Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-07-05
WHEELING REGISTER, SUNDAY, JULY 5. 1895.

vaulted down upon the low roof of a
she'd He was Just in time. Crack
erackLbullets whistled overhead, and
broken glass and splinters showered
about him as he half-tumbled, half
climbed to the ground.
In a trice he was through the stable
yard, and over wall into Third street,
across that deserted thoroughfare, and
speeding through a dark and narrow.
lane in the direction of the Delaware
river.
III.
There was a dull shouting and cutlery
behind Nathan as he ran on, still
clutching his empty pistol, and keep
ing keen watch right and left, but he
heard no close pursuit, and there were
no dwelling houses on the lane TO i'm
peril his present safety.
I'm going the wrong way" he said
TO himself, but l darsen't turn now. |
hope l didn't kill that British oficer-I
never shot at any one before, and l
hated to do ii. One of the soldiers called
him Major Langdon-why, that's the
man who is going TO put Godfrey on
his staff, and the same that the London
law clerk was inQuiring about. Well,
| If 1 killed him I'm not to blame. 1t
was in self-defense and for my country's
sake. If I'm caught they'll surely hang
me. But I'm not going TO be caught.
| These dispatches, feeling to make sure
| he had the precious packet, must be
| saved from the enemy, and it won't be
my fault if don't deliver them at Val
lley Forge before morning"
The plucky lad had now reached Sec
ond street, ando finding no one in sight
| he turned up town on rapid walk. He
| had passed Market street, and was near
Arch when he heard faint shouts, and
| looking back he saw group Of dark fig
ures in pursuit.
They've tracked me clear from the
tavern" he muttered "and II won't be
| easy to give them the slip" He began
! to run now, with the hue and cry swell
ing behind him. He did not dare to
turn into Arch street, seeing people
walking here and there in both direc-
tons: so he kept on up Second, sinking
along in the shadow of the houses.
From a doorstep across the way some
one shouted, and the human blood
! hounds down the street caught up the
| try with hoarse energy. The rush of
many feet rang on the night air, and
the tumult was heard spreading to re-
mote quarters of the town.
Nathan ran doggedly and swiftly on,
| looking in vain for a place of shelter,
/ anu knowing that the occasional lamp
posts he passed revealed his flying form
to the enemy. Above Race street a
sOur-yisaged man-eyidently tory cit
ia9n-leaped forward from one side with
a demand to stop. Get out Of the
wayw the lad muttered fercely, aiming
his empty weapon. The coward fell
back with lusty shouting, which was
heard and understood by the approach
ing soldiers
Breathless and painting, Nathan
turned west into the street. With
Tagging. strength and courage he kept
on his flight, realizing that unless some
unforeseen help interviewed he must
soon be caught. Louder and nearer
rang the roar Of the pursuit, and a
glance behind showed him the eager
mob. led by relocated grenadiers, with
in a hundred yards.
| With q desperate squirt the lad pushed
on. Up the street beyond him he heard
cries and saw people running eXcitedly.
ITS no use; I'm trapped" he muttered,
and even as he spoke ne made discOv-
cry that sent a thrill Of hope to his
heart"
On Vine street. a few doors from
Gable lane. there was the house of Mr..
Whitehead. Here Colonel Abercrom-
bic was quartered. and a horse belong
ing either to that officer or to a visitor
of rank was standing before the door
in charge of a small boy II was a large
and handsome bay, and from each sad
dle-bag peeped the shining butt of a
pistol
! whats that fuss abOut?" asked the
small boy-who was Mr. Whitehead's
son Jonas-as the fugitive pulled
breathlessly in front Of him. "All that
mob amt chasing you, are they? Did
did YOU steal something's
NO. but I'm going to-, ~ parted Nat.h-
an. with make believe ferocity He
lifted the empty pistol. GIVE me that
horsel Don't make a whimper-Ill
shoot"
Terrified by. the threat and the weap-
on. Jonas let go the bride and fed TO
the pavement Nathan swung hHnseI
! into the saddle, clapped feet in the stir
| rups and gave the bride a tug that
swung the horse around and started it
seross the street The rush and roar
/ of the pursuers rang in his ears, blend
ing with a shrll cry from Jonas. He
heard the house door fly open and the
voices of Colonel Abercrombie and 9th
or officers raised in profane now.
Then he was chattering madly up the
dark roadway Of Gable lane, with the
din and turmoil ebbing fainter and
fainter behind him.
On his stolen steed the lad cleared
street after street. at a gallop, making
turns here and there. but rending MAIN
Observation-Disclosures l;IEHNl
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