The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1907-10-11

the whip. and turn to YOUR left before
you cross the brook
Wharton turned his head in surprisc.
and saw. sitting on the point of a jut-
ting rock that commanded a bird's-eye
view OF the valley, his former guide, Har-
vey Birch. His pack, much diminished
in size, lay at the feet of the peddler.
The English captain took the advice OF
the mysterious being. and finding . good
road, was soon opposite to his friends.
The next minute he crossed the bridge and
stopped his charger before his old &C
quaintance, Colonel Wellmere.
Captain Wharton - exclaimed the as
tonishcd commander Of the English
troops, land mounted on a rebel dra-
Coon horse r.
Thank God !" cried the youth, recover
ing his breath. II am safe, and have es-
capped from the hands of my enemies;
but five minutes since and I was a pris-
oner, and threatened with the ~gallows."
The gallows, Captain Wharton /! Sure
" those traitors to the king would never
dare to commit another murder in cold
blood is it not enough tht they took the
life of Andre? Wherefore did they
threaten you with a similar fate:"
Under the pretense of a similar of
fensc,' said the captain, briefly explain
ing the manner of his capture, the
grounds Of his personal a~pprehensions,
and the method of his escape.
y During this conversation. which was
held in full view of the Americans, Dun
woodie had been collecting his scattered
troops. securing his few prisoners, and
retiring to the ground where he had been
posted at the first appearance of his enc
my. Satiefed with the success he had
already obtained, and believing the Eng
fish too wary to give him an opportunity
of harassing them farther, he wa about
to seek a favorable place for taking mp
his quarters for the night. Captain Law
ton was reluctantly listening to the rea-
soning OF his commander, and had brought
could be found for an advantageous at
tack. when he suddenly exclaimed:
Flows this? a blue coat among those
scarlet gentry! AS l hope to live to see
old Virginia, it is my masquerading
friend Of the Goth, the handsome Captain
Wharton, escaped from two of my best
men 7"
This intelligence made an entire change
in the views of Major Dunwoodie. He
saw at once that his own reputation was
involved in the escape of his prisoner. He
now joined his second in command,
watching. rs eagerly as the impetuous
Lawton himself, for some opening to as
sail his foe to advantage.
But two hours before. and Dunwoodie
had felt the chance which made Henry
Wharton his captive, as the severest blow
he had ever sustained. Now he painted
for an opportunity in which. by risking
his own life, he might %recapture his
friend. All other considerations were lost
in the goadings of a wounded spirit.
There" cried the delighted captain,
as he pointed out the movement with his
finger, there comes John Bull into the
mousetrap. and with eyes wide OPEN"
Surely" said Dunwoodie, eagerly, ''he
will not display his column in that fat.
Wharton must tell him of the ambush.
But if he docs"
I'VE will not leave him a dozen sound
skins in his battalion" interrupted the
other. ~springing into his saddle.
Prepare to mount-mount !" cried
Dunwoodie.
As the British line advanced slowly
and in exact order, the guides opened q
CALLING fire. 1t began to annoy that part
of the royal troops which was nearest to
them. Wellmere listened to the advice Of
the veteran who was next to him in rank,
and ordered two companies to dislodge
the American foot from their hiding place.
The movement created a slight confusion,
and Dunwoodie seized the opportunity to
charge. Wellmere, who was on the left
OF his line. was overthrown by the impet-
lous fury of his assailants. Dunwoodie
VIE in time to save him from the impend-
INK blow of one of his men, and IA sed
him from the ground. had him placed on
n horse, and delivered to the custody of
his orderly.
The left Of the British line was out
thanked by the Americans, who doubled in
their rear. and thus made the rout in
that quarter total. But the second in
command, perceiving how the. battle went,
promptly wheeled his party and threw in
n heavy fire ON the dragons with this
party was Henry Wharton a ball struck
his bride arm, and compelled him to
change hands. As the dragons dashed
BY them, rending the air with their
shouts, and with trumpets sounding q
lively strain. the charger ridden by the
youth became ungovernable-he plunged,
reared and his rider being unable, with