Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-26
CHAPTER XVII.

VT was nearly 10 o'clock. A freezing
rain still swept the black Boston
streets, with now and again a vol
4 ley Of hail rafting On closed shut
tiers and swinging shop signs.
In tile dark news behind the Wild
Goose tavern had gathered a shadowy
company Of horsemen, unfortunate pa
triots who had not been quick enough
to leave the city before the troops shut
its lnndwurd gates.
Some were for riding to the Neck and
making a dash across the causeway.
Some wanted boats, among the latter
Jack Mount, who naturally desired to
rid the town of his person as speedily
10 might be-
there's a hempen neckcloth to fit
my pipes in Queen street." he said
plaintiyely. land l desire it not, having
no mind for nummery. Let US find a
.datboat, In Gods name, and get us to
Charlestown with our horses while the
rain endures."
AYE" replied an officer Of Roxbury
minutemen. "But what If our horses
neigh in m~idstream"
'-The Somerset ran out her deck guns
at sunset" added another. what If
she turned her swivel on us?"
"And how II they swept us off the
causeway with a chain shot?" asked
Mount.
What think you, Mr.. C%ardigan?" de-
1anded an officer Of Sudbury militia,
leaning forward In his wet saddle to
pat the dripping neck Of his
II only know that I shall ride this
night to Lexington" I said impatient
", 'and / am at your service, gentle
men, by land o. ca. Pray, you, decide
quickly while the rain favors u.s."
'Is there a man among US dare de-
mand a pass of the g%overnorT asked
the Sudbury officer abruptly.
II ride to Province House." I said
briefly. Jack, fetch a cloak to hide
your buckskins and wait me here.
Gentlemen, I wish you fortune in your
Journey"
As I rode out into Cambridge street
thunder doomed in the east, and 1 saw
the forked lightning racing through
1nky heavens, veining the storm with
jeWteled signs.
In Filters lane I put Warlock to a
gallop, but drew bride in muddy Sud
bury street, where from the darkness
strident voice called, on me to halt.
"Who comes there?' repeated the
voice. I heard the trample Of horse
men and the clink Of sabers striking
stirrups.
without giving them a glance I
pushed through the cluster, wheeled
into School street and cantered along
Governors alley.
There were torches lighted in the
news. An ostler took WarIock. l
swung out of the saddle and stepped
back to a shelter from the storm.
I stood for awhile in the rain among
the throng of poor who had come to
wait there in patience on the chance OF
a scrap from the servants quarters
after the servants had picked the bones
their surfeited masters would scarcely
deign to lick.
Once when the wind sharpened, shift.
ed and blew the slanting rain from the
north a warm odor Of roasted butchers
meats came to us, and I could hear a
hollow sound rising from the throng
which was like n groan.
A hoarse cry broke out, wrung from
the very vitals Of the wretches around
me.
"silencep shouted the officer Of the
gate guard. "Be off, I say!"
''That will not do" said another.
1.-THE town would flame If you drove
Qne citizens from their own streets. Lei
them stand there. What harm are they
doing?"
The voice sounded strangely famil
far to me, so familiar that I involnn
tarily stepped out into the Lighted
space under the gate and peered Al
him through the rain, shielding my
eyes with my hands.
The officer was Mr.. Bevan.
Should 1 speak to him? Should
count on his friendship for me to sc
an audience with the governor7 Her
was a chance. He could vouch for me
So could Mrs. Hamilton.
AS I hesitated somebody beside M
clutched my elbow, and | swung
around instantly, one hand on m,
hunting knife.
The next moment Saul Shemuel al
most rolled at my feet in an ecstasy o.
humble delight, shifting, writing
breathing hard and clawing at IN,
sleeve in his transports at sight Of me
/. seized his ARM, drew him along til,
wall and into the dusay news.
Impatient, yet touched, l suffered hi
mauling, demanding what news III
might have, and he, beside hlmsel
with joy and excitement, could scare
find breath t. pant out the new
wa.ch concerf me. II hat seen Fox
croft he ga. ed: "Alr. Foxcroft h
HISS come today on dot Pomona frig
ate to Scarlet's wharf, twelve week
from Queenstown, sir. 1t wass prlnte'
in dot Efening Gazette, all apout Fox