Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-08-09
thought of the chances of our final sue

y
and farmers for supplies, and | knew it
would not do to speak gIoomily to any
of that class.
II am glad to hear it, he said. "a
patrolllng party of the British were
here this morning, and they were boast
ing with great exultation that Wash
ington, with all his ragged followers,
would be in their hands before three
days"
"Was the party large ?"
"Some dozen horsemen. They said
large body of dragons were on the
main road, under the command of Colo
mel Harcourt and from what / could
gather from words now and then drop
ped, they were looking out for Gen.
Lee. They did not say much thinking
l was listening"
"And where is General Lee ?" / in
quired anxionsly.
"My youngest boy, who was out to
Peter Van Vorst's tavern this morning
says the stable boy told him the gener-
al had been there over night and was
still there"
"What time was that this morning p
"About nine o'clock"
"Did General Lee have any escort
with him ?''
81 asked the boy that question, and
he told me he neither saw nor heard
any,"
''And British patrol was here this
morning, looking after the general %
"What infatuatlon !'' l could not
help remarklng. "You belong to US
for you are on the same side. Is there
no way by which 1 can make a nearer
ride to the place where Lee is resting
than by the main road ?''
"Yes, and one of my boys shall guide
you to the crossroads, where you turn
off. You will be the gamers of at least
an hour. Put on your green coat, Bob.
Mount your horse, and lead these sold
iers to the crossroads by the shortest
route
"Yes. dad" replied a lively looking
boy about fifteen. "I'm glad to 60
anything to put down the red coats
rot 'em."
We were all in our saddles in brie1
time. The storm instead of abating
had grown more fierce. and the slee
blew directly in our faces. We turned
up narrow lane, which we followed fol
about four miles, when we came to wha
the farmer called the crossroads.
Here the lad halted and said -
81 must leave you now. Take tn,
road that leads to the right, and il
about an hours time you will be at thu
place."
"How am | to know the place ?'
"Ohl l forgot that l was thinkin.
everybody knew Van Vorst's tavern
There are three great elm-trees at tn
door-you can't mistake the house. II
60 along but then it would do dadd,
harm without helping you, if Van Vors
saw me. He pretends to be whig, bu
is tory up to the hub"
| thanked the lad, and endeavored t
make him accept a few silver coins
had in my pocket, but he was evidentl,
offended at the offer. Waving his han,
he turned his horses head and rod
away.
1t was at that period of the year whe
days reach their shortest span. Thi
season, combined with the gloomy storr
of the day, made it dark before W
reached the tavern where Lee was,
place easily recognized by the three dc
scribed trees.
Ordering my men TO dismount, W
conducted our horses to a shed, an
then entered the tavern. Van Vors
himself was at the bar, and seeing ou
uniforms he started as if surprised
Without giving him time to recove
himself, l went up and said" l wis
to see General Lee Immediately"
General Lee? Yes, yes; he's ;
supper now, but I'll tell him."
AS he went out of the room softl
followed, determined not to be put o
with excuses. He opened side-doo
and there I beheld the general seate
at well supplied table, and beside hi
a girl of not more than eighteen, han'
some in features, but to a close observe
these features we're masculine and br
zen. They were the only persons
the room.
General, said the landlord, ''thel
is an American officer
"With dispatches from headquarters
| said, finishing the sentence. II
landlord turned round. much surprise
to find had followed him, and ga
t me an angry look,
, "Ah, yes !" drawled Lee, for he ha
: pened to be in fit of good hume
"Come in, come in, my lad. V;
| Worst, you can leave US. AS for Nc
here, she can remain. Give me t
dispatches"