The Washington times., 1902-06-01

NM went through the rest OF lndt
" night, / can recall moving
under escort to an old farm
building, which appeared to serve the
purpose of a guardhouse, and. after a
short examination, being committed to
back room with but one window. and
that barred. For the few remaining
hours before was called out TO the ex-
amininc officer, heard the steady tread
OF sentry outside my door. Sleep was
gone from me- and like as not the rest
had had in the woods saved me from
complete exhaustion. Up and down the
room / went hour by hour. trying to
cool myself down and TO form some plan
for getting away and giving information
to the high authority who alone could
be told such news.
1t was in the midst of this continual
tramping up and down the room that /
was interrupted by the entrance of a
sergeant, who bade me follow him. We
passed along a narrow hall. and stood
at half-opened door, waiting to be
called, as / supposed. Within the room
could be heard the voice OF an officer
making examinations. but as / leaned
wearily against the doorpost gradually
became aware of two or three men talk
ing in low voices on the other side of
the door.
"Perchance twas indeed the man.
Rob, though, upon my soul, / hope not.
For ne did me as great a service as
la I r.o n ;,,n vf1r- =
was certainly the big voice of my friend
John Acton of the morning before; and,
while ] listened. the turning of my
thoughts to him led them, for the first
time since that strange meeting in the
woods, back to the old house at Gowan's
Ferry and to her who had taken such
hold upon me; so that at first the words
seemed to carry little meaning to my
mind.
Heaven bring it that 'tis indeed your
man. John. For have followed the fell
low up and down this country now for
two weeks, till the pursuit of him and
the desire to come up with him have
grown to a strange fascination" This
other voice was clear, cool and pene-
trating. and came of different char
acter from such as one saw day by day
among officers and men in the rank and
file of the Continental army. Twas no
English accented voice, but 1t showed
great degree of cultivation.
what set ye on the man. Rob-" asked
the voice OF Acton. began now, in
good truth, to catch every word, for j
could place one man at least.
"'Tis under the rose, John. but the
fellow is trying to double spy, or so tho
commander in chief fears. But tbs
thought, too, he belongs to Clinton. The
colonel took me into his confidence, and
] am to try 10 run him to earth. / would
rot tell this even TO you, but that have
the colonel's consent to take your help.
He goes by the name of Captain Hazel
tine. and as sure as there is God in
heaven, will come up with the man
yet. IT grows now TO be a personal thing
'twixt him and me,''
Then the Lord help him" interrupt
ed the other. And at that was pulled
by the sleeve and marched into the
room.
As we passed through the door, !
caught a sudden exclamation. and, turn
ing. recognized the man had helped on
the highway. dressed now in lieuten-
ants uniform. and knew he recognized
me. Well. We should see what might
be the outcome Of it all; and II were
10 have spoken my mind then, cared
not tinker's dam.
"Ah. my friend, here you are! Rob-
said he, with calm disregard of the OK
amining officer near by. Rob, here Is |
the man who kept me from the worms"
THAT mani" muttered the other He |
had straight figure, fine, strong face.
pale, little sober in expression. but to |
the full extent what the voice had init |
mated Nay. friend" he added de- |
jectedly: tits no more like the other
than you or L.
Your age" cried the examining OIL
Ger loudly
Twenty-Five
Occupation
Lieutenant in the division OF Gen. |
Israel Putnam"
You arc a soldier OF the colonies?"
AYE. soldier of the colonies"
said. raising my voice.
Il do not believe It," half muttered |
the officer.
That cooled me at once, and replied:
That is the remark OF a coward,
sir"
You call me-hc calls me coward.
coward" roared the examiner. jump
ine up and humping his desk, while
dead silence fell over the whole com
pany
"'Tis. further. the remark of n bad
officer and weak man
God help me, what dost sas?" cried
the man again.
Il say that ask to be taken TO the
commander OF this fort. 'Tis said I
must be examined. ] gay Very we'll, pro-
coed; examined and you begin by. Civ
ing me the lie. when. as man TO man. ]
have no retaliation. You are, therefore, II