Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-04-02
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A Romance of the American Revolution
Rv w. GILMORE SIMMS

grief-to announce the arrival Of the
hour, he met the unshaken glanc'
and carriage Of one who seemed rath'
Leave us but a few moments, ant
let nv servant, Caesar, be summoned
II you please. He, only, will attend
me-"
Proctor bowed and departed
"Father-oh! my father-it is mo-
the hour-it is not time yet-do moi
go-not yet! Robert may not be
ready-not quite ready. He has tc
come from the Cypress-he has 9
great deal to do, and will want al
the time he can get"
She clung to him, as II to keeI
him back. Her eyes were starting
from their sockets, bloodshot ano
wandering. Her words came chok-
ingly forth-her frame was con-
vulsed and shivering; her whole man.
ner that Of one in whose mind rea-
son and approaching apprehensions
were earnestly at strife for the as
tendency. He lifted her from the
floor as If she had been child-his
own nerves untrembling all the while
He lifted her to his lips, and calmly
kissed her cheek. The act itself told
more than words He had treated
her as a child, and she understood
the gentle form Of that rebuke. She
tried to compose herself, and her
words, though equally broken and
incoherent, were far more subdueo
in their utterance. How tender-how
holy was that brief communion!
katharine, be firm, my child-be
firm for my sake. Be firm to pray
to pray for my rescue; nor for that
alone-ycu must be firm to act"
She grasped his hand, and looked
inquiringly.
tened-"Robert with that good sense
which distinguishes his proceedings
always, has told you nothing plainly
of his present plan. He knew that
you could not we'll comprehend mill
tary particulars, and that you would
better be satisfied with his own gen.
eral assurance, than II he had under
taken to show you those arguments
which you must yet fail to appreciate,
To teach only a part Of his design,
would be to leave the inquiring mind
doubtful Of the rest. 1 can conjec-
ture the design which he has in view,
in part at least-and the horses which
you were required to send him, he
has doubtless prepared In readiness
for me along the road, in the event
of his rescuing me. 1t is for you to
contribute something to the same OBJ
ject. He could not venture across
the bridge, and he therefore made no
arrangements in that quarter, should
1t suit me to shape my flight to that
side of the rivera desperate man
most desperately bent, 1 may be dis
posed to push through my enemies
even where they are the thickest. In
that event, there should be horses
there also. You must see to this, for
your aunt has none Of the necessary
energy. Your firmness must do this,
even now. Take the carriage there
and there remain with 1t. 1t may be
all to me, and the trust Is now with
you"
The object Of Walton was not oX-
pressed to his daughter. He had ro
real idea that he should need any
such assistance; but he well knew thai
by the employment Of her mind q,
the most perilous moment, in a la
hor Of seeming necessity, he should
divcst it in reality Of its own 1riefs
Throw responsibility upon the Young
mind. il you would seek to strengthen
It. This was his design: and its ef-
feet was instant. The belief that on
her resolution and action, now, sc
much was to depend, alone restored
and strengthened her. Yet she Coulc
not so soon recover, and taking hor
last embrace almost in a convulsior
she was hurried away by her aunt
from the mournful dungeon, a f.%
moments before the officer appeared
to conduct the prisoner to the nlace
Of doom. Major Proctor himself for
bore - attend the execution. He as
signed the task to an inferior officer
his duty not requiring his personal
presence. A strong guard was de.
tached from the garrison, and the SAD
procession emerged at midday non
the gates.
Mai)r Singleton had we'll devised
his plans, and prepared, as fully as
in hi.: power, for the due execution
Of his purposes. He had brought MS
troop before daylight to the spot as
signed them. To those who knew the
ground, his arrangement will readily
be comprehended. To those who dc
not. a few words may be necessary
and will certainly suffice for expla'
nation. The road at the point OF exc
cution was on the easy ascent Of
small clay hill. The woods were thick
on either hand. On the eastern Side
Of the wood, a few yards below the
gallows, a small track-a common
wagon or neighborhood road-wount
into the forest, making turn within
few PAGES from the main path
which effectually concealed it at tha
distance from the sight. In this shell
tering place, one half of Singleton:
troop, we'll mounted and ready fol
the charge, lay concealed. On tht
opposite side of the main road, close
ly hidden in the wood, some thirty
PAGES above, another portion of hi!
force, similarly posted and prepared
stood in waiting for the signal. Three
chosen riflemen were assigned tree!
at different points of the wood OF
either hand. commanding the scene
of the execution. They were closel!
embowered in the foliage: and tn,
trees intervening, effectually secured
them from the sight, even though thu
report of their pieces indicated thu
direction in which they harbored
Their horses were hitched to swing
ing boughs in the woods behind then
ready for their flight the momen
their task should be finished. Sin
gleton himself led the party destined
to make the first charge. To Humph
ries the other body was assigned. NJ
| instructions were omitted, necessar.
to bring about concerted action; anC
the minutest directionS-aye, even t
| the riflemen who were required e
lead the fire-were insisted upon b.
the young but thoughtful partisan
Such being the preparation, there wa
no danger Of the plan failing from
hurry or want of GOODNESS.
The little coquette, whom the res
toration to the good regards of Johl
Davis had made the most obigini
| little creature that the village ha'
| for sometime known, did not forge
the part which had been assigned he
in the duties of the day. Clamberini
over the graves, with some little fem
mime trepidation, she made her wa,
into the church, and from thence In
to the steeple. while the stars wer
yet shining palely into the heavens
She had her dread of ghosts, for sh
had heard a thousand stories of thei
nocturnal habits: but then. she recol
lected John Davis. who had given he
parting admonition to do ably tn
task assigned her. John Davis stoot
to her at that moment In the plac
of a principle: and like many thou
sand others of both sexes. she alway
understood her duties best when the,
came through certain lips, and wer
insisted upon by a certain preacher
Man-worship in those times, as a
present, was not uncommOnly mis-
taken for the most profound worshi
Of God.