Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-07-19

waited retreated 10 my tree, and stooo
not five feet away in a deep shadow,
while the other two am up the bank
into the little open glade. Gradually IL
dawned upon me that ! was. by some
strange freak of chance, become the
spectator in the gallery, so to speak,
of a theater. What the spectacle should
be. I knew not: but a strong, perhaps
natural. feeling led me TO watch with
peculiar easerness for what was about
to take place.
There was not long to wait: for the
older man stepped guardedly from tne
shadows near ne, and, on the moment
one of the new arrivals said In a 10"
tone:
1T that you, general?"
TT is r." said the deep tones of the
elderly officer.
This Is Mr.. Anderson-Mr. John
Anderson, whom you expect"
There Is zone other with your"
None" answered the first speaker.
Except the two boatmen below, ana
they be out of earshot.' Then he who
seemed to be master of ceremonies IN
this strange midnight drama contin-
led: Mr.. Anderson, this is Mr.. Gus
tavus, of whom we have spoken.
Thereupon went over me a cold sweat.
for there could be no mistake-the third
party to this drama spoke with a clear,
strong voice in the unmistakable ac-
cents of ar Englishman:
Il am, then, in the presence OF Mr..
G~ustavus?'
You are replied that person.
There Is no reason for raising our
voices. / have the honour, then, of ad-
dressing Mr.. John Anderson"
THE 1me.
What had an Englishman to DO here,
Within, az r1LrIp within AnpfiG1n
lines? And what meant this meeting?
Here were the voices and figures of Of
flcers. No country louis were thus get
ting together III the midst of the woods.
The tones, too, were of q character vs,h
the time and place. Those Of him called
Anderson were distant and of no very
forbeaTing nature. Those OF the older
man came from n Who was In haste.
Il understand, sir" said Mr.. Ander-
son, that you are the person who has
made certain communications touching
the Notifications ct West Point"
Yes, answered Mr.. GGstavus.
II am given to understand further"
went on the English voice, that there
has arisen some question as to the sim
certify of both parties, especially as re-
CARDS Sir Henry Citation"
Yes" came the answer again.
Sir Henry Clinton! In spite of myself,
l sat Up, as If forced by q spring, n
the third member of this strange trio
must have taken the rustic Of the leaves
to be the night wind. for he turned and
certainly heard the sound. Sir Henry
Clinton! Sir Henry Clinton!
Il am here, sir, to prove my chiefs
sincerity" the English voice was say
Ing, as the spectator in his theater
gathered his scattered wits. Il am here
in reply to Il note from Mr.. G~ustavus,
which says that he Will hand to Mr..
Anderson the plans of the fortress at
West Point, together with a list Of the
guns, as a sign of his good faith and
sincerity and as a first step in the ar
rangements to be consummated. Am /
correct 2"
80 l understand, sir" replied the ell
derby officer quickly.
II have the honour. then, of address,
ing General benedict Arnold?
Yes; and 1?'
cor addressing Major John Andre, OF
Clinton's staff-but what is that?"
"'T is the wind in the leaves"
answered the master Of ceremonies. II
heard II but now" and, by the grace of
chance, the wind did indeed at the mo-
ment rustic the foliage on all sides.
Otherwise, my spaSmodic movement
must have discovered me then and
there.
Continued Next Week.)