The Princeton union., 1894-07-05


fin"
was not far from the farm house, and
Dayy carried Muffin down to the fence,
where they waited for the soldiers.
During the fighting Muffin had re-
manned in a state of excitement, brist-
ling up like tiger, and now and then
giving utterance to strange cries as
shot and shell hurled through the sum-
ner air.
Muffin was patriotic cat, having
spent a good deal of his time in the
American camp before it was deserted,
and he had taken it upon himself to
clear Gen. Putnam's headquarters of a
pest of rats. On several occasions he
had drawn the old generals attention
to his mousing qualities by walking into
the room during a council of war with
q rat in his mouth, and after deposit
ing it at "Old Puts feet, ne would
walk out with the tread of a con-
queror.
But now the tide had turned and the
British soldiers were sWarming over
the island, and nothing but redcoats
was to be seen along the roads and in
the trenches lately occupied by the pa
triot army.
This did not suit Davy Blake, and
Muffin at sight of an English soldier
elevated his back and swelled his tail
to twice it's usual proportions. The
boy and his companion attracted some
attention as the columns filed by.
Muffin, with bristling back, occupied
the tOpmost rail beside his master, and
whenever q dog belonging to enc of
the companies ran out, as if chal]eEg-
Eng him for fight, he would start
down the fence until restrained by
Davy. A good many of the troops were
Hessians and they owned numerous
pets in the shape of parrots and dogs.
Now and then a squirrel was seen
perched complacaatly upon the KNAPP
sack of some bearded fellow, and Muf-
fin noticed Il few cats Which at once
excited his jealous ire.
Presently the head Of another regi-
ment came in sight, and running in
front of the coloneFs horse was a
pretty dog, which barked as he play
fully kept out Of danger of the hoofs.
rnent came up, and the following mo-
4ment he was at the foot of the fence
trying to bring on battle royal ;.
The brindled cat had been held back
long enough, and having had his pa
tience tried until forbearance had with
him ceased to be a virtue, he sDrang
down and before Davy could interfere
was on the dogs back. e aas a
Fearful Of results, especially from
the British colonel, Davy attempted
TO separate the cOmbatants, but the
hilarious soldiers who were enjoying
the battle called on him to desist, anG
Geeing that Muffin was getting the bes
Of the fight, he drew off, while tht
brindled pet clung to the dog until ht
broke away and ran yelping back tt
his master.
1t seemed to Davy that the red-facel
officer marked Muffin for destruction
ere he rode off, and while they contin
ued to watch the soldiers as they fe(
down the dusty road, he could not hell
thinking that he had not seen the las
of that days incident
II see you don't like the enemy il
any shape whatever" said the boy a
he carried Muffin back to the house
I'm afraid you have made a new enc
my, for didn't you see how mad til
colonel looked, Muffin, as he ordere
his orderly to pick up the dog and Sc
af your claws had inflicted much dam
age?"
Nearly all that day the road wa
Nned with soldiers, they marcned alOn
I'm joyous spirits, for they had full pos
session of the island, and expected er
long to drive Washington out OF NeN
York, Of which city he had taken po!
session.
The British began to make themselve
at home among the inhabitants of th
island, ana Gen. Howe established hin
self in one Of the finest houses in th
lneighborhood.
One morning when Davy Blake Wer
TO the corner where Muffin general