Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-05-10
CHAPTER Nxv1.-(continued.)

VAAHS AAc w IICNSS VI StitlllSIy W DCul
On the enemy, M then pushed forward
himself with his whole force, to charge
the enemy with the bayonet. Maurice,
with the troopers, had drawn up be-
! a fence. AS the cannon went thun-
derins forward. a CHEEKY voice shouted
to him.
"Hurrah. Maurice. hurrah! The fun
Will begin in earnest. just wait until
you hear these dogs bark!' Looking in
the direction of the road, he saw Molly
Pitcher seated on II ~caisson, waving her
threc-cornered hat at him. Already the
bullets We're whistling thickly about her,
but she shouted and sang.
The cannon was quickly Mt the place
designated, numbered, md the earth
began to shake from the dcath-deuling
reports. John Pitcher, with rammer and
sponge, swabbed the gun and rammed
home the charge, smoking his pipe, while
his devoted wife stood at his side. The
day was excessively hot and Molly, seiz-
ing a bucket, went to a stream near and
brought water for the cannonicrs. She
was here and there md everywhere,
cheering men and encouraging them by
word or deed. The cannon shots We're
Dlunging all about her, digging up the
earth at her side. md whistling bullets
clipped the leaves from the trees, or
shattered the tender bark of the saplings.
Nevertheless, she was perfectly fearless.
Seated on n low bank she wiped the per-
SEPARATION from her face, declaring:
Its awful hot, and we're goin' to
make it hotter for these fellows a
bomb exploded within a few rods of her,
scattering the dirt in every direction, and
Molly, leaping to her feet, said to her
husband:
John, dismount that thing and stop
their %annoNance; one can't sit down to
rest or mediate without being covered
with dirt"
Johns neXt shot d%ismounted the gun
which had been so annoying to Molly.
AT that instant Sir Henry Clinton was
Informed that the Americans were
marching in force on both his flanks. To
avert the blow, he changed the front of
his army and prepared to attack Wayne
with such fury as to compel the Ameri-
cans to come to his aid. This movement
being made a large body of British cav
airy cautiously approached ON Lees
right.
Lafayette perceiving the movement OF
the enemy and believing it an excellent
opportunity to gain their rear, galloped
up to Gen. Lee and asked permission
to make the attempt.
Sir" cried Lee; you do not know
British soldiers; we cannot stand against
them; we will certainly be driven zach
at first, and we must be cautious" To
this Lafayette quickly replied:
1T may be so, General; but British
soldiers have been beaten, and they may
be again; at any rate, l am disposed to
make the trial"
Being strongly urged, he finally con-
sented that Lafayette might attack the
enemy's right. Being somewhat puzzled
by the movements of the British, he first
weakened Wayne's forces, then ordered
the right to fall back. Oswald's artillery
was withdrawn and ordered to the rear.
Maurice heard Molly Pitcher screaming
to the teamsters:
You are a set of towards to rum"
cts Gen. Lees orders,' some one
explained.
Gen. Lee is a traitor and Il scoun-
drel, and traitor'- Her voice was
drowned in the hollow roar of war.
Before Maurice was hardly aware of
it. the whole American army was in full
retreat. 1t was h%umiliating to the brave
troops to have victory snatched from
them by a commanding officer. Men fell
by the wayside. from sunstroke; others,
with faces %blackened and threats Bills
tered from biting cartridges, halted at
the brooks and streamlets to quench
their thirst.
The British were in full pursuit and
Maurice Fitzgerald, with his company,
being the last to leave the field, was in
the rear.
Its a id shame.!' cried Sam Moul-
ton. 1--WE could ha' beaten EN- il Gen.
Lee had let u.s."
The Dragons reached an elevation and
saw a party coming toward the retreat
Ing column, under whip and spur. One
tall, handsome figure mounted on a white
charger, led them.
ut is Washington" cried Maurice.
"There will be n change of front now"
Stop here! Stop here. cried a shrill
voice on a piece of flying artillery, and a
woman leaped from the gun carriage and
seized the horses that were struggling
through The mud. Don't you see WASH
ington? This cowardly flight will stop
AS", oAAN tAiSAC VIII pC VII MOIk uOIe.
Hold! Hold!" shouted Washington.
waving his hand to the flying troops. The
thunder of those trumpet tones rang out
on the air and thrilled and inspired ev-
cry soldier. Instantly men began to halt
and form lines of battle. Dashing up to
Lee, Washington cried:
sSMir, l desire to know what is the rea.
son. and whence comes this disorder and
confusion?"
He's q traitor! l told you he was a
traitor!" Molly Pitcher shouted, but the
officers We're too intent on each other to
hear her.
"You know the attack was contrary to
my advice and opinion Lee retorted.
Washington replied, with a voice full
of Indignation:
"You should not have undertaken the
command unless you intended to carry
1t through"
But there was no time for verbal con-
tention. Washington, by his magical
power, quickly transformed the routed
and flying troops into a line of steel.
Cannon We're again ~unlimbered, and the
Americans turned to meet the foe COM
x-- IL 49, e.-- -