Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-28
BLIsHED 1858.
CHAPTER v.
The Encounter.


the trial and when Yancy and Hanni-
bal came from the house she beck
oned the Scratch Hitler to her. She
was aware that Mr.. Yancy, moving
along the line of least industrial re-
sistance, might be counted of little
worth in any broad scheme of life.
Nat Ferris had strongly insisted on
this point, as had Judith, who shared
her husbands convictions; conse-
uuently the rumors Of his present
difficulty had merely excited them to
adverse criticism. They had been sure
the best thing that could happen to the
boy would be his removal from Yam
cy's guardianship, but this was not
at all her conclusion. She consid-
cred Mr.. Bladen heartless' and his
course without justification, and she
regarded Yancy's affection for the
boy as in itself constituting a bene-
fit that quite outweighed his unpro-
gressive example.
You are not going to lose your
nephew, are you, Mr.. Yancy?" she
asked eagerly, when Yancy stood at
her side.
NO, ma'am." But his sense of ella
tion was plainly tempered by the
knowledge that for him the future
held more than one knotty problem.
Il am very glad. I know Hannibal
will be much happier with you than
with anyone else" and she smiled
brightly at the boy, whose small sun
burned face was upturned to hers.
'I think that-a-ways myself, Miss
Betty, but this trial was only for my
smacking Dave Blount, who was try
Ing to steal my nevvy," explained
Yancy.
II hope. you smacked him well and
hard!' said the girl, whose mood was
warlike.
II amt got no cause to complain,
thank you," returned Mr.. Yancy
pleasantly.
Il rode out to the Hill to say good
by to Hannibal and to you, but they
said you were here and that the trial
was today"
Captain Murell, with Crenshaw
and the squire, came from the house,
and Murrell's swarthy face lit up at
sight OF the girl. Yancy, sensible Of
the gulf that yawned between himself
and what was known as "the quality"
would have yielded his place, but
Betty detained him.
Are you going away, ma'am?" he
asked with concern.
"Yes-to my home in west Tennes-
see," and a cloud crossed her smooth
brow.
That surely Is a right big distance
for you to travel, ma'am," said Yancy
his mind opening to this fresh impress
sion. II reckon it's rising a hundred
miles or mo-" he concluded, at ven-
ture.
It's almost a thousand"
Think Of that! And you are that
ca'm!" cried Yancy admiringly, as a
picture of simply stupendous effort
offered itself to his minds eye. He
added: Il am mighty sorry you are
going. We-all here shall miss you
specially Hannibal. He just regularly
pines for Sunday as it is.'
II hope he will miss me a little
I'm afraid 1 want him to-" She
glanced down at the boy as she spoke
and into her eyes, very clear and very
blue and shaded by long dark lashes,
stole look of wistful tenderness. She
noted how his little hand was clasped
49, fha Nnrfn
trust of his whole attitude toward
this big bearded man, and she was
conscious of a sudden feeling Of pro-
found respect for the Scratch Hitler
But amt you ever coming back,
Miss Betty?" asked Hannibal rather
fearfully, smitten with the awful sense
of impermanence which dogs our
footsteps.
"Oh, 1 hope so, dear-I wish to
think so. But you see my home is
not here" She turned to Yancy. 80
It is settled that he is to remain with
you?"
Not exactly, Miss Betty. You see,
there's an order from the Fayetteville
cot fo' me to give him up to this
man Bladen."
But Uncle Bob says" began Han
nibal, who considered his Uncle Bob's
remarks on this point worth quoting.
Never mind what yo' Uncle Bob
said," interrupted Yancy hastily.
"Oh, Mr.. Yancy, you are not going
to surrender him-no matter what the
court says!" cried Betty. The ex-
preston on Yancy's face was so grim
and determined on the instant with
latent fire that was in him flashing
from his eyes that she added quickly,
You know the law is for you as well
as for Mr.. Bladen."
Il reckon won't bother the law
none," responded Yancy briefly. Me
and my nevvy will go back to Scratch
Hill and there won't be no trouble so
long as they leave us be. But them
Fayetteville folks want to keep away
-" the fierce light slowly died out Of
his eyes. It'll be all right, ma'am,
and it's mighty good and kind of you
fo' to feel the way you do. I'm obliged
to you"
But Betty was by no means sure of
the outcome Yancy seemed to pre-
dict with such confidence. Unless
Bladen abandoned his purpose. which
he was not likely to do. tragedy was
clearly pending foG Scratch Hill, She
saw the boy left friendless, she saw
Yancy the victim of his own primi-
tive conception of justice. Therefore
she said
Il wonder you don't leave the Hill
Mr.. Yancy. You could so easily 60
where Mr.. Bladen would never find
YOU. Haven't you thought of this?'
That are a pint" agreed Yancy
slowly. Might 1 ask what parts
you'd especially recommend" lifting
his grave eyes to hers.
1T would really be the sensible
thing to do" said Betty. Il am sure