Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-03-16
copyright, 1897. by D. Appleton & Co. All
rights reserved
CHAPTER YI.LCoNrrNuEp.
By CHAUNcY c. HoTCHKISS

1t might have been pleasant for Sir Henry
TO look from his south windows over the
grand Battery, the bay, and the feet be-
yond, but I take it he little cared for the
view east, with it's black desert of devasta-
ton, or to see in the Bowling Green, right
beneath his knightly nose, the hacked pedes-
tai that had but lately borne the desecrated
statue of his majesty of England.
But notwithstanding it's isolation twas
fine mansion, this Kennedy house, it
was called, and well fitted in it's interior for
the uses to which it was put Broad halls
and large rooms furnished ample space for
the brilliancy usually gathered there, but
to-day it was comparatively deserted.
Had / been alone L should have had in
finite trouble in getting in at all, but Belden
soon opened way past the guards at the
door, only to meet disappointment IN the
end, for Sir Henry was at dinner, and, as
was his wont, would let nothing short of a
tebel invasion prevent its slow completion.
He sent word that he would see Capt.
Lounsbury in private at three o'clock on the
morrow, and also sent sealed paper bear
ing my assumed name, which l was request
ed to read against my return.
AS I was primed and cooked for action,
his characteristic delay chafed me, and
unknown to him, came nigh to putting
mighty spoke in my wheel.
However, there was nothing for me to
do but wait, though with the possibilities of
q duel on my hands and my coming inter-
view with Clinton, had cen enough to oc-
cupy my mind and save time from dragging
My instructions, too, were to be read, and
giving good-day to Belden, set off up the
Broadway, determined to both walk off a
growing nervousness and seek quiet spot
in which to con my paper.
No house should hold me in such swelter-
ing weather, on past the Fields with its
cutlaying barracks / went, to where the
Broadway dwind1ed to a mere cart track,
and finally ended in a cow pasture closed
by pair of bars.
Twas the edge of Lepner's Meadows, and,
with the view of planning the details of my
intended battle, / made my way to the
clump of trees near it's center, where,
throwing myself on the close turf, broke
the seal of the papers.
The contents made me start as even q shot
near my ear would fail to have done. The
matter was short, and ran thus:
@In the name of his majesty George III,
Nf England, etc. You are by me instructed
and ordered. Take five men of your own
selection and man the schooner Phantom,
captured by you while sailing against the
Interests of his majesty. With this vessel
you will repair to Gen. Pigot, at Newport,
II. l., with dispatches and instructions to
be given you. Newport now being invested
by the French and the rebellious subjects of
his majesty, you will enter the harbor of
Newport under the guise and flag of the re-
bellious colonies, bearing out the deception
to the extent of casting away the vessel on
the coast of Rhode Island, or in any other
way reaching or putting yourself into COM
munication with Gen. Pigot. You are to
make requisition on the commissary de-
partment for such stores and supplies as
you may deem necessary, and report to me
f-r- ElLxfh md ms N hn
completion of arrangements, which shall
mot be later than ten days from date"
This paper was undated, unsigned, and
showed hurried construction. saw at once
that it was given me to test my willingness to
undertake the adventure. 1t was to be but
a dispatch-bearing mission, with spying as
n side issue, unless modified in some manner
by the secret instructions referred to. But
should these prove demand to kidnap or
even assassinate Washington himself, I
would be found ready to undertake the task
on any terms, so great had become my desire
to leave the city.
Five men I could easily get, though not a
soul knew who could help me carry out
the scheme that leaped to my brain on the
first perusal of the paper. Yet even alone
would undertake to bring the Phantom with
five prisoners into q patriot port could
once get the vessel clear of the bay.
felt the strength of ten men within me
as Matched the plot, and only prayed for
the morrow and the meeting with Clinton /;
for Scammell, the duel, and all else faded
before the glowing light of the future.
worked myself into an ecstasy the like OF
which / had not experienced since, when a
boy and beset with inconsistencies, hailed
che date of my return to the arms of my
mother. My property and my liberty were
Go be set within reach at once, and beside
them would place honor, the last by car
rying back batch of prisoners.
It was small wonder shat acted the boy
nsain, and you who have never known the
sudden loosening of frightened heartstrings
and the childlike joy resulting, know little
of the upper scale of human happiness.
But / did not hold myself long at this
height. The practical fact that L must name
date and hour when on this very spot
should stand and fight for my life, forced
itself upon me.
The ground was well hit upon, being
screened from all sides by the trees, which
would also keep the sun from the eyes OF
either combatant. It was fairly open, level,
and free from underbrush.
The morrow would be the Sabbath. and
though war is no respecteT of days, would
not desecrate it by fighting out q private
quarrel. Therefore set my mind for the
meeting at sunrise on Monday, that might
have the business off my hands and prepare
for what considered the greater adventure
Now 1 had little doubt of the result OF
this conflict. Unless Scammell was different
IN sword play from those had met either
Ia sport or earnest, he would be disarned
ere he had well begun. 1t was thought q
strength than great skill, for of the latter
Z Z kaI If fla mora tran fair ability To de