Middletown transcript., 1876-07-22
d +; I have but one consolation, | have
lot been conquered by an earthly

ed {; have but one consolation, l have
not been conquered by an earthly
power"
"Stay, my dear captain, not SO fast, .
replied Washington, raising his hand tc
detain the young officer, who, with a
salute, turned to leave the room "take
some Of your company With you re-
turn to the scene Of your discontinue
and satisfy yourself, beyond doubt, of
the supernatural character of this ap-
partition"
"I'll 60 with youp' cried Light
horse Harry, rising to his feet "We
need no escort. general, and will report
to you within four hours. Adieu, gen
tlemen all" and with parting salute
he drew young Fleurry from the room.
A half-hour later saw them in the
saddle and Fastening towards Iron Hill,
the young Frenchman. brave though he
was. and, despite the railing of his COM
panion, silent and thoughtful, and at
last, turning to Lighthouse Harry, he
said. sadly:
"My friend, there is some one l love
in my own land when am dead. will
you see that this is forwarded to her as
soon as may be ?" and be held. out a
small packet to his friend "It is only
letter which I have kept about my
person. hoping if I were killed it might
fall into the hands of some one who
would be charitable enough to forward
it; but now know that my time is at
hand, and ask you as friend, nay.
as a dear brother, rather, to charge
yourself with its safety"
"My dear Fleurry." cried Light
horse Harry. much moved at his com
panion's evident sincerity, II will take
the packet and, if harm befalls you,
will do with it as you desire; but cheer
up, man. you have long years of life
yet before you, to be passed, perhaps,
by the side Of her you love-"
Hush !" whispered the captain
There is the bridge, and.-Mon Dieu!
1t is there waiting for us %
Lighthouse Harry cast an incredu-
lous glance before him, and with on
exclamation of surprise. reigned in bis
horse; but not long did he pause; des-
titute Of the Frenchman's superstition,
and we'll acquainted with danger from
his own hazardous harrassing of the
enemy's line, he knew not the sensation
Of mental fear, and drawing his sword.
and shouting for his companion to fol-
low his example, with touch to his
steed's bridle-rein, charged the bridge
at full speed.
Nearer and nearer they approached
but yet the phantom form moved not
nearer and nearer, until Lighthouse
Harry waved bis cleaning blade, and
made pass at the ghastly foe. But
the sword was shivered by the blow
while the phantom glided to the farther
end of the bridge and apparently sank
into the earth.
Then, indeed, did Harry Lee begin
to believe in the supernatural character
of his opponent, and, turning to his
companion, who had seemed as if par
alyzed all this time, he exclaimed
"Well, Fleurry, this is singular, 1
confess. aud I do not wonder that your
nerves were somewhat shaken at unex-
pectedly beholding such vision. But
wait, my friend, | fancy we have not
yet seen the last of our ghostly adver-
sary; let US conceal ourselves and
watch"
The two young men dismounted. and,
leading their horses in amongst the
trees, ,.and themselves crouching behind
some bushes, waited with drawn pistols
for any new developments.
And not long had they waited when
they observed that the bushes beyond
the bridge we're violently agitated, and
directly up rose the phantom, and
glided away, in the opposite direction,
or rather would have glided away but
ere it could take dozen steps, Light
horse Harry sprang from the conceal
ment, and leveling his pistol, fred full
at the retreating shadow, and on the
instant it staggered, threw up its arms
with loud cry, and fell to the earth,
where it still lay motionless when the
young officer stood beside it.
And 10 !! the apparitiou was explain
ed. A suit of armour, painted white
as the driven snow, encased body from
which blood, warm, human blood was
flowing, while, unmistakably, mans
anguished face looked out from the
white helmet whose visor was now
raised; and it was a human voice that
grasped :-
"Mercy! mercy, good sirs! Forgive
me The fault is with one mightier
than I : and I am badly hurt sure you
would not harm a wounded man!'
"Fear not; you shall not be harmed,
but you are our prisoner, sad must 60
with us to our chief, to whom you shall
reveal the strange chance which had
brought you here in such disguise.
"Your chief No, no, young gen.
tlemen, do not take me to your chief!
My life is lost if reveal my secret!"
'But, my man." said Harry Lee,
1--WE have no right, even if we had the
will, to let you 60; we are officers un-
der General Washington. and he would
deem it grave offense if we should
allow you to 60 free ere we knew why
you have been thus masquerading.-
Come, let me bind up this wound in
your shoulder, and then we will return
to headquarters"
Finding it useless to entreat longer,
the prisoner, youth of scarcely twenty,
submitted with groan, to the by no
means painless operation Of having his
shoulder bandaged, and was then placed
upon Capt. Fleurry's horse, while the
latter shared the saddle of Lighthouse
Harry, and in this manner they return
ed slowly to Wilmington. But SO weak
was the young prisoner, by loss Of
blood, that be tainted on being lifted