Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1900-04-04
CHAPTER X.-CoNT1NuED.


1t 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, l
jumped for the gold, swept it into my pock-
ct, and scizing Scammells cloak as | 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 to my 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
deserted "Oyster Battery" which had been
erected by the Americans exactly in the rear
of headquarters and on the edge of the Hud
son.
isbattery, grass-grown, dismantlcd, and
neglected as useless by the British, | knew
would be no permanent cover, but it's en-
bankments made temporary shield be.wixt
me and possible shot from the house had
my line of flight been discovered. 1t 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.
peared at the window had gone through
all others being seemingly deserted. j had
to thank the day for my good fortune, as the
Sabbath was a time for general relaxation
and were it not for that my chances would
have been next to naught. Few soldiers
were about, n corporal's 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 a steep bluff, at the bottom oi
which was narrow strip Of beach. Once on
the sands, i might run along screened from
those at a distance, but could easily be
headed and captured like fish in a purse
net. | 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
plunged, but soon slackened my pace to a
walk to avoid marked observation from
those who inhabited the shanties abound
ing throughout the ruins. j was fairly safe
for the present, and decided there to halt
and take stock in myself and circumstances
especially as l had no definite plans before
me.
It came to me that I was now doubly
damned-frst, as a spy; second, for doing
violence to the person of the highest func
tionary in America. was without means oi
escape from the city, and entirely unarmed
would be hunted like q 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 tool
little reflection to see the necessity for act
ing like desperate man.
! came, then, to this decision: would at
tempt return to the tavern, recover my
arms and the paper of instructions, the last o.
which might at least add weight to my as
sumed character and help me in forcing my
way through the lnes-a move that had be
come Imperative, and might be successful il
1 acted with dispatch. Then to the Dove
would go, and throw myself under the pro
lection of Stryker, whom, l had reason tc
believe, was one of the true men secret.
helping the patriot cause.
Of the brave girl to whom had sacri
feed the pass tan act l did not for mo
ment regret) thought much. Like me, she
was marked for destruction; like me, she
had now two virulent enemies, for coulC
not help believing that Mrs. Badely was al
the bottom of Clinton's desire to remove hcl
from field which threatened the social su
premacy and interests of that lady. / won
dered how she had Jared and in what drec
tion she had fed.
But I was in no position for long wonder
rnent Rising from my seat, walked on un
til l had reached point opposite Kine
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 NJ
the back stairs, marking only the frightened
looks of the two women who were cooking
In moment j gained my room. 1t was ir
a terrible state of confusion. Bloody bed
clothes strewed the floor. the mattress wa.
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, anc
likewise was gone the paper had counted
on. Ny arms. however, were unmolested
The ammunition had been swept from the
shelf to the floor in probable search fol
treasonable documents (which search also
accounted for the general disorder), but nc
part of it was missing, nor, barring the pa
per, had any of my personal property beer