Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-10-11
NO. 243.
DAREDEVIL NED.

.ne early part OF the summer OF 1878 at
valley Forge, on the Schuylkill. the Brit
ish, who We're in possession of Philadel-
phia. about twenty miles distant, were
making great preparations for q magnid-
cent iete to be given in honor of their COM
mander, General Sir William Howe, who
was ABOUT to return to England and place
tne troops in the hands of Sir Henry Clin-
ton, who was TO succeed him. The affair
was intended to be on a grand scale; and
the heet, that was still in the Deleware.
under Admiral Lord Howe, the brother Of
SIR William. was to take part in it. All
the Tory wealth Of the country was to be
brought to bear upon it, and already Eng
land had contributed toward its success
various costly suits Of armor and bales Of
SILK. for splendid tournament, with q
brilliant array OF knights and ladies, all in
the most gorgeous attire, was to be one of
the principal features. In addition to this
there was to be most imposing display
upon the water. Directly In front Of the
city there was to be regatta In the pres
ence OF distinguished men and beautiful
women, In gilded barges and on shore In
dazzling tents and pavilions while all the
vessels OF the fleet were to be decorated In
the gayest possible manner. Mirth and
music were to rule the hour, and the
whole was to close with grand ball and
supper, the like ofwhich it was supposed
had never previously been witnessed In
any OF the colonies. 1t was the tourna-
merit. however, that was looked forward
to as the most attractive portion Of the
whole programme; as the knights, young
and old, We're to break lance in honor Of
some ''iaire ladye," and wear individually
RntnrS ha rsesS
who were to bestow in turn OF otherwise,
as the case might be, some costly favors
upon their champion when victorious. The
lists were to be open to all true knights
who.appeared in armor; and be who rode
in and out of them unhorsed was to be
crowned and honored as the truest and
bravest knight of the whole.
The camp at Valley Forge had suffered,
severely during the winter and spring
from want OF provisions and clothing; and
this intended display of wealth and aflu-
ence was irritating 20 the patriots in the
extreme. They were, however, power
less for the moment to prevent 1t although
many OF the officers were half inclined to
counsel sudden movement upon the rev.
ellers, if such could be effected with any
degree Of secrecy. Among these latter
there was not one so ripe and eager for the
dangerous project as Captain Edward
Marion, who had already SO distinguished
himself in the patriotic cause by acts of
daring SO unaccountable that he was inva-
riably designated by his companions in
arms, Daredevil Ned" In every un-
dertaking against the Tories, no matter
how desperate or dangerous he was sure
to be foremost, If he could at all manage
it: and now that the enemy was to feast,
in insolent security as it were, under his
very nose, he became restless and ill-hu-
mored. although usually the most cheer.
ful and kind-hearted soul imaginable. 6D
Marion was in his twenty-ninth year at
the period of the commencement of our
story; and remarkable handsome follow
he was. There was not another individu-
al in his regiment as athletic or agile, or
one who rode horse more superbly. No
matter what the animal, when Daredevil
Ned bestrode him he was as If he were In
a vice, and mile or two along the river
road soon brought him to hook. As .
swordsman, also, the brave patriot had
but few rivals; while it is said he was al
most capable of telling an OK to the earth
with blow of his clenched fist. But ac-
tive, brave and invincible as he was in so
many relations. there has always been Q
weak spot in his cuirass directly over the
region of his heart, and this had been pen
etrated by Il iavelin from the dark eyes Of
Flora Mildmay, the belle of Philadelphia
and the daughter of gentleman Of for
tune, who, though seemingly not actually
hostile to the American cause, stood
well with its opponents.
There had been time when Washing
ton, it was said, was the warm friend Of
MIR. Mildmay; but since the arrival of the
English in the city, and some time pre-
vious to it, the General seemed to have
himself from all inter-commu-
nication with him, while the enemy, who
had become aware of the rumor, speedily
extended the right hand of friendship to
one whom they believed to be privately an
adherent to their cause.
This was source of great uneasiness
to Marion, who loved Flora with truth
fulness and ardor never surpassed, and
who had the supreme happiness Of know
ing that his passion was returned with
the fidelity and warmth well worthy It's
strength and purity. And no more faith
full or lovely creature than Flora could
have inspired it, for she was not only as
beautiful as houri, but, Notwithstanding
the suspected detection of her father, was
as true to Edward in the cause he espoused
as she was to her own existence,
Marion and Mr.. Mildmay had never, 90
far as they were aware. met, although the
latterl had heard much OF the bravery and
patriotism of the former, ard was aware
that the English were anxious to get hold
of him, dead or alive, and even privately
offered inducements to the Indians to lie
in wait for him and cut him off, or cap
ture him in an unguarded moment. But,
so far. it was all to no purpose, for be
seemed to possess a charmed life, and to
be apprised. from time to time, through
channels seemingly accidental. but always
opportune, of all the plots
against him, and of much that was vital
in relation to the service he adorned.
Miss Mildmay was to be the presiding
goddess at the tournament, as her youth
and beauty, as well as the social position
of her father, gave her claims that were
not to be ignored. Scarcely one of the
intended knights but had publicly declared
his determination OF breaking lance in
her name; and Captain Vor6lek of the
Hessian cavalry. had made n VOW IN epter