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

sulHeu eHdfhtt Vr ana Help me !; tlTc'ng my
way through the lines-a move that had be-
come imperative, and might be successful If
acted with dispatch. Then to the Dove
would go, and throw myself under the pro-
lection of Stryker, whom, had reason to
believe, was one of the true men secretly
helping the patriot cause.
OF the brave girl to whom 1 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's desire to remove her
from field which threatened the social su-
premacy and interests of that lady. won
dered how she had Jared and in what direc
ton she had fled.
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 l 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 a moment gained my room. 1t was in
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 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. / felt new strength
Us fastened on my sword and stuffed the
pistols in my belt, and, taking my rifle, l
went out, the way had gone in, and still
without opposition.
And still without opposition or Interrupt
ton ! regained the burned district 1t had
been miracle, but was now no better off
than before, save that l was armed and
commanded the lives of at least three men
when the attempt should be made to take
me.
was aware that the wilderness of black
ened walls and charred timber which
seemed such 4 haven at present, would be
about the first region over which an or
ganized search would be prosecuted The
very unlikellhood 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 avaied me much, as
my unusual size would have made disguise
of little more than temporary benefit. NV
line of flight, which might easily be traced
along the sands of the strip of beach, point
ed plainly toward the region which l was
now traversng, and to remain in its vicin-
ity was tantamount to placing myself with
in easy reach of my pursuers. ! had but one
expedient, and that to elude capture until
nightfall by placing myself where there was
the least liability of search, and, under
cover of darkness, boldly attempting to force
the lines at spot remote from the regular
roads of travel.
To this end bethought me of taking to
water, and by swimming outhank the de-
lenses; but soon realized that the banks of
either river would be doubly guarded by
sentinels and patrol boats, though, aside
from the risk, gave over the idea, as the at
tempt would necessitate my complete dis
arming.
Turning northward, therefore, 1 kept
within the limits of the black desolation un.
til reached its upper termination. Leaving
it behind, cut through the grounds Of
Kings college, walking with apparent care.
lessness, then on to the hospital, through it's
confines, and still onward over garden or
two nd E,1J L -,
edge of Lispenard's Meadows.
dared not trust myself to its broad open;
l could have been too easily marked from
distance, so l turned me toward the Hud-
son, keeping the while close to the shrubbery
which defined the meadows limits and
finally took refuge under chestnut tree,
though ere long was up it and as far toward
its top as burst venture
Years after looked in vain for this tree.
but it had fallen under the ak, as fell ali
the heavy timber on the island during the
terrible winter of 1880.
l was now wet through. The cloak
had continued to wear to prevent easy iden-
LITIGATION, together with the reeking wealth.
er and the showers of water which had
poured from the wet leaves, had saturated
me, and was anything save comfortable as
sat astride bough and waited for the day
to end.
1t was something after five o'clock, but as
yet had discovered no signs of pursuit in
my direction. To beguile the time, Ireload-
ed my rifle and pistols, though laid more
reliance on my strength of arm and hard
ness of fist to overcome single guard than
l did on firearms. The great wet meadow
stretched before me like green sea, broken
only by the clump of trees which was to
have been my dueling ground on the NOR
row, and the sluggish brook taking its rise
from the Collect, cutting in twain length
wise and draining the plain which had once
been dangerous and misunderstanding
quagmire. The thunderstorm had passed,
but the sky was yet heavily overcast, prom
Using dark, wet night (Which suited my
purpose), and by the time the sun set and
! swung myself from my lofty perch the rain
was coming down, not in torrents, but with