Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1903-01-01
CHAPTER ~.


In the camp at Valley Forge, clear.
frosty day. Some OF McIntosh's bare
foot men were llstlessly shovellng
paths through the snow around the
farmhouse OF Isaac Potts, which was
the headquarters OF General Washing
ton.
In the parlor OF the farmhouse sat
General Washington himself. n tall
and fine looking man OF grave aspect.
His uniform Of bun and blue sat on
him handsomely. His powdered cue
was tied with black silk ribbon, and
bis hat and sword lay on the table
beside him. In his hand was a small
copy OF the New Testament
Near by on sofa lay sleeping n
young officer great favorlte OF Wash
ington. lie had almost recovered from
n wound In the leg received at the bat
tie Of the Brandywino. Mary Potts.
the farmers buxom daughter. entered
without ceremony and snld:
"Please. gentlemen. father says that
dinners ready now. slrs." And out she
nounced.
The voice awoke the sleeping officer.
who asked:
"Is II 30 late7 All. mel What n
New Years day Wen have next year.
my generalr
The young officer nrosc slowly and
with pain, and, leaning on the arm OF
the tall commander in chief. they
passed out Into the hall. At the door
a hurrylng soldier met them. saluted
and said:
"a prisoner. general; says he is the
nephew of Mrs. Lydia Darrah and that
he has important information which
he win lmpart only TO yourself"
A guard OF three soldiers. one bare
foot, approached with a tall, brawny,
blond young man n little the worse for
liquor.
"Are you General Washington, sir p
II am, and | am told that you are
the nephew OF an esteemed friend Of
mine. Lydia Darrah."
''rhe same. sir. Now am frecy
'Set the man free"
''rhe way TO set me free, general, IL
to hand me back my musket"
The general nodded and the musket
was handed to Elijah. A wicked gleam
shone In his eyes.
"oh, by the way, was an Indian in
here today from the cltyr
II saw none. he lively. What have
you for mci"
Stealing look all around Elijah
Strong pulled out OF his pocket the
forged dispatches and handed them
over
This day In Connecticut we shoot
the Wild turkey" said the sergeant TO
Elijah, with sigh, while the dis.
patches were being read. but this
New Years day there's no turkey meat
for u.s."
Ever shoot paisl" asked Elijah.
Nor Well, down In this country we
shoot pairs. Teams OF two fire togeth.
er. It's great sport. The sergeant and
Will shoot against the other two"
mot my will. o Lord. but thlno be
done" cried the commander In chief
hoarsely as he finished reading the dis
patches and handed them to the young
officer whom he had addressed as
James. He put his handkerchief TO
his eyes and leaned against the door.
post.
NO reward, general. for the dispatch
bcarorr queried Elijah. LET us shoot
couple OF rounds at mark, sir"
Certainly" courteously replied tho
general In a husky voice. And then.
turning to his friend and companion In
arms, no asked:
Well. what think you Is to be done
nowr
For you to dee to France. for the
army 10 disband. for freedom TO wait
on better days"
Crack Whit A bullet went mast
the generals face. Out into the open
he strobe angrily and was about 10
question Elijah and the other man.
standing score OF yards away with
smoking muskets, as 90 why they had
put the mark so near his door when no
noticed that the mark. a shlngle swung
from tree. was some distance away.
Az once he suspected trcachery.
walking swiftly toward the newcom.
er' he was about 10 charge him with
the crime when down the hlll behlnd
the man an Indian came running. Eli.
Jan was swiftly reloadlng his piece
ihe indian ceased running when with.
In a score OF yards. halted. raised his
musket, fired, aud Elijah Strong felI
upon the snow. But he wns mn again
u an Instant and running like a deer
lie disappeared behind a row OF loo
huts 200 yards away
How dare you began the general
angrily. '''"'
Ihe indian pulled on his long boIr
and eagle feather.
Captan Alexander Williams. zen. |
eral In new gulser' he said "rbis |
ieliow was here to kin you. Knypbau. |
zen ordered II done"
"'uiu Nlul ne had succeeded" |
Viieu the heartbroken leader. "Bad
day" A'"'
pursoyne u prisoner. French aid
coming and fi7.ooo left for you at Ja. |
goo snaies mill. | wish you. general
most happy new yeary-
captain Williams went with vvo.A |
.is,on ., INTO Isaac Potts farmhouse and
.o'u the good news. II was proclaimed
=. once through the camp, and shout
answered shout until night fell, when
vonilfes .sa blazed and vainum gave out
'H'ee ra'ions Of bread and onions In !