The silver star., 1900-02-16

M6 ~ MI in Decem ber,
MWIlJEn H. !" 1914. That was
M<11JN the time W b n
SWDjI,H General jackson
'W came to New Or
leans to save city which was scarcely
less frightened than Washington had
been before the British burned it; for
fifty of the best ships of war of his
britannia majesty were standing to-
ward the city. They were bringing
English soldiers, who were mostly
veterans Of the wars fought in Europe
against Napoleon; men who had de-
fed defeat; who were Differed by
men Of strategy and experience.
These soldiers had seen us run at
Bladensburg, and had burned the
city OF Washington, Is you know, and
they despised us.
"M'sieur, General jackson will save
us, said mademoiselle, who was the
prettiest girl I, or any other man,
ever saw. Mademoiselle Marie de
Maur, the daughter of titled emigre,
Comte de Maur, had but sighting
opinion Of me "a simple New England
gentleman, captain of the poor
American artillery, as have said.
"And you'll fight now, Captain
John," she went on.
What will you care?" said /, no
doubt showing her too much of my
feeling.
you'll fight because you are a
man-not because O little girl down
here cares or not" She spoke very
good English, you know. And she
stamped her foot, and her eyes
flashed, and I was jealous of a hun.
dred fine young Louisianians.
Now one day shortly after this 1
was on leave, visiting my friend,
Major VALERIE. at his plantation; and
l was there for no other reason in
the world than that the Comte de
Maur's plantation was near by.
had not been singed enough by the
fire. And we were talking, after
breakfast-the two vallcres and /,
John Fairbank, of how weak our de-
fences were, with nothing at the
Balise, and only the poor little fort
Of Petites Coquilles.
We were rather gloomy. can as
sure you, when the little, thin mulatto
butler entered, trembling like an
aspen. 'The English!" he said,
1.-The English!"
We had hardly risen before we
heard them; they had stolen q march
on us. Some negro fishermen had
shown them the unused bayou, aud
here they were. . few miles below the
city. Thinking Of that, I remember
We were desperate, and I know Major
VALERIE looked about like hunted
fox. Imagine the scene, II You can,
Of that December day, 1914
The English officer who entered
was very courteous, and fine young
follow. at that. He was sorry. but he
must shut us up. for We wouldn't give
how General jackson had said that he
would give these Britishers a good
battle; and now this surprise might
take away his chance.
Yet we're Obliged" said the elder
Vallere, bowling, as only q gentleman
OF that family could, "for your offer of
paroles"
The English lieutenant bowed back
as courtsously. Upstairs they took
us, In their hurry; and the major and
we're put in one room together, for the
moment, I fancy. We should be
separated whom they had time, which
would be presently. Tho door closed; ;
we could hear the sentinel outside:
that was all.
"Well?" said VALERIE.
"Well?" said /.
II was thinking Of tho city," said
lie.
"We'd better act while there's con
FUSION" saidI.
Suddenly, he leaned forward, and
picked his sword from q table where
it had been left in the hurry Of our
capture. "I'm going to jump from
the window before they think of it,"
said he.
ITS too high by half" said 7.
"What's my ncck?"
''Eh, or minc?" said I, catching
his fine French enthusiasm In my
cooler head.
Hc was peering ont OF the window.
''Thsre's my SETTER" said he.
II was an odd remark in the light of
what follows. which l will tell you
about. The dog was fine animal Of
his kind, and ! love dogs rs well AZ
another man.
''In the confusion? Will you dare?"
said he, turning to me. ''But We must
get word to our general"
LET mo go frst." said I. but not
no eagerly-I have sail I have no
French blood. I was peering ont,
too, at the sollicrs--at . bAre.legged
Highlander.
'Au revoir" said my French
gentleman; and the window was wide.
aud he was through IL, bran,liahing
the sword, and was down on thom
liko . thunderbolt Of Jove. l thought
he might break = log, or his neck.
He did nothing Of the kind. but landed
straight, and was running and rushing
and waving hin sword; and there was
. rattle of muskotry--and 1 saw thcm
In red, waving limo at his heels.
But / had small time to reflect. Tho