The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-07-14

raj character of this apparition
"Ill go with you" cried Light horse
Harry, rising to his feet. 1--WE need no
escort, general, and will report to you
within four hours, at latest. Adieu, gen
tlemen ALL" and with n parting salute he
drew young Fleurry from the ROOM
! A half hour later saw them in the saddle
and hastening toward Iron Hill, the young
Frenchman, brave though he was, and
despite the railing of his companion, silent
and thoughtful, and at last, turning to
Lighthouse Harry, he said, sadly
MY friend, there is some one love in
my own land; when l am dead, will YOU
see that this is forwarded to her as soon
as may be !" and nc held out a small
packet to his friend, sit is only a letter
which | have kept about my person, hop
ing if were killed it might fall into the
hands of some one who would be charita-
BILE enough TO forward it; but now know
my time is at hand, and ask YOU rs
friend, nay, as dear brother. rather, to
charge yourself with its safety"
my dear Fleurry," cried Light horse
Harry, much moved at his Companions
evident sincerity, 81 will take the packet.
and il 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 pass
ed, perhaps, by the side of her Won love-
"lIush !" whispered the captain, "There
is the bridge, and-Mon Dieu! 1t is there
waiting for us!
Lighthouse Harry cast an incredulous
glance before him, and, with an exclama-
ton OF surprise, rcined in his horse but
not long did he pause; destitute of the
Frenchman's superstition, and we'll &C.
quainted with danger from his own bazar
dous harassing of the enemy's pickets, he
knew not the sensation of mental fear. and.
drawing his sword, and shouting to his
companion to follow his example, with n
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
his cleaning blade, and made n pass at the
ghostly foe. But the sword was shivered
by the blow while the phantom glided to
the farther end of the bridge, and appa-
rently sank into the earth.
Then, indeed, did Harry Lee begin to
believe in the supernatural character of
his opponent, and, turning to his compan-
ion, who had seemed as if paralyzed all
this time, he exclaimed
"Well, Fleurry, this is singular, | con-
Tess, and do not wonder that your nerves
were somewhat shaken at unexpectedly
beholding such a vision. But wait, my
friend, | fancy we have not yet seen the last
of our ghostly adversary; let us conceal
ourselves, and watch"
The two young men dismounted, and,
cading 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 were violently agitated, and direct
ly up rose the phantom, and glided away
in the opposite direction, or, rather would
have glidcd away, but ere it could take a
dozen steps, Lighthouse Harry sprang from
conCcalmcnt, and, lcveling his pistol, fired
full ut the rctreating shadow, and on the
instant it staggered, threw up its arms
with lond cry, and fell to the earth, where
it still lay motionless when the young Off
GERS stood beside it.
And 10 the apparition was explained.
A suit of armour, painted white as the
Blood warm, human blood was flowing,
while Enthusiastically a mans anguished
face looked out from the white helmet
whose visor was now raised; and it was a
human voice that gasped-
mercy mercy, good sirs Forgive me !
The fault is that of one mightier than :;
and | am badly hurt; sure you would not
harm wounded man."
"Fear not you shall not be harmed, but
you are our prisoner, and must go with us
to our chief, to whom you shall reveal the
strange chance which had brought you
here in such a disguise"
"1our chief! No, no, young gentlemen,
do not take me to your chief! My life is
lost il reveal my secret ~
"But, my man." said Harry Lee, tive
have no right, even if we had the will, to
let you 60; we are officers under General
Washington, and he would deem it grave
| otfense if we should allow you to go free
ere we know why You have been thus
masqucrading. Come, let me bind up this
wound in your shoulder, and then we will
return to headquarters.
Finding it useless to cntreat longer, the
prisoner, youth of scarcely twenty, sub
mittcd with a 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 returned slowly to Whining
ton. But so weak was the young prisoner,
| by loss Of blood, that he tainted on being
lifted from the saddle, and was quite un-
able to bear questioning on the following
| In hnw I'm Il in nj, IL al
came TO his bedside, and the look of pite-
Gus cntreaty in the youths face, as his eyes
rested on the generals noble form, evil
IDENTIFY moved the latter's heart to pity, for
in gentle, yet decided tones he put few
questions, which so won upon the sensi-
bilities of the invalid that he freely and
openly confessed the secret of his disguise.
1t seemed that Howe, even the great
Lord Howe himself, had imagined that the
Americans were so easily duped by any
thing of q supcrstitious character, that lie
had conceived the idea of warning off all
scouting parties sent out from the Ameri-
can camp by phantom warrior, who
stationed by the bridge, and concealed by
small hollow in the earth, watched all
who approached, ard rising abruptly tiom
concealment, had succeeded in turning
aside more than one; but, thanks to the i'm.
petnous, fearless Harry Lee, the ghost was
laid, and Washington and his aids were
confronted by no warning phantom when
on the following morning, they rode ia
Iron Hill to reconnoitcr the enemy.
And Captain Fleurry did not die, but
lived to fight bravely in the battle of Bran
DIVINE, for which he was promoted TO the
rank of major, aud, his horse having beer
killed under him, Congress presented hin
with another. Later he acquitted himsel
with great intelligence and spirit as engi
necr, and at the storming of Stony Poin
| Tnlnnal Lln,,,ru fret IN IA,