Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-03-29

which il speaking well for him, as stood
three inches above six feet, unshod. BY
weight and Drawn well overmatched him
las did most men), especially in the latter
quality of physique; but he made typical
dragon officer, and would be formidable
antagonist in any field
l might hope for little mercy if ever fell
into the power of this man, for mercy was
quality which, strained or unstrained, he
and his fellows had naught to do with. This
made sure of on getting into the cabin,
where in course of conversation it turned
out that he was captain in De Lancy's
Loyal Legion, body of tory cavalry half
freebooters and half in the regular service.
had heard of them, as who has not? Be.
twixt New York and Philadelphia and the
country surrounding both places they were
terror, the malignancy equaling if not
surprising the rapacity of Tryon himself.
1 itched to get my fingers on him then and
there, that there might be one less blood
sucker above ground, but policy held me from
committing an act which probably would
have at once wrought ruin to my plans and
left my poor mother without son. was,
therefore, bound to treat him with civility,
which ! did when word to him was neces-
sary, but fancy we each knew the other
was but skipping over the thin ice of polite
ness.
Being, as it were, in the enemy's lines,
followed the bent of the lieutenant, and
laughed loudly and long over the puzzle.
ment las he called it) into which the Phan.
tom had led them. l drank to the king and
damned the rebels; told story of being
free lance under elastic instructions from
Sir Henry Clinton, and how l had taken
the vessel by killing Captain Thorndyke and
besting the crew. In short, put myself
into my mates former place as nearly as was
possible, following his coarse manner and
uncouth language, exhibiting the rough and
ready character befitting fellow of his
breeding.
But, beyond Sir Henry's signature, never
line did show them or tell the nature of
my orders; and that for the best reasons, for
knew little of the business myself, not hav-
ing had the opportunity to more than scan
the papers had taken from the body.
The regular clearance discovered the
schooner to be Yankee trader. There was
Yankee sailor captured and Yankee cap.
tain dead, and why should there be suspi-
cions?-and there were none in the mind Of
the lieutenant; but of his friend, the dra-
geon, who had come aboard for bit of dan
serous play tsnd had nigh achieved his
wish), / was not SO sure.
In my turn at questioning I found that the
enemy was the Sprite, m American capture,
refitted and renamed. one of the last Of
Howe's asst az Bloomsbury had surmised),
bearing two passengers beside her usual com.
plement Of mon, and bound for New York
to meet General Clinton, chen on his over
land trip from Philadelphia to that city.
Now we had been sitting below for upward
Of an hour, drinking my rum and making
game of the rebels on land and sea Though
once, when spoke of John Paul Jones, /
saw / was on dangerous ground, and Delayed
my tongue, oursing the liquor for having
loosed it), when the companion way was
darkened by marine, who, jerking sa-
lutte, said, with scarcely controlled grin:
I'VE have another prisoner, SIR"
"Anotherl" exclaimed the lieutenant,
starting up and giving me stern look.
whats the meaning Of this, Lounsbury!
Are you dealing fairly?"
I was as surprised a. he, and had no an
swer to make, but before my confusion be.
came manifest the marine again spoke.
IT'S the dead man come to life, sir. We
were flushing him an the deck, an twas the
water as fetohsd him, sir"
"Glad am 'tis no WORSE" said the officer
with laugh. II feared / smsllsd triok.