Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-12

that heavy storms had swept the
southern mountains and, the Mononga-
hela was Oesr its banks, but the dam
below the bridge had gone out, leaving
the wooden structure safe.
Then there won't be ford for
twenty miles, muttered Mount land
I'm glad Of it. Shemmy, just borrow
four new axes Of Rolfe, will you? And,
say, just shove them into the boot!"
Again Shemuel disappeared, and aft
er a short absence came trotting back
with the bundle of brand new axes on
his shoulder.
Suddenly we were all startled by
rattle Of hoofs filling the square with
quick echoes.
Instantly every man there reached
for his rifle. The alley itself suddenly
resounded with the Gathering hoof
strokes of hard ridden horse. There
was rush, shadow and a breathless
shout from the horsenan: Express
no! Stand back! pass! pass!"
Rolfe, in his shirt sleeves and apron,
came out Of the door, holding his hands
up for the packets.
'Three for you, Jimmy" said the
bareheaded express rider, passing the
letters over. "And I've a packet for
certain Michael Cardigan, somewhere
to be hunted up south Of Crown Cap"
Fright here!' said Rolfe promptly,
and the express passed the letter to
him. Then, with careless, See you
later" he wheeled his horse short and
galloped back along the alley.
Tight the coach lamps" whispered,
and, taking the candle and letter, sat
down on pile of pine timber to read
what Sir William had sent me:
Dear Lady, runners from Cayuga
know how gallantly you have conducted.
Dearer than son you are TO me: prouder
am than any parent If what we had
hoped and prayed for has failed. as can
no longer doubt. 1t is so ordained and we
struggle in vain.
am holding the Mohawks back by
their very threats, but mischief brews at
the Upper Castle, whittier Joseph Cha
yendanegea) has gone with the belts from
me-
Colonel John Butler, his conduct con-
Germs me, and i needs must view it with
grief and alarm. Ills dishonored son,
Walter Butler, is still absent. The elder
Butler has retired to the lakes, where,
am informed, he Is gathering Tory mall
contents and foolish young OnondaEas.
for what ultimate purpose can only inn
agtne.
flood in Johnstown; nightly outrages are
reported to me, and I fear that the SO
called patriots are quite as blameworthy
as are the loyalists.
II you, by hazard, pass through Fort
Pitt. you will accompany Felicity on her
return hither. (which return I have in
stantly commanded her by this express.
I have received o. singular letter from my
Lord Dunmore, which has astonished me.
My answer to him delay until Felicity
returns. Doubtless she will travel hither
by way Of Richmond. The escort. which
Lord Dunmore must furnish, will, on
their return Journey take with them my
reply to his lordship.
If this letter reaches you In time. come
back with Felicity; If not. come by the
safe route through Richmond. Overtake
her II you can do SO.
i Your Aunt Molly is well and sweetly
] anxious to see you safe home.
The news from Boston is ominous.
More ships are about to sail. bearing
more troops and cannon. I know mot
how twill end. Aye, but do know, and
so must every thinking man.
Michael. I have had a most strange and
unpleasant letter from Sir Peter War
rem, who incloses with it certain amazing
documents which he has carefully perus'
ed. to his great modification and discon.
tent. These papers were lately sent tc
him from Chatham dockyard having beer
discovered under the cabin flooring OF the
warship Leda, which his brother lately
commanded and which Is now repairing
at Chatham.
Tho documents concern Feltcity--ant
us all-and I wish you to know that NJ
longer approve Of your union with her. a
least not until both she and you are fully
acquainted with the contents Of thes'
documents. Always your affectionatc
WILLIAM JOHNSON, Bart.
l rose and laid the letter to the can
dies fame, watching it burn and crisI
and fail in flakes which no prying spy
might decipher. Then l looked at my
watch and was amazed to find that L
lacked but few moments to the time
set for our departure from the Virginia
Arms. ,sf
Rolfe had already lighted the chais'
lamps, Shemuel had crawled inside
with our weapons, and Renard sat hi
post saddle, adjusting the stirrups
while Mount was preparing to .climl
into the saddle Of the nigh leader.
'rIs it dark out there in the square?
asked of Rolfe.
81 guess the lanthorns swing align
on every SEVENTH he said. Il dark
ened mine, but the Waterman cam
battering and bawling to the doc
and made me light up again"
Mount was now in his saddle. he'll
my ticking timepiece under the coac!
lamp, eyes following the slow pointer
travelling toward the hour
And as I stood there, there cam
creeping a woman into the alley
cloaked and bareheaded, halting an
crouching to scan our chaise lamps ur
: der her inverted hand. Ere Rolfe or
could stop her she ran to the horse O.
which Mount was sitting and caugh