The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-30

| These two men spoke to me each in his
own way as we walked across the camp.
And each in his own way gave me the en-
enlargement that two manly beings can
impart in unaffected ways. There was little
said, but knew that here were two men
such as had not yet met in my short life.
So We came TO the country mansion that
Livingstone used as his headquarters, and
l was ushered into the library, or office,
where stood before the commander of the
Verplaneks detachment of Washington's
thin line that from Philadelphia, by
way of Morristown and West Point, into
New England. 1t was a deta chment ever
ready for a movement of Clinton's ever
watching; but to close observer, almost
hopelessly spread out, and by three-quar-
tiers less than what it should have been in
numbers.
"You have been insulting my officer. sir.
See said he, after questioning me as to my
station in life.
"You are misinformed, SIR" answered.
How so? am reading here
ANY of the witnesses will tell you the
facts" and repeated them.
He sat moment, looking out of the win
dow in some thought. and then continued:
you fired on picket That is severely
punishable in martial law"
az realize that fully. sir" said. But 1
was hurrying in the darkness, and saw the
muzzle of gun suddenly thrust before me.
Twas instructive to defend myself"
"These letters, what are they?"
LAS you see. sir. One to me from General
Putnam. The other TO General Washington,
which you can read as well as T.
1T is in cipher. Read it to me-"
'T do not know the code"
Then 1 can send it on to him."
"In that case twill mean little, as I am
instructed to add certain details to it,"
you can tell them to me-"
with your pardon, Colonel Livingstone
I can tell them to no one but the COM
mander-in-chief And. sir. these reports are
of such importance that 1 urge you TO send
me on to him, under guard. if you choose,
as soon possible. Twill work little
HARM I added, smiling, "even should /
prove to be spy"
Again he sat for some moments ponder
ing Then, rising, he rang a bell, and, bid
ding an orderly call Captain Burton. he
gave that officer orders TO have me taken to
General Arnold.
General Arnold cried I involuntarily.
And why not. sir?" demanded he sharp
ly, turning suddenly upon me and fixing
his clear eyes on my face.
''Why not. indeed. except that it will
cause unnecessary delay"
THAT is for me 10 decide" he answered
haughtily, and turned away without more
ado.
"Ah. friend Balfort. am glad 10 see you
the sergeant some moments later But /
could say little TO the two who stood wait
ing for me, and within a short time was
riding north between two other horsemen
"a sergeant and trooper-having silently
shaken these two new friends by the hand
and nodded my farewell to them.
Arnods headquarters knew 10 be in the
house once the property of a Tory named
Robinson, situated just across the Hudson
from West Point. Fishkill lay beyond, I
knew not how far. AT this point got my
head 10 thinking how 1 might rid myself OF
this escort and ride. or walk. past the trait
ors house 10 the commander-in-chief
II was now come to- in the afternoon Of
the 22d. The attack was for the 2sth Here
lay six days. II must be done Aye. and
done quickly And then my thoughts turned
TO the two escorting me. Neither had any
brilliancy sitting upon his brow. The SER
geant. upon my right carried the two pa
pers. Even now could see them. with Liv-
ingstone's dispatches. bulging from his
pocket. The men had pistols in saddle hols-
tiers. and had none.
Then Of a sudden came to me an idea.
and L have TO this day never discovered
how it turned out so well; for. TO tell hon.
est fact. twas as wild a scheme as ever
entered my poor head.
1t was just after this that my two COM