The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-26

Colonel Sewer, In whose command Rich
ard and the old borderer had fought in the
hilltop battle, undertook to explain.
stood self-confessed the bearer Of dis
patches from Lord CORVALLIS to Major
Ferguson he said. and 1 had claimed that
the orders had been SO altered as to delay
the Majors retreat and SO TO bring on the
battle. But they had just found LORD
Cornwallis's letter in my pocket. still
sealed and undelivered. And the tenor or
1t was precisely opposite to that OF an or
der calculated TO delay the Majors march,
as Mr. Jennifer could see If he would read
II.
While Sewer was talking. the old borderer
was fumbling in the breast Of his hunting
shirt. and now he produced a packet of pa
pers tied about with red tape.
Pears to me like you Injun-killers from
t'other side O. the mounting is in a mighty
hot sweat to hang somebody he said. as
cooiy as IL he were addressing mob Ok
underlings. Here's mess o. billy-doos
with Lord Cornwallis's name to 'em that
found 'mongst Major Ferguson's leavings.
II you'll look 'em over, maybe you'll find
out. immejtly If not sooner. that Cap'n
John here is telling We the plumb truth
The papers were examined hastily, and
presently John Sewer lighted upon the dis
patch had carried and delivered. Therear
the Colonies put their heads together: and
then my case was reopened. with Sewer
as spokesman.
I'VE have letter here which appears to
be the original order to Ferguson. Cap
tain Ireton. Can you repeat from memory
the postscriptum which you say was added
to it,"
gave the gist of my old patriarch's ad-
dendum as we'll as 1 could: and thereupon
suspicion fed away and my late judges
would vie with one another in hearty
frontier hand-grasps and apologies. whilst
the throng that ringed US in forgot eau
ton ard WEAKNESS and gave me cheer
to wake the echoes.
Twas while this burst OF graduation was
abuzz that Bphraim Yeates raised cry or
his own.
stop that there black-legged imp o. the
law,' he shouted. pushing his way out Of
the circle. Hes the one that ought TO
hang,"
cade 4 clatter of households on the hill
side below. and Yeates's rifle went TO
his face. But the bullet flew wide.
wide. and the black CARRIED figure clinsing
to the horses name was soon out OF sIght
among the trees.
'Ez allow. ye'd better look out for that
yaller-skinned little varmint. Cap'n john"
quoth the old man. carefully wiping his rife
preparatory to reloading it. He's rank
pizen. he is. and ye'll have to break his
neck sooner r later. l lowed to save We
the trouble but old Bess got mighty foul
on. and hain't got 10 lead-brush 10 clean
her out"
Now that I was fully exonerated was
free TO go and come as 1 chose: nay. more.
I was urged to cast in my lot with the
over-mountain partizans. As to this. took
counsel with Richard Jennifer whilst the
Colonies were setting their commands In
order for the march and loading che rris-
oners with the captured guns and amm1ni-
ton.
What is to the fore. Dick?' asked,
more fghting?''
The lad shook his head Never another
blow, l fear. Jack. These fellows crossed
the mountain to whip Ferguson. Having
done it. they will go home"
/ could not forego a hearty curse upon
this worst of all militia weaknesses. the
disposition to dispense as soon as ever
battle was fought.
Its nigh on to a crime" said !. This
victory. smartly followed up. might well be
the turning of the tide for us
But the lad would not admit the qualify
Ing condition. Twill be 10 less as it is
he declared Mark you, Jack; twill put
new life into the cause and nerve every
man Of ours afresh. And as for the red
coats, IL my Lord CORVALLIS gets the news
of it in lump. as he should, Gates will
have plenty of time to set himself in mo-
ton, SOW as he is
Twas then I had an inspiration, and
thought upon it for moment.
What are your plans. Richard?
He shook his head. Il have none worth
the Name 3
Then you are not committed to Colonel
Sewer for d term Of service?''