Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-07

ljgh hubbub ana stirling 81
sthe outside and 4 Il NV III
bed, g1isteMing. naif asfaap. Abodj
ssste o,clQc gasel opened my cham
Der door, saying that Pittsburg was
filling with refugees from the frontier
and that a battalion of militia under
Cresap had just left to scout on the
Monongahela.
asked him whether messengers had
brought me answers to my letters from
Lord Dunmore and. Miss Warren, and
he replied in the negative and shut the
door,
About I arose and dressed, stand
ing by the window and looking out
over the square The streets of Fort
Pitt were lively enough at this early
hour. Apparently since daybreak hun
dreds Of refugees-men, women and
toddling Manufacturing from the red
scourge on the outer frontiers, had
been coming into Pittsburg town.
1t was truly enough not the first
time that Pittsburg streets had been
filled with fugitivcs from the far from
tiers, but last nights riot was the first
which had ever disturbed the little
town.
That morning / reckoned with my
host Of the Virginia Arms. AS he APP
peared somewhat uneasy about the
reckoning of Jack Mount and the wea-
sci, settled that, too, my means per-
hitting me.
a I'M ole w
money" said the Weasel. 1--WE were
speaking of tapping our fat Tory mag
istrate again.
l looked at the little man in horror.
If" said stiftly, you or Mount re-
quire money beg you will borrow 1t
from me as long as we travel together.
Also" continued angrily, you may
us well know that do not care to fig
ure with you and Jack Mount in any
book or. ballad or pamphlet decorated
with picture of gallows."
It was already past s O'clock by the
Weasel's large silver watch, and still
no reply came to me from either Dun
more or Silver Heels. 1t did not please
& me to. wait Lord ,Dunmore's pleasure
like servant That Silver Heels had
not vet written also displeased me, for
/ was not then habituated to the WAYS
Of maid.
DO you think the runner hired to
carry my letter to Sir William will be
scalped?" asked, turning to look at
Mount.
HE has been scalped," said Mount
quietly.
Thunderstruck, sprang to my feet
and finally found tongue to ask how he
had heard such news.
"Why, lad" he said modestly. II
followed your runner last night when
he left you abed here, and he had not
gone ten PAGES from this inn ere q man
left the shadow of the trees yonder to
dog us both. 1t was what feared.
But, Lord, I caught the fellow by the
market yonder and trounced him till
he could neither stand nor sit. I was
a fool. should have followed your
runner and brought him, back. did
follow, but he had struck fast pace,
and. besides; they delayed me at the
fortress gate with questions about my
business. When I cleared the sentries,
| started to run. But my journey was
short enough, God knows"
He paused, looking down at the fur
cap he was slowly twirling on his
thumb.
"Your messenger lay dead by the
woods edge" he added abruptly.
Il had not dreamed the savages were
so near" said I, Mortified.
Some savages are" he observed.
"Was he scalped?" / asked.
"In Mohawk style, lad"
"Impossiblev' I cried.
"Not at all. say he was scalped
in Mohawk fashion, leaving the raw
strip over the forehead but did not
say that Mohnwks scalped him"
What do you meant" / asked huski-
~.
II mean that Walter Buffers men
did this and that your letter is now in
Dunmore's hands. The sooner you
leave Pitt the safer for you,' said
Mount. 1.-THE town talks OF little but
your accusation Of Dunmore last night.
You may think yourself safe because
you are Sir William Johnson's deputy,
but I know that Dunmore and Butler
will treat You as they did your messen-
ger If you give them half q chance.
What's to prove that the Cayugas be
not your murderers2 Tush, lad. This
is no time for boyish fury. Get your
kinswoman, Miss Warren out Of this
town. Get her out tonight. Are you
waiting for Dunmore's escort and
horses? You will see neither, save
perhaps in pursuit of you Why, lad,
the governor Is crazed with the dis
grace you have brought upon him!
Trust me, he will stop at nothing where
he can strike unseen. l also thin6
that Cade and I have outstayed' our
welcome. If we meet your friend
Butler, run we must"