The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-12-06

had me fast gripped by the arms, whilst
a third made sure of the horSe.
"A dispatch rider" said the Nlsger of
the two who pinioned me. Seal CHI him,
Martin, lad, whilst hold him: then we'll
pay him out for Tarletons hanging OF
poor Sandy MCGUIRE"
I held my peace and let them search,
taking the threat for a bit Of soldier
But when they had turned the pockets
of my borrowed coat inside out and
ripped the lining and made II other
wise as much the worse for their mis-
handling as 1t was for wear, the third
man fetched a rope.
Did you mean that friend about
the hanging?" / asked wondering If this
should be my loophole of escape from
the life grown hateful.
Sure enough" said the big man,
coolly. You'd best be saying your pray
ers"
I laughed. Were you wearing my
coat and 1 yours. you might hang me
and welcome; in truth, you may az 1t is.
Which tree will you have me att?
The man stared at me as at one de-
mented. Then he burst out In gunaw.
"Damme, if you bean't a cool Tlucked
one! I've a mind to take you to the
colonel"
Don't do it. my friend. Though I am
something 10th to be snuffed out by the
men Of my own side we need Ot not not maggie +s
NO by God! you're too willing.
What's at the back of all this?'
Nothing save decent reluctance to
spoil your sport Have at it, man, and
let's be done with it."
Not If you beg me on your knees.
You'll go to the colonel, l say md he
may hang you If he sees fit You must
be a most damnable villain to want to
die by the first rope you lay eyes On"
colonel?"
Nay. rather. who are your"
1 gave my name and circumstance and
was loosed of the hand-grip though The
third man dropped the cord and 81 epped
back to hold me covered with his rife.
surelyT
mo, big Jock; big enough to lay YOU
on your back, though you have a hand
as thick as a ham,"
He ignored the challenge and stuck to
his text. IT never thought to see the son
Of old Mad-bull Rodger wearing q red
coat" he said.
THAT is nothing Many as good a
Wing as 1 am has been forced to wear
a red coat ere this, or go bareback ed.
But why don't you knot the halter? In
common Justice you should either hang
I breakfasted early
Fall inT said the big man; and so
I was marched quickly aside from the
road and into the denser thicketing of
the wood. Here my captors blindfolded
me, and after spinning me around to
ried me away to their encampment,
which was inland from the stream,
though not far, for 1 could still hear the
distance unfinished splashing OF the
water.
When the kerchief was pulled from my
eyes I was standing IN the midst of
mounted rinemen's halt-camp, face to
face with a young officer wearing the
uniform Of the colonelcy IN the North
Carolina home troops. He was hand
some young fellow. with curling hair and
trim side whiskers to frame face fine
lined and eager-the face Of a gentleman
well born and well bred.
Captain Ireton?" he said: by which
guessed that one of my captors had run
on ahead to make report. A
1.-The same" 1 replied
And you are the son OF Mr.. Justice
Roger Ireton of Appleby Hundred?'
II have that honor"
He gave me his hand most cordially.
You are very welcome, captain; Davie
Is NV name. / trust we may come to
know each other better. You are In dis
guise. as / take it; do you bring news of
the army?"
con the contrary, I am thirsting for
news" 1 rejoined 'T and three others
have hut now returned from pursuing a
British and Indian powder convoy into
the mountains to the westward we
have been out five weeks and more
He looked at me curiously. You and
three others?" he queried. Come apart
and tell me about it whilst Polhpey Is
broiling the venison. I scent whole
Had in that word of yours, captain Ire
tom
lone thing first, if you please, Colonel
Davie." l begged. my comparisons are
faring forward on the road to Queens
borough. They know naught OF my de-
tention. VIII you send a man 70 over
take them with note from meE
The colonel INDUCED me in the most
gentlemanly manner and when my note
to Jennifer was dispatched we sat to-
gether at the roots of a great oak and
tie rescue party. He heard me through
patiently, and when the tale was ended
was good enough to say that / had earn
ed a commission for my part in the ar
fair.
.Our spies are thick in Corvallis
camp" he said, but what is needed Is
some master spirit who can plot as well
as spy for US. Major Ferguson moves
as CORVALLIS pulls the strings. Could
we know the majors instructions and de-
signs we might cut him off. bring the
Tory uprising to the grodnd and Sc
hcarten the country beyond measure.
saw we might cut him off, though know
not where the men would come from to
do it,
'@Well?" said I when he paused.
1.-The preliminary is some better infor-
nation than our spies can give us. Now
you have been an officer in tie British
service, and"
I smiled. Truly; and / have the
honor, If you please to call it so, of his
lordship's acquaintance Also have
that of Colonel Tarleton and the mem
bers of his staff. the same having tried
and condemned me as a spy at Appleby
Hundred some few weeks before this
chase have told you of"
His face fell. Then. of course, 1t is
out of the question for you to show
yourself in Corvallis headquarters"
I rose and buttoned my borrowed coat
'On the contrary, Colonel Davie, / am
more than ever at your service. Let me
have a cut of your venison and a feed
for my horse and / shall be at my lords
headquarters as soon as the nag can
carry me there
CHAPTER XXI.