The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-11-13

beadouarters Of the Tories, and l shall 10
.nrely be taken if try to go that way Of
WHY may not go by the upper road! IL
I am familiar with every foot OF the D.
y
"Young man." said Washington, W
stamping his foot in real or pretended s
anger, ''your duty is not to talk but TO .
obey" -
The Young preacher saw that all re- Il
monstrance would be in vain, and al
though he could not understand why d
he should not be left to select his own {
route, especially since he was to go !
through a country he knew thorough,
w. he only bowed his head anu
nromised to do his best. when am
I to go?" he inquired.
'Now. Just as soon as you can get
ready" ...,s
Just at dusk, dressed in citizens
clothing, and with the despatches
sewed inside the lining of his Sleeve
Young Montagnie was carried across
the river and started on his journey.
Even horse was denied him, but the
hard young Continental cared NIUE
for that, and all night long he kept
steadily on his way.
TT was about half an hour before sun
rise when he came near to Ramapo |
Pass. ''Mv time has come, he salo
to himself. eff can once get saieiy
through this place / have no fear OF
the rest of the way. But he was
more excited than he knew, ana ne
was breathing rapidly as he entered
the mass. He grasped his heavy
walking stick more tightly and glanced
about him. The passage between the
hills was becoming very narrow. De-
:, side the roadway there was only
5 narrow little strip Of land ana the
swift flowing stream that ran noisliy
on its way. The steep hilislaes ros1 I
abrupt and rocky. The damp, cooi
air of the early morning, the morse =,
the stream. the threatening cliifs ana
. bowlders. which might conceal some
of his enemies, all increased the nerV-
ous dread of the messenger, ana ne
ouickened his steps. Once through
his greatest danger would be passed:
clark, What was that lie
stonned and listened, and in mo-
ment he knew he had not be en- oe.
Of oo;vad He could hear the sound OF
os approaching horsemen, and tney Mei1
ny coming rapidly down the ROAD oehin'
n him. h;d;no
w Mace. and already had started &c
ng Climb the cliffs, when he caugh
he sirht of the approaching men and re
as oI;zad that he could not gain piac'
est Of concealment before they would p'
ps near enough to see him. Perhap
m tbev had already discovered MN
ed There was nothing left but to resum
at his place in the road walk On a !.
in though he neither feared nor suspec'
ed anything, and keep on as boid
in face as possible. But if his face wa
for hold. it was the only thing bold aoor
nd him. for his heart sank when ne sa
md the six men enter the pass, and brh
lid 49, ho,sas to a walk when they NJ
eri- ticed the stranger.
les He could see their faces now, al
EN- his alarm increased when he reco
the nized the leader as Richard omltl
we He had been at Goshen when a
was father. Claudius Smith, along WI
ent Gordon and De la Mar, haa oe'
lere hanged. Montagnie knew w'aa'
and desperado Claudius Smith had pee
at and what terror his gangof co"oo
and had been in Orange county ana aioi
,ere the borders of New Jersey. many
ton rrords had been offered for his ARE
anne and about year and a half before u
left time he had been captured at oys
q of Rov and taken to Goshen, where
was chained to the floor OF the
liel" and a strong guard placed over MN
men All his efforts to escape hao ceen
the vain. and with his two companions
had been hanged, as Montagnle Il
,lied self knew. for he had been IN Uosl
10 ON that very day. But Smitn
Richard had been avenging the oe
said 81 his father. and the poor wings
,oy." fiat region had been suffering NOR
INCH his hands than they had from
here father. These were inc .n
men that were passing rapidly through
mind of the messenger, ana 'n en-
ap- this desperate, Richard smith,
wdly nrcaching, and with him five me =.
, was desperate as he at his back.
he at Misunderstanding men they W
He orasped his walking stick
. firmly and tried to appear calm !;
cher. s.Good morrow, gentlemen,
Montagnie. - >.
ats to gruff word was the only =
Init each man was glancing sharp
?" him. Evidently they were suspic
e and hut, as they passed on, Mons a
breathed more easily. The danger
urther almost passed and in a mome'
panied would be beyond their sight. :.
com Rnt he was not to escape so e.
to him without turning his head ne
in the aware they had stopped ana
|, army watching him. The moment
some critical one. Would it never COL
ieneral an end
carcely 'sHold, stranger, caiieo ono
spoke men, 'tYou travel cary Gov
% said was nothing else to be done
IN hear waited their approach. They
gu. Is gathered about him, and he kn'
only hope lay in being calm.
eral," Eyes. he replied, s.and nei'n
Won late in your start.
, a very ..Whither might You DE POI
~ :~,orino his words.