The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-10
None But the Brave

thought best to let him think SO, and he
thereupon began to talk to me in an em-
barrassed fashion, telling me | had too
good hand to lose IN such a ehild's
play, and more and more. till | must
needs smile at his ill-eoneealed desire to
bring me out of my supposed dread or
fear to meet this man. And so we talk
ed SOFTLY together through the night as
men talk but seldom in d lifetime. as no
one could write down on paper, of home
and friendship and ohivalry to ones God
an ones commander. And l learned in
those few hours something of the soul
of a great honest man. awkward when he
got upon such subjects, but with as high
a view of life and honour and the love Of
good women as 1t has pleased God to let
me hear from the lips of any one, or see
in the eyes of any human being, save
only one and that Heaven be thanked,
no mani And those few hours cropped
up friendship of man to man between
us two that through many trial has
lasted on to this day, and will till the
death of us both, and after.
And SO it came to five In the morning,
a sultry autumn morning, still dark
when We went down Beaver street and
through Princess to Queen street. and
thence down Cherry street to the ship
yards by the breastworks at Rutgers and
to the hill and fields at Corlear's Hook.
We had not gauged the distance we'll
and were a bit late In arriving so that
it was striking six In the barracks hard
by when we came into the fields above
the tide that flows between Long Island
and Manhattan. The place was rolling
country dotted with trees and under
growth, and l had begun to think we
should not find the others when heard
hail and saw the party In a small hol-
low below us and near the river, There
was soft mist hanging In the bottom
like that of an August morning, and
we could make out half dozen figures
looming up as we came down to them,
Here they are at last" said a voice
that made me start, for | recognized 1t
as that of DR.. Low, the chirurgeon. who
had laid out with me not twenty-feur
hours before the plan of abduoting Ar
mold. Then stepped up Prince Henry.
Major Sproat, and Lieutenant Purdy, and
last came Captain A -herton.
we have come to se5 fair play done,
sir,n said the young Prince. And to be
in sufficient force to prevent any inter-
ruption from the authorities, should such
occur. You know all here but DIR. Low, l
think"
what name was it?" asked the doctor,
shaking hands in a business-like way,
as II he saw me for the first time
Mr. Merton and Mr., Roberts," said
Major Sproat, presenting us.
well. gentlemen, IL you insist on this,
t is time t was over" said Low, and
the major and Acton then measured my
sword and Athertons Finding them
practically the same length, they led us
to the bottom of hollow and into an
open bit surrounded by trees, and just
as the light was fairly full grown for
another day we We're ready.
Acton was In his element He talked
off, -.
Atherton was a good hand, as his friend
there was no fool. and asked:
whats the rules?"
1.-THE first serious draw of blood settles
the affair DIR. Low deciding" said the
Prince, 'ff you will agree
MY friend is quite at your disposal,
gentlemen, said Acton, bowling, while I
walked up and down by myself. 1 had
had so little time to think on the affair
that the nature of 1t had not occurred
to me, and now for the first time l be-
gan to think of what might happen to
myself If a stroke found me home and
did for me, l did not care much. But ]
had horror of a serious wound so that
1 should live on here and fail in my
work. My death was nothing to any one
but General Washington, and he alone
would know of my falling away from his
commands.
ell 6Ciilitu1tit 10 all ltdd9 Ddlu
the doctor.
We stepped out and drew. The two
blades crossed, holding there for a mo-
ment as each of us took a good look at
the other. l was to do as l had done
many times before In open fights upon
a skrmish--wait to feel the strength of
his wrist. He tried to do the same, but
becoming irritated he made three quick
passes at me- and. though his blade did
Cd 81 T lrv, T ha1 .
strong hand that had been in long and
a good school.
Just as the third thrust came and
parted, I swung my point down, turned
1t under his blade, and swayed his point
out to the left of me. It would have been
my first thrust en- quartre, had not a
voice cried out:
stop where you are. gentlemen, in the
kings name!'
We both stopped, turned and saw three
men coming down the slope above us.
They were In our midst in a moment.
Gentlemen, l come with the warrant
for the arrest of that man." and I took
a sudden breath as / saw Hazeltine
standing there pointing at me- and this
man here" pointing to Acton. Acton
laughed In his face.
what Is this. sir?" cried Prince Hem
ry, walking over to Hazeltine. "Do You
not see you interrupt an important mat
ter?"
"Your Highness am obliged to follow
the orders of Sir Henry. These men are
being searched for all over this town.
1t is a matter of great military import
ance."
And can you not choose better time.
then?' asked the young man in the first
tone of voice | had heard him use that
showed me he was accustomed to issue
rather than receive orders.
II cannot do IT, your Highness,'' said
Hazetine, doggedly, and none too po-
lltely.
Frank" cried Atherton at this, at