The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1901-06-13

know the place-you have been
there?"
"Yes, know" he replied, evidently
trying his best to follow her
"Luke is there-at Walnut hill
with his scouts. Look at me, William
you must go at once, and run as
fast as you cant"
"Yes-yes; | can run like a deer.
I'll find Luke, I will Here, you take
my gun and shoot the British and I'll
CO."
Tell Luke there are 1000 soldiers"
"Ies-yes; there are 1,0O0-1, 900, 900
but we can lick em ALL"
Poor boy-poor boy! Oh, 1 pray
to God to give him his wits for an
hour, if no longer! Remember, Will
liam-Walnut hill-a thousand men
run! rum"
"Yes--Walnut hill-thousand men
Boom! Bang, Rum"
{ "They are almost here, father"
said the girl, as she stepped within
the door; they will stop here for the
MONDAY halt. | have sent William to
tell Capt. Luke, and the captain will
send word to Col. Stark. Oh, if Will
liam can only remember-if our SOL
diers will only get word in time!"
"You should have gone" said the
father in hopeless tones. 81 am
wounded, but the Hessians have bayo-
Melted wounded men on every field.
The mill is undefended, but the men
who burn farmhouses and churches
will not spare mill Kiss me, Bes-
sic, and God keep us!"
The girl went back to the door and
looked out upon the relocated sol
diers as the head of the column forded
the creek and came to a halt on the
great open field opposite the mill. 1t
was hardly five minutes before fires
were being lighted and coffee made,
but it was half an hour before the
last of the column arrived. A few sol
diers, accompanied by an officer
looked through the mill. They found
not even half-ration of flour or meal
for hungry soldier. The search was
followed by mutterings and curses,
and voice cried out that the mill
should be burned. Then a score of
the first arrivals, whose hunger had
been satisfied, crowded up to the door
of the miller's house, and a sergeant
leered at the girl and said:
"Out of the way, my pretty; there
may be score of your gallant coon
hunters hiding under the beds, and
we would make acquaintance"
L.. 60. 1.
Piled, as she barred his way with her
arm: "only my old father, and he is
badly wounded"
Wounded, Ell? One of the rebel
hushwhackers who fought us at Fort
Edward and got a kings bullet into
aim. That's better yet. We must
have him out and put him on his
knees to take the oath to good King
George. Stand aside, girl"
mo one shall enter here" she
resolutely replies.
"Ah! little rebel" chuckled the sol
der, as he looked around upon his
comrades with smiles and winks, but
you're fishing for kiss, | see You
shall have one, and it shall be such a
smack that all may hear. | take you
thus"
One of the muskets leaned against
the wall within reach of the girls
hand. AS the soldier reached out to
grasp her she stepped back and next
instant the muzzle of the tirearm was
pointed at his breast and she was saw
ing to him in a low, stern voice and
blazing eyes;
Lay hand on me or try to force |
this door, and | will kill you."
"Oh-ho! Oh-ho!" he sneered, as he |
started back in fear and anger. so |
the hare has claws! | would have |
kissed you and not been too hard on |
the wounded man, but you go too far. |
No she rebel shall menace me thus"
Burn the mill. Burn 'em QUIT"
cried a score of voices in chorus, as
the owners pressed forward
The sergeant seemed about to give |
the order when British captain |
forced his way through the crowd to
he door. For a moment he looked at |
he girl and her leveled musket-at
The sergeant-up at the walls of the
mill Then he asked:
what is this? What are you men
about to do?"
eve wanted to search the house,
captain humbly replied the sergeant,
but she threatened to shoot Give
the word, and we'll burn 'em out"
Away with you-out of this."
shouted the officer. Did we march
here to menace a girl? Would you
light beacon fire to tell the rebels
1t Bennington that we are coming?
Back to your companies!"
"Only my father is here" said Bes-
sic, as she lowered her musket. "and
ne is wounded
"A rebel, of course" said the cap
ain, half to himself as he entered the
louse, "but he shall have protection.
Cor all that. The dogs of Hessans
would even kill blind babe. Tell
ne, girl, is there a rebel force at Ben
There are patriots there" she re-
Dlied.
g.