The times., 1901-06-23

truly ] believe it. or l should never have
succeeded in leading two hundred of the
Duke of Cumberland s Dragons into our
Carnp at CongIeton. This juncture was
critical one in our fortunes. Prince Char
lie was marching hot and fast on London
with two armies after hlm-Marshal
Ayade's to the north, Cumberland's 5 troops
not half days ride off on the east. Each
day we looked to be overtaken or inter-
cepted by one or other of the hostile ar
mics. but each day passed without bat
tie; and all the while we were moving
nearer and nearer to the capital Until
now we had been all eageTness to come 20
b1ovs because the Highlanders need that
sort of food to keep their stomachs sweet
and they were already showing signs OF
great impatience, but now that our rash
march had brought so far south, our
one aim was to push on to London, avoid
ing unnecessary conflict by the way, and
reservinG our energies to cope with such
resistance as the capital might offer us.
On the ISt day of December-a chill, raw
day, remember-our cavalry set off from
AIacclesiield in the early morning to
march to Congleton; and while We were
on the road the Prince commanded Lord
Elcho. Archie MacGregor, myself and a
few or our cavalry to reconnoitre in the
direction of Newcastle -under-Lyne. The
Duke of Cumberland. with his 10000 men,
was encamped somewhere in the neigh
borhocd CT that village, and his Highness
wished to learn, not only their exact sit
uatien, but also whether the Duke were
lying quiet in camp or whether he were
already up and on our track.
There was no sign of life about New
castle-under-Iyne as we drew near, save
the reek from the cottage chimneys-and,
over beyond the houses, the lighter smoke
which mounts from camp fires half ex-
tinguished. We drew rein awhile, watch
ing the scene; and. as we waited there
came a sudden rattle of musketry from
far away on our left. and after that
silence. and then q second discharge OF
firing pieces. At a loss TO understand the
cause of this, yet disposed TO keep on our
way until we had gained information OF
some sort. we made forward warily. We
passed through the village, however.
without incident OF any sort-except that
down in the hollow we came upon trim
built corn-miH az the door OF which
young girl stoOd-the miller's daughter. as
we guessed-and showed US so tempting 8
face, all milk and roses with the dew on
them, that Archie needs must throw her
some daft speech or other in going by.
Leaving Newcastle behind US then. we
viewed the place where the Dukes forces
had clearly lain last night and began TO
speculate as to his motive in striking
camp The trampIed lane OF slush that
lay between the meadows and the high
rOad-made by the horsehoofs and the
wheels of gun carriages-led into the
highway between Newcastle and Litch-
field, and it was plain that the whole body
had retreated upon the last-named vii
which puzzled us, for a second trampled
path, no wider than might accommodate
two hOrsemen riding abreast, diverged
at right angles from the wider track and
led. SO far as we could trace it, straight
over the northward spur of hill.
Had we met him marching hard to-
ward Congleton or Macclesfeid, I could
have understood said Lord EIcho to me,
as he stood and looked up and down the
road.
Its my scythe blades that he fears"
laughed Archie MacGregor, who was still
vastly proud of the weapon he had faith
cred.
/ was about to tell him that we were
entirely convinced of the merits of his
scythes, without hearing more of them,
when my eye was caught by some move
ment in the hedge in front of me. We
had found reason lately to be jealous of
all skulking figures, and 1 watched the
hedge narrowly.
what is il, Mr.. Anstruther?" asked
Lord Elcho.
BY this time could distinguish the up
per half of face and two bright eyes
peering through the thick network OF
boughs and twigs. 1T is a fox, my lord
I think" / answered, and set my horse
at the hedge.
1t was a hard leap. taken so suddenly
but we crashed through the hedge-toI
somehow and landed squashily into wet
land on the further side. The fellow
whose face had seen through the twigs
was already on his feet and running hard
across the field; but 1 was on him in a
few yards. and had stopped and grlppec
him by the collar Of his coat"
your business. sir?" I asked.
He made no answer. nor could extort
any speech from him by threats OF rough
usage; so I made him show my horse tht
way to the nearest gate. keeping pisto
cooked on him, and when we had regain
ed the highroad 1 presented him to Lord
Elcho with r1uch ceremony.
Elcho looked hard at him. "Humphi A
spy, sir, I take it?" he said, with blunt
directness.
The man changed color; and, seeing
him shrink from the word spy" so daln'
tily, ] took keener survey of him and
judged that not long ago he had had pre-
tensions to the rank of gentlemen. But
still he did not open his mouth; nor coulC
we get a single word from him until {
rope had been fixed to the nearest bougi
and my delicate rascals neck fitted snug
~ to the moose.
"Our time is precious" said Lord Elch'
Briefly. Either you tell us all you know
or" he shrugged his shoulders.
'fDo you vouch for my life If ! play
play traitor?" said the man: and again
he shrank from the last word traitor.
Il cannot. His Highness must be tn
fudge of that; but this promise-I vii
take you safely into camp and use m!
utmost persuasions for your life. Come
your answer"
He gave up the game then, and, ono
he had determined 10 accept the situa
ton, he answered Elcho's questions in
clear, Straightforward fashion. We hat
thought him a common spy only. and ou
sIee may be imagined when we foun'
that he was no other than Dir. Weir, tn
chief spy OF the Duke of Cumberland.
gentleman by birth and closely intimat
with all that concerned the plans of tn
English Army.
We learned in fine that the Dukes re
treat TO Iitchheld was in pursuance Of hi
resolve to wait until Marshal Wade join
ed him before giving battle to US: for il
that case he would have two armies un
der him, and his attack could scarcely fai