Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-04-20
CHAPTER XXI.

We hired team and wagon of the
irrkeeper. and a man to paddle up
river and return with the horses.
| had a brief talk with our tall pris-
oner while they were making ready.
"a word of business, your lord
ship" | said as he came out, yawning,
with the guard.
'Ah, we'll" said he, with a shiver,
q hope it is not so cold as the air"
"It is hopeful; it is cheering" was
my answer.
And the topic?"
''An exchange-for the ladies'"
He thought a moment, slapping the
dust off him with a glove.
This kind of thing is hard on the
trousers" he remarked carelessly. Il
will consider; | think it could be ar
ranged. Meanwhile, | give you my
word of honor, you need have no
worry"
We were off at daybreak with our
prisoners; there We're six of them in
all. We put q fold of linen over the
eyes of each, and roped them all to-
gether, so that they could sit or stand,
as might please them, in the wagon
box.
ITS barbarity," said his Iordship, as
We put on the fold. You Yankees
rever knew how to treat prisoner"
Till you learnt us" said Dri, quick
ly. Gould mt never fergit thet lesson.
Eff he'd my way bout you, d haul ye
up { Ii .Cn o tbet air dead pine over
yender, N let ye slide dGTr."
Rather too steep, | should say"
said his Lordship, wearily.
''Ye would mt need no grease" said
D'ri, with a chuclile.
We were four days going to the har-
Dor My father and his men came
with us, and he told us many a tale,
that journey, of his adventures in the
old war We kept our promise, turn
ing over the prisoners a little before
sundoWn of the 10th. Each was given
great room and every possible COM
fort | arranged soon for the release
of all on the safe return of the ladies.
In the evening of the nth his lord
ship sent for me. He was bit nerv-
Gus, and desired conference with the
general and me. De Chaumont had
been over to the headquarters that day
in urgent counsel. He was weary of
delay and planning an appeal to the
French government. Gen. Brown
was prepared to give the matter all
furtherance in his power and sent
quickly for the Englishman. They
brought him over at nine o'clock. We
uncovered his eyes and locked the door,
nd tray :, Inn, of ha oil
deira,' as they used to say, and made
him as comfortable as might be at the
CHEEKY fireside of the general.
I've been thinking" said his lord
ship, after a drink and word of cour-
tesy. | never saw a man of better
breeding or more courage, | am free to
say. You may not agree it is posi-
bic, but anyhow, | have been trying to
think You have been decent to me.
| don't believe you are such bad lot,
after all; and while | should be sorry
to have you think me tired of your
hospitality, desire to hasten our plans
little. | propose an exchange Of
Of"
He hesitated, whipping the ashes of
his cigar
"Well-first of confidence" he went
on. Il will take your word if you will
take mine"
In what matter?" the general in
quired.
That of the ladies and their relief
said he. "A little confidence will
will"
Grease the wheels of progress?" the
general suggested, smiling.
Quite So he answered laZily. "Tc
begin with, they are not 80 miles away.
if am correct in my judgment of this
locality"
There was a moment of silence.
My dear sir" he went on presently,
this ground is quite familiar to me.
| slept in this very chamber long ago.
But that is not here nor there. Day
after tomorrow, a little before mid.
night, the ladies will be riding on the
shore pike. You could meet them and
bring them out to a schooner, | sup
pOse-if--"
He stopped again, putting thought
fully.
IF we could agree" he went on.
Now this would be my view of it:
You let me send a messenger for the
ladies. You would have to take them
by force somehow; but, you know,
could make it easy-arrange the time
and place, no house near, no soldiers,
no resistance but that of the driver,
who should not share our confidence
no danger. You take them to the
boats and bring them over; but,
first"
ITO Be Continued