Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-09-26
eofAe Black Hawk Maas
Randall
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| unOSUaDy We'll dressed, the Hatter e&-
ceedingly natty and fashionable in at
tire, rather overly so. thought, while
the former wore a long coat and high
white stock. Involuntarily had placed
them in my mind as river gamblers,
but was still observing their move
ments with some curiosity when Cap
tain Throckmorton crossed the gang
plank and began ascending the steep
bluff. The path to be followed led di-
rectly past where I was sitting and,
recognizing me, he stopped to ex-
change greetings.
"What have you finished your days
work already, lieutenant" he ex-
claimed pleasantly. "Mino has only
just begun"
$50 observe. 1t was garrison talk
last night that the Warrior was to de-
part at daylight"
"That was the plan. However, the
Wanderer went north during the
night" he explained, sand brought
mail from below, so we are being held
for the return letters. am going up
to the Office now."
My eyes returned to the scene be-
low.
"You have some passengers aboard"
"a few; picked up several at the
lead mines, besides those aboard from
Prairie du Chen"
oil ~ rofrr noccpn0prS
are not miners, captain" I ventured.
"Those two standing there at the
stern, for instance.
He turned and looked. "No," he
said; "that big man is Judge Beau
caire, from Missouri. He has q plan
tation just above st. Louis, an old
French grant. OF course you know the
younger one"
"Never saw him before"
"Then you have never Travelled
much on the lower river. That's Joe
Kirby"
"Joe Kirby?"
Certainly; you must have heard OF
him. First. time ever knew of his
drifting so far north, as there are not
many pickings up here. Have rather
suspected he might be laying for Beau
caire, but the two haven't touched a
card coming down."
"He is q gambler, them,
"a thoroughbred; works between
st. Louis and New Orleans. I can't
Just figure out yet what he is doing up
here. asked him fiat out, but he only
laughed, and he isn't the sort Of man
you get very friendly with, some say
he has Indian blood in him, so drop.
ped it. He and the judge seem pretty
;hick, and they may be playing in their
rooms. See you again before we
eave; am going up now to have talk
with the major"
My eyes followed as he disappeared
within the open gates, squatty,
strongly built figure, the blue smoke
from his pipe circling in q cloud above
his head. Then I turned Idly to gaze
Dnce again down the river and observe
the groups lettering below.
Assuredly it was none Of my affair,
and yet a certain curiosity caused me
70 observe the movements Of the two
so long as they remained on deck.
However, it was but a short while be-
tore both retired to the cabin, and
then my gaze returned once more to
the sullen sweep Of water, while my
thoughts drifted far away.
A soldier was within a few feet OF
me and had spoken before I was even
aware of his approach.
Lieutenant Knox"
I looked about quickly, recognizing
the majors orderly.
"Yes, Sanders, what is it?"
"Major Bliss requests, sir, that you
report at his Office at once"
Wondering what might be desired Of
me, yet with no conception Of the
reality, I followed after the orderly
through the stockade gate, and across
the small parade ground toward the
more pretentious structure occupied
by the officers of the garrison.
A number Of soldiers off duty were
lettering in front of the barracks,
while small group Of officers occu'
pied chairs on the log porch of their
quarters, enjoying the warmth OF the
sun. 1 greeted these as passed, con.
scious that their eyes followed me Gu
riously as 1 approached the comman'
dant's Office. Major Bliss glanced up
at my entrance, with deep-set eyes
hidden beneath bushy gray eyebrows,
bis smooth-shaven face appearing al
most youthful in contrast with
wealth of gray hair.
"How long have you been here at
Armstrong, lieutenant" he cues
toned, toying with an official-looEng
paper in his hands.
"Only about three weeks, sir. 1
came north on the Enterprise, with
dispatches from General Gaines"
81 remember; you belong to the
Fifth, and without orders, promptly
dragooned you into garrison service"
His eyes laughed. "Only sorry cam
not hold you any longer. 1t seems you
have an application pending for fur
/ lOugh."