Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-08-02
copyright, 1897, by D. Appleton & Co All
:. rights reserved a.
CHAPTER X.-CoNr1Nsur1D.
BY CHAUNCY G. HOTChKIsS

rights reserved] ~
:, ','' CHAPTER X.-CoEr1ruED.
T.: It was my final moment. Casting a quick
look over the table for anything in the mat
ter of writing that might be used as pass,
my eye spied the rolls of money which had
been given me, but nothing else of service
was in sight and there was not an instant to
lose in investigation. Releasing Clinton, I
jumped for the gold, swept it into my peck
ct, and selling Scammell's cloak as I went,
ran to the window, barely evading the
grasp of Mrs. Badely, who made bob at
me and would have hung like leech had
she fastened tony clothing.
In less than a second was over the rail,
and, landing on the turf, took to my heels,
pointing myself to the earthworks of the
erected by the Americans exactly in the rear
of headquarters and on the edge of the Hud-
con.
This battery, grass-srown, disnantlcd, and
neglected as useless by the British, I knew
would be no permanent cover, but it's en-
bankments made temporary shield betwixt
me and possible shot from the house had
my line of fight been discovered. It 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 astonishment was not at once
pursued, though two or three figures ap-
pearcd 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, a corporaPs guard only being
before the house when 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
those at a distance, but could easily be
headed and captured like fish in a purse
net. I 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 l
plunged, but soon slackened my pace to
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 I had no definite plans before
me.
1t came to me that was now doubly
damned-hrst, as spy; second, for doing
violence to the person of the highest func-
tionary in America. I 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 was then breathing free air, 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 a return to the tavern, recover my
arms and the paper constructions, thelast OF
which might at least add weight to my as
sumed character and help me in forcing my
way through the lines-a move that had be-
Iaacted with. dispatch. Then to the Dove I
would 60, and throw myself under the pro-
lection of Stryker, whom, I had reason to
believe, was one of the true men secretly
helping the patriot cause.
Of the brave girl to whom had sacrl-
feed the pass ian act did not for mo-
ment regret) thought much. Like me, she
was marked for destruction; like me, she
had now two virulent enemies, for I could
not help believing that Mrs. Badely was at
the bottom Of Clinton desire to remove her
from a field which threatened the social SUI
premacy and interests of that lady. Won
dered how she had Jared and in what direc-
ton she had fed.
But was in no position for long wonder
ment Rising from my seat, I walked on I'M
til had reached point opposite King
street, then coming out into the Broadway,
crossed it and got myself to the rear of the
tavern. The man who interfered with me
now would be past praying for, but to my
surprise met with no opposition on pass
ing through the kitchen and bounding up
the back stairs, marking only the frightened
looks of the two women who were cooking.
In moment gained my room. It was in
a terrible state of confusion, Bloody bed
clothes strewed the floor, the mattress was
ripped open, blood was upon the table
doubtless Scammell had been laid there
on), and the dust of plaster covered every
thing. Scammell himself was gone, and
likewise was gone the paper I had counted
on. My arms, however, were unmolested.
The ammunition had been swept from the
shelf to the floor in probable search for
reasonable documents (Which search also
accounted for the general disorder), but no
part of it was missing, nor, barring the pa
per, had any of my personal property been
taken from the room. I felt new strength
as L fastened on my sword and stuffed the
pistols in my belt, and, taking my rifle, 1
went out, the way had gone in, and still
without opposition.
And still without opposition or Interrupt
ton regained the burned district. = It had
been miracle, but was now no better off
than before, saye5that was armed and
commanded the lives of at least three men
when the attempt should be made to take
me. :, $8 s$= FFsS " z@f u 8 re- n
Twas aware that the wilderness of black
ened walls and charred timber, which
seemed such a haven at present, would be
about the first region over which an or
gained search would be prosecuted The
very unlikelihood of my returning to the
tavern had made it possible for me to enter,
regain my arms and leave unmolested, while
! the darkest holes Of the city would be thor
oughly secured, and that at once. To bur-
row into crevice in this field Of desolation
might be possible, but it would end in
starvation and final discovery. To disguise
myself was not possible, nor, had the
means, would it have availed me much, as
my unusual size would have made disguise
aofflittle more than temporary benefit. Ny.
line of flight, which might easily be traced
along the sands Of the strip of beach, point
led plainly toward the region which / was