Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-11-21
CHAPTER XIV.
The Island in the Swamp.

a rather narrow tongue Of land, the
two dNerging forks of the Gtream
closing US in. So, after short cOnver
satlon, we continued to ride straight
forward, keeping rather close to the
edge of the wood, so as to better con-
ceal our passage. Our advance, While
not rapid, was steady, and we must
have covered several miles before the
east began to show gray, the Ghastiy
light of the new dawn revealing our
tired faces. Ahead of US stretched an
extensive swamp, with pools Of stag
nant water shimmerlng through lush
grass and brown fringeS Of cat-tails
bordering their edges. Some distance
out In this desolation, and only half
revealed through the>dlm light, some
what higher bit Of land, rocky on Its
exposed side, its crest crowned with
trees, arose like an islaId. Tim stared
across at 1t, shading his eyes with one
hand.
N'If we wus goin' ter stop. enywhar,
cap" lse said finally, ~ reckon thar
ain't no better place then thet, pervidin
We kin git thar"
I followed his gaze, and noticed that
the mulatto girl also lifted her head
to look.
1--WE certainly must rest" I con-
fessed. "Miss Beaucaire seems to be
sleeping, but am sure is thoroughly
exhausted. Do you see any way or
getting across the swamp"
He did not answer, but Elsie in
stantly pointed toward the left, crying
out eagerly:
"Sure, All do. The lam is higher
Tong thar, sah-yer kin see shale
rock"
$50 you can; it almost looks like a
dyke. Let's try 1t, Tim"
1t was not exactly a pleasant pas
sage, or safe one, but the continual
increase in light aiued us in picking
our way above the black water on eth
er hand. let my horse follow those
in front as he pleased and held tightly
to the bit of the one bearing Eioise.
The island proved small one, not ex-
ceeding hundred yards wide, rather
sparsely covered with forest trees, the
space between these thick with under
growth. What first attracted my gaze
after penetrating the tree fringe was
the glimpse Of small shack, built OF
poles, and thatched with coarse grass,
which stood nearly in the center of the
island. 1t was a rudely constructed,
primitive affair, and to all appearances
deserted.
"Hold the horses here, Tim; let me
see what we have ahead first"
approached the place from the rear,
peering in through the narrow open
ings between the upright poles. The
light was so poor was not able to
perceive much, but did succeed in
fully convincing myself that the dis
NAL shack was unoccupied. The door
stood unlatched and I pushed it open.
A single glance served to reveal every
thing the place contained. Without
doubt 1t had been the late abode Of
Indians, who, in all probability, had
fed hastily to join Black Hawk in his
foray up Rock river. What interested
me most was small bit Of jerked
deer meat which still hung against
an upright and the rude stone fire.
place in the center of the hut, with an
opening above to carry away the
smoke.
had found during the night fair
supply Of hard bread in my saddle-bag,
and now, with this additional gift Of
Providence, felt assured, at least, of
one sufficient meal.
at Is all right, Tim, there is no one
here. An old Indian camp with notn-
ing but hunk of jerked deer meat left
behind. Elsie, gather up some Of that
old wood yonder and build a fire.
Kennedy and I will look after Miss
Beaucaire"
1t was bright day By this time, the
red Of the rising sun in the sky, and l.
could trace the radius of swamp land
stretching about us on every hanC, Il
grim, deSolate scene even in the beauty
Of that clear dawn. We had been for
tunate enough to approach the spot
along theionly available pathway which
led to this little oasis, and a more Sc
cure hiding place it would Ire difficult
to find. I felt almost at ease for the
present and satisfied to rest here for
several, hours.
Tim assisted me in unstrapping
ElOise, and lifting her from the sad
die, and, as she made no effort to help
herself, the two of us carried her to
warm, sunny spot beside the wall Of
the hut. Her cramped limbs refused
to support her body, and her eyes, then
open, yet retained that vacant look so
noticeable from the first. The only
change was in the puzzled way with
which she stared into our faces, as
though memory might be struggling
back, and she was vaguely epdeavor-
ing to understand.
Tim led the horses away and stalied
them out where they could crop the
rich, dewy grass. After removing the
saddles he followed the mulattO girl
into the hut and / cOuld hear the lnur-