Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-24

haps be necessary to correct mis-
lcarriage of justice. They were sh!
enough and timid enough. these re
mote dwellers in the pine woods, but
like all wild things, when they fel
lthey were cornered they were prone
to fight: and in this instance it wa'
clearly iniquitous that Bob Yancy'!
right to smack Dave Blount should bt
questioned. That denied. what wa!
left of human liberty? But beyond
this was a matter Of even greater i'm
portance: they felt that Yancy's pos
session of the boy was somehow in
lvolved.
Yancy had declared himself simply
but specifically on this point Law
or no law, he would kill whoever at.
tempted to take the boy from him
and Scratch Hill believing to a mar
that in so doing he would be well
within his rights. was prepared to join
in the fray. Even Uncle Sammy, who
had not been off the Hill in years, an
nounced that no consideration Of ia
tigue would keep him away from the
scene of action and possible danger
and Yancy loaned him his mule and
cart for the occasion. When the pa
triarch was helped to his seat in the
ancient vehicle he called loudly for
his rifle.
why, pap. what do you want with
weapon?" asked his son indulgently
IF there air shootin' l may take a
hand in it. Now you-all give me a
fair hours start with this mule critter
Of Bobs, and II nothin' busts I'll be
at the squire's as soon as the best OF
you"
Uncle Sammy was given the time
allowance he asked and then Scratch
Hill wended it's way down the path
to the branch and the high road
Yancy led the struggling procession
with the boy trotting by his side, his
little sunburned fist clasped in the
mans great hand. He. too, was arm
ed. He carried the old spo'tin' rifle
he had brought from the Barony, and
suspended from his shoulder by a
leather thong was the big horn flask
with its hickory stopper his Uncle Bob
had fashioned for him, while a deer
skin pouch held his bullets and an
extra flint or two. He understood
that beyond those smacks he had
seen his Uncle Bob fetch Mr.. Blount
he himself was the real cause of this
excitement. that somebody, 1t was no,
plain to his mind just who, was seek
ing to get him away from Scratch
Hill. and that a mysterious power
called the Law would sooner or later
be invoked to this dread end. But
he knew this much clearly, nothing
would induce him to leave his Uncle
Bob! And his thin little fingers nes-
tied warmly against the mans hard
ened palm. Yancy looked down and
gave him a sunny, reassuring smile.
It'll be all right, Nevvy," he said
gently.
You wouldn't let 'em take me,
would you, Uncle Bob?" asked the
child in a fearful whisper.
such an idea ain't entered my
| head. And this here warranting Is
just some of Dave Blount's cussed-
ness"
Uncle Bob" what'n they do to
you?"
We'll. / reckon the squirell feel
Obliged to do one of two things. He'll
either fine me or else he won't"
"What'll you do II he fines you?"
why, pay the. fine, Nevvy-and
then lick Dave Blount again for stir
ring up trouble. That's the way we
most in general do. 1 mean to say
give him a good licking, and that'l1
make him stop his foolishness."
Wasn't that a good licking you
gave him on the Ok Road, Uncle
Rob?" asked Hannibal.
1T was pretty fair fo' starter. but
I'm capable of doing a better job,
responded Yancy.
They overlook Uncle Sammy as he
turned in at the squire's.
II thought I'd come and see what
kind of law body gets at this here
cot of yours" the patriarch explained
to Mr.. Balaam. who. forgetting his
lumbago. had hurried forth to greet
him.
But why did you fetch your gun
Uncle Sammy" said the magistrate
laughing.
Hit were TO be on the safe side
Squire Where air them Blounts?'
Them Blounts don't need to bother
you none. There air only Dave. and
he can't more than half see out OF
| one eye today.
The squire's court held its infre-
quent sittings in the best room Of the
Ralaam homestead, double cabin
of hewn logs. Here Scratch Hill was
gratified with a view of Mr.. Blount's
battered visage, and II was conceded
that his condition reflected credita-
bly, on Yancy's physical prowess ano
| was O1 CHARACTER lully W suSlaii
that gentleman's reputation; fol
while he was notoriously slow to be-
gin a fight. he was reputed to be ever
more reluctant to leave off once he
had been become involved in one.
| Whats all this here fuss betweer
you and Bob Yancy?" demanded the
squire when he had administered the
oath to Blount. Mr.. Blounts state
ment was brief and very much to the
point. He had been hired by Mr.
Pladen, of Fayetteville, to go tt
Scratch Hill and get the boy who hac
been temporarily placed In Yancy'!
custody at the time Of General Quin'
tard's death.