The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-14
PERtLoUs VENTURE.
by ROSS.


1t; for 1t was indeed the most important AFFAIR
OF my life. Now In that camp-Tn confess
was u girl l once had made love to; before the
dissension divided us, before her brother was
killed In the baltic where I. too, was engaged.
Kate Essex ever held this against me-, as you
will see IL you follow me-. Well. she was with
Lady Harriet Aclnnd, the Majors wife. In
dcn. Burgoyne's camp. / had been taken
prisoner the day before tho great battle. 1
have, as you kno w, some experience as n sur
goon, which enabled mo to be Of small service
In looking after Gen. Burpoyne's wounded.
And In all that fight I was busted. prisoner as
1 was, but enrolled as n British surgeons as
sistant. l forgot that we wore fighting them,
as my friend Col. Kenneth forgot 1t when n
prisoner Mt Yorktown. l hardly noticed; that
Gen. Brrgoync was preparing for a retreat.
But first tho General was resolved to give
Gen. Fraser. who had died in tho night Of his
wounds. a fitting burial. The regiments were
mustered into n melancholy procession at sun
down. and the sounds Of mufflcd drums
mingled with the musketry and artillery along
the outposts.
A friendly sergeant put me where I could see
1t all. The chaplain led, with head uncovered.
the prayer book OF the Church of England in
his left hand, and / saw then the girl Two men
toned. Kate Essex, supporting a lady scarcely
older than herself. whom I surmised to be
Lady Harriet Acland. I was startled at sight
Other in that dismal surrounding.
Tho rcene, grim enough against the irregular
outline Of wooded hills. had sadder coloring
from tho soldiers, showing in all their appear.
ances the hard. discouraging ser yice Of tb- yes
tcrday; the officers with pale. serious, OF de-
termined faces; many limping or bandased.
The chaplain paused by the opening. Drums
gave their mufled refrain. and all was ready
for the service, never moro cxpressively simple.
Suddenly out OF the comparative stiffness
was the deafcning roar of artillery. A ball tore
the upturnod Garth at tho chaplain's feet, cast
ing dirt over his vestments, yet he kept on i'm
passively, as IL he were in a church. Several
persons fell.
The sergeant, who was still at my side, cried,
damn 'em! They'll not let us bury our GEN.
eral. Damn 'em!"
But suddenly the firing stopped. to be fol-
lowed by the booming Of a gun at minute inter
walls. adding to the solcmnity of the occasion.
do you see, Sergeant White, you are mis-
taken! Gen. Gates has found that, after all,
it's not movement of your troops!'' ! said ex-
ultantly.
The minute guns continued as the enemy's
tribute. Nor, l think, coulu anything be finer
from those who had known this brave man op-
posed to them, and who appreciated his quail
ties rs commander and gentleman and the sor-
row Of the soldiery and officers who had served
and fought and messed with him.
"Now, sergeant" 1 whispered again-for it
seemed sacriloge to speak too loudly at that
place in the silent moments between the guns
when was heard only the chaplain's voice
"Will you damn us!"
81 was wrong" said he, they're men,"
By time the box had been lowered 1t already
was dark; and in the retreat to the works lost
sight Of Kate Essex and Lady Harriet. I had
trembled for them in that rapid firing; for,
though the girl was prejudiced against me, I
felt / could wish her no hurt.
TIL meantime, many fires were lighted
rather more, I thought, at once than the camp
required; but I was not long in seeing that these
were feints TO cover retreat to Saratoga. Half
tho army were supperless-weariness and
despair Law on nearly every face; and yet, I
was amused to see two young officers, appar-
emily obivious. at cards by the freight, The
enemy's line had ceased firing. as If they still
were apoloRetic for the unseemly shots the
requiem Of minute guns had followed.
The ensign who had taken me brought an
order for me to report to Gen. Burgoyne.
I found him in a spot rather apart from the
preparations with Mr.. Brudcnell, the chaplain.
who just had said the service. Miss Essex and
Lady Harriet, who was speaking earnestly.
As I camo up with the little officer. Kate Essex
faced me with that same utter lack of recogni-
ton. but Gen. Burgoyno extended his hand.
NJ Sedley. I'll restore you the despatch you
brought from Gen. Washington to Gen. Arnold.
Here are all your papers,"
/ must have looked my amazement, for he ex-
planned bitterly, This Is unusual. and the
prisoner may become the friend. Lady Har-
riet Is insistcnt in going down tho river to the
enemy. where her husband, Major Acland, is
wounded. Mr.. Brudonell and Miss Essex are
for accompanying her. It's a dangerous at
tempt to make, I've told her. Into whose
hands she may fall is uncertain"
He paused. walking up and down.
Being an officer of Gen. Washington, you
can bring them into the camp more safely than
another. / have consented out of common
humanity"
But my foe. Kate Essex, interrupted. Gen.
Burgoype, I'd prefer not to have this man with
u.s."
tits necessary" Lady Harriet cried. "Will
you let prejudice stand In the wayi'
Leave me. then" cried the other passionate
ly. II prefer not to co.
II can't dear" Lady Harriet said. IT
won't; butt must get to my husband" she
added.
Here the chaplain interrupted with a bow to
me. II know Miss Essex has prejudice against
Mr.. Sedley's politics, In which, we must con-
iCbbp "o tl EhhiCp TIT
"Gen. Burgoyne." said I. stopping him, "I
thank you for your good offer-much. / would
wish to do any slight service l may"
The girl seemed silly.
You did us much kindness at Gen. Fraser's
bedside last night" said the General courte-
ously.
"Your Excelency. chance has brought about
some curious events" ! said, bending my head.
"You can do a service said the chaplain;
81 believe with Gen. Burgoyne.'
"f I may l will go gladly" l said. "And I
am sure that Miss Essex will grant me a priv.
lege."
81 despise your favor, as you, sir, she cried,
looking me full in the face, being with tho
rebels, when your family should have left you
loyal" This was woman left hysterical by the
roll OF the guns, / decided.
81 know; l expect nothing else. But it's no
| pleasure TO be In your camp, nor did l make
his chance ! said in a low voice TO her.
"Ah, Mr.. Sedley," Lady Harriet cried. Two
need you. My poor Kate. you must control