The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-05-25
None But the Brave

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'Tis a simple tale. yet not an unevent-
full one Ana as 1 sit here and bite the
end of my quill, can see again dirty
night, in 80 thirty, years aG0, warm.
late September evening with the fine
rain tum bling down on the leaves of the
trees that bordered the road. The pat
tering drops, the thump Of Rogers hoofs
as he kept on his steady gait with bow
ed head and bedraggled name, the &C.
casional loom of a big maple. and the
sense of wretchedness and loneliness were
the only sounds and thoughts that came
to my consciousness.
Yet back of 1t all was that constant
watchfulness that, young as l was ! had
learned always to have by me-a lesson
common to all who had served with Gen.
Putnam for a year or two. The vigorous
old man had given me many a parting
caution as he shook me heartily by the
hand. telling me to have a care of this
Hudson river country and of the Wild
thieves that broke out with impartialty
upon colonial and kings soldiers alike.
And thus [ had ridden out of Connecti-
cut and turned up the river in the midst
of the silent, gloomy September rain.
1t must have been or o'clock. for
darkness comes on early in such a
country on such a night, and l had had
many an anxious quarter of an hour
since nightfal looking for the tavern
that. according to my information, should
D5 about here anywhere.
81 heybt
ahead In the middle of the road, EVIL
IDENTIFY not from any tavern window. but
from an ordinary coach lantern. moving
here and there so strangely that instinct
lively Roger slowed up. and allowed me
to guide him in under the trees 10 one
side.
A moments observation showed me a
huge and. so far as could be told In that
light fine family coach tilted at such an
unnatural angle that l perceived 1t to
be In distress. Two men were at work up
on the wheel. or rather standing about
examining 1t. and nothing appearing
ainss. l rode up quietly and asked them
what had befallen them.
Misery enough" growled q churlsh
voice In reply Here we be stranded In
the country with never a nail nor strap
to help us
l liked not his tone nor his manner,
and probably showed as much in my re-
ply, for he Strengthened, and l saw him
feel at his belts
THAT is not much. you say. do your"
he cried. And do you think that?"
Tut, tut my friend. Take your hand
from your belt, and tell me what have
you inside
God knows!' he answered. with re-
newed wrath "a witch, woman, the
devil, Perhaps and added, Settle your
head we'll on your shoulders before you
go night that door!'
As l approached the coach, a hooded
head appeared at the window, and a
high girlish voice said in a strain just
betwixt uncomfortable anger and tears:
you wrteched men, cannot something
ye done? Am 1 to die here in this dread
full night? Who are you sir?
"A wanderer. madam at your SERVICE"
l answered.
THANK God for a human voice with
some temper to it, she cried. Can you
not whip these churls into doing some
thing sir?
l could not fail to notice even then that
afraid though she might be, anger con-
trolled her more than fear.
THE case Is not so bad, mistress, as
you think. We cannot be more than
mile from Gowan's Tavern, which stands
hereabouts."
out how am l to get there?"
IF you could mount my horse. We
would make it in a short time, with only
a little worse wetting"
II cannot l cannot! said She with
tears In her voice
IF you will trust to me-
And who are you?" she cried sud
denly. II do not know you
Somewhat nettled at these abrupt
changes of manner, l was guilty of pique
Wherefore. answering that | had but
tried offer her help, l made as If to move
on.
Walt! Wait! In Gods name, sir, would
you leave me here in such wilderness %
Indeed. l would not, mistress, but
1t appears you do not wish my help"
chit of a creature in a black mood and
long cape stepped out al. down into
nearly a foot of mud.
| was off Roger in an instant, and by
her side.
Forgive me. young lady; 1 was as
rude as your men. Come the thing is not
so bad and. without more ado. for. to
tell gospel truth. the thought of her little
feet in that oozing mud gave me conf
dence. picked her up as If she had been
a baby and set her on old Rogers back
And do you two men unhitch the
horses and lead them on after us to the
tavern l added.
The havoc created by the mud was
evident enough now, for as I led my
horse by the lantern ] could see tiny
shoe that once had had a bright silver
buckle. But Its simmer was dim now un-
der the dripping yellow mud. and, as far
as | could see. the same clay covered
what must have been a black silk stock
ing Then In Il moment | hau led Roger
out of the light and up the road
Here was a pretty mess. What would
the General say to his emissary to the
commander-in-c chief so carefully caution
ed to avoid any embarrassment. to steer
clear of aught that might embroil him
in delays? What would he say to me
now. trudging along on this wretched
night, leading a horse that bore a bur-
den dropped from I|knew not where and
clogging my progress in this ridiculous
fTshion? The Thought of the rain made
me turn instincdvely. and. taking my
cape coat from my back, lean up and
threw 1t over my companions shoulders.
But 1t had no sooner touched her than