Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-03-14

and SO continued holding him for perhaps
the space Of minute.
In the meantime the attacks on the door
were becoming more violent and even the
one through which Clinton had entered was
now being tried Mrs. Badely, who had been
unattended through the episode, suddenly
recovered her senses and lifted herself up.
right on the couch, when, seeing me appar-
emily strarging her lover, she set up
shrieking that must lave driven to despera.
ton those without.
1t was my final moment. Casting quick
look over the table for anything in the mat
ter of writing that might be used as pass,
been given me, but nothing else of service
lose in investigation. Releasing Clinton, l
jumped for the gold, swept it into my peck
ct, and selling Scammell's cloak as l went,
grasp of Mrs. Badely, who made bob at
she fastened to my clothing.
In less than a second l was over the rail,
and, landing on the turf, took to my heels,
deserted "Oyster Battery" which had been
SleCGSu ny Vic thIIleIlCduS exactly III lle rear
of headquarters and on the edge of the Hud-
son.
This battery, grass grown, dismantled, and
neglected as useless by the British, l knew
would be no permanent cover, but its en-
bankments made temporary shield betwixt
me and possible shot from the house had
my line of flight been discovered. 1t was a
fair post for minutes observation and re-
Election, and, bounding through an empty
embrasure, ! lodged down, and then rails
ing my head above the edge of the works,
looked back.
To my establishment l was not at once
pursued, though two or three figures APP.
peared at the window had gone through,
all others being seemingly deserted. had
to thank the day for my good fortune, as the
Sabbath was time for general relaxation,
and were it not for that my chances would
have been next to naught. Few soldiers
were about, corporal's guard only being
before the house when l entered it, but that
there would soon be wild confusion and a
general turning out had small doubts.
The banks of the Hudson at this point
terminated in steep bluff, at the bottom of
which was narrow strip of beach. Once on
the sands, might run along screened from
tuose ~ ulStdllce, Dut couiu easily De
headed and captured like fish in purse
net. took the risk, however, and sliding
down the steep, sped northward for some
ways, coming to the top undiscovered and at
the edge of the burned district
Into this wilderness of destruction
plunged, but soon slackened my pace to a
walk to avoid marked observation from
those who inhabited the shanties abound
ing throughout the ruins. was fairly safe
for the present, and decided there to halt
and take stock in myself and circumstances,
especially as / had no definite plans before
me.
1t came to me that was now doubly
damned-frst, as spy; second, for doing
violence to the person of the highest func.
tionary in America. was without means OF
escape from the city, and entirely unarmed
would be hunted like wolf, and with less
mercy from one quarter at least. In short
though l was then breathing free air, l was
in desperate straits, and being so, it took
little reflection to see the necessity for act
ing like desperate man.
/ came, then, to this decision: / would at.
tempt return to the tavern, recover my
arms and the paper constructions, thelast Of
which might at least add weight to my az