The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-30
CHAPTER vi.
IN WHICH A PRISONER is TRIED AMI
HIS JAILER ESCAPES.

of guardhouse, and, after a short exami-
nation, being committed to a back room
with but one window and that barred. For
the few remaining hours before l was called
out to the examining officer, l heard the
steady tread of a sentinel outside my door.
Sleep was gone from me, and like as not
the rest / had in the woods saved me from
complete exhaustion.
Up and down the room I went hour by
hour, trying TO cool myself down and TO
form some plan for getting away and Civ
ing information to the high authority who
alone could be told such news. But moth
ing came of it, Indeed. was far too crazed
with the experience l had had to gather
my poor wits, except in so far as l decided
finally to explain frankly who 1 was to the
commanding officer of the troops stationed
here at Verplaneks. l knew Colonel Liv-
ingstone 10 be a fine soldier and a gentle
man. My two letters had been taken from
me as soon as / was brought in. but l had
no fears for anything except my ability to
come up with the commander-in-chief and
get speech with him.
1t was in the midst of this continual
tramping up and down the room that was
interrupted by the entrance of a sergeant,
who babe me follow him. We passed along
a narrow hall, and stood at half-opened
door, waiting TO be called, as / supposed.
Within the room could be heard the voice
of an officer making examinations, but as
l leaned YEARLY against the doorpost l
gradually became aware of two three
men talking in low voices on the other side
of the door.
"Perchanee twas indeed the man. Rob
though. upon my soul. l hope not. For he
did me as great service as man can do"
l started involuntarily 1t was certainly
the big voice of my friend John Acton of
the morning before; and, while 1 listened,
the turning of my thoughts to him led
them. for the first time since that strange
meeting in the woods, back to the old
house at Gowan's ferry and to her who
had taken such a hold upon me; so that ar
first the words seemed to carry little mean
ing to my mind.
Heaven bring it that tbs indeed your
man, John For / have followed the fellow
up and down this country now for two
weeks, till the pursuit of him and the de-
sire to come up with him have grown to a
strange fascination" This other voice was
clear, cool and penetrating, and came of
a different character from such as one saw
day by day among officers and men in the
rank and file of the Continental army.
Twas no English accented voice. but 1t
showed a great degree of cultivation.
What bearing and clothes had he?
Though the clothes might be changed" he
added. But 1 have seen that fiend again
and again, always riding. always with a
great cape, always at night"
True, lad said the other; The did, in
deed. wear great cape, and he rode down
from the heavens at full speed to my res
cue"
"And then disappeared?"
AYE like the smoke from a gun-pouf!
and he was gone"
And some ten miles this side of Gowans
ferry" the first voice said musingly;
twas Whereabouts I've come upon him."
What set We on the man, Rob-" asked
truth, to catch every word, for 1 could
place one man at least.
Its under the rose. John, but the fellow
is trying TO double spy, or so the COM
mander-in-chief fears But tits thought.
too, he belongs to Clinton. The colonel took
me into his confidence. and am to try to
run him to earth. would not tell this even
to you, but that l have the colonels con-
sent to take your help He goes by the
name of Captain HaZeltine, and as sure as
there as a God in heaven, l will come up
with the man yet. 1t grows now to be per-
sonal thing 'twixt him and me!'
Then the Lord help him. interrupted
the other. And at that l was pulled by the
sleeve and marched into the room.
AS we passed through the door, caught
a sudden exclamation. and turning. recog-
nized the man / had helped on the high
way, dressed now in a lieutenant's uniform.
and knew he recognized me- Well, we
should see what might be the outcome of it
all: and If l were to have spoken my mind
then. 1 cared not a tinker's dam.
Number 12!' called out a deep and, TO
me lust then, irritating voice. Report for
examination"
only saw in the morning sunshine that
the room was filled with a number of COM
missioned and noncommissioned officers.
and was about to move to the place allotted
to me, when he who called himself Acton
stepped up and frankly shook my hand.
"Ah, my friend, here you are Rob" said
he, with calm disregard of the examining
officer near by, Rod mere Is the man VINO
kept me from the worms.
THAT mani muttered the other. He had
a straight figure, a fine, strong face, pale.
little somber in expression, but 10 the
full extent what the voice had minated
Nay, friend" he added dejectedly; tits
no more like the other than you or l."
Gentlemen" said the officer sharply or
der, an it please you. We must proceed
with the examinations. Your name, sir!"
turning TO me.
Merton Baifort." said l.
''No middle name?"
NO"
II respect that mans parents" said Act
on in a stage whisper. lone Of US is spared
a middle name"
IT'S necessary to have order here. gen.
tlemen." cried the officer sharply.
quite right. too" nodded Acton, with
mock seriousness.
'Your home. sir!'
Massachusetts Colony" said !.
what town."
Boston"
1.-The cradle of liberty-next TO Virginia.
murmured Acton in his ponderous whisper.
which drew a smile from every one present.
Lieutenant. shall clear this room il or
der cannSs be maintained