The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1900-02-22
CHAPTER x.-CoNrrxurD.


look over the table for anything in the mat.
ter Of writing that might be used as pass,
my eye spicd the rolls Of money which had
been given me- but nothing else Of service
was IN sight and there was not an instant 10
lose IN investigation. Releasing Clinton,
jumped tor the gold, swept Il into my peck.
ct, and sizing Scammell's cloak as ] went.
ran 10 the window, barely cyading the
grasp Of Mrs. Badcly. who made @ bob at
me and would have hung like lccch had
she fastened 10 my clothing
in less than second was over the rail,
and, landing on the turf. took to my heels,
pointing myscli 10 the carthworks Of the
deserted "Oyster Battery" which had been
erected by the Americans exactly In the rear
Of headquarters and on the edge OF the llud-
tJu.
This battery, grass grown. dismnntled. and
neglected as useless by the British, | knew
would be no permanent cover, but It's em.
baukmcnts made a temporary shield bctwxt
me and a possible sho, from the house had
my line Of flight been discovered. II was
far post Tor a minutes observation and re-
Election, and, bounding through an empty
cmhrasurc, ! lodged down, and then rais
ing my head above the edge Of the works,
looked back
To my as,onishment was not at once
pursued, though two or three figures ap
p,lrri ut the window ! had gone through,
all others being seemingly deserted. had
10 thank the dag for my good fortune, az the
Sabbath was a time for general relaxation,
and were It not lor that my chances would
have been next to naught. Few soldiers
were about. corporal's guard only being
before the house when / entered II, but that
there would soon be wild confusion and a
general turning out had small doubts.
The banks Of the Hudson at this poin.
terminated in a steep bluff. at the bottom Of
which was q narrow strip Of beach Once on
the sands, might run along screened from
those at distance, but could easily be
headed and captured like fish in a purse
net. took the risk, however, and sliding
down the steep, sped nortbward for some
ways. coming TO the top undiscovered and at
the edge Of the burned district.
Into this wilderness Of destruction
plunged. but soou slaekened my pace 10 4
walk TO avoid marked observation from
those who inhabited the shanties abound.
ing throughout the ruins. | was fairly safe
Tor the present, and decided there to halt
and take stock in myself and circumstances,
especially as ! had no definite plans before
ne.
Il came 10 me that was now doubly
damned-iirat, as a spy; second. for doing
violence to the person OF the highest func.
tiouary In America. was without means Of
escape from the city, and entirely unarrpsd
! would be hunted like a wolf, aud with less
.-.erey from one quarter at least. In short,
though | was then breathing free air, was
10 desperate straits. and, being 20, it took
little reflection to zee tho necessity for act.
ing like desperate man.
cane, then. TO this decision: would At.
tempt return to the tavern. recover my
arms aud the paper ofinstructions, the las, Of
which might at least add wright to my as.
sumed character and help me In forcing my
way through the lines-e move that had be.
come imperative. aud might be successful II
! acted with dispatch. Then to the Dove
would so. aud 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 / had sacri
feed the pass tan act ] did not for a no.
ment rcEretl thought much. Like me, che
was marked for destruction; like me, ale
had now two virulent enemies, for ! could
not help believing that Mrs. Badely was at
the bottom Of Clintcna desire 20 remove Der
from field which threatened the social su.
premacy and interests Of that lady won.
dered how shs had Jared and in what direc.
ton she had 6ed.
But Twas IN no position for long wonder.
ment. Rising from my seat. walked on un.
Had HI .ss.a
street, then coming out into the Broadway,
crossed il and got myself u 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 sp
the back stairs, marking only the frightened
looks Of the two women who were cooking.
In moment gained my room. II was ia
q terrible state Of confusion. Bloody bed.
clothes strcwed the floor, the mattress was
ripped open, blood was upon the table
(doabtless seammell had been laid there.
on), and tbs dust OF plaster covered every.
thing. ScAmmen himself was gone, and
likewise was gone the paper bad counted
on. My arms, however, were unmolesled
The ammunition had been swept from the
shelf 10 the floor In probable search for
reasonable documents (which search also
accounted for the general disordeF), but no
part Of II was missing. nor. barring the pa.
per. had any Of my personal property been
taken from the room. ] felt new strength
a. l fastened on my sword and stuffed tho
pistols In my belt, aud, taking my rife.
went out, the way ! had gone In, and still
without opposition.
And still wishou. opposition or interrup-
tion ] regained the burned district. II had
been . miracle. but was nov no better OF
than before. save that ] vas armed and
commanded the lives Of al leas. thrse men
when the attempt should he made 10 take
the.
! was aware that The wilderness Of black
ened walls and charred timber, which
secmsd such haven at present, would be
about the first region oves which an or.
sanixed search wouId be prosecuted. The
very uniikelihood Of my returning 10 ths
tavern bad made ID possible for me 10 enter,
regain my arms and leave anmclestsd. while
the darkest holes al the city would be thor
suxhly secured. and that az once. To bur
fas Into 4 srcvics In this Geld Of desoIafion
might be possible. hut Il would end In
starvation ard final discovery. To dIaguin