The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-05-29

back and look upon her with such agitation
that she, too, became alarmed.
"What is it, Nathaniel she said IN low
cred tones.
sQnick, Rose, quick to your home. Tel
your father that will come as soon as can
get my musket Be prudent, mistress, for
trouble is upon us.
ayhat is it, Nathaniel Is there dangerF'
"Did you not hear that gun? That means
death to many whom you and know before
the night has come. That Rose, that was
the alarm gun, and il means that the red
coats are upon us. Quick, hasten to your
home. II you hurry you'll be there in five
minutes
She said no more, but went her way with
such speed as she was able. He, turning
back, FASTENED to his cabin with shutting
gait that carried him over the ground with
tar less rapidity than his movements
seemed to indicate.
He entered his cabin, loaded his musket,
ramming home the mighty charge with
vigor; then, adjusting his powder horn and
bullet-pouch, he was about to hasten up the
uath. when there came sound that stayed
him. He listened, with anxious, strained
EXPRESSION, peering through the boughs and
twigs that hid the path. The crashing OF
broken bushes and the quick. ringing clat-
ter Of horses hoofs on the rocky bed of the
path was proof enough that some one was
riding toward him with the speed AMI en-
ergy of desperation. He stepped quickly
within his cabin, brought the flint to full
cock, and stood with his musket ready foI
attack or defense. Then he saw the blood
red nostrils and the seemingly frightened
eyes of a horse that was thrusting his head
through the brambles, and then the coatleSs
rider, needles; of the blood trickling down
his checks, where the thorns had scratched
him, and urging with vigorous thruSts Of
the spurs the animal to greater speed
In an instant Nathanial stood in the path,
musket up his pale face set and hard. But
it was not at the horSeman that the musket
was pointed, but beAinl him, as though tC
cover whoever it was that was in pursuit
The rider saw him, and refined in the horst
50 suddenly that he was brought upon hi:
launches, almost unseating the rider.
"Who are youH the horseman asked in the
tones Of one used to command.
"Nathanal Townsend, general"
"You know me"
Eyes. What patriot hereabouts does moi
know Gen PutnumT
"Can yon guide me out of this path upor
the Stamford pikep
Il can"
"Do so at once-not a moments delay
We have been surprised, and Tryon's ad
vance is now at the top of the hill.
But general, cannot go quickly
enough"
"Why not" asked Putnam, impatiently.
The young man pointed to his feet AM
the general saw that by reason Of the de
formity of them no speed was in them taste
than stumbling walk.
"But for that, general" he said, "yol
would not find me here, but with your sol
| diers."
Take the horse by the bridle then, an,
lead him as rapidly as you can TO such poin
as will quickest bring me to the Stanton
road"
The young man gladly did as he was bid
den Not word more did the general sa
to him, instead he frequently rose in the sad
die that he might get better look behind
still apprehensiye that he was pursued
| At length they reached the spot where th
| path broadened into the highway, and her
| Nathaniel loosened his hold of the bride
stepped aside, and, with the salute of II
spect, prepared to let the general pass.
"Yonder is the Stamford roadln asked tn
general
| at is, without turn or crook, excep
around the hills to Stamford, five milk
away. You have saved so much by tn
short cut, general, that you are now beyon
the reach of the enemy"
"Do you know OF the great powder house,
asked Putnam.
a pass it every day as go through tn
woods to my fish nets.
Return at once to Esquire Bush. Ri
him, if it is possible, take measures
| guard that until he is relieved. Say to hil
that | shall be back VITA a detachment frol
Stamford this evening" ami SO saying Pa
man drove the spurs into the horses fam
and in moment was ru 'Ainy like the VIA
along the SANFORD turnpike.
Concluded tomorrow