The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-28

me across, and got into the woods on the
other side. So. keeping close by the road,
but avoiding ii whenever l gathered that
some one was approaching. 1 moved along
towards Haverstraw.
One would have said the whole world
walked abroad that day. for 1 met one
after another; till. the sense OF caution
growing stronger in me for what had been
through, / stepped towards the river bank
| into the thick forest and lay me down to
wait for darkness. In good truth, what with
the want of food and the work of the past
night. I needed rest badly. and my wan
dering thoughts. that strayed back TO a
certain tavern and its strangely fair oc-
cupant. must soon have been overruled by
honest sleep. for when 1 sat up again. with
the sense of something occurring. or about
TO occur. near by. darkness had settled over
the land for several hours.
1t has ever been a 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 moonlit woods. walked
some one. turn of the head showed me
the figure of a man striding up and down.
his hands clasped behind his back. his head
bent forward, but each moment nervously
lifted, as if expecting TO hear some sound
! near by.
AN officer" said I TO myself, for the
square shoulders, the straight figure, and
the unknown something in the carriage of
man accustomed to military precision
were visible in every movement of the fig
ure. could not trust myself to move, for
he passed constantly within a few feet of
the spot where l lay, only separated from
me by the great elm whose roots had served
me for pillow.
can officer. and no mistake" went on my
musings, and here in the woods at night,
by the river. waiting. ii would seem, for
some one. Can it be that he grows impa-
tient? He moves toward the stream No"
My musings were cut short by the unmis-
taxable sound of oars regularly striking the
tholepins of a boat. The noise drew near,
and the boat must have stopped close, for
in a moment a man-nay two-appeared,
and one at least was an officer as well. 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
deep shadow. while the other two came
up the bank into the little open glade.
by some strange freak Of chance, become
the spectator in the gallery. so to speak OF
theater. What the spectacle should be, I
knew not; but strong, perhaps natural,
feeling led me to watch with peculiar
eagerness for what was about 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:
us that you, general?''
1T is l. said the deep tones Of the elderly
officer
This is Mr.. Anderson-Mr. John Ander-
son. whom you expect"
There is none ether with you?''
None" answered the first speaker eek
cept the two boatmen below, and they be
out of earshot" Then he who seemed to
be master of ceremonies in this strange
midnight drama continued: Mr.. Anderson
this is Mr. Gustavus. 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 accents
of an Englishmen:
II am then, in the presence Of Mr.. Gus
tavus?"
"You are" replied that person. There is
no reason for raising our voices. 1 have the
honor, then, of addressing Mr.. John Ander-
son.
THE same"
What had an Englishman to do here,
within. or nearly within. American lines?
And what meant this meeting? Here were
the voices and figures of officers! No coun-
try louis were thus getting together in the
midst of the woods. The tones, too were
of a character with the time and place.
Those of him called Anderson were distant
and of very forbearing nature. Those Of
the older men came from one who was in
haste.
IT understand. sir" said Mr.. Anderson,
that you are the person who has made
certain communications touching the forti-
fications at West Point"
YES" answered Mr.. Gustavgs.
Il am given TO understand further" went
on the English voice. that there has arisen
some question to the sincerity of both
parties, especially as regards Sir Henry
Clinton"
Yes" came the answer again.
Sir Henry Clintonl In spite OF myself 1
sat up. as if forced by a spring, and 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 Clintonl Sir
Henry Clinton!
Il am here, sir, TO prove my chiefs sin
certy." the English voice was saying as
the spectator in this theater gathered his
scattered wits. 81 am here in reply to a
note from Mr.. Gustavus, which says that
ne will hand TO Mr. Anderson the plans Of
the fortress al West Point together with
list of the guns as a sign of his good
faith and sincerity and as a first step in the
arrangements TO be contaminated. Am 1
correct?"
so 1 understand. sir" replied the elder
ly officer quickly.
Il have the honor. then. OF addressing
Gen. Benedict Arnold?"
Yes; and T."
"Of addressing Major John Andre of
Clintons staff-but what is that?"
4" lis the wind in the leaves" answered
the master of ceremonies. IT heard il but
now" and. ny the grace of chance. the
wind did indeed at that moment rustic
among the foliage on all sides Otherwise.
my spasmodic movement must have discov-
cred me then and there.
What followed will never be clear IN me