The Hope pioneer., 1899-06-08

they were worse than foolhardy, as l knew
after second thinking, so l took it out in
watching and biding my time.
AS the days sped, had little or no fear
tor myself Lounsbury was probably we'll
under ground by this, for had heard moth
ing of him, and if the negro was a pris-
oner in hulk he might as well have been
in 4 tomb.
vi what was taking place in the world out
side l knew nothing save from rumor, and
lumor oft contradicted ITSELF The only
report seemingly sure was that Washington
had sat himself down on the Hudson lust
north of the Harlem (the very spot from
which he had been driven two years be-
fore), and was there awaiting the arrival of
the French fleet in order to strike blow.
And there he remained inactive, for the
French did arrive early in July, and, find
ing Howcs fleet drawn up to receive them,
but peered into the bay, and then turned
tail and sped away to Newport on the fruit
less mission of blockading that port.
In the seemingly open yet wholly secret
life led | made many frends--mostly pot
house companions-to whom l listened but
spoke little, fearing to be recognized as an
lmpostor. l kept both ears and eyes on
the alert the while, fighting SHY of broils,
yet holding the respect of the roughcst of
the camp oifscouring, owing to my size and
apparent strength. / even dared make a
map of the lower dcfenses of the city; but it
was SO disguised, SO crossed, and recrossed
in a manner clear only to myself that L
would have trusted it to the eye Of any of
them without fear of their coming by its
true nature.
This 1 did not to be idle, for nothing hap
rened in the way of military movement, or
even threatened to, for some weeks after
my arrival. BY then l was practically pris-
oner, tor without pass and clear state
ment of business l could not have gotten
beyond the lines, which now extended across
the island from the heights of Corears Hook
to the Hudson ION about the general line of
the present Grand street,
My wound healed in the space of two or
three weeks, but still kept the arm in
sling, using it in privacy that the muscles
might not weaken or stiffcn from lack of
exercise. The sling saved me from many
awkward questions, for when asked why
did not join the army or apply for berth in
the fleet, had but to point to it, gently mov-
ing the limb, and say: "Al in good time"
adding for weight that had no call 10 fur
thcr serve his majesty until he paid ire the
money had already earned.
But for the arm, backed perhaps by the
way my muscle filled out my coat sleeve, l
would have been pressed into The service
whether or not, and the sling being safe
guard let it bide.
| had taken quarters in the tavern of tn.
Kings Arms" on King street (now Pine
street,, near the Broadway, making tc1-ns
en- credit, an easy matter with my prize
money claim in my pocket Twas the gath
crng place for tories of the better sort, and
but little affected by the military, the dast.-
ing clement Of which favored Fraunce'p, on
Broad street.
But my time was not spent here. Twas
the "Bulls Head" on the Bowery Lane ION
the site of the old Bowery theater), snd
near the inner line of defenses, that saw
the most of me.
The spot was but step from hades. but
d great place for much coming and going and
hearing the news; and then twas near the
shipyard off which lay the Phantom. Never
day passed without one broil, and often
two or three, most of them ending in more
or less bloodshed, and one of them put o
stop to the life l was then leading.
l mind me it was on cloudy Saturday
forenoon early in August, though through
the wet in the air and the veiled heat every
pore oozed as if one had raced. There had
been but few about I was half doing un-
der locust in the tavern yard when be-
came conscious that two men had but just
settled themselves at a small table near me,
and was thoroughly wakcned by hearing the
name of "ScammelP' in connection with
some matter they had been discussing.
One was boysh-looking naval officer,
seated with his face toward me, the other
being in dress cross betwiXt soldier and
civilian. Like the officer, he wore a sword,
but | could see no more of him than the
broad Of his back.
Using but the tail of my eye, I mcrked
them begin game of cards for stakes, for
could hear the clash of coin, and after
hand or two he of the back spoke.
docs Clinton know the man."
"Nay, but he knows of him and what he
has done," was the answer. II was told
last night that he has been about. There's
something afoot outside, and he'll be need
ed. Ills wonder he has not turned up for
another job; Clinton is liberal with the
kings cash! I'll give you pound to find
him.
There was silence for moment or two
as the officer drew in a stake and dealt the
cards.
II wish could get fingers on this same
kings. cash." the unknown remarked.
Gard playing for shllings is small truck for
a man, and We have lad all the luck. Could
pass myself off, dye think, an do the
work instead O. the chap yer after?"
"Nay, you're no sailor, and have hut a
shady record for pluck"
''Then tits a sailor you want! As for
shades an records, It's but case O the pot
an kettle It's the way yc naval chaps |
have of robbing man of an honest living! |
Now I've lost time with We because | fan /
cied I scented cash. All last night won |
nothing save sore head for this morning. |
Come! yc but stave me off from the job. |
Play, then, for something save shllings and |
crowns an thin wine. Pm sick of it. III
ny ye the pound ye offered on the better O
three hands, an then quit, win or lose"
God knows I'm willing to quit" was the
return. I've played all night and am
tagged. III play you the pound for the
last" And the officer yawned as he tossed |
the cards to his opponent.
Now kncw this 20 be- nothng less than
the trick of backlcg. 10 lose on shillings
and win on pounds was n common prac.
tice with them, as it is to this day. The
officer must have been green not TO have
seen through it, but had little sympathy
for anyone wearing the scarlet, and, ip
truth, was interested in seeing how the
game would be played and possibly hearing
more OF Scamnrll.
Doubtless ! had been taken for drunk
IN dr0yel M sat with my chin on my Ches'
and my chair tilted against the tree; any
way, they gave me no notice,
mo wv coRT,NUUDl