Morris tribune., 1905-03-18

i
"That's true. And to think that the
cause of liberty's got down so low thai
we are its only dependence And they
call us the grand army
"Well, as you say" went on another
recklessly 1--WE can't get into anything
worse, so burrah for the next move,
say l."
"Three days rations and light march.
ing order, meaning, l suppose, that we
are to leave our heavy overcoats and
blankets and foot stoves and such 9TH
er luxuries behind That rather indi-
Gates that we are going to do some
thing besides retreat. And | should
like to get whack at those mercenary
, Dutchmen before l freeze or starve,"
was the reply.
BULLY for your /
I'm with you, old man."
81, too
"And l." came from the group Of I'M
daunted men surrounding the speaker.
And to think" said another, "of its
being Christmas day and all those lit
tie children at home! Oh, WE'LL" turn
ing and fighting may make us forget,
boys! l wouldn't mind suffering for
liberty if we could only do something,
have something to show for it but a
bloody trail and story Of defeat.
I'm tired of it," he continued des-
perately. I'D fight the whole British
army if they would only let me get a
chance at them"
'We're all with you there, man, and
I guess this time we get chance" re-
piled one of the speakers amid a cho-
rus of approval which showed the spir-
it Of the men.
While the men were talking among
themselves thus the four riders on the
tired horses had ridden up to the farm
house. A soldier dressed no better
than the rest stood before the door.
Halt! Who are your" he cried,
presenting his musket.
Friends. Officers from Philadel-
phia with messages for his excellency,"
replied the foremost. Don't you rec
ognize me, my MANI?
why, it's Lieutenant Talbot! Pass
in sir, and these other gentlemen with
you," answered the soldier, saluting.
Its glad the general will be to see
you"
Without further preliminaries the
young man opened the door and en-
tered, followed by his three cOmpan-
ions. A cheerful fire Of logs was blaz-
ing and cracking in the wide fire
place in the long, low room. On the
table before it stood a great bowl Of
steaming punch, and several officers
were sitting or standing about the
room in various positions. The uni
forms of all save that Of one of them
were scarcely less worn and faded, if
not quite SO tattered, than were those
of the escort. The same grim enemies
had, left the same grim marks upon
them as upon the soldiers.
The only we'll dressed person in the
room was bright eyed young man, a
mere boy. just nineteen wearing the
brilliant uniform of an officer of the
French army He was tall and thin,
red haired. with long nose and re-
treating forehead His bright eyes and
animated manner expressed the inter
est he felt in a conversation carried on
in the French language with his near
est neighbor, another young man
scarcely year his senior. The con-
trast between the new and gay French
uniform of the one and the faded Con-
tinental dress of the other was not less
than that suggested by the
&C. nv.
officer was small, very small, man,
but in spite Of his insignificant stature
the whole impression of the man was
striking and even imposing. In con-
trast to the other his face was very
handsome, the head finely shaped, the
features clear cut and regular He had
a decisive mouth, bespeaking resolu-
ton and irmness, and two piercing
eyes out of which looked q will as
hard and imperious as ever dwelt in
mortal man.
In front of the fire were two older
men, each in the uniform Of a general
officer, one of thirty-five or thirty-siX
years of age, the other perhaps ten years
older. The younger Of the two, full
'aced, intelligent, active, commanding
'ort of man, whose appearance indicat-
ID confidence in himself and the light
If whose alert blue eyes told of dash
ng brilliancy in action and prompt
lecision in perilous moments, which
made him one Of those who succeed,
would have been more noticed had not
lis personality been so overshadowed
" that of the officer who was speak
ng to him. The latter was possessed
f figure so tall that it dwarfed
very other in the room. He was
nassively nodded. but we'll proper
Toned, with enormous hands and feet
nd long. powerful limbs, which indi-
ated great physical force, and having
7tthal an erect and noble carriage,
asy and graceful in appearance,
vhich would have Immediately attract
d attention anywhere. even if his face
ad not been more striking than his
cure.
And this was the man upon whom