Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-09

wnon ne would Ike to load with
favors. must be sent back under guard
to prison. Then. too. he remembered
that the Continental army had suffer
ed greatly from the work of spies.
and recently orders had been issued
that wherever such were found they
should be tried by drumhead court
martial and hanged Captain Aber-
nathy having changed his uniform
for citizens clothing brought him. ac-
cording to the military code. under the
letter of the law as n spy.
"YOur service to me. sir. and to Lieu
tenant Muldrough." be said. puts me
under an obligation that is incalcula-
Bile. but your kindly act has placed us
in a painful position. Why. may 7
ask, did you not retain your Uniform
ct could not have hoped to pass
through territory in the hands of your
troops in my dress as British officer"
yet in assuming the dress of
civilian you risked a. felon's death"
81 took my chances and lost"
Colonel Cogswell looked troubled.
There was but one man who could
rectify any damage that might have
been done-the general in chief-and
he had issued the order with reference
to spies.
''There is but one hope for u.s." said
the colonel gloomily, and that is in
the magma nimity Of our noble general
in chief. Rat what view he may take
of the matter it is impossible to pre-
dict Whether he will consider that
the letter and not the spirit of his or
der has been violated. whether he will
be willing to appear as one breaking
his own law. no one but himself can
decide. Come; let us go to him"
They were about to leave the room
when a voice was heard at the head of
the stairs:
Papa, if it had not been for my pre-
server / would now be- oh, it is hor-
rible! 1 can't bear to think Of IT! II
any harm comes to him I will never
forgive you. even if you are my dear
father. And you. Jimmie, if you let
any trouble come to him you must give
me up"
flush, darling?' said her father in
infinite pain. Keep quiet and keep
warm. You should not have been per
mitted TO overhear our conversation"
Il am glad" said the British captain,
that l have heard your daughters
words. If must pay the penalty of
the risk assumed I shall be comfort
ed by them"
The three men left the house and
walked TO the headquarters of the gen
eral in chief Washington rose as they
entered and. advancing TO Colonel
Cogswell pressed his hand. asking ca
gerly after the condition OF his daugh-
ter. After assuring the general that
she was in no immediate danger he
said:
"And now. general. have to intro
duce the man who has preserved her
to US. Captain George Alternately of
the British army
General Washington's face changed
from sympathy TO curiosity. then as
sumed a serious cast. land how comes
IT," he asked, ''that Captain Alternately
is not in uniform?"
Lieutenant Muldrough." interposed
the colonel. will explain"
Muldrough told the story OF Aber-
nathy'S capture. their friendship. Aber-
nathy's escape and timely coming upon
Katherine Cogswell General Wash
ington listened till he had finished.-end
the three men stood awaiting the gen
erals decision. II did not come at
once. but when It came it was spoken
with the decision of commander:
Captain Alternately. there is no evil
dence other than your clothing that
you are a spy. There is sufficient evi-
dence that you are not. / shall send
flag of truce to the commander in New
York asking him to nominate one Of
our captains in his possession of the
same rank as yours to be exchanged
for you. Meanwhile I will accept your
parole to remain with US, and l shall
be happy to have you and Colonel
Cogswell and Lieutenant Muldrough
dine with me today"