Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-12-05
ESTABLISHED 1868.
CHAPTER VII.
The Fiaht at Slosson's Tavern.

but along the eastern horizon the
mountains rose against somber sky.
Night was creeping into their fast
nesses. Already there was twilight
in those cool valleys lying within
the shadow Of the mighty hills.
A month and more had elapsed
since Bob Yancy's trial. Just two
days later man and boy disappeared
from Scratch Hill. This had served
to rouse Murrell to the need of i'm
mediate action, but he found, where
could keep a secret, while Crenshaw's
mouth was closed on any word that
might throw light on the plans of his
friend.
"It's plain to my mind, Captain,
that Bladen will never get the boy.
reckon Bob's gone into hiding With
him." said the merchant, with spa
cious candor.
The fugitives had not gone into hid
ing, however; they had traversed the
state from east to west, and Murrell
was soon on their trail and pressing
mountains, he heard Of them first as
ten days ahead Of him and bound for
west Tennessee, the ten days dwindled
to a week, the week became five days,
the five days three; and now as he
emerged from the last range of hills
he caught sight of them. They were
half a mile distant perhaps, but he
was certain that the man and boy he
saw pass about a turn in the road
were the man and boy he had been
following for month.
He was not mistaken. The man
was Bob Yancy and the boy was Han
nibal. Yancy had acted with extra
ordinary decision. He had sold his
few acres at Scratch Hill for lump
sum to Crenshaw-it was to the lat
ter's credit that the transaction was
one in which he could feel no real
pride as a man of business-and just
a day later Yancy and the boy had
quilted Scratch Hill in the gray dawn
and turned their faces westward. Ten
nessee had become their objective
point, since here was region to
which they could fix name, while
the rest of the world was strange to
them. AS they passed the turn in the
road where Murrell had caught his
first sight of them, Yancy glanced
back at the blue wall of the noun
tains where it lay along the horizon.
well, Nevvy," he said, we've put
q heap Of distance between us and old
Scratch Hill; all can say is, If there's
as much the other side of the Hill as
there is this side, the worlds mon
strous big place To- to ramble about
in" He carried his rifle and heavy
pack. Hannibal had much smaller
pack and his old sporting rifle, bur-
dens of which his Uncle Bob relieved
him at brief intervals.
For the past ten days their journey
had been conducted in leisurely
fashion. AS Yancy said. they were
seeing the world, and it was we'll to
take a good look at 1t while they had
a chance. He was no longer fearful
OF pursuit and his temperament as
serted itself-the minimum of activ-
fly sufficed. Usually they camped just
where the night overlook them: now
and then they varied this by lodging
at some tavern, for since there was
money in his pocket. Yancy was dis
posed to spend it. He could not con-
ceive that it had any other possible
use.
Suddenly out of the silence came
the regular beat of hoofs These grew
nearer and nearer, and at last when
they were quite close, Yancy faced
about. He instantly recognized Muir
rell and dropped his rifle into the
crook of his arm. The act was in
stinctive, since there was no reason
to believe that the captain had the
least interest in the boy. Smilingly
Murrell reined in his horse.
"Why-Bob Yancy!" he cried, In
apparent astonishment
Yes. sir-Bob Yancy. Does it hap
pen you are looking TO him, captain ?"
inquired Yancy.
"No-no Bob. I'm on my way west
Shake hands" His manner was frank
and winning and Yancy met it with an
equal frankness.
We'll, sir, me and my nevvy are
glad to meet some one we've knowed
afore. The world are a lonesome
place once you get shut of yo'r own
dooryard," he said. Murrell slipped
from his saddle and fell into step at
Yancy's side as they moved forward
They were mighty stirred up at
the CROSSROADS when 1 left. wonder
ing what had come of you" he OBJ
served.
when did you quit there?" asked
Yancy.
About a fortnight ago." said Muir
rell Everyone approves of your ac-
ton in this matter. Yancy." he went
on.
That's kind of them" responded
Yancy. a little dryly. There was no
reason for it, but he was becoming
distrustful of Murrell and uneasy
"Rladen's hurt himself by the stand
he's taken in this matter" Murrell
added
They went forward in silence. Yam
cy brooding and suspicious. For the
last mile or so their way had led
through an unbroken forest. but a
sudden turn in the road brought them
10 the edge Of an extensive clearing.
Close to the road were several build
ings. but not a tree had been spared
TO shelter them and they stood forth
Starkly the completing touch to a
civilization that was still in its youth,
unkempt, rather savage, and ruthless
ly utilitarian. \ sign, the work of
inexpert hands. announced the some
what dingy structure OF hewn logs
that stood nearest the roadside a
tavern. There was horse rack in
front Of it and a trampled space. 1t