The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1894-07-28


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-
mained in a state of excitement, brist-
ling up like a tiger, and now and then
giving utterance to strange cries as
shot and shell hurled through the sum
mer air.
Muffin was a 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
a rat in his mouth, and after deposit
ing it Mt "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 al 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 Il dog belonging to che Of
the companies ran out, as if challerg-
ing him for a 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 complaca entity 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 colonel's horse was a
pretty dog, which barked as he play
fully kept out of danger of the hoofs.
The dog spied Muffin when the regi-
ment came UP, and the following mo-
ment he was at the foot Of the fence
trying to bring on a battle royal.
The brindlcd cat had been held back
long enough, and having had his pa
thence tried until ~forbearauce had with
him ceased to he q virtue, he sprang
down and before Davy could interfere
was on the dogs back.
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, and
seeing that Muffin was getting the best
Of the fight, he drew off, while the
brindled pet chung to the dog until he
broke away and ran yelping back to
his master.
1t seemed to Davy that the red-faced
officer marked Muffin for destruction
ere he rode off, and while they contin-
ued to watch the soldiers as they fed
down the dusty road, he could not help
thinking that he had not seen the last
of that days incident.
II see you don't like the enemy In
any shape whatever" said the boy as
he carried Muffin back to the house.
I'm afraid you have made q new enc
my, for didn't you see how mad the
colonel looked, Muffin, as he ordered
his orderly to pick up the dog and see
n vOlr claws had inflicted much DAM
age?'
Nearly all that day the road was
lined with soldiers; they marched along
in joyous spirits, for they had full pos
session of the island, and expected ere
long to drive Washington out Of New
York, Of which city he had taken pos
session.
The British began to make themselves
at home among the inhabitants Of the
island, ana Gen. Howe established him
self in one of the finest houses in the
neighborhood.
one morning when Davy Blake went
to the corner where Muffin generally