Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-22
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A Romance of the American Revolution
by w. GILMORE SIMMS

L $3.50
superior, and did not hesitate to avail
himself of the proposed luxury. TAX
ing his place for a moment, to and fro
before the door of the hut, the Goose
Creeker' employed the time between
the departure of the sentinel, and his
probable attainment Of the bed of
rushes to which he had assigned him,
in the meditation of that plan which
his mind had partially conceived. while
escorting his prisoners to the swamp,
and of which he had given brief
hint to Hastings himself:-a plan
which promised him that satisfaction
for his previous injuries at the hands
Of Hastings. which his excited feelings
If not a high sense of honor, had long
insisted upon as necessary to his COM
fort The present time seemed fitting
one for his purpose: and the oppor-
tunity which IL offered. as 1t might
not occur again. was quite too good to
be lost.
Having properly deliberated, he put
aside the bushes which hung partially
across the entrance, and at once passed
into the hut of the prisoner. Hastings
was not asleep. and started hastily at
the intrusion. His worst fears grew
active, as he saw the figure Of one be-
fore him. whom. in the dimness Of the
place, he could not distinguish. He
could only think of Humphries, and
his breathing was thick and rapid, as
he anticipated, each moment, some
fearful doom at the hands Of the aven-
ger. His tones were hurried, as he de-
manded-
Who's there?-speak!-wh would
you?"
Don't be scared, Sergeant Hastings;
it's me. John Davis-him they call
Prickly Ash, Of Goose Creek. Mayhap
that man."
Hastings rather freely avowed his
recollection.
We'll. I'm mighty glad you're not
asleep as 1 didn't want to put hands
on you for any business but one. and
that's the one come to see you about
now. You're sure, now, Sergeant Hast
ings, you're wide awake, and able to
talk about business"
The reply was in the gentlest and
most conciliatory language. The tones
were singularly musical, indeed, for a
throat so harsh as that which Davis
formerly knew in possession of the
same person; and the sigh-like utter
ance which told the partisan that he
was all attention, contrasted oddly, in
the thoughts OF Davis. with those notes
which he had been taught hitherto to
hear from the same quarter.
We'll. if you're wide awake, Ser
geant Hastings, I've some talk for
you that maybe you'll be glad enough
to hear, for 1t concerns both you and
me a little"
ANY thing, Mister Davis-any thing
you have to say, shall be happy, very
happy. to listen to-"
Very good" said the other; that's
very good. and I'm mighty glad to see
what's to come: and SO, since you're
ready to hear I'm cooked and primed
to speak, and the sooner / begin the
better. Now, Sergeant Hastings, mind
what say, and don't let any OF my
words go into Cne ear and out of the
other. They're all words that cost
something, and some things to be
paid for them in the end. 1 give you
this warning, as it amt fair to take
man Onawares."
Hastings modestly promised due
heedfulness, and the other proceeded
Us follows
You see. then. Sergeant Hastings,
you're not in garrison now: you're not
at the Royal George. nor in any OF them
places where l used to see you, with
the red coats. and them lickspittles
the Tories all about you, ready to
back you agin their own countrymen,
whether you're right or wrong. You're
turned now. as may say. on the
fiat of your back. like a yellow
belly cOOter. and nobody here to set
you on your legs again. but me. and
me your inimy."
Hastings Sullenly and sadly assented
to the truth of this picture. in a groan
which he accompanied by writhing
motion Of the body that turned his face
completely away from the speaker.
You needn't turn your back. Ser
geant Hastings: it's no part Of gen.
tleman to do SO; but jist listen a bit
to the Gods truth. and you'll larn a
little civility. if so be it's in your skin
to larn any thing that's good. You
see. now. the game goes agin you-the
cards is Shuff1ed, and trumps is
changed hands. You're in as bad a
| fix, now. as if you was at old sledge,
and all seven up was scored down agin
YOU. You're not cock Of the walk any
longer: you amt where you can draw
sword agin a man that's got none,
and have a gang of chaps to look on,
and not AK for fair play. There's some
chance now for small man. and l
reckon you feels the difference"
A sullen response from Hastings.
who-though irritated greatly. thought
it the wiser policy not to appear so
acknowledged the correctness of
what his companion had said.
But don't think" the other pro-
ceeded-"don't think, Sergeant Hast
ings. that | come to crow over you in
your misfortunes. No! dang it, I'm not
the lad to take advantage Of any man
in his troubles, even though l despise
him as | despise you. I'm for fair play
all the world over. and that's the rea-
son why come to you now"
! What would you have. Mister Da-
vis?' inquired the sergeant, with some
thing nf his old dignity of manner.
We'll. that's a civil question enough
and deserves a civil answer. You AK
me what | will have. I'll tell you after
a bit: but there's something, you see,
| that's like sort of history. and, II
you'll listen I'll take leave to put that
afore it,"