Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-03

| the winds, and heavy tramp ana naru-
drawn breath of the gallant horses. At
last Jessie broke the almost insurport-
able silence by anxiously asking:
Mary, are you sure this road will
lead us to the American campo"
Not exactly sure" answered Mary;
but know it's ten miles south of the
tavern, and by keeping this direction
we can't fail to reach it. Nearly a
third of the way lies behind us now,
and if we don't fall in with any Of
George Thorntons Hessians we will
soon reach our journeys end"
George Thornton's Hessians!" re-
peated the startled Jessie; "it cannot
be that they are near us?"
II don't know" said Mary; hes got
party Of them somewhere under his
command, and as he's haunted the old
tavern a good deal of late, I'll warrant
they are prowling around at no great
distance from him.
Jessie's heart leaped to her throat.
God help us!" she murmured, solemn
ly, but 1 cannot go back-no, and I
| would not, if the army of Tyron lay
| before mel"
Mary nodded a quick assent to this
declaration, and again relapsing into
silence, the fair patriots rode on side
by side with renewed speed. They had
reached an abrupt turn in the road,
and were trotting swiftly over the
ground, when smothered exclamation
burst from Mary Sparks, and she drew
her rein so suddenly as nearly to throw
her horse upon his launches. Jessie
paused, also, and beheld directly be-
fore her-oh, horror of horrors!-the
light of a campfire glimmering through
the thick pines.
Who goes there?" cried a deep, stern
voice, and the rattle of a musket fell
on the ear of our heroine.
Jessie comprehended her situation at
once; they had ridden straightway into
the jaws of the lion; but quick as
lightning, she turned her horses head,
and as she brought her little whip
sharply down on the side Of the spirited
animal, with a rear and a plunge, he
dashed off in a direction directly oppo-
site that from whence the voice had
proceeded.
Stand" thundered the sentry.
There was a quick, sharp report, and
bullet whizzed past, close to Jessie's
pretty head. Another followed and
struck pine bough just above Mary;
then a clear, scornful laugh fioated
mockingly on the air, and the brave
girls galloped fearlessly forward, max
ing the complete circuit of the enemy's
camp and safely gaining the road again.
They caught faint glimpses Of scarlet
uniforms glittering in the freight as
they swept past, and heard plainly the
oaths and shouts of the aroused SOL
diers.
George Thornton's Hessian heroes!"
said Mary. 81 feared this all the time.
But hark! Great heaven! there are
horsemen behind u.s."
The girls halted abruptly and listen
ed Clear, distinct and heavy came the
measured tramp of horsemen behind
them, and then they heard a few brief
words of command uttered by a voice
which fell on Jessie's ear like fiat OF
doom.
Mary! Mary!" she cried; "'tis Geo.
Thornton! we are pursued-we are
lost"
mo, no." answered Mary; follow
me-we will escape them yet" and on,
on, through the solemn midnight rode
the devoted girls. The noble horses,
as if conscious Of threatening peril,
bounded along with every nerve strain
ed to its utmost tension, and gradually
i the shouts of the pursuers began to
i grow fainter and fainter in the dis
i tance.
IF they catch us they'll have to ride
i for it." said Mary. IF we should be
fortunate enough to reach Putnam's
i camp, I'm thinking some Of them lob
i ster- coated Tories will be shorn Of their
i gay colors before the coming Of anoth-
i er night. Hark! there is Thornton's s
voice again-we must trot little fast
er; and be careful Miss Jessie-here
are fallen trees"
The warning came too late. An i'm
mense pine uprooted by some fearful
whirlwind, lay directly in their course,
and in attempting to leap it, the feet of
!. Jessie's gallant horse became entangled
in its massive branches, and he fell
heavily to the earth, bearing his rider
with him. Though half stunned by the
4 shock. Jessie had strength enough re-
naming to eXtricate herself from the
saddle and rise to her feet, but the pa
tient creature that had borne her so
well was now powerless. Again and
again he struggled to rise, and again
and again fell back upon the turf with
a cry that was almost human in its an
guish. In vain Jessie strove to aid him;
j and at last. finding all her efforts fruit
less, she knelt down beside the poor
brute and stroked his flowing name and
i fondly patted his glossy neck
For mercy's sake, do git the critter
Iup," cried the frightened Mary; Geo
Thornton and his troops are close upon
u.s."
His limbs are broken" said Jessie, in
a wild, despairing tone. II cannot GO
on. Take these dispatches, Mary and
ride for your life. 1 shall be captured
but they dare not harm me. If you
reach Putnam, beg him to send aid to
Captain Campbell Good-by, and may
T God preserve yOu!"
! Without moments hesitation Mary
| seized the unfortunate valise and, with
| free use of her whip and rein, the
, heroic girl dashed into the lonely wood
; turning back once through the misty
) moonlight to wave her mistress a fond
t adieu.
| Jessie remained kneeling beside the
; diving horse. There was a tramp OF
, men and steeds round her. but she did
: not move or look up.
We'll, young lady" said the mockine
voice Of Travis, Il hope you've enjoyed
, this caper: but let me advise you not