Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-31

Urged the Old man to eat, and he did
90, with dazed eyes fixed OF space.
One thing I began to notice-he no
longer watched Silver Heels with that
humble, devoted, hungering mien Of a
guardian hound. He scarcely appeared
to be aware of her presence at all.
Once only he spoke, asking what had
become Of his rifle, and Mount, eager
and hopeful, brought his own rifle to
the stricken man. But the Weasel had
already forgotten what he had asked
for, and he glanced at the weapon list
lessly, his hands folded before him on
the cloth.
Presently Foxcroft went to the sta
bles to see that our post chaise was
well provisioned for the journey. and
Mount led Renard away to watch the
feed bags filed for our horses proven
der.
Silver Heels, still wrapped in my
riding cloak, laid her slim hand on my
arm, and we walked together to tho
tavern porch.
The road from Boston divides In
front Of the meeting house, forming
two sides Of a grassy triangle, on the
base Of which stands the meeting
house, facing down the Boston road.
Near this village green a few armed
men still fingered in the faint light
of dawn, conversing in low voices and
glancing often down the deserted Bos-
ton road.
Family came the far cry through the
misty chill: THE British are coming!
The British are comingI"
At that same moment our post
chaise numbered around the corner of
the tavern yard and drew up before
us, Mount acting as postboy and Fox
croft and the Weasel riding together
In the rear.
Mount apprehended the situation at
q glance. He motioned me to place Sill
yer Heels in the chaise, which 1 did,
with my eyes still fixed on the foggy
Boston road.
rs it a false alarm?" inquired Fox
croft anxiously as a few Of the mill
tia came running past our chaise. ''Ho,
Harrington! Hey, Bob Monroe! Is 1t
trlse they are coming, lads?
rrington and Monroe, whom I had
" Boston at the Wild Goose, way
II arms to Us and called out that
oubtless true.
s<h way:' cried Foxcroft, stand
n his stirrups.
tie militia and minutemen ran
wi.i4out answering and Joined the
- which was slowly forming on the
green, willie an old Louisburg drum
rolled, vibrating generously, and the
ffe's shrill treble pierced the air.
Cardigan, which way are they COM
Ing" cried Foxcroft, still standing up
in his stirrups. "Tl,ey say there are
redcoats behind us and more in front
of us!'
do those ragged rascals mean to
face a British army| exclaimed
Mount.
Turn your horses, Jack" l said,
holding Warlock by the head. 'Turn
back toward Concord"
There's redceats on the Concord
road!' cried q woman, running out Of
a house close by. l saw her hurry
across to the village green, carrying q
sack of home nodded bullets.
l flung myself astride Warlock,
wheeled the restless horse and ranged
up alongside Mount.
Can we not take the Bedford road?"
I asked a%nxiously.
"They say the British are betwixt
as and the west" replied Mount. His
eyes had begun to burn with a steady,
fierce light; lie sat astride the of horse,
cooking and unlocking his rifle.
"Then we should make for the Bos-
ton road" I said impatiently. 1--WE
can't stay here"
Look yonder!" broke in Foxcroft
excitedly.
Out in the Boston road, in the gray
haze Of dawn, trotted a British officer,
superbly mounted. The pale light
glimmered on his silver gorget; the
gold on his sleeves and hat sparkled.
Straight on his heels marched the
British infantry, moving walls Of scar
let topped with shining steel, rank aft
er rank, in magnificent alignment.
"Halt" cried a far voice. The red
ranks stood as n man. An officer
galloped alongside of the motlon.ess
lines and, leaning forward in his sad
die, shouted to the d%isordered group
Of farmers, stop that drum"
Fall in! Fall in" reared the cap
tain OF tie militia. Tie Old Louisburg
dr. Il & ed louGer yet.
4. L}4l." G. ed the British
49,