The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1901-06-13
GfT ONWARD. march, Rigbt face,

| Left face. Order arms! Te-he.
. he! I'll scare Bessie Baines most to
( death, I guess. Attention! Forward,
march-ha-ha-h
Down the road from the direction
\ of Bennington came a strange figure.
/ 1t was that of a young man of 90 or
\ %, and his dress was a mixture of
y continental and British uniform. On
Z his shoulder rested a stick, instead
of a musket, and his face bore that
vacuous expression always seen with
an idiot
1t was about noon of an August
day. Below him, as he halted to make
ready for q charge, was the red mill
wherein Elijah Baines had ground
corn and wheat and buckwheat for
the public for the last decade. The
creek which turned the big water
wheel was called after the miller, and
after the water had been used it went
leaping and foaming across the high
way, and seldom rose deeper than the
knees of the horses which stopped to
Stake their thirst. In the rear of the
mill was the miller's house, and while
he ground the grists and took only
the toll of an honest man, his daughter
Bessie, who was motherless, minded
the house and sometimes worked be-
side him.
On this summer day the big wheel
was at rest, and the waters fretted
and splashed and gurgIed as they
found way over the moss-grown
buckets. The miller had been one of
the minutemen called out TO harass
and annoy Gen. Burgoyne as he
sought to get into Fort Edward and
in one of the many skirmishes had
been shot through the leg and
brought back home for nursing. All
along the New York and Vermont
line the patriots were up in arms and
waiting.
"Hip-hurrah." cried the idiot, as
he came dashing down on the mill and
turned corner. Fire at will!
Charge the enemy with the bayonet!
Hc-he-he! How scared you look. Bees
sie"
His shouts had brought the girl to
The door. She smiled as she saw the
young mans queer dress.
81 knew it was you, William" she
quietly said. What are they doing
in Bennington?"
"What are they doing? Why. they
are doing Right face! Left face.
Halt! Load your muskets Charge
your bayonets and drive the British!
I'm a general now BESSIE. Don't you
want to marry a general?"
She watched him with plying smile
as he marched up and down before
her, and threw out his chest and held
up his chin in an effort to look impor-
tant. She had known him for years,
ana had always spoken kindly; and in
return his ATTACHMENT for her was
like that of dog to its master,
"No, you won't marry me- he said |
as he came to a halt and tried to bring |
his heels together. - know who you
are going TO marry-te-he-he! I've |
seen him kiss you and you kissed back.
It's Capt. Luke Greenwood he"
"Nou mustn't talk that way" said |
the blushing girl in tones of reproof.
give got a sweet-calIe in the oven,
and when it's done I'll give you big
l
British. Hank! What's that"
From over the hills and meadows
and tree-tops to the north came the
notes of flies and the beat of drums
and the red cheeks of the girl grew
pale as she listened. She realized in
a moment what the sounds meant
Burgoyne had sent out his 1000 men
on the march to Bennington. At
Salem the entire command should
have gone on by the left-hand road.
Instead of that, and to deceive Col.
Stark, waiting on that road behind
defenses, all but 200 men had swung
into the Red mill road, and would find
it clear of patriots from Salem to Ben
nington.
'Are the British coming?" asked
William in whisper, as he crowded
closer to the girl.
at must be them" she answered,
as she caught her breath. "Climb up
the ladder, William, and tell me what
you can see"
There was rough ladder leaning
against the north wall of the mill, and
the idiot was soon at the top and look
ing northwards.
81 see red-coats and fags-red-
coats and tlags." he called to the girl
Father, Burgoype's men are com
ing." exclaimed the daughter, as she
ran into the house. 1--WE can hear the
drums and flies, and William says
there are many soldiers"
at is so. 1t is sol" replied the
miller, as he raised himself up on his
elbow to listen. God defend Ben
nington if the British are coming by
this road. Ruc away, girl-hide your
self in the woods before they reach us
If the troops are Hessians they will
Xxi me and burn the MILL"
Run away-neyer!" shouted Bes-
sie. "Be quiet, father-don't try to
get up. We have two muskets and
powder and ball, and they shall kill
me before they lay hands on you! BE
quiet-be quiet"
Al the dior Cbn burriaJ ont he