Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-02-22

CHAPTER 1y.-(Continucd.)

CHAPTER 1V.-lContinuedJ
By Washin.ron's face ii was impossi-
Die to tell the thoughts within. He 81
lently listened 10 all she said. Some of
her story seemed to have truth for it's
foundation: nevertheless. it was painful
ty evident that the Father of his Coun
try was Il man who trusted his officers.
lie was al that time in IL Very cmbar-
eassins position. Adams and some other
members OF the Continental Congress
were continually cri,icising his course
and broadly limiting that Gates was by
far the most efficient officer. Even if he
had desired the removal of Lee, it is
doubtful il he could have accomplished
1t. In his helpless condition, all he could
do WAS listen to the runners of suspicion,
watch and wait for some open act of the
accused These thoughts. however, We're
kept wholly TO himself. He listened care
fully until Molly Pitcher had given all
her information, and then said:
II thank You very much for this in
formation, Mrs. Pitcher. Now. what are
your plans for yoursclf?'
Il am going to remain in camp until
my husband comes"
Molly was dismissed. and Captain Fitz-
gerald remained Il few moments longer
with his chief to ask future instructions.
The captain had an Independent COM
mand of horsemen. bold. desperate fell
lows, all like himself, young and daring.
All he asked was the privilege of annoy
Ing the enemy. reported to be scouting in
the neighborhood. Permission was Civ
en- and the Young captains rough riders
quickly became a scourge to the British
outposts.
The darkest hour of American indcpcn-
dence was approaching, and the lovers
cares We're divided between his country
and the maiden of his choice. He man
aged in various ways to keep up COM
munication with Amelia Harcourt. and
learned of the visit of Captain Sanford
and Sir Johns intention to take his niece
to Philadelphia.
1t was the first of December when he
received this intelligence and called upon
the General for permission to take doz-
en- troopers. go to Monmouth and re-
move the maiden TO some place of safety
Next morning with twenty men he
Joined Lieut.. Col. Craig with forty more.
All We're mounted, and. as compared
with the others. we'll armed, clothed and
equipped.
The scouting party had almost reached
frankfort when they saw IL woman COM
Ing toward them on foot. although the
ground was covered with snow.
That is rather strange, captain said
Craig. See. she is signaling u.s.
"Wait here with the men. colonel. and
will gallon on and see what she wants, -
suggested Maurice
Craig ordered II halt and Maurice gall
toped on. The woman saw him and hast
ened her pace. She was almost exhaust
ed with rapid walking, and quite out of
breath WHEN he met her. Maurice rec
ognized her at once as Mrs. Lydia Dar-
rah, the wife of Il Quaker and true pat
riot
"Where are YOU going. Mrs. Darrah:'
Maurice asked.
wait until l get my breath." she
gasped. II have grca. news for thee
Washington must know it at once" Then
she proceeded in broken sentences to in
form him that the British adjutant gen
eral had made his headquarters at her
house, it being Il secluded spot. and the
officers frequently held their councils of
war there.
On the day before the adjutant gen
eral had told Mrs. Darrah to make the
upper back room ready for his friends,
who were expected to stay late. He gave
her strict orders to see that her own fam
ly was in bed at an early hour.
'sThls reused my SUSPICION" she said,
''and I determined to know what they
were doing. When they were all snug in
the room and very busy, crept bare foot
to the door and listened, and distinctly
heard an order from Sir William Howe
read for the troops to quit the city this
nisht and attack General Washington at
White Marsh
Captain Fitzgerald at once took the
woman to Lieut.. Col. Craig. to whom she
re.3eated the story. The brave woman
returned to Frankfort and to Philadcl-
phia, while the officers and men hastened
to Washington to report what they had
learned. The general received the start
ling intelligence with that imperturbable,
thoughtful calmness that characterized
the great man he was. and said:
eve will prepare to meet Them"