The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-02

taken on 1OraglnS eApeullioH III NS0.
chester. The capture of himself ana MS
comrades, this Mordaunt states particu
Iarly, was his own fault. his escape
was little less than remarkable, and VIII
leave him to state it in his own words
The narrative, you will notice, begins
rather abruptly.
The little town of gabled roofs broke
at last on my wearied sense, as the
guard troops brought us in, like scene
in n pIay | had once seen in Philadelphia
as if should turn from it to town OF
the Canadas, though this was all unlike;
n Dutch town. indeed, with marks put
ON it of long English occupation. as
we fell among the kings relocated sol
diery.
I wanted. weary as l was, to say IA
word to nv poor comrades, but l was
not permitted it: and / accused myself,
whose sorry rashness-for l had urged
the expedition-had brought them to this
plight of prisoners Of war. But L had no
jaiI. where l was given a comfortable
huiIding which proved an dmprovlsed
Jail. where 1 was give an comfortable
soom, the circumstances being considered.
where at once ] fell asleep
I do not know how long / slept, when
/ was Weakened by sunshine streaming
through barred window, and ins1stent
tones in my ears. A sergeant stood
there. directing man with my break
fast. ate heartily, forgetting all my
misfortune.
And this was the beginning of many
days.
At last one day, long past sunset, heard
a considerable commotion outside. My
barred window showed nothing against
the gathering dusk, though looking out
into a street-it was little side street.
But the commotion continued. Present
" I heard steps in the corridor, and the
bolts drawn, when my gaOler sergeant ap-
reared with two soldiers supporting Il
Young man in a lieutenats uniform, from
whose pale face / saw at once that he
was drunk.
~sThe house is filled, and we shall have
to put him in with you," the sergeant
said, the others supporting him to the bed,
where he sank down.
ssWhy don't | hear from Sir Henry
Clinton?'' / asked like peevish fool, as
if the sergeant should know. Il expect
parole, at least"
He shrugged his shoulders and went
ont, and closed the door and l heard the
fading footballs.
Why. indeed, wasn't some action TAX
en- in my case? / had been now prison
er near a week.
The fellow ON the bed breathed heavl-
IL. He wore the uniform of a line regl-
ment. and had young, gentle face.
rather worn with dissipation. l do not
~; hot
noises preceding his appearance. Watch
ing his hard breathing, suddenly wish
ed that l had his uniform, though l did
not think why. The thought was like
an inspiration. For what if the door had
been left unbolted? OF course it were
impossible it should have been? And yet
I had not heard the rasping of the bolt
against its socket. And | tried it. W'il
you believe me, that door swung back,
and was looking into the corridor.
Quickly l closed it and went back to
the hard breathing figure on the bed.
For a moment in the pickering hight
I had lit my candle-I watched his face,
which reminded me of my own. Finally.
having the courage Of my purpose, |
shook him roughly, but he did not SO
much as stir. So l began to pull off his
coat, his stock, his waistcoat Still he
was unconscious, till he startled me by
opening his eyes.
"What?' he asked, huskily. And then
he rolled over on his side in stupor. leav-
ing me the possessor Of the uniform. The
color Of my breeches would not be OBJ
served. I decided; and I had on his
waistcoat. coat and stock. l saw that
some regimental disorder had been in
the town, necessitating the use of my
gaol as guardhouse.
Now 1 went to the door and opened it,
and was in the dusky corridor. Down its
length 1 tiptoed, no one hindering, and
then / was at an outer door.
Here the risk must be taken, and /
hurried, opening the door. The fresh
air struck my face and a sleepy senti-
mel, musket on shoulder, turned about,
staring l did not hesitate for mo-
ment, but, summoning all my sang
froid, closed the door, as if my appear
ance were Of course.
"Tll report you for a sleepy knave,"
said, facing him. If my voice were
strange he did not notice it, but only
saluted as if all were the matter Of
course.
/ can't account for that lax discipline
now; but l suppose he thought me some
officer, and my authoritative word did
not leave him the sense to inquire. AT
least he let me pass on; and l turned,
without further word, into a little de-
serted street.
I did not know what I now should do.
Presently, before me, l saw one coming
with a swinging lantern-a short, squat
figure of a man. ! thought to turn back,
but, not daring, kept on. AS he ap-
preached 1 held myself erect, and so
passed into the lantern light, which
fiickered, for the night was gusty, New
York being exposed on all sides to
stretches or violent wind. He, it seems,
was peering about, for he saw me only
to stop. l did not run, for l did not
know where.
The other said:
Capt. Mordaunt."
You're mistaken" / began.
STOP" said he. Come, turn back!
You can't get away.
] hesitated for a moment. l looked up
and down. and the wind mOaned
chorus to my thoughts; and yet, after a
week in cell, it brought the sweetness
OF freedom. 1t sang that word in my
ears, it put my pulse to beating. The
chance should not present itselft in vain,
said / then. 1 shouldn't be stopped by
this fellow, whoever he might be. Twas
a question, at the most, Of man to man;
and for his compact, powerful figure, l
held that my legs were good; and the