The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-20
CHAPTER XVI.
A Case of Mistaken Identity.

Il was but an hour after sunrise. clear
and warm-an Indian summer morning.
If ever there was one-when we turned
out of the North Castle road into the
main highway of the Hudson, and.as I
judged. not far above Tarrytown. The
darkness. the WEAKNESS Of the long ride.
and the nervous strain Of the night and
the attack on the tavern had kept US
both silent for a long time. Only now
and then would Acton come out with
some joke, or laugh at the tavern-keep-
er's money bag, or the terrified look that
took them all when we got the news of
the coming attack. Nothing ever SEEM
ed-nay nothing has ever, to my know
ledge, seemed to make the least differ
ence In this mans peace of mind The
great healthy fellow knew not what mel
ancholy or WEAKNESS meant. But
was weighed down with the work ahead
of u.s. the memory-now always with me
of that one face, and the WEAKNESS of
my sleepless nights.
With the bright rising sun, however
and the beginning of as beautiful day
as one could pray for. We frightened UP
a bit Acton spoke up after a space of
deep thought that seemed TO weigh his
great shoulders with its Importance, and
I gathered from his first word the drift
of his trouble Indeed the thing had been
in my mind all through the night.
How think you, Balfort, hob comes to
have known him weiIs"
Il have wondered myself, frienu. u.
know so much of New York;"
Aye for two long years.
1T is strange, his knowing so surely
house In the very midst of British head
quarters" l murmured, half thinking
aloud.
you have an unworthy thought there,
my friend,n said the big fellow In stiff
voice, rs not Rob going with we, and
no questions asked, though he risk his
life?"
NAY, nay, Acton. IT is not suspicion
of the man. But you cannot guess the
Importance Of the mission. Suppose
suppose we should miscarry for any
reason!'
The lad pulled his horse up in the mid
die of the road. and looking at me with
flashing eye said:
"Balfort, Rob Curtis Is my tried friend.
No such thing may be said of him to me-
So that l can leave you and return to
him."
Tut tut! man." cried I. You're
wrong. ! do not suspect him. l am
struck with this extraordinary thing that
l do not understand"
And did he question your"
II was well hit home.
Il. do not comprehend 1t myself, but
know my friend and that is enough" he
went on, moving along again, but none
too graciousy. l had hurt the honest
soul.
Enough for me, too said Land Ilfen
my hand flew to my head, for on the In
slant my hat flew off. and there rang out
the ping of a rife
"Ho ho!" roared Acton. Here he Isl
Here in the woods' and he turned his
horse to ride up the bank into the under
brush
stop, you foolr' cried I. DOWN.
down in the saddle and rider
But must find this"
Ride rider I cried again. There's
no time for delay nowl'
/ Another shot passed us without harm,
as I got my horse to a run, and Acton
came after more slowly, sitting bolt up
right In the saddle, while he growled out
his disgust at this cowerdly retreat. Yet
| could we hear the clatter of hoofs be-
hind; and turning. l saw half dozen
men, suddenly appearing on the road, and
coming after.
Our horses are done up They will
overtake us in mile I said, thinking
aloud
"So sor' jeered the man. I'VE will
take two as they ride on, ride two more
down by force and that leaves but one
apiece to finish the. game. IT Is too sim
pie"
ct is no such thing" cried I, nervous
ly, as we sped along. I'VE cannot risk
delay, Spur on, lad spur on!" for
shot sped over our heads. "They are In
range now" and 1 turned to take look
at them. And then called out suddenly.
What is it?' he asked, turning too, in
tine saddle.
Look at the first man. look joint"
"Damnationi" said he Curtis mani"
"Aye ayel" said l. Captain Hazetine,
as I'm sinner. The man is the devil
hmsefr'
l thought for a moment my companion
would then and there pull up, but !, beg
ging him for the work we had to do to
ride on, he did so; and, abruptly turning
a bend in the road, we saw there two
hundred yards ahead, platoon OF red
coats presenting arms. We had reaeheq
the British outposts above Tarrytown
"Myi myln said Acton in his sarcastic
raillery here is a sandwich thqt VIII De
nard ON the dgestionl
But there came then into my head an
idea, and we sped on directly into lpeQi,
waving our hands backwards as Inc ST.
pursuers turned the bend
Get them all!' cried In tone or
command as the sergeant in charge Or
dered his men to prepare to fire. bewil-
dered though he was at our sudden APP
pearance. Yet, seeing two men rushing
confidently into his arms, pursued by six
others, he naturally enough, and as mad
hoped, took the pursuers for the enemy.
A sharp voliey rang out as the six came
on without checking and the result was
extraordinary The leading horse leaped
into the air, fell heavily forward, turning
a complete somersault, and threw his
rider head foremost into the road. where
he lay still One of the five fell heavily
from his horse, and the others wheeled
as if at drill and dashed back around the
bend, evidently having had enough of
their view of the post.
Turning to the sergeant, | said;
II thank you for your timely assistance.
Those COW boys would have made short
| work Of U.s.,
There be many of them hereabeuts,
said he politely. though he still had be-
/ Wildered look In his face,
I'VE were coming down from the east
ward and found these men in ambush"
/ continued, without giving him time TO
think overmuch, and