Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-03
LITERARY.
a Fair
Exchange.
Captain Aubrey"



| you can trust
Yes, colonel"
"Follow the road on the east bank of
the Charles. After proceeding for
about five miles along the river, you
will come to a lane running to the
right. It is apparently but little used,
and is overgroWn with weeds and
bushes. Following this lane for about
half mile will bring you to wealth.
er-beaten house setting back from the
road with two tall elms in front of it.
Is my description SO far perfectly
clear?'
Perfectly"
| Good. To proceed: In this house
lives a man by the name of Leavitt. l
| know him TO be spy in the service of
| George Washington, and, furthermore,
he has now in his possession informal
| ton in regard to our position here
! which will Toe of immense value to the
enemy. Tonight one of Washington $
aides is to meet him at the rendezvous
| and receive the documents which tell
| of our weakness and also betray Cen
eral HoWe's determination to evacuate
| Boston and sail for Halifax. Your
| business tonight will be to intercept
| the delivery of these papers and to
| bring the spy here, u prisoner. The
| fellow is Young, barely a man, but he
| is as clever as a fox, besides being
| fearless and even desperate. 1t is
needless to say that the mission is u
| dangerous one
Il will cndeavor to execute your or
| ders successfully"
You must be successful. Kill the
| man if necessary. bat the papers must
| not reach Washingtons hands. You
| have now no time to spare. Report to
| nc at sunrise Tomorrow
Very good, Colonel Blade. Good
night"
| Good night, Captain Aubrey
| Fifteen minutes later the captain
| was in the saddle with four of The best
| men of his company riding behind him.
| "Confound it. Baxter" said he to his
| friend. Lieutenant Baxter, who rode by
his side why should the colonel de-
tail re on such an errand? 1 little
| thought. three years ago, when l put
| On the attractive uniform of his ma
jcstye Fourth Light Dragons, that I
should ever be riding over a rough
| road in these colonies to capture Il spy.
| it is too much like thief-taking to suit
| ttch,rt Aubrey What | came for was
campaigning. and here we have been
| coopcd Up in Boston all winter With
out firing Il gun
It's all in the fortune of war" said
the lieutenant. pulling on his pipe.
Pretty hard fortune 1 call it, Joe
Tho orc bright spot in the barren
waste Of this long winter was MY ac-
1ruiltance with that charming Tory
lansei, Miss Kingsley. whom | used tC
meet at the Province House balls, and
The worst of my luck is, | have not
been able to get n trace Of her for two
mouths. We don't have any dances
now. and even the Tories seem less
kind since provisions have run SO short
and salt beef is the principal diet
You always We're a very particular
chap, Aubrey
81 admit it, Baxter, and ] particular
ly wish that this war was over. Be
tween you and me, Baxter, and with
all due respects to his majesty, George
the Third. r think these American
rebels have more than half the right OF
their side. I;ut here we are at the
cross-r roads. Tell the men to loot
alive. We must be cautious. We are
nearing the fox's lair
The party turned up the lane and
went forward in silence, except for the
Hnging of their Announcements.
lii IA low tone Captain Aubrey gave
a few words Of command
Halt, Dismount. Picket the horses
here in the bushes. Forward quiet
ly on foot. The house must be near al
hand"
The night was dark. They crept
along silently for a distance of fifty
yards.
There il is. whispered the captain
There alc the two elm-trees by the
gate. BAXTER. station three Of the men
about the house to see that no one
leaves il. You and Jones come with
me. Take this lantern under your
cloak. ZONES. and don't show a light
until I tell you"
The three men went to the front door
Al WAS quiet. The lieutenant tried the
door gently; it was locked.
Tight as a drum. captain, and made
of solid oak" he remarked in an under
tone.
rs every avenue of escape strictly
guardcd?" whispered the latter
Baxter nodded.
The captain struck sharply on the
door with the hilt of his sword.
open this door"
| no answer.
open this door instantly or we shall
break ii in
Not a sound in reply.
Lieutenant. fire shot into the
ock."
Baxter obeyed. and then pressed his
shoulder to the panel. The door yield
ed somewhat, but the lieutenant was
| unable to force it.
"All together cried the captain.
! Their united strength forced the door
open with a crash. ana the three men
| burst plecipitately into the house.
WHATS the matter now?' asked a
sleepy voice. Cant you let a fellow
Sleep peaceably?'
On the threshold leading into an
inner room stood "a young man. His
clothing was disordered as if he had
just been awakened from d sound sleep,
aud thrown on a few articles hurried
ly.
Aubrey took the lantern and. holding