The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-09-18
THE CAPTAINS THREE.

From the New York Post.

His Excellency General Washington
having intrusted me with important
dispatches for my lord the Marquis de
Lafayette, then in Virginia facing the
troops OF Lord CORVALLIS, l set of
post-haste on Bess, than whom
braver, better mare never existed. His
Excellency having especially desired
me to make all haste and to avoid
danger, / pressed onward at the best
pace Bess could make in view of the
four days journey before her, and took
what care / could to avoid meeting
any of the marauding bands of that
traitor, General Arnold. Alas, that
brave man and good soldier should
do a thing so base! He was then
burning and destroying what property
he could, many of the houses being
those of men who were once his great
est friends, and now, viciously l
thought, was he carrying on his work
of destruction. OF the men of his COM
mand l had wholesome fear for
news had reached us that the General
was detested by the British officers
for his treachery and was allowed to
command only the riff-raff OF the
army-men who feared not to cut
throat or rob purse of any they met.
For three days Bess and 1 had made
good progress, and looked forward to
striking the outposts of Lafayette's
little army on the following evening
should fortune favor my finding them
where l expected. Little did l sur
mise what Fate had in store for me-
that which / would not readily face
again, and much of which l might but
for the impetuosity of youth have then
avoided.
II was on the evening of the third day
Of my journey that 1 made the first
to see my dearm m NIB mbmbmmm
mistake (for so-called / it for many
years afterwards, chiefly will confess
to see my dear wife pout, which she
does most prettily). Bess and l were
tired and usty, for the day was hot
and the roads heavy, and the inn was
seeking was still miles away. On de-
scending a hill, l saw near the foot
road branching almost at right angles
to the turnpike, and, though overgrown
with weeds. still showing fresh signs
of a wagons broad tires. Where
wagon might go Bess and may follow,
thought |, and / turned her into the
lane, glad to escape the dust and heat,
under the cool foliage. and eager for
signs of a house where Bess and l
might have food and rest.
For a mile or so we logged steadily
onward, when in crossing a small brook
Bess slipped and nearly threw me, and
then, though / urged l fear somewhat
roughly, for my anger was quick to
rise, would she not mount the bank.
Therefore, must l perforce dismount
into water to my knees, whereupon l
found her left fore leg badly sprained,
and she all a-tremble with the pain.
With my help she got up the bank, and
! led her on slowly as must be with
her injury. And so we had traversed
half mile when the merry bark of
dog reached my ears and halted me.
Had Bess been sound l would have
taken to the woods to find out whether
friend or foe was there in front; but
Bess with her injured leg could not
scramble through the forest, so I re-
solved to go forward and brave the risk
in the hope of getting aid for her.
Cautiously we advanced until, turn
ing a sharp corner of the road, I saw
some little distanceahead a maid romp-
ing with a dog and laughing at the
dogs frantic efforts to snatch from her
hand a white kerchief which she fiaunt-
ed in his face. So artfully did she ad-
vance and retreat, and so skillfully did
she wave the kerchief just out Of reach
of his jaws, that the dog after ccntin-
ued efforts to reach it lay sulkily down
at her feet. IT was then she turned
and faced me, who had come close upon
her. Her laughter died away in a
scream, and then she laughed again,
and bowed with what grace could.
"Be not afraid, mistress" said 1.
"Nay, l am not that" she cried; II
was but startled. l thought you were
an enemy"
None could be an enemy of thine"
said l gallantly, for her sweet face.
with its framework of golden hair, had
set my heart flutter.
She blushed a rosy red, and l, to ease
her embarrassment asked if she could
direct me to an inn, where / might OBJ
tain lodging for myself and horse
There is no inn but is held by Ar
mold and his men," she said; "but if
you can put up with such hospitality
as my aunt can furnish, you will be
welcome"
/ thanked her as we'll as could, for
the distracting beauty of her face no
man could well resist.
She blushed as she saw my evident
admiration. shall we go to the house?"
! bowed.
Take they hors, and come then"
she cried.
/ turned, and to my surprise Bess
was gone. / ran to the turn OF the
road; she was not in sight, and back
again I went, wondering. The maid
laughed long and joyfully.
"A nice soldier you are," cried she,
ito allow your horse to be stolen from
under your nose. Come, will find him
for you" and she led me into a small
wood, where the underbrush grew
thickly. We pushed our way through
for some 20 feet, and to my surprise
came out upon a well-kept road lead
ing to a stately mansion, and there
was Bess, being led along by the dog,
her bride rein having fallen over her
head.
"Gyp leads my pony that way" cried
the maid, and, talking and laughing,
we walked to the house.
dressed me quickly for dinner, for
the young stomach brooks but little
delay, and was downstairs in the big,
somber drawing room some minutes