool; there's no hurry, but
time enough. Throw off your jacket
I-give me your rifle. There-now roll
up your sleeves and go down to the
spring-plunge your arms up to their
pits into the cool water dozen times
until 1 call you. Co."
The boy went; and before he re-
turned, Humphries rode in with ac-
counts of the near approach Of Gas
kens and his Tories. Singleton called
up his pupil from the spring, and con-
tinued his directions.
Take your place here, by the end
Of the log; don't mind your Jacket
better off than on. Our men, you see,
are ranged on either side of you. They
can see you as easily as you can see
them"
This sentence was emphatically ut
tered while the piercing glance OF
Singleton was riveted upon the now
unfaltering countenance of the boy.
Below you is the spring, and IN
that shade the Tories will most prob
abb, + come to halt. They will scarce
ly put their prisoners under cover, fol-
fear they should escape; and they will
be likely to remain at the opening
there to your left--there, just by those
tallow bushes. Now, observe: I am
about to trust you to commence the
affair. Upon you, and your rifle shot
l depend greatly. Don't raise it yet:
let it rest in the hollow of your arm
until you are ready to pull the trigger
! which you will do the moment you
hear me say Now 1 will not be far
from you. and will say it sufficiently
loud for you to hear. The moment
you hear me, lift your piece, and be
, sure to shoot the man, whoever he
may be. that may happen to stand up
on the rise of the hill, just above the
spring. and under the great oak that
hangs over it, 1t is most probable
, that it will be Gaskens himself. the
| captain of the Tories. But no matter
| who he is, shoot him: aim for the
man that stands on the hillock. and
! you must hit the enemy. You will have
but single fire, as our men will fol-
low your lead, and in the next mo-
! ment we shall charge. When you see
us do so, slip around by the talloN
| buSheS and ont loose tha rOneS that