The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-19
"Why should it please You SO, Nathan.

I
| compliment, even from him.
Then he took the flowers thdt he had con
cealed behind his back all this time, dnc
said: "You were so blooming this morning
mistress, that did almost doubt that you
did dance all the night. / surmised thai
the fragrance of some buds of the woods
might refresh you, so l picked them attel
! you passed by on your way below. YOU
will find them very sweet"
She looked at him in surprise, and theI
she laughed, tossing her head prettily K
one side and the other as she did so.
'fThat is the strangest cure-all that evel
| heard. Shall boil them like catnip or like
pennyroyal, Nathaniel: Why, they grow
| wild in the woods, Nathaniel, and il
wanted flowers, there's sweet william anc
sweet pea in the garden"
I'm truth had not thought of that" said
he, sorrowfully, 'but these are sweeter
smelling than a thousand sweet williams
| Will you not take them, mistresSw
"Why, l can pick my apron full, Nathan
iel; nevertheless, if you wish it, will take
them home and let my sister, Ruth, play
| with them"
/ He was about to give them to her when
there came sound that caused him to step
back and look upon her with such agitation
that she, too, became alarmed.
"What is it, Nathaniel?" she said, in low
cred tones.
"Quick, Rose, quick to your home. Tell
your father that l will come as soon as
can get my musket. Be prudent, mistress,
| for trouble is upon u.s."
"What is it, Nathaniel? Is there dan
ger?"
'Did Won not hear that gun? That means
death to many whomyo and l know be-
fore the night has come. That, Rose, was
the alarm gun, and it means that the red
coats are upon US. Quick, hasten to your
home. If 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, hastened to his cabin with a shuffiing
gait that carried him over the ground with
| far 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
path, when there came a 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
clatter of horses hoofs on the rocky bed OF
the path was proof enough that some one
was riding toward him with the speed and
energy of desperation. He stepped quickly
within his cabin, brought the flint to a full
| cock, and stood with his muSilet ready for
attack or defense. Then he saw the blood
red nostrils and the seemingly frightened
| ewes of a horse that was thruSting his head
through the brambles, and then the coat
less rider, needless of the blood trickling
down his cheeks, whore the thorns had
! scratched him, and urging with vigorous
thrusts OF the spurs the animal to greater
speed.
In an instant Nathaniel 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 behind him, as though tc
| cover whoever it was that was in pursuit
The rider saw him, and refined in the horse
so suddenly that he was brought upon his
| launches, almost unseating the rider.
| "WhO are yOu:" the horSeman asked, In
the tones of one used to command.
Nathaniel Townsend, General"
"You know me!"
eyes. What patriot hereabouts does not
know General Putnam"
"Cen you guide me out of this path upon
the Stamford pike:"
81 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, can not go quickly
enough"
"Why not?" asked Putnam impatiently
The young man pointed to his feet, anC
the General saw that by reason of the de-
| lOTnlUy Ol bnctH HO SOStu was III UueI
faster than a shambling walk.
"But for that, General" he said, "you
would not find me here, but with youl
soldiers"
''Take the horse by the bride, then, anC
lead him as rapidly as you can to such
point as will quickest bring me to tht
Stamford road"
The young man gladly did as he was
bidden. Not word more did the Genera
say to him. Instead he frequently rose il
the saddle that he might get a better loof
behind, still apprehensive that he was
pursued.
At length they reached the spot where
the path broadened into the highway, anC
here Nathaniel loosened his hold of the
bride, stepped aside, and, with the salute
of respect, prepared to let the Genera
pass.
"Yonder is the Stamford road?" asked
the General.
1T is, without turn or crook, excep
around the hills to Stamford, five miles
away. You have saved so much by the
short cut, General, that you are now beyond
the reach of the enemy"
''Do you know of the great powdel
house," asked Putnam.
Il pass it every day as go through th
woods to my fish nets"
s'Return at once to Esquire Bush. Biz
him; if it be possible, take measures t.
guard that uutil he is relieved. Say to hin
that 1 shall be back with a detachmen
from Stamford this evening"" and so say
lug, Putnam drove the spurs into tn
horses flank, and in moment was ruShin;
like the wind along the Stamford turn
pike.
An hour later there came mighty clou,
of dust from down the highway-so thick
indeed, that Esquire Bash was unable t.
penetrate it, though the bright eyes o
Mistress Rose, who stood by Eer father
side, saw now and then the red uniforms o
the British soldiers.
''It is the army, father" said she. "TheY
will not hurt you, viii they:"
81 trow not. ny child, for | am old ant
feeble. Nor do / think they will annoy
you, for, if my eyes see Alright, there - a
officer of high rank at their head. 1t i
Tryon himself, dOnbt not"
The troops were now in the highway
directly before the farmhouse in whicI
Esquire Bush dwelt, and where the roa
: seemed to take an abrupt end at the brin
of the precipice. Here they were halted
The commanding officer sent an aide t
the aged farmer, with the request that h
give opportunity for some inquiries.
'Is it So" asked the commander, ''tha
that rebel Putnam went over the precipic;
horse and all, this morning."
''In truth, did not see it, sir; but so
have been told.o
"Well, they either lie who say so, or els
he's at the bottom with a broken aecl
Where's his army!'
II know not"
"If thought you did, and were givin
, me a lie, I'd send you to the prison shil
: Colonel" he added to handsome youn
officer who at that moment rode up, "it
; useless to pursue further. If Putnam re
turns with any force he'll not attack US o
{ this eminence. Let the business for whic
we came be done at once. and see to it tha
! some one is found to guide some troops I
the powder house to blow it up"
: With a graceful salute the young Colon,
| ! I.a1irad to carry ont the command and son