The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-10-10

n
Sir Henry Clinton at that period was
well advanced in years. He would
have been a handsome man but for his
eyes, which by. their expression gave
to his face. a sinister look that became
more marked as he spoke. He had only
left his home In England that he might
win fame for himself in a few short
months and return with a great name
to his native land. His ill success
against the American army, and his
utter inability to- cope with a mind
like my commander in chiefs, had in-
creased this dissatisfied, %querulous,
complaining side Of his character, and
he had now become thoroughly dis
gusted with the whole war. Such had
been the gossip of this commander of
the British forces in America which
had reached the ears of all Of us out
in Connecticut. EYeryWhere.his troops
would win battles according to Euro
pean methods, and then be forced to
retreat, losing more men in the retreat
than. the Americans had in the fight.
This was anything but encouraging;
and the general showed his chronic
pettishness In his every action. He
showed it now, as he said sharply:
We'll Cameron, are you there?"
Eyes, your e~xcellency."
&%""Vell, well, man! Speak up! Ills
doubtless something of Importance that
causes you.to call me now!"a
Il think tits, you excellency. Here
is a messenger from Boston and New
sport!"
".Ah, I see him now. Well, sir, what
Is it?"
I handed him the dispatches taken
from the dead soldier. AS he glanced
over the papers he rang a bell, and
babe the orderly who appeared to
search out and bring to him Lord
Howe.
And, orderly" he added.
Eyes, your sexcellency."
Speak to the general cautiously,
and bring him away without attracting
attention"
Yes, your e~xcellency."
Nothing further was said until Lord
Howe appeared.
Howe had been superseded in the
command Of the American forces of the
British army by Clinton, and for that
reason alone he bore the present COM
mander no very good will. But, be-
side this, he knew perfectly well that
he was the ADLER officer. He was
anxious, therefore, to be recalled to
England to avoid association as an In
ferior with Clinton. In the meantime,
anything that made his rivals position
more difficult only gave him the great
err satisfaction.
IN lord" said Sir Henry. "Mr.-''
Merton" I prompted.
Mr.. Merton, here, has just arrived
with news that a French fleet is lying
In Newport harbor waiting to co-oper-
ate with the rebels!"
Lord Howe had just come from a
dance, and was very warm. He wiped
his forehead and then replied calmly:
IT the same as our news Of sew
eral days ago. Sir Henry. What
strength have they?"
I stepped forward to prevent ques-
lions coming to me, and said:
81 have further news!"
What, still more?" cried Sir Henry.
This seems enough for n night"
Major Andre has been taken to
Tappan and he is to be tried there as
a. spy Immediately
What is the sentiment as to the
result'?"' asked Howe. Z
That he will be hung" I answered.
Then I will hang every solitary
American in New York, whether loyal
or rebel!" cried Sir Henry, stamping
his foot, while tears Of vexation came
into his yes. ID 0 at once take
measures" %
IdIuou HE, DIT EieHTy, interrupted
Lord Howe, coldly; Twill you permit
me to take some steps in this matter 2"
BY all a Il wash my hands OF
It'll.
MI. Merton" said Howe, turning to
me-. d
z e sill" 1870 =*zz5S Sd
Remain in the house for an hour. II
you receive M instructions within that
time, call here at 8 o'clock each morn
ing until you do. Is that correct, Sir
Henry?" he asked. A
Clinton was evidently terribly affect
ed by the news Of Andres sentence,
and could not turn his mind to any
thing else. He said with an effort:
Mr. Merton, o have not eaten,
probably. Go In and join the; ball and
eat to your satisfaction. My lord, j
am too stricken with grief to join ms
guests. viii you take these gentlemen
in and make my excuse7"
Lord Howe turned, and, at my at
tempting to apologize because of our
costumes, he babe Cameron have us
brushed up, and insisted upon my put
ting on a coat and waistcoat Of Sir
Ienry's, the one faced with red, the
other of white satin. Acton was a sight
when he was ready. He was always a
handsome great fellow; but dressed in
these colors he would be noticed my
where. and with the combined express
sion of absolute ignorance OF the situa-
ton and his usual careless fearlessnass
he would have brought me to laughter,
if T had not had great fear Of what
he might do.
So we left the study through the door
by which Clinton had entered, and
found ourselves the next momen in
the most brilliant scene that had yet
met my Puritan eyes. Ishave no doubt
the court al Windsor, or whitehall was
finer, but I had heard for more than 8
year that Clinton held here maEnif.
cent court of his own, which We'd, Sc
our reports told, even with the kings
In the great ball room the lights Of
hundreds OF candles, hanging from the
ceilings In groups, and all about the
walls. lit up and reflected In the pol
tished floor q hundred o more gay rec
uniforms. with here and there blue
or black German officers dress and
the white and pink and blue silks d
women whose fair shoulders and necks
held is high heads and as beautiful
faces as could imagine. s$sa
Some danced gracefully d minuet, d,
the waltz. Others sat about in 3beautf.
sfnl mahogany furniture. and still 9th
ers stood In groups talking and laugh.
ing as if no war nor misery: nor any