Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-07-06

mlgnC nave maze Snlft TO get myself from
this sink Of heartless depravity, only my
gold still swung at the end of cable within
pistol shot of the shore, and none knew it,
Many night had lain awake Matching
schemes to get aboard and recover it, but
they were worse than foolhardy, as knew
after a second thinking, so l took it out in
watching and biding my time.
As the days sped, had little or no fear
for myself. Lounsbury was probably well
under ground by this, for had heard moth
ing of him, and if the negro was a pris-
oner in hulk he might as we'll have been
in tomb.
OF what was taking place in the world out.
side l knew nothing save from rumor, and
1umor oft contradicted itself. The only
report seemingly sure was that Washington
had sat himself down on the Hudson just
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 Howe's 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 friends-mostly pot
house companions-to whom I 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 toughest of
the camp otfscouring, owing to my size and
apparent strength. I even dared make a
map of the lower defenses of the city; but it
was SO disguised, so crossed, and recrossed
in manner clear only to myself that 1
would have trusted it to the eye of any of
them without fear of their coming by its
true nature.
This l did not to be idle, for nothing hap
pened in the way of military movement, or
even threatened to, for some weeks after
my arrival. By then was practically pris-
oner, for 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 Corlen-s 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 a
sling, using it in privacy that the muscles
might not weaken or stitfen from lack of
exercise. The sling saved me from many
| awkward questions, for when asked why l
did not join the army or apply for berth in
the fleet, had but to point to it, gently NOV
ing the limb, and say: CAL in good time"
adding for weight that had no call 10 fur
Their serve his majesty until he paid ne the
money l 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.
l had taken quarters in the tavern of tn.
''Kings Arms" on King street NOW Pine
street,, near the Broadway, making terms
en- credit, an easy matter with my prize
money claim in my pocket. Twas the gntA-
cring place for tories of the better sorS, snd
but little affected by the military, the dash
ing element of which favored Fraunce'a, on
Broad street.
But my time was not spent here. Twas
the Bulls Head" on the Bowery Lane I'm
the site of the old Bowery theater), and
near the inner line of defenses, that NV
the most of me.
The spot was but step from hades, bHt
Il 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 Q
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 yelled heat every
pore oozed as if one had raced There had
been but few about. 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 wakened by hearing the
name of "Scammell'' in connection with
some matter they had been discussing.
One was boyish-looking naval officer,
seated with his face toward me, the other
being in dress a 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, msrked
them begin game of cards for stakes, for l
could hear the clash of coin, and after
hand or two he of the back spoke.
Does 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. IT'S wonder he has not turned up for
another job; Clinton is liberal with the
kings cash! III give you a pound to find
him"
There was silence for moment or two
as the officer drew in stake and dealt the
cards.
Il wish I could get fingers on this same
kings cash" the unknown remarked.
Gard -playing for shillings 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 but
shady record for pluck"
Then It's a sailor you want! AS for
shades an records, It's but case O the pot
an kettle! It's the way We naval chaps
have of robbing man of an honest living!
Now I've lost time with We because l fan
cied I scented cash. All last night won
nothing save sore head for this morning.
Come! We but stave me off from the job.
Play, then, for something save shillings and
crowns an thin wine. I'm sick of it. I'll
lay 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 knew this 20 be nothing less than
the trick of blackleg. To lose on shillings
and win on pounds was 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, in
truth, was interested in seeing how the
game would be played and possibly hearing