The Irish standard., 1903-09-26
CHAPTER III.
THE FIGURE IN GRAY.

of the ambush warfare waged by |
southern revolutionists, and he had
no desire to have his troops caught |
in an ambuscade. 1t did not seem to
him that even one of these daredevil |
would risk his life in so
leckless manner without some def |
mite object in view: and what object |
could lie have unless it were to tempt |
the British to pursue him and thus
lead them into the arms OF supe-
rior American force? Besides his
own troops, he had many prisoners
taken in Yesterdays battle to be
Calling his officers about him, he
consulted With them hastily. Almost
to man they were against pursuit.
Perhaps the half-fnished breakfast
awaiting them had something to do
with tie unnnimity of opinion. for
your Britiahcr loved his food then
us he does to-day.
So back to breakfast they went,
and Jane was SO relieved ut their
decision that she ordered Aunt De-
horuh, an expert hand to bake them
some of her famous, crisp-edgetl,
golden crntcrcd batter cakes to help
repair amy injury the breakfast might
have suffered from the interruption.
"Rerkicss, reckless Godfrey" she
was saving to herself, as she babe
Gabriel pass the syrup to her guests
and herself filled their coffee cups,
will he never learn discretion: Why
should he so risk his life out OF mere
bravado??"
But, indeed, she wrongcd the
horseman. Though he was quite ca
Pablo, as she we'll knew, of having
ridden into the British lines out OF
foolhnrdy defiance and because he
loved to take his life in his hand
tor the thrill such adventure gave
him. yet in this instance he was guilt
less of so mad Il piece of folly.
On the contrary, he had been as
much surprised to find himself in the
midst of SO large Il body OF redcoats
as the British had been to see him.
One of the few Americans who had
escaped from the fight Of yesterday,
lie was flying through the country
as fast as his horse could carry him,
striving to get together band OF
American sylnpathizers to revenge
Besselner's refusal of quarter to the
Americans at that battle.
This mission bringing him close to
his own home, he stopped there to
see his parents for few moments,
and was besought by his sister to
carry Il note to her dear gossip, Jane,
since his route lay past the Ellery
place. lie was at the mouth of the
lane which led to the Ellery planta-
ton when he came upon Il couple
of scouts whom Bcssemer had sent
out TO reconnoitcr. Thinking them
but stragglcrs from the British
army, and having no idea the main
body was so close, he set upon the
soldiers and pursued them as they
rctreatcd towards the mansion, firing
IL, he went. Ii was these shots which
startled the British from their ease,
and before the young man could
4 realize his prcdicament he WAS facing
| the stern, straight lines of Besse-
mcr's dragons with their leveled
weapons staring al HIM.
| AS the horse went pell-mrll through
the woods, taking the untlerbrusl
! until he could find the bride path
! his rider looked back over his shoul
der. ON the watch for pursners
| When he became convinced that none
| followed. he dropped back nonchal
! an,Iy into his saddle and shrugged
his shoulders contemptnously.
upon my soul, what towards thes,
British be at heart. for all thei1
spIutter and their murdrrous ways,
he m,ttcred, out of the insolcnc'
born Of his temporary triumph.
lie rode on through the woods
hummng the snatch OF a patriotic
song. but when the moments eNhil
aration had passed his brow wa.
overcast, for his GRAND had not bcel
accomplished, and it i'll suited hi!
pride to leave his commission upper
formed. Furthermore, on the roat
he had learned that James father
and mother were from home, ant
that she Was alone save for the blacl
servants and the white ovcrSrcr ant
: his family, whose house WAS fully ;
, quarter of Il mile from the mansion
Under other circumstances thi
would have caused him no uueasi
ness, for he well knew the devotion
Of the slaves to Jane, but the pres
cnce of BcsSemer and his soldier
perturhed him much. Ills distrust o
the British colonel was great, an
vastly did he dislike the thought o
Jane being alone in her father
house with only servants to protec
her against possible British insc
, lence. .
If he could only have word wit
Aunt Rachel or James black man
; my. two faithful souls, and war
, them to keep il careful watch owe
their mistrcsS's welfare until h
could bring force to GUST til
, intcrlopcrs. his mind would be easier
1t would well suit his mood to rid
back to the Ellery mansion, das
through the opposing redcoats agail
snatch word with Jane or some c
her devoted dependents. and gallo
, away.
'By the Gods. il could be done too,
, he told himself, his blood quicker
ing at the notion.
Go be continued).
Before election your candida
Z / r1,., =