Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-08
CHAPTER XIII. ~
"Ye blight the sense when We do wound
the heart
Reason is feelings best and born


the heart
Reason is feelings best and born
ally,
And suffers with her kindred"
"Stir not-move a foot, and you die!"
Such were the brief words Of Single
ton, as, with foot upon his breast, he
kept the bearer of dispatches. pros
trate upon the earth. The man saw
the peremptory look. the ready pistol,
and he doubted not than the words
were sternly earnest. His struggles
ceased with the command; and the
partisan handing his cooked pistol to
the attentive boy Frampton, pro-
ceeded to examine the prize which he
had gained. The screw bullet soon
yielded up it's trust, and the intelli-
gence was important The courier
showed symptoms Of disquiet, and the
foot OF his conqueror was pressed, in
consequence, more firmly upon his
bosom.
Shoot him II he stirs," said Single
ton to the boy, who looked his readi-
ness 10 ODey the cOIIlIIldnu.
The former then quietly perused the
cramped document which the bullet
had contained.
It's contents ere valuable, and
greatly assisted our hero in his own
progress. Though from an enemy. 1t
contained desirable intelligence; and.
taken in connexion with the verbal
narrative which the courier had given
Of the presence Of Marion's men on
the Santee, 1t at once determined Sim
gleton to make an early movement In
| that quarter. The despatch was from
Lord Rawdon, in command at Cam
den. to Earl CORVALLIS at Charleston.
| 1t claimed the immediate attendance OF
the commander in chief in Camden, to
quell discontents, and prepare for the
enemy-announcing the approach OF
Gates with a formidable army Of sew
en- thousand men. This was the alleg-
ed force Of the continentals; very
greatly exaggerated beyond the truth,
but at this time confidently believed
and insisted upon by both parties in
the state. The express contained, In
addition to this highly interesting
matter the heads Of other subjects
not less interesting to the partisan,
and scarcely less important to the
cause. 1t described, in brief, numer-
Gus risings in every quarter; the de-
lection Of the militia en- masse, under
| Lyle, who had carried them over to
Sumter: the union Of Sumter with the
| Waxhaw Wings, and the affairs on the
Catawba, at Williams's, and the Rocky
Mount: in all of which the Game
Cock" had handled the enemy severe
ly. The despatch betrayed great anx-
iety, and it's contents were Of the most
stimulating tendency to Singleton. 1t
now impressed upon him the necessity
Of that early movement to join with
Marion which he had already contem-
plated.
You may rise, sir" said the partl-
san, moving his heel from the breast
Of the courier, who had lain quietly
enough but uncomfortably under 1t.
| You may rise. but you are my pris-
oner-no words. but prepare to SUBJ
nit. See to your animal-make no ef-
fort to fly. or I shoot you down on
the instant"
The man rose tamely enough. but
| sullenly. After q few moments he
found his speech. which was now more
agreeable and less broken than when
the bullet was revolving to and fro in
his jaws.
We'll now, captain. this Is mighty
hard, do think. You won't keep me,
| reckon. seeing I'm no fighting man.
and hain't got any we'pons. I'm a
non -combatant. so | am. and l amt
free to be taken prisoner. It's agin
the laws, reckon"
Indeed! but We'll see. Mount, sir,
and no talking"
well. it's a tough business, and /
do think, after all, that It's only jok-
ing with me you are-you're two good
loyalists, now. I'm certain"
You mistake, sir I'm an American
one Of Marion's men, and no traitor.