Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-07-02

HkNk four travellers had taken RETTEN some refreshment, hasty steps Sn1hkD were heard outside the door, followed by the sentry's hail.
 "Ah," said the general looking up eagerly from the book he had been reading, perhaps that is MT. Martin with news from the enemyw Then, | laying aside his book, he rose to his feet to meet the newcomer, who prov ed to be the man he had expected The young man stood at attention and saluted, while the general addressed him sharply
 Well, sir, what have you learnedw ?
 The young officer appeared extreme ly embarrassed 'I-well the fact is, sir, nothing at all," he stammered.
 Nothing" said the general loudly, with rising heat; nothing, sir! Did you not cross the river as l directed your
 No, sir that is, tried to, but there was so much floating ice and it was so difficult to manage q boat that thought it would be hardly worth while to attempt it, sir. In fact, the crossing is impracticable for troops, he went on more confidently, but his face chanred as he looked up at his infuriated superior. The general was picture of wrath, the lines in his forehead standing out plainly, his mouth shut more tightly and grinly than ever. It was evident that he was furiously angry, and his face had in it something terrible from his rage. The young officer stood before him now, white and frightened to death.
 "I saw him this way. Ut INiD's Land ingn whispered Hamilton to Seymour Look. He has lost control of hinl- self completely. There will be an ex- plosion sure.
 The general struggled for q moment and then broke away
 'Impracticahle. sir. impracticable"' he roared oat in q voice of thunder "How dare you say what this army can or cannot do? And what do you mean by not crossing the river and ascertaining the facts desire to know?" The next moment he stepped forward and, seizing q heavy leaden inkstand from the table near him, threw 1t with all his force full at the man, crying tiereely:
 ''Be off and send me manr,
 The officer lodged the missile, which struck the wall with crash, saluted and ran out of the door as if his life depended on it, feeling in his heart that he would face any danger rather than brave another storm of wrath like that he had just sustained. The general continued to pace up and down the room restlessly for a few moments until he recovered his composure.
 T depended upon that information, and I must have it." he soliloquized. 'If that man does not bring 1t back to us before we cross the river I'll have him cashiered. Shall I serd another man? No; I'll give him another chance.'
 Seymour picked up the book the gen. eral had been reading. 1t was the Bible, and open at the twenty-second chapter of the book Of Joshua. His eye fell full upon the twenty-second verse, which was marked. '"The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; If it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord (save us not this day)."
 Just then the little daughter of Keith, the owner of the farmhouse at which they were staying, entered the room. As the little miss came up fear lessly to the general he stopped and smiled down at her.
 Father and mother wish to know if you will want. supper tonight, sir7'
 t'No. my little maid,D he replied. 'sNot here, at any rate. And which do you like the better now, the redcoats or the Continentals 2"
 '"The redcoats, sir; they have such pretty clothes" said the nascent wom- an.
 "Ah, my dear," he replied blithely, catching her up in his arms and kiss ing her the while, they look better, but they don't fight. The ragged fel- lows are the boys for fighting"
 Singular manl' unused Seymour, contrasting the outbreak of wrath at the recalcitrant officer, the open Bible | he had been reading and the last mer- ry, tender greeting to the child. But his musings were interrupted by" the general himself spea king.
 General Greene, you would better ride over to the landing and. place the different brigades. Take Hamilton with you, and perhaps General Knox will go also to look out for the, artii- lery. The brigades were to start at 5 o'clock for McGonkey's Ford, and the nearest of them should be there now, We shall move in two divisions after we leave Bir1ainghan on tue other