The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-13
CHAPTER XII.
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.


One, two, three hours l waited. No one
knew, or would tell me, when the general
might return. and though l was allowed 10
walk up and down the hall of the old farm
house then used as array headquarters. or
even in the road before the house. l real
lied that l was not out of the sight of one
sentry or another during all that time.
Twas not strange, since the credentials l
brought were nothing more than my word,
and no one about headquarters knew my
name. Noon passed and by good fortune
secured some food; and then the afternoon
wore on.
In this delay I went over again the ride
Roger had taken me, and harked back TO
Mistress Philipse's treatment of me at the
Gowan's Ferry house. Twas a marvel how
that one woman could say what she chose
10 me, and, by such word or look as she
gave me when ] left her, wipe out hum
dred times the things she had charged me
with but a few hours before. Could such
woman think seriously with so many
moods and such sudden tempers? Could
she have been serious and true in both her
moods that night and this morning? had
seen her but twice and yet l knew her so
well, so well. In that time she had shown
me more of womanliness, of beauty, of
sweetness. of impetuous temper, of weak
feminine helplessness, and strong will, and
anger than 1 had known in any dozen
women before. Twas enough to turn the
head of any man. this breaking out in new
expressions moment by moment, battling
beyond measure. yet compelling me to for
get all injustice by a single last word.
/ could not get away from her now when
1 expected at any moment to face the one
man a soldier wishes TO be ready for, TO
impress favorably; and so in the afternoon
sunlight l could bring my thoughts back
TO the chief and what he might have for
me to do only to see them sneaking back
TO that old mansion by the ferry, with its
open door, its dead, and its single light
still burning TO make it more desolate-to
the slight girlish figure travelling south
ward in the company of some countryman
on her way to renew her troubles, what
ever they might be.
So was l surprised by stir about head
quarters, and, turning, saw a squad of Of.
fcers approaching on horseback, with the
great unmistakable figure leading them.
They passed me and entered the house
without a word, only returning salutes.
None among them did / know. except the
straight figure of General Knox, whom /
had seen at the Robinson house on that
fateful morning.
Shortly, however. / was summoned 10
enter, and found a large low apartment
occupied by the commander-in-chief,w who
was talking quietly with his officers.
Nay, Knox. it is question of principle,
49, IL h. id
1 know he is a gentleman and a fine off,
Ger, but the question deals with the whole
discipline of the army not with the case
of single man"
1T is a terrible duty" replied the other,
sadly shaking his head as he gazed out of
the window.
The general saw me and said to the
others:
Gentlemen, have some private business
with this young man" And they went ST.
lently out of the room.
Lieutenant Balfort," said Washington,
turning 10 me without. hesitation, you
have obeyed quickly. 1t is correct military
discipline"
Il have been here ten hours, your excel
lency"
Il know" said he. II was. however. 9TH
erwise occupied. Lieutenant" he continued,
in such times as these. judgments must be
made quickly. and they must be correct
and unfinching-"
! did not reply.
II have sent for YOU" continued the gen.
! eral, ITO give you a commission of great
Importance. I do not know you. Can l
trust your
! looked him full in the eye, and met a
glance that made me shiver in spite of
myself.
''You can, sir"
II think 1 can"
Then after moments pause: You are
not known 10 any one in this Hudson river
/ country"
ITO no one but Colonel Livingstone $
command.
You are known to others"
ITO others?'
ITO dozen British soldiers. FIVE of whom
are at large"
Yes. that is true. your exceliency." How
/ could he have heard of last nights work SO
/ soon?
You should have taken them all. They
are dangerous men, and one who escaped
/ is more dangerous than all the dozen put
together"
1T was impossible, sir. under the"