The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-20

talk short I interrupted,
Doubtless you would know who we
are" as some of the soldiers proceeded
to pick up the two fallen men.
IT will be necessary VIII ye come 70
the lieutenant,
In an old house by the road that had
been taken for a guard-house, We found
the lieutenant commanding. began on
him at once:
My name is Hazetine. sir. and I am
on my way to New York with dispatches
for Sir Henry Clinton. Ny companion
here is included IN these passes''s and /
handed him Washingtons priceless gift.
He had but begun to glance over this
when the door opened and Hazeltine him
self entered. His face was a mass Of
blood and dirt, but beneath this you
could see the features working with a
well-nigh ungovernable passion. He
threw off tho sergeant with an effort and
strobe directly up to the officer
You are a new officer here, sir. Other
wise you would know me-"
Acton began to prepare himself for
anything that might happen I stood
where ! was trying to appear only an
noyed at this Interruption The officer,
on his part instead of replying, turned to
his sergeant and hlurted out:
Why do ye admit this man here7"
Lord, sir he came of his own accord,
sir" answered the man.
Well have we not force enough here
to put one man under guardf Take him
uwayl"
Lieutenant, You will regret any such
action" cried Hazeltine. angrily
Why, You outlaw, do you expect to
impose on meg'
u tell you sir, Sir Henry Clinton will
not appreciate such summary measures.
come here to tell you my name is Haz-
eltine, and | say to you 'rebellious war
Will oil "a oh
The lieutenant started perceptibly twice
during these hastily spoken words, once
at the name of Hazeltine and once at the
words "lebellious war"
I was high time something was said,
end 80 took the cue:
II know this man, lieutenant and you
will do well to hold him, lie Is an Amer
lean spy In Disguise / nearly caught
him a few days ago at Gowan's Tavern
just above here in the neutral country"
You lie, you dog You lier' cried the
other. Il know you now, too. You are
the rebel | am after and so is this fell
low here. You What have you done
with"
"Silence" cried the lieutenant "and
leave the questions to me! Now, SIR" he
continued, turning to me, proceed"
Il tell you that my name Is Hpzeltine
and that -"
He li,sl he liesl That is my name"
cried the man.
l shrugged my shoulders as quietly as
might be, and looked at the lieutenant.
Acton began to laugh. He was beginning
to comprehend. The lieutenant was fast
losing all comprehension,
viii ye be quiet" roared he at the
stranger. Receiving no answer he turned
again to me.
Now, sir!"
Il repeat my name is Hazeltine. and II
you win give me a few morgents' private
conversation, I will prove 1t. l may not
expose important matters here"
You will answer here, sir, what ques-
lions are put to you cried the Lieutenant.
fast losing his senses. Now then" he
continued, sitting down to the table, and
beginning to write, your manner"
Paul Hazeltine."
A movement on the part of the blood
despatched man drew a corresponding
movement from the lieutenant, and / put
my hand to my hip. OF a surety the sit
uation looked critical Acton alone APP
peared calm, and a smile gradually
spread over his great face. There was
the prospect of fraeas, and therefore OF
amusement, Consequently he was the
coolest Of the party.
Your business here within the lines p
continued the lieutenant,
Special emissary Of Sir Henry Clinton.
II you will allow me few moments pri-
Il Will allow We naught, sir, but the
guard-house, IL we do not reply at once,
cried the bewiidered officer.
Here is my pass" said :, handing him
Washington's slip. Then, as for an in
slant there was silence, the door again
opened and two soldiers brought in the
other man, who had been wounded In the
head in his fall from his horse Acton
touched me quietly, and turning l saw 4
was the man who had escaped from Holt's
Tavern the night before. and who had
failed to find the dispatches on his
friends body before he left His head
was bandaged, but he was not TO be mis-
taken.
, Who the hell is this oney cried ths
The sergeant touched his hat and re.
piled:
THE other Skinner, sir, hit In the head
sir. He's out of the game, I'm thinking
Lieutenant Majoribanks bent over him
and at that moment the man opened his
eyes and struggled to a sitting position
| have never become accustomed to death,
much Of the grim customer as ! flays
seen, and the struggles Of this poor fel-
low to say something that was on his
mind were pitifui.
What Is it2' asked the lieutenant,
! leaning oyer him. the anger gone out OF
his face and voice; TRY again. my mani
w ga hfPhtHbhifEi9 koPh piSHt1 al Tue
sight Of the fast approaching end, and ]
heard the one word "despatches' as he
pointed at me. II was close hit, but
by the 81 ace OF a chance thought found
! Hazeltine In line with me and just behind.
| and turned and looked at him.
dispatches" repeated the poor fell
low. "That-man-my- dispatches" And
over he went with a thump OF his head
against the floor as dead as WAS ever q
| man.
The officer roso In moment and turn.
ed to US. Seeing me look at Hazeitine, he
| said;
What does this mean7 you have dis
patehes?"
mot l." said Hazeltine, his manner
changing shade as he spoke. | held
my peace for moment for the eyes Of
the officer showed that mistaken iden-
tity was working into my head and ]
have ever found that bit of silence al
certain moments will say more than
years of worldly converse.
mot II said HaEeltine, "fIe pointed
to this man here. ! know him well.
He"
Sergeant ordered tho officer, take
this mar into custody. Search him and
bring all papers found on him TO mel'
Again Hazeltine controlled his temper
by great effort Indeed, the mans
mind was working fast, and / knew from
what the Commander in-Chief had told