The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-06-25


Phil" interrupted the girl, step
ping into the room toward the leader.
what is that
And the sound increased. and
! blanched their faces One rushed TO
the window, peering out Their leader
looked about, like a hunted animal
His disappointment found utterance
iii an oath.
The general had risen. his hand on
his sword his voice calm.
My friends" said he, you took me
for fool, [ read your cunning mes
sage, and determined to investigate.
At the same time | told my orderly
out of hearing of the girl to have Maj
Seagrove follow with 100 or mole
troopers"
There We're cries outside; still the
hootfalls of running horses; steps on
the stairs. The fellows in the room
looked out the window. one by one,
and cursed. Only the leader, who
was better born, now kept his self
poise. The girl was clutching his
shoulder, sobbing. At the instant,
Maj. Seagrove, the liberated Capt.
Brinton, and some men were outlined
III the doorway
Your excellency is not hurt ?' Sea
| greve cried
Not a hair"
We have about fifteen prisoners
below. Three ran for it."
Nv ait" said the general; -four five
| here, counting the girl"
Suddenly she was kneeling, clinging
10 him, crying:
"Oh, Gen. Washington, he is my
husband; forgive him-forgive him !"
The general leaned toward her, for
as all attest he easily was influenced
by woman's tears or smiles.
Sect up, my girl, get up. He who
sends You on such an errand doesn't
| deserve You"
Il volunteered to 60" she sobbed
Seagrove and his troopers stared
from tEer position at the door. The
general was forced to push the girl
away. cambridge, the Tory leader,
stood almost proudly, his arms folded.
His three men gazed, fearsomely. ox
pectant.
| taYe it that Col. Ogden will not
catch the prince and the admiral, said
our chief, smiling
Il take it not" said cambridge, sui
lenly.
And you almost turned the tables
on me-"
IF it hadn't been for your excel
lency's cursed wit"
''Dandridge," the general interrupt
| ed sternly, your offense has been
against me, and | don't know but |
may Judge of it without military
court"
You mean?" began the other, his
voice husky, while the girl clung to
him.
The generals voice did not change
an infection.
Maj. Seagrove," he went on; you
man release yOur prisoners"
Your eXcellency," Seagrove remon
| strated.
You have heard" the chief said
calmly.
.What d'ye mean general" gasped
one of the men.
"lt means. my men, that you can
go-all of YOU"
And, why? asked cambridge.
Because you are beaten, he SAID,
speaking faster than his wont; be
cause the war is almost over; because
those Of you who have been strong
malcontents will suffer too much by
congressional action; and because. by
whatever means | can, | believe it
expedient to gain all the Tories / may
to the United States.
God bless your excellency. the
woman began.
God blesses man who is served by
a wife as this man cambridge by
you. said the general dryly.
You excellency, cambridge began,
| don't understand.
Possibly you don't the general
answered contemptuously.
But this you may believe, the other
went on almost humbly; your excel
lency is greater than King George
Humph, said Washington, have we
not declared and proven a paradox,
all men born free and equally Well,
goodnight, my friends. rs long
ride to Newburgh.
Seagrove had remained at the door,
having sent Capt. Brinton below
with the order to release the prison
erS.
Washington bent his head gravely
to the persons in the room.
The girl began:
Hurrah for Gen. Washington.
As he passed down the stairs, those
below, and his own troopers, took mp
the cry, Hurrah for Gen. Washington
and 1t echoed over the slopes that
April night, stirring with wonder
good folks III their beds
Seagrove rode close to the chief
Do you not see the people are ripe
for it? he ventured. Your action to,
night was exactly right.
The other was silent.
Have yOu not had Col Nicolas
letter, sir-from the army-who want
a strong central government
your excellency to be the head-king
Washington's voice held tremor
Seagrove, are you a fool too2 De
[
done?
Your excellency, its the best way
the only
| am glad, said the chief. interrupt
ing calmly, that | have some little
Judgment left to keep my own am
bition from betraying me, and my
friends. who are only indiscreet. from
being more than fools traitors.
Yon have refused You mean Sea
grove asked, his voice trembling now
, | have answered Col Nicola and hi:
; friends-of whom l take it You ar,
one, Maj. Seagroye-by letter calling
them TO their senses. For l, major