Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-07-12
WITH TORY AND PATRIOT,
Nathan Strasberg's Mission.
BY WILLIAM MURRAY GRAYDON.
NopyTlshted, 1885. by VIM. Murray
Gr-ydOn)
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER III.
In which Nathan Meets an Old Enemy

Nathan's sudden disappearance indi-
sated that the bullet had struck him
rs Wei as his Steed, but such was not
me case. He knew the horse was shot
me instant the report rang out, and his
0OJect IN bobbing under was twO-fold:
70 escape the animals struggles and 10
ueCeiVe the dragon. Letting himself
NnK a few feet he dived still deeper,
Anu tnen swan beneath the surface to
"ard shore. In spite Of his clothes he
covered a good distance, and when lack
" oreatn forced him to the top he was
within ten yards Of the bank.
me Watehrul and Suspecting dragon
spled The lad at once. and announced his
uiScovery TO the rest of the party by d
sn0ut' as he picked Up the paddle and
QrOye the boat nearer. On coming with
IN the same range as before he sr3-ched
the musket from his dead or wounded
comrade, and again drew a bead on his
Intended victim.
Just az this point. when he was nearly
70 the shore. Nathan looked back and
saw the danger. He was all but eX-
hausted. and he knew that he had not
the ghost OF a chance 10 escape. He was
TOO weak even to dive, and for terrible
second or two, while his enemy made
sure OF his aim, he expected instant
death as he struggled fee5ly on.
But an undreamed Of deiiverance was
at hand. From the nearby edge OF the
bank, in front Of the lad came . flash
and report. He glanced in bewilder-
ment over his shoulder in time 10 see
the murderOuS Dragon toss up his arms
and pitch head first into the water TIE
body sank at once and the boat dTlJed
or IN pursuit of the dead horse.
Nathan swan TO shore, scarcely able
10 credit his good fortune, and no sooner
had he planted his trembling feet on the
bank than a Stalwart figure rose before
him out Of the gloom HeSsian with
bristling mUsJacheS, a blue and yellow
uniform, and a brass plate on his tai
black cap. He uttered a few angry
words in German as he started at the
dripping lad.
you saved my life" said Nathan,
who was quick to see how the land lay,
"and | thank you for il"
Zach. but 1 meant not to" the HesS.an
replied in broken English. Il tink YOU
vas a comrade whom l watch for. You
are American, Ell? And you escape
from the British"
YES" boldly admitted Nathan.
The Hessian hesit9ted a moment.
'YOu come nit me- he said. This no
safe place to stay"
Nathan was OF the same mind, and
he followed his strange companion NJ
the bank into the woods. while the
angry voices Of the British dragons
grew faint in the rear. As they went
along the Hessian explained that ne had
deserted that evening. and was to have
been joined by another man from MS
company. He had taken Nathan 70 l.
that expected comrade
Il viii look for Hans no longer" he
added. "He may be dead or captured. ~
why did he run away?" asked Ma
thaQ, who felt a thorough contempt for
-,ieSeFteF.-
The Hessian Mas not augered by the
question. IVY should 1 not?" ne re-
piled. Il hat no quarrel NIT the coo
nists. and like not TO fight init King
ShOrge for hire. In my native Anspach
I get leedle pay and poor food. l like
America. and / alretty spike the Ian
guage. Ach, is it not SOP"
Eyes. you'll do. assented Nathan.
"I spike it better soon. the HeSsian
added. "And now where YOU gO?'
ITO the American lines" Nathan an
swered. III take you there if YOU
wish"
'.Nein. nein," the man replied. shak-
ing his head vigorously. You general
viii make me fight, and l hat enough Of
it, You so your way, ind l 60 nit
mine "