The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-08-01
CHAPTER VII.

It was an hour later that the horse
which had brought me from Yer
plancks carried me by the Robinson
house, filled now with so much more,
yillainy than could ever have been
there through a tory's principles. Rob
inson, at least, had stuck by his opin-
ions and acknowledged them, bad as
they were. But here was one WHOM
protesting patriotism and living lie,
and who, If I did not hasten, would
! endanger the existence OF the whole
| country. g4
It was further spur to speed, and I
| rode. on the faster, urging the animal
again to his best. BY o'clock at
night, with never a stop for rest or
food, we came UP with the village OF
Fishkill. There was no difficulty in
finding headquarters; but there anoth-
! er disappointment awaited. me. Cen
eral Washington had left a few days
before for Hartford. This was told me
only after I had satisfied an aide In
charge Of headquarters that had
pressing business with the general
How far may it be to Hartforde' '
asked.
Good Lord, man, it's a hundred
| miles!" .4s
"It matters not. I must get there
as soon as possible" I said. Gould
you let me have a good horseo''
He looked at me for an instant. Then
opened the letter from Putnam and
bade him read. It was quite enough.
had the horse in a few moments,
and was away again. The general had
gone by the lower road, which learned
branched off the Hudson River road
just to the south Of the village, and
the clock on the meeting house In Fish
kill struck 9 as finally made the turn
eastward. ii
The beast I had was indeed a good
one, and he carried me steadily and
well. It was futile to hurry him be-
yond his endurance, for the good ant
NAL must keep rae moving for two
days. I was cooling down gradually
and gaining my ordinary. powers Of
reasoning things out, and there We're
hours in which to reflect. At half past
2 we pulled UP at the Tottern Arms inn
| for a few moments rest, for the good
horse had not dropped into a trot In
| three hours and half. M
/ It would seem as if the devil had
| his hand in this business; for I could
wake no one. But by dint of much
humping and kicking on the door Of
the inn. and a vigorous bowling out for
some one, I got at last nightcap out
of the window, and no very civil reply
to my demands. Still, in fifteen min
asked for any food they had while I
put my questions. ,s,5i
How far to Hartford e cried the
| tavern-keeper. Bless my soul, T don't
know! Jennie, how far would it be
| now to Hartford? What was that we
heard of Hartford last week 2"
Why, them big officers talked Of it.'
answered awoman In a short wrapper.
her nightshift showing beneath it.
sNWho2' cried I. The dim old room.
lit now by a single candle, prevented
my seeing clearly, and I approached
the woman so suddenly, SO intent on
what had caught, that she fled up the
llsteep stairway and could not be per-
suaded to come dowE again. Exc
| After much pleading however I
learned that several ofTicers-one Of
/ enormous stature and great eyes, with
wide mouth and white periwig-had
4 stopped there last Friday, six days be-
fore, on their way to Hartford, evident
1 ~, from what they had said
Good people," cried 1, standing at
the foot of the stairs and addressing
The woman above and the man at the.
table, good people, that was General
| washington and his staff, and I must
catch them within two days.''
Ye don't say so!'', came from
the head OF the stairs: What said 4
/ to We, Henry? Did not tell We. man.
+ was a. great company and you with.
| your dirty apron on at the time! Lord.
! love. We. Henry, We will never move up
In life with ye----''s5 VI II Al n
Ny dear, good woman" cried &
again, "sasd they aught else? Think!
| Canst remember anything of their re-
turn p, NJ K. ) tb ss72b5
Not much. |" grunted the old lady.
10 think that Henry should have
talked with the great men In his apron
and his old breeks! e, sys5
What said they, madam? Tell me,
and Henry shall have a new apron:
aye. and another pair OF breeks.,' &
OF good corduroy ~ III
l'' Yes, yes! And two pairs,
IS little enough said they; but