Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1902-07-24
talking in Low voices ON the other side

Was certainly the big voice of my friend
John Acton of the morning before; and.
While ] listened, the turning of my
thought to him led them, for the first
time since that strange meeting in the
woods, back to the old house at Cow
ans Ferry and to her who had taken
such hold upon me: SO that at. first
the words seemed TO carry little mean
to my mind.
Heaven bring 1t that t is indeed
your man. John. For | have followed
the fellow UP and down this country
now Ter two weeks. till the pursuit Of
him ah{! the desire 10 ONE up With him
have grown to q strange fuScination.'
Inns Other voice was clear, cool, and
penetrating, and came of Il different
character from such as one saw day by
day among officers and men in the rank
ana file OF the Continental army. i
was no English accented Voice. but it
showed . great degree of CIVILIZATIONS
nat bearing and clothes had he?
lhough Tic clothes might be changed
he aGtied. leut / have seen that tiend
agiin and again, always riding, always
with great cape. always at night"
True, lad, said the other; .'he did
indeed, wear 4 great cape, and he rode
down from tho heavens ut full speed to
my rescue"
And then Disappearance"
Aye Hike the smoke from a gun
pouf. and he WAS gone
And some ten miles this side of Co
vans Ferry, the first voice said mus
ingly; ~ was thereabouis I've come
upon him.
What set ye on the man, Rob-"
asked lie voice of Acton. l began now,
IN good truth. to catch every word, for
Gould place one man at least
- md. ,l,n
fellow is trying u double spy, or so the
eontla'Adsi'-in -chiei fears. But t is
thought too, he belongs to Clinton. The
colonel took me into his confidence. and
| ana TO try to run him to earth.
would not tel this even To you, but
that Rave the colorelss consent to take
Soui help. He goes by the name of Cap
tain flazeltine, and rs sure as there is
Il God III heaven, ! viii come up with
the man yet. Ii grows nov To be a per-
sonal thing tWixt him and me"
Then the Lord help him. interrupt
ed the other. And at that / was pulled
by the sleeve and marched into the
room.
AS we passed through the door. /
caught a sudden exclamation, and.
turning, recognized the man had
helped ON the highway dressed now In
n lieutenant's uniform, and knew he
what might he the outcome of 1t all;
and IL l were to have spoken my mind
then, carcd not tinlser's dam
Number 12!" called cut n deep and.
10 me just then, irritating Voice. RE
port for examination"
only saw in the morning sunshine
that the room was filled With num-
Der of commissioned ard non commits
stoned officers, and was about to move
n a al Not tod
who called himself Acton stepped up
and frankly shook my hand
All, my friend. here you are, Rob.
said he, with calm disregard of the ex-
anining officer near by, Rob, here is
the man who kept me from the worms. Z
Ihat man" muttered che other He
had straight figure, fine, strong
face pale. q little sombre in express
sion, but to the fun extent what the
voice had minated. Nay friend" he
added dejectedy. IT is no more like
the other than You or H.
Gentlemen. said the officer sharply.
order, an it please YOU. We must pro
ceed with the examinations. Your
name, sir turning to me.
Merton l3alfort," said T.
No middle name?'
NO"
Il respect that mans parents" said
Acton In a stage Whisper "One of us
Is spared a middle name
:" II is necessary to have order here.
sentlemen cried the officer sharply
Quite right. too nodded Acton, With
mock seriousness.
Your home, sir"
massachusetts Colony" said r
What town.?
"lustnn.'
The cradle of liberty-next to Vir-
ginia," murnured Acton In his ponder
Gus whisper which drew smile from
every one present.
Lieutenant, shall clear this room If
order cannot be maintained
Then the nervous strain ! was labor
ing under became too much for me.
Sir, said /, turning to Acton, II beg
that you will let the examination pro-
coed. You asked me to call on you and
do so now
Your age?" cried the examining Of
iicer loudly
Twenty two."
"0ecuaationp 2"
Lieutenant in the division of General
Israel Putnam
You are u soldier of the Colonies?,'
Aye, q soldier of the colonies" said
raising my voice; for I was beyond me
TO keep calm longer under this ques-
toniig, and, us | have already said
vas come to that frame nf mind where
cared not q whit what might come OF
1t all.
Then fell q bombshell into that COM
pany.
II do not believe it," half muttcred
the officer
That cooled me at once, and replied:
THAT is the remark Of Il coward,
sir"
You call me-be calls me coward.
coward reared the examiner, jumping
up ana humping his desk, while a dead
silence i"il over the whole company.
is further the remark of bad
officer and weak man.
God help me- what dost say?" cried
the mar again.
II say that | ask to be taken to the
commander of this fort. II is said /
must be examined. / say Very we'll,
proceed; examine ana you begin by
giving me the lie, when, as man to
man. l have no retaliation. You are,
therefore, a weak man and coward.
You say this Instead of putting to pa
per my examination. for your superior
and better to read and Judge. IT is the
method of a bad officer. You see 4 is
simple enough"
That is a brave man." came over the
room III the deep tones had heard con-
rersing but now with Lieutenant Ac-
ton. He speaks the truth"
ny, you irnpudent scoundrel."
cried the Infatuated officer do you
know whom you address," He was too
astonisfed to do more than stare at me
in amazement. But was bent on Civ
ing vent to the hours of pent-up misery
L had just passed through, and 1T did
my soul good TO say so.
In my colony. when there comes a
prisoner and shows by mis- manner that
he has aught of Importance to say, he
Is taken to the commanding officer.
Evidently the military discipline Of
NerpI.tppkc Ia rF ,,..,.4