Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-04-06
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUED.
BY cHAUNcY G. HOTcHKIss

CHAPTER X.-CONTINUED
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
was in sight and there was not an instant to
lose in investigation. Releasing Clinton,
jumped for the gold, swept it into my peck
ct, and seizing Scammell's cloak as l 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.
This battery, grass-grown, dismantled, and
neglected as useless by the British, / knew
would be no permanent cover, but its en-
bankments made a temporary shield betwixt
me and "A possible shot from the house had
my line of fight been discovered. 1t was a
fair post for minutes observation and re-
Fiction, and, bounding through empty
embrasure, / lodged down, and then rails
ing my head above the edge of the works,
looked back.
To my establishment was not at once
pursued, though two or three figures ap-
peared at the window 1 had gone through,
all others being seemingly deserted. / 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, corporal's guard only being
before the house when L 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 steep bluff, at the bottom of
which was a narrow strip of beach. Once on
the sands, l might run along screened from
those at distance, but could easily be
headed and captured like fish in a purse
met. I 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 shcnties abound
ing throughout the ruins. was fairly safe
for the present, and decided there to halt
and take stock in myself and circumstances,
especially as had no definite plans before
me.
It came to me that I was now doubly
'damned-frst, as spy; second, for doing
violence to the person Of the highest func-
tionary in America. was without means of
escape from the city, and entirely unarmed.
il would be hunted like wolf, and with less
mercy from one quarter at least. In short,
Thought was then breathing free air, l was
an desperate straits, and, being so, it took
little reflection to see the necessity for act
ing like desperate man.
came, then, to this decision: would at
tempt a return to the tavern, recover my
avSl A1ov, v,Dfsv Sfr.,n holo - nj
which might at least add weight to my as
sumed character and help me in forcing my
way through the lines-a move that had be-
come imperative, and might be successful il
j acted with dispatch. Then to the Dove
would go, and 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
need the pass ian 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 could
not help believing that Mrs. Badely was al
the bottom Of Clinton's desire to remove he,
from a field which threatened the social su
premacy and interests of that lady. won
dered how she had Jared and in what direc
tien she had fed.
But l was in no position for long wonder
lment. Rising from my seat, walked on un
Til ! had reached point opposite Kins
street, then coming out into the Broadway
crossed it and got myself to the rear of the
ravern. The man who interfered with ms
NOW would be past praying for, but to m,
surprise l met with no opposition on pass
ing through the kitchen and bounding w
the back stairs, marking only the frightened
cooks of the two women who were cooking
In a moment gained my room. 1t was il
. terrible etate of confusion. Bloody bed
aclothes strewed the floor, the mattress wa'
ripped open, blood was upon the table
doubtless Sammell had been laid there
.onI, and the dust of plaster covered every
staing- Scammeli himself was gone, ant
likewise was gone the paper had counte.
ION. My arms, however, were unmolested
The ammunition bad been swept from tn
shelf to the floor in probable search ia
reasonable documents (which search ais
.aecounted for the general disorder), but n
tpart Of it was missing, nor, barring the pa
ipez, had any of my persssai property beei