Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1902-09-06

&@Of SSNA' A~ 1890
nights work so soon?
You hould have taken them all.
They are dangerous men, and one who
escaped is more dangerous than all the
dozen put together.
1T was impossible, sir, under the
Nothing is impossible, young man."
said Washington quietly. Then he went
on, You have never been in New
York;"
mo, your e~xCellency."
Washington paused again.
Lieutenant, you are to prepare to
undertake a difficult work"
Yes, your e~XCellency."
You are to go to. New York at once"
Yes. your eXcellency."
You will examine the situation" he
paused q moment.
The situation Of"
"Of Benedict Arnold's house, at Nc.
3 Broadway. You are to form some
plan for abducting the traitor Arnold
across the Hudson to Communipaw,
where o will be safe"
/ could not reply now.
You will then bring Arnold alive to
me here" l could scarce tell where l
was with this calm voice laying upon
me so easily such a work.
You can do it,"
1T shall be done, your excellency, If
the traitor is in the town"
You will also search out n man who
goes by the name of Captain Hazeltine
-ah, you know him?" for l had started
involuntarily. HI may not be in the
town when you get there. If not, wait
for him unless the Arnold matter is
more urgent
1T shall be done, your eXcellency.'
None might question this man.
If you bring him to me dead or alive,
you will bring the most dangerous spy
in the British army. Still further: Sir
Henry Clinton has by this time heard
of the arrival of Rochambeau's fleet,
and viii be forming some plan for cut
ting off his corporation with me. l
must know this plan in time to stop it,
Or
Or"
You must stop it yourself"
1T shall be done, your eXcellency.'
Why l spoke with such confidence,
God only knows. The whole bearing
of the great soldier seemed to go into
me for that m II l felt certain
all should be done as he said. l little
know what was to come.
Lieutenant" continued Washington,
still more slowly, mo human soul in
this world knows of this commission
out you and |, and If you are taken
Il shall not be, your e~Xcellency."
IF your are taken, sir, neither l nor
any humon sould can save your life.
You will be hung as a spy and l can
not lift a finger to help you"
II understand" said ], looking him in
the eye.
Nov, as to your necessaries," and he
went into another room, returning in a
momen with several papers. In the In
slant of his absence l had made up my
mind to one thing, n as he returned,
/ asked:
Your excellency gives me three COM
m~issiOns?"
We'll, sir?" said he, in some surprise.
1T will be wiser to have three men
execute them"
THAT is impossible" he answered
quickly. Three American soldiers IN
New York would be discovered in an
hour"
Not the three hat will GO"
1T is impossible" reiterated the
commander. Il am putting great re-
lance in my judgment when l give you
these Weighty commissions but l must
do 1t partly because the few men |
have are known in New York, partly
because / rely on General Putnam's
recommendation of you"
THAT confidence shall not be mis-
placed"
Il feel that it is not"
BESIDES, if | fail, as you say, sir, l
shall be hanged, and that will be he
end of it,"
What is in your mind?" he asked,
with a slow quiet smile.
There are two lieutenants in Colonel
LivingStop's command"
Washington glanced at a bundle of
papers on the table again. "Lieuten-
ants Curtis and ACton?"
Eyes, your eXcellency."
"You have known them long and
well?"
Il have scarcely known them scarce
ly two weeks, but [ know them WE'LL
"That may betIay YOU"
THAT will be impossible
How is that
Because | hall not tell them any
thing, your eXcellency."
They will go with you in ignor-
ance?"
They will go with me without know
ing the purpose of their journey. If
they succeed, they will know soon
enough. If they are taken, they will
die without ever knowing why they
died
Then they are brave men
THAT they are, your ~cXCellency,'
said !, earnestly. And / beg you, sir,
to let me have their assistance and
counsel"
Il know one of them well, the other l
have heard somewhat of. You will
answer for them?"
II will answer for them, your .eX-
c~eilency."
Thereupon he sat down in his chair
and looked thoughtfully out Of the win
dow for a few moments. Then, col
lecting himself again, he opened the
package Of papers brought from the In
ner ROOM, and, selecting two, handed
them to me. They were peculiar bits
of waterproof paper not more than a
couple of inches by one in measurement
and rs | read them carefully | could
not repress an exclamation. Both were
signed by Sir Henry Clinton and read
as follows:
Captain Hazeltine Is to be allowed ia
pass and repass the British ines any
where at any time Of day or night.
Clinton, Commander-in-Chief.
The bearer is on special business by my
orders. He is to be allowed to pass and
repass all British lines at any time with
one person accompanying him.
Clinton, Commander-in-Chief.
Neither date nor other mark stood
on these letters. How Washington
could have obtained these price,
less passes was, and still is, beyond me
But no one yet knows the workings OF
that mind and the power for details
and foresight and preparation he could
compass.
Lieutenant" said he, "ft would be as
we'll for to be dead as to have these
papers found on you within our lines
for you would be dead soon after"
II shall need an order for money
and an order to Colone Livingstone re-
leasing Curtis and Acton, your excel.
lency," said /.
Again a smile played over the sac
features as he said kindly:
You have q cool head, young man
Keep it always on your shoulders. AND
now goodby and good fortunel" AnC
with the same cool, self-possesset
voice, after the orders were written
he signified to me that the interview
was over. With a salute I went out
procured money with an order, ant
then went to the quarters assigned me
Too tired for sleep, l lay down anC
fln,,Alt % Tho f,,tIna IIauAlfi~A Nvn