The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-07-18
darkness had settled over the land for

darkness had settled over the land for
several hours.
1t has ever been peculiar quality OF
mine to wake fully at once, and had
made no movement when there came IN
on my mind less through the eyes than
! the ears. that there. in the moonnt
| woods, walked some one. turn OF
| the head showed me the figure OF q
man strtding UP and down, his haHds
| clasped behind his back. his head bent
| forward, but each moment nerVously
| lifted as if expecting to hear some
sound near by.
| IAN officer" said to myself, for tho
square shoulders, the straight inquire,
and the unknown something in the car
riage of man accustomed TO mlntary
precision We're visible In every move
ment Of the figure. I could not trust
myself to move, for he passed constant
| ly within a few feet of the spot where
| lay, only separated from me by the
great elm whose roots had served me
| for a pillow.
| IAN officer, and no mistake" went on
my musings, land here in the woods at
night, by the river, waiting, 1t would
| seem, for some one. Can 1t be that ne
| grows impatient? He moves toward the
| stream No." My musings were cut
short by the unmistakable, sound OF
oars regularly striking the tholepins OF
a L.
boat must have stopped close by, Tor IN
| a moment man-aay, two-appeared,
/ and one at least was an officer as Wen,
for beneath his long coat dangled the
point Of a scabbard. The one who
waited retreated to my tree. and STOOD
not five feet away IN a deep snaoow,
| while the other two came up the pank
into the little open glade. Gradually 1t
dawned upon me that l was by some
strange freak Of chance, become tho
spectator in the gallery, so to speak,
of a theater. What the spectacle should
be, 1 knew not: but a strong, perhaps
natural, feeling led me to watch with
peculiar eagerEcSS Tor Wnat was dpous
! to take place.
There was not long to wait; for the
older man stepped guardedly from the
| shadows near me, and, on the moment,
one OF the new arrivals said IN low
| tone:
TT that you, general?'
ut is t. said the deep tones OF the
elderly officer.
This IS Mr.. Anderson-Mr john
Anderson, whom you expect
"There is none other with your
None" answered the first speaker.
Except the two boatmen below, ana
they be out Of earshot." Then he VINO
seemed to be master of ceremonies in
this strange midnight drama contin-
.
taVus, Of whom we have spoken. .
Thereupon went over me a cold sweat,
for there could be no mistakc-the third
party to this drama spoke with clear,
strong voice in the unmistakable ac-
cents Of an Englishman:
IT am, then, in the presence OF Mr.
Gustavus?"
You are" replied that person.
"There is no reason for raising our
voices. 1 have the honour. then, of adj
dressing Mr.. John Anderson"
THE same" w.
What had ar Englishman to do here,
within, or. nearly within, American
lines? And what meant this meeting ::
Here were the voices and figures of Of
fcers! No country louis We're thus get
ting together in the midst Of the woods.
The tones, too, were of a character with
the time and place. Those Of him called
Anderson We're distant and of no very
, forbearing nature. Those Of the older
man came from one who was In haste.
Il understand, sir" said Mr.. Ander-
! son, that you are the person who has
made certain communications touching
the Notifications at West Point"
YES" answered M. GustaVns.
IT am given tc understand further
went on the English voice, that there
E has arisen some question as to the sin
certify of both parties, especially as re-
t CARDS Sir Henry Clinton"
f YES" came the answer again.
E Sir Henry Clinton! In spite of myself
e I sat up, as if forced by spring, and
1 the third member Of this strange trio
must have taken the rustic Of the leaves
. to be the night wind, for he turned anc
e certainly heard the sound: Sir Henry
= Clinton! Sir Henry Clinton!
II am here, sir, to prove my chiefs
y sincerity" the English voice was say
= ing, as the spectator III this theatcl
: gathered his scattered wits. II am here
y in reply to a note from Mr.. Ciustayus
r which says that he will hand to Mr.
i Anderson the plans of the fortress al
Y West Point, together with list of the
t guns, as a sign Of his good faith anc
L sincerity and as a first step in the ar.
4 engagements to be consummated. Am
correct?"
4 so I understand. SIR" replied the ell
u derby officer quickly.
II have the honour, then of address
Il ing General Benedict Arnold?
t Yes; and 1?".
0 "Of addressing Major John Andre, o.
9 Clinton's staff-but what is tllat?"
> CIT is the wind in the leaves,
: answered the master Of ceremonies. q.
heard it but now" and, by the grace O.
:. chance, the wind did indeed at the mo
n ment rustic the foliage On all sides
= Otherwise, my spasmodic movement
= must have discovered me then ant
| there.