HORSE SHOE ROBINSON. 17

Impressed with the conviction that a considerable force of whig cavalry were at hand, the troopers directed all their efforts to cover what they believed ensign St. Jermyn's retreat,—and were now seen formed into a platoon, and moving towards the middle of the plain, in such a manner as to place themselves between the fugitive and his supposed pursuers. Here they delayed a few minutes, as if expecting an attack; until findirtg that the object of their solicitude had safely crossed the field and plunged into the distant woods, they rode away, at a rapid pace, in the same direction. When they reached the farther extremity of the open ground, they halted for an instant—turned their eyes back towards the spot of their first discovery—and, finding that no attempt was made to follow, gave a hearty huzza and rode onward in search of their prize.

The stratagem had completely succeeded: Ramsay had escaped, and Horse Shoe had withdrawn his prisoner into the neighbouring wood upon the hill,—where he was able to observe the whole scene. After a brief interval, the sergeant resumed his journey, and, with all necessary circumspection, bent his steps towards the river, where he arrived without molestation,—and thence he continued his march in the direction of the rendezvous.

John Ramsay did not stop until he had crossed the Saluda, and advanced a considerable distance on the opposite bank, where, to his great joy, he was encountered by a look-out party of Williams' regiment. Our fugitive had some difficulty in making himself known to his friends, and escaping the salutation which an enemy was likely to obtain at their hands; but when he surrendered to them, and made them acquainted with the cause of his disguise, the party instantly turned about with him, and proceeded in quest of the sergeant and his prisoner.

It was not long before they fell in with the small detachment of Connelly's troopers,—as the late masters of the meadow turned out to be—who were leisurely returning from their recent exploit. These, finding themsejves in the presence of superior numbers, turned to flight. Not far behind them Ramsay and his new com

VOL. II. 2*

panions encountered Horse Shoe; and the whole party proceeded without delay to Williams' camp.

Colonel Williams had reached the Block House on the preceding evening with a force of two hundred cavalry. Clarke and Shelby happened, at this juncture, to be with him; and these three gallant partizans were now anxiously employed in arranging measures for that organized resistance to the Tory Dominion which fills so striking a chapter in the history of the Southern war, and which it had been the special object of Butler's mission to promote. Horse Shoe was enabled to communicate to Williams and his confederates the general purpose of this mission, and the disasters which had befallen Butler in his attempt to reach those with whom he was to cooperate. This intelligence excited a lively interest in behalf of the captive, and it was instantly determined to make some strenuous effort for his deliverance. Whilst these matters were brought into consultation by the leaders, Horse Shoe and John Ramsay mingled amongst the soldiers, in the enjoyment of that fellowship which forms the most agreeable feature in the associations of the camp.

CHAPTER III.

Butler's Difficulties Increase.—Innis Finds Occasion To Think Of The Adage—'there's Many A Slip, Betwixt The Cup And

THE LIP.'—

When Arthur Butler was conducted back to Tiis place of confinement, after his trial, orders were given that no one should be allowed to approach him, except the officer to whom was intrusted his safe custody.—The intercourse of this person with him was short and concerned, only, with the scant accommodation which his condition required. He was, therefore, deprived of all chance of becoming acquainted with the extraordinary events that had led to his present respite from death. In the interrogations that had, during the first moments of excitement, been put to him, in regard to the letter, he was

HORSE SHOE ROBINSON. 19

not told its import; from what quarter it had come; nor how it affected his fate, fie only knew, by ifte- result, that it had suspended the purpose of his immediate execution; and he saw that it had produced great agitation at head-quarters. He found, moreover, that this, or some niher cause, had engendered a degree of exasperation against him, that showed itself in the retrenchment of his comforts, and in the augmented rigour of his confinement.

Agitated with a thousand doubts, his mind was too busy to permit him to close his eyes during the night that followed; and in this wakeful suspense, he could sometimes hear, amongst the occasional ramblers who passed under his window, an allusion, in their conversation, to a victory gained over the royal troops. Coupling this with the name of Sumpter, which was now and then uttered with some adjective of disparagement, he conjectured that Horse Shoe had probably fallen in with that partisan, and was, peradventure, leading him to this vicinity. But this conclusion"was combatted by the fact that there seemed to be no alarm in the camp, nor any preparations on foot, either, for instant battle or retreat. Then the letter—that was a mystery altogether impenetrable. There was only one point upon which his mind could rest with satisfaction:—of that he was sure;—Horse Shoe was certainly at the bottom of the scheme, and was active in his behalf.

The whole of the next day passed over in the same state of uncertainty. It was observed by Butler, with some stress upon the circumstance, that captain St. Jermyn, who had heretofore evinced a disposition to make himself busy in his behalf, had absented himself ever since the trial; and he thus felt himself cut off from the slightest exhibition of sympathy on the part of a single individual in the multitude of fellow beings near him. Indeed, there were various indications of a general personal ill-will against him. The house, in which he was confined, Was so constructed that he could frequently hear such expressions, in the conferences of those who inhabited the rooms below stairs, as were uttered above the lower key of conversation,—and these boded him no good. Once, during the day, colonel Innis visited him. This officer's countenance was severe and indicated anger. His purpose was to extort something from the prisoner in reference to his supposed knowledge of the course of Operations of Sumpter, from whose camp Innis did not doubt this letter regarding St. Jermyn had come. He spoke in a short, quick and peremptory tone:—

'It may be well for you,' —he said—'that your friends do not too rashly brave my authority. Let me advise you to warn them that others may fall into our hands;— and that if the ensign be not delivered up, there may be a dreadful retaliation.'

'I know not, sir, of what or whom you speak'—replied Butler;—'and it is due to my own-honour to say, that I will not be induced, for the sake of saving my life, to interfere with any operations which the soldiers of Congress may have undertaken in the cause of the country. In this sentiment, I admonish colonel Innis, that I desire to b£ pfif ilt^Jftssession of no facts from him, that may be commuTlicated unftr'such an expectation. And having made this determination known to you, I will add to it, that, from the samie, motives, I will answer no question you can propose to --Vie. You may spare yourself, therefore, the useless labour of this visit. My life is in your hands,—and I have already experienced with what justice and clemency you will use your power when you dare.'

'A more humble tone'—said Innis with a bitter smile— 'I think would better suit your circumstances.'—And with this remark the commandant haughtily walked out of the apartment. *

The next morning whilst Butler was taking his breakfast, which had been brought to him by one of the soldiers of the guard, he heard a loud cheering from the troops that, at that hour, were on parade in the plain.—This was followed by the discharge of a. few de joie from the whole line, and a flourish of drums and trumpets.—

'What is that?'—he inquired eagerly of the soldier, who forgetful, in the excitement of the moment, of the order to restrain his intercourse with the prisoner, answered—

'They have just got the news from Camderi:—two days ago Cornwallis defeated Gates and cut his army to pieces. The troops are rejoicing for the victory, and have just' had the despatches read.'—

Butler heaved a deep sigh, as he said—'Then all is lost, and liberty is but a name!—I feared it—God knows, I feared it.'—

The soldier was recalled to his duty by the sentinel at the door—and Butler was again left alone.

This was a day of crowding events. The tidings of the battle of Camden gained on the sixteenth, and which had, early this morning, reached Innis, threw a spirit of the highest exultation- into the camp. The^event was considered decisive of the fate of the rebel power; and the most extravagant anticipations were indulged by the loyalists, in regard t6 the complete subjugation of the Whigs of the southern provinces. The work of confiscation was to be carried out to the most bitter extreme, and the adherents of the royal gove.rnrffent were to grow rich upon the spoils of victory. The soldiers of Innis were permitted to give way to uncontrolled revelry; and, from the first promulgation of the news, this became a day devoted to rejoicings. Innis himself looked upon the victory at Camden with more satisfaction, as it gave him reason to believe that the sentence pronounced against Butler might be executed, without fear of the vengeance threatened against ensign St. Jermyn. He was, however, exceedingly anxious to see this young officer released from the hands of the enemy; and had determined to respect the threat, as long as there was any doubt that it might be performed. The personal consideration of captain St. Jermyn; his station as an officer of importance; and, above all, the great influence of his family, in the esteem of the royal leaders, made it an object of deep concern to Innis to save the ensign, by the most scrupulous regard to his present difficulties. His power to do so seemed to be much increased by the late victory.—

In the afternoon of the same day, further rumours were brought to Innis' camp, importing that Sumpter had been attacked, on that morning, upon the Catawba, by

V