Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-05-01
CHAPTER Xxx


Frank Forstall rode toward Camden
with such dispatch that az 10 O'Clock
precisely he met the prisoners on their
way to Charleston. They were, as he had
been informed by the Royalists, strongly
guarded. Forstall confessed some slight
nervous trepidation as he neared the Brit
ish soldiers.
Where are you going, young man?"
asked the captain of the guard.
ITO Camden, sir, to join the troops un-
der CORVALLIS" replied Frank, touching
his cap, respectfully. Then he added in
stantly, You have a fine lot of rebels
here. wish, captain, they were all Sc
cured in this way
Two hundred Of them, sir, all told.
Amt they guilty looking rascals?" said
the captain.
They don't look as if they could be
| trusted"
Where are You from?"
"Brittons Neck, SIR" answered For.
stall, again touching his cap.
rs that Marion up on the Santee any
where nowY' asked the other.
mo, sir, he's in full tide of retreat
toward North Carolina"
I'VE all feel pretty tired. and since
Marion's Brigade has marched off, | don't
feel so much in q hurry about getting to
| Charleston. Is there a good tavern any
where near, on the route"
Yes; there's the Blue House tavern,
where they manage to keep all kinds of
| refreshments for man and beast"
! The prisoners and their escort moved
on. 1t was an interesting moment to our
hero. As he contemplated the detected
and wayworn Americans, his heart was
moved with pity, not unmixed with indig-
nation. How ardently he wished for a
detachment of Marion's Brigade to set
them at liberty. How Capt. Nick, with
his "tarnal critters would scatter the
guard
Forstan looked eagerly for Mr.. Strick-
land, and he began to fear he was not
among them, when he discovered him near
the rear of the cortege. Strickland rails
ed his eyes and they encountered Franks
Marching by the side of Strickland was
neighbor with whom Forstall was we'll
acquainted. He also recognized our hero
and asked him where he was going.
This was a painful question for him
to answer, but he replied firmly that he
was on the way to Camden, to enroll
himself in the army of Corvallis.
While Frank was speaking, Mr.. Strick-
land gave him a reproachful look, which
brought the color to his cheeks.
He thinks me a despicable villain"
said Frank to himself-and the idea griev-
ed him.
The enemies of our country will be
glad of your services, no doubt" said
Strickland. in a melancholy voice.
These words cut Forstall to the quick
for he could not well endure the idea of
being thought a Tory by Mr. Strickland
| even for a moment but he thought OF
Ruth, and tried to bear it manfully. He
rode forward a mile or two, and taking
another road urged his weary horse to-
ward Marion's camp.
Il wonder what's going on now?" said
Ben Rowan.
Il cannot inform you; but since the
return of Frank Torstall. Henderson and
/ that Job Dawson, the general has been
| very busy. Hes received news in regard
TO the movements of the Tories, proba-
bly," replied James Adair.
The Quaker Teller puzzles me pulver-
ize me if he don't" added Ben. empnat-
/ leally. He came into camp not long ago
looking so much like a regular greeny
that l didn't scarcely know him. It's
my opinion he's spy, notwithstanding
he's Sich fighter when worst comes to
worst. | know very well that he saved
my life twice; but that don't prevent his
/ being a humbug. arter ALL
/ 1t was now dark, and the bucles of
/ the brigade summoned all to the parade
ground
Fall in-tumble in-be alive. bows
/ there's work afore us, said Capt Halves.
Verify, I'm sick of war;" exclaimed
Job Dawson, as he mounted his horse
and fell into his accustomed place.
I Ben looked at him, but deigned no re-
ply,
Jones is throwed again" said Higgins
/ sorrowfully.
He wants 70 disgrace the hur Ameri-
can army. rejoined Halves.
Marion now spoke with all the com
missioned officers. and they in turn spoke
with the others. and very soon the bust
ness in contemplation was pretty gener-
ally understood
Two hundred prisoners at Nelson's
Ferry that's got to be retook.n said
Halves. riding back to his men after the
general had communicated his orders TO
the officers They're under an escort of
ninety strong. and there'l be a 'tarnal
tussle, no doubt: bat We shall be vic
toEious when we straigh,en up in our