The Washington times., 1902-06-08

rival We spent half the time securing
the country. looking for this ghost with
the cape coat and the phantom horse.
To confess the truth, ! had some doubts
of the Importance of the work which
showed how little | knew of the in
triguing and undercurrent work going
on at this otherwise strangely stagnant
period of the war Twas on such an ex-
petition that Acton had nearly lost his
life when | CHANGED along; and in fact,
twas no child's play to roam about the
country to the south of us. infected as it
was with all the outlaws OF the northern
part of the colonies.
These villains preyed on anyone, and
we were good meat for them. Two or
three running fights we had in these ten
days, as it was, but without results of
any kind, save the lesson of knowing
when to run away. Yet could Acton
never get this better part of valor into
his head, for twas always a hard task
to make him retire. AS on the day
first met him, he would brighten up at
the prospect Of fight, and would
tackle any number of SINNERS that
might fall in with us with laugh on his
lips and joy in his heart. And then
when We had finally got him away, once
actually leading his horse against his
will, he would curse us roundly for an
hour. and then beg orr pardon
Yet with all this the time dragged
with me, for l had hoped to get com
mission to search for Arnold, and each
day that passed made this more hope
less Once We heard that he lay in New
York: again, that he had gone to Eng
land; still again, that he had Joined
CORVALLIS in the South. l had, of
course, told my story to my two friends.
and we had here again agreed to work
together, should l ever gain permission
to go forth in search of him. The idea
brought more life and color to Curtis
face than anything ! had witnessed
since making his acquaintance; for, cool
though he was and little given to en-
thusiasm, this was work after his own
heart In fact. his mind seemed gradu-
ally TO settle upon that, too, as piece
of work he must have hand in.
Then. too, my mind would continually
bark back to fact that would not down
from my thoughts, and / wondered night
after night as ! lay In my bed-for the
colonel's aides actually did have beds
what she did now, and now; where she
was; what might be her sorrow and
trouble that had taken her from her
home. and why fate should have set the
insurmountable barrier of a great war
between us OF the episode of Gowans
Tavern. in which one James Marvin had
taken so significant a part. / thought
but little and spoke not at all, because,
in Iced, it meant naught. And yet twas
strange satisfaction that would run
through my blood, to think that this one
unknown woman of all others in the
world had stood beside me there. had
ridden with me the next morning, and,
whatever she might have felt, had GER
tainly trusted me. If l could see her
once again, under happy circumstances,
II could watch the sudden changes of
moods. fly one after another across her
fair face! Aye, il l could If could,
If
And in walked Curtis with his usual
careless step and undisturbed counten-
ance, to say:
Get your kit together, lad! We go
on something worth while this night
Without word took my sword from |
the corner and got pistol and boots |
ready. Twas only a moment, and we
went over to his room, where sat Jack |
Acton, ready as well.
I'VE take twenty men, and ride south. |
Are you ready?"
why twenty men, Rob?" asked Ae-
ton. Let US do it alone, whatever It |
may be-
I'VE shall neei them all. Nothing |
more here. The walls can hear and talk
of it."
Still, l do not see," went on the big
but he followed after.
Outside, over by the barracks, with
his usual precision. Curtis pointed out
to us the troop of twenty men, ready
mounted, and our horses standing by.
! was up on Roger at once. for / had
the dear old nag again safe and sound.
And we rode away south, giving the
word and greeting to the pickets as
we passed out OF camp into the night
and the uncertain neutral country. The
command had been passed along for 81
lence, and SO we rode hour by hour
steadily southwark, until by the dis
lance my heart began to beat faster |
for by now l had begun to know the
and I saw we must be fast near
ing certain fated house. II could
but see her once!
This. way, Jack and Balfort," said
Curtis out of the darkness; and we nov
ed hundred yards in advance of the
troop. 1--WE are getting near the
place"
And l should like to know" be-
gan Acton.
why we are here? Well, listen.
There is an impression that an attempt
has been planned to recapture Andre,
who was to have been taken tonight
Town this side of the river and carried
over to the other bank, on his way to
rappan for trial The colonel had word
rom headquarters this evening, at six.
hat the plans are changed.
Andre goes from West Point with {
,ut crossing, and we are to take the