The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-11-07

multuously with pleasure at his delivsF>
ance when a well-known voice reached his
startled ear, crying aloud: ..E
"Bravely done. captain! Don't spare
the whip, and turn to your left before
you cross the brook"
Wharton turned his head in surprise,
and saw. sitting on the point of 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 q 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 Whartonw exclaimed the as
tonished commander of the English
troops. land mounted on a rebel dra-
goon horse''
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
ly 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 similar Of
fense," said the captain. briefly explain
ing the manner Of his capture, the
grounds Of his personal Gpprehensions,
and the method of his escape
During this conversation. which was
held in full view of the Americana, 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. Satieied with the success he had
already obtained, and believing the Eng
lish too wary to give him an opportunity
of harassing them farther, he was about
to seek a favorable place for taking Oh
his quarters for the night. Captain Law
ton was reluctantly listening to the rea-
soning Of his commander, and had brought
out his favorite glass TO see If no opening
could be found for an advantageous at
tack. when he suddenly exclaimed:
"Iow's this? a blue coat among those
scarlet gentry! As 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,"
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
a.
watching. as 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 does"
I'VE will not leave him a dozen sound
skins in his battalion" interrupted the
| other, springing into his saddle.
Prepare to mount-mountw - 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
II h. Iii
| 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-
uous fury of his assailants. Dunwoodie
was in time to save him from the impend-
ing blow of one of his men, and ra sed
him from the ground. had him placed on
horse, and delivered to the custody OF
his orderly.
The left of the British line was out
fanked by the Americans, who doubled in
their rear, and thus made the rout In
that quarter total. But the second in
! command. pcrceivins how the battle went,
promptly wheeled his party and threw In
a heavy fire on the dragons; with this
| party was Henry Wharton 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 a
lively strain. the charger ridden by the
youth became Ungovcrnube-he plunged,
| reared and his rider being unable, with
his wounded arm, to manage the impa-
tient animal. Henry Wharton found him
self. in less than a minute, unwilingly
| riding by the side of Captain Lawton.
The dra yoon comprehended at glance
| the ludicrous situation, but had only time
to cry aloud. before they plunged into
the English line:
The horse knows the righteous cause
better than his rider Captain Wharton,
70 +ho nh - "