The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1908-01-09

of Foot"
1T would be prudent" said one of his
companions, ito advise the prisoner that
he is bound to answer no more than he
deems necessary"
A nod Of APPRECIATION from the silent
members was bestowed on this remark,
and the president proceeded with eau
tion.
1T is an accusation against you that,
being an officer of the enemy, you passed
the pickets of the American army at the
White Plains, in disguise, on the 10Th of
October last"
i retract nothing that is true" said
Henry, proudly.
Your sentiment is noble, sir. I only
regret that youthful soldier should so
far be misled by loyalty as to lend him
self to the purposes of deceit"
Deceit! ~ echoed Wharton; II thought
1t prudent to guard against capture by
my enemies
"A soldier, Captain Wharton, should
never meet his enemy but oDerly, and
with arms in his hands. I have served
two kings of England, as 1 now serve my
native land; but never did i approach
q foe unless under the light of the sun,
and with honest notice that an enemy was
nigh"
II am the son of this aged man before
you,' continued Henry. 1T was to visit
him that / encountered the danger. Be
sides, the country below is seldom held by
your troops, and its very name implies
right to either party to move at pleas
ure over its territory
Its name, as a neutral ground, is I'M
authorized by law; it is an appellation
that originates with the condition of the
country. But wherever an army goes
1t carries it's rights along"
| Il am no casuist, SIR" returned the
youth; but / feel that my father is en-
titled to my affection, and I would en-
counter greater risks to prove 1t to him
in his old age"
"A vary commendable spirit" cried the
veteran Come, gentlemen, this business
brightens; l confess at first it was very
bad; but no man can censure him for de-
string to see his parents. Let the older
Mr.. Wharton approach and take the
oath"
The father made an effort at compos-
ure, and, advancing with feeble step,
he complied with the necessary forms of
the court.
You are the father of the prisener?"
said Coolnel Singleton, in q subdued
voice, after pausing a moment in respect
| for the agitation of the witness.
What do you know of his visit to your
house on the Goth day of October last?"
"He came, as he told you, to see me
and his sisters" n .a. E
4
| "A boy of spirit" whispered the presi-
dent to his silent comrade. IT see but
little harm in such freak twas impru-
dent, but then it was kind. Do you
know that your son was intrusted with
no commission from Sir Henry Clinton,
and that the visit to you was not merely
a cloak to other designs" #fs. 81
How can l know it?" said Mr.. whar-
ton, in alarm would Sir Henry intrust
me with such a business?"
Know you anything of this pass?" ez-
hibiting the paper that Dunwoodie had
| retained when Wharton was taken
| "Nothing-upon my honor, nothing"
cried thu father, shrinking from the
paper as from contagion. .E.
| Have you other testimony ?-this does
not avail you, Captain Wharton. You
have been taken in. situation where
your life is forfeited; the labor of prov
ing your innocence rests with yourself
Take time to reflect, and be COOL"
Dunwoodie was sworn, and desired to
relate what he knew. His statement did
not materially alter the case. To him
personally but little was known, and that
little rather initiated against the safety
Of Henry than otherwise. His account
was listened to in silence, and the signif-
cant shake of the head that was made by
the silent member spoke too plainly what
effect it had produced. @
"Still you think that the prisoner had
no other object than what he has avow-
edT said the president when he had
ended.
"None other, / will pledge my life,"
cried the major, with fervor.
"You say that he escaped, and was re
taken In open arms"
"Hs was; nay, he received wound In
the combat. You see he yet moves his
arm with difficulty. Would he think
you, sir, have trusted himself where he
could fall again into our hands, unless
conscious of innocence?"
.would Andre have deserted field a
battle, Major Dunwoodie, had he encoun-
tered such an event, near Tarrytown"
asked his deliberate examiner. rs it not
natural to youth to seek glory?"
'Do you call this giory?" exclaimed the
major; IAN ignominious death, and a
tarnished name."
"Major Dunwoodie," returned the 9TH
!: er; you have acted nobly; your duty
; has been arduous and severe, but ii has
been faithfully and honorably discharged !;
ours must not be less 50. Let that black
bs brought forward"
Cesar found himself confronted with
. row Of rebel officers, before he knew
what was uppermost in his thoughts. The
others yielded the examination to the one
who suggested IL and using all due d.