The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-06-15
General / lowe S Aid
A Story d he American
Revolution
By ARCHIBALD sPoFFoRD
Copyright 1910, BY American Press
Association

A
occupying a small fort lying between
Orange and Elizabeth. The fort Was
much In the way Of the Americans.
rendering the communication between
their different leaders diaicuit x
force was sent to capture lt. but the
stronghold was we'll stocked with am
munition and provisions. so thar il
would likely be able to hold out for q
long while against an attacking party.
The Americans uot knowing Of weak
spot where an entrance could be
forced, dared not try 70 storm It.
The commander Of the patriots sur
rounded the fort on the north. south
and west sides, leaving communication
for the enemy open on tie east one
morning the garrison saw an onicer In
the British uniform galloplng over the
fields from the point that had not
been closed. He rode through Gre
from the American guns. but be was
within range Of only few OF them.
and meme OF their shots took effect. He
made bis entrance into the fort aud
was received with acclamations By the
garrison, all being Interested to know
why be had risked his life to Join
them. Nc one knew him. but he in
troduced himself As an aid to General
Howe at New York.
Major" he said to the commanding
officer, 'the general Is extremely anx-
lous that this post be held He has
directed me to Inspect It. its garrison.
ammunition. provisions, etc, and report
b him exactly what you require to
make a successful defense. As soon
as gain the required information /
shall return. and anything you need
win be dispatched Immediately"
''But how did It happen that the reb-
els let you get in hsre?p asked the ma
jor.
THAT Is their affair. who has blum
dared At leaving open . passageway
dent know ! expected to be obliged
to pass their lines under cover Of the
night; but. finding an opening, con-
cluded to ran for It. ! expect 10 be
obliged to return il an entirely differ
ent manner"
The officer was shown the magazine,
the ordnance aud the storehouse where
the provisions were kept and given
statement Of the amount Of supplies
on hand. he insisted that II be WRIT
ten on tissue paper and rolled Ii lit
tie bali incassd in wax in order that
he might swallow IL II IN danger Of
being captured BY the enemy After
inspecting the interior he went out to
lock at the defeHses To the surprise
Of every one be began to mount the
parapet.
.sWhat are you doing2" cried the
commanding officer do you wish to
be picked Of BY a rebel sharpshooter2
These men are all hunters and could
XIII squared on cur ramparts, to say
nothing Of man.
Mater. replied the officer 4 have
been sent here 10 learn about this post
In order that you may be supplied with
all that Is required to defend IT. VIII
you kindly inform me how ! am to
know what force you need unless
see the approachesT
"But you will be Killed.
"That. sir. 4 what 4 soldier is for
to be killed. He f. to obey orders, and
the matter Of danger Is not to concern /
him. / must see the lay Of the land
surrounding ron. That cannot do
without exposing myself"
With that General Howe's aid as
cended to the parapet Ee had scarce
" shown himself when bullet sang
By his ear. re paid ne attention to II,
walking slowly around the inclosure,
every now and again a bullet being
fred at him. One knocked or an epau-
let; another pierced his hat The men
down in the Enclosure looked at him
with wonder
"The brayest man ever saw!' ex-
claimed one
aFoolhardy!m cried another
"Hell not escape much longerw OK
claimed a third
The officer stopped at an angle which I
seemed to have arrested bis attention, |
STOPPING down as II to get d clearer
view of It. From it the ground sloped /
gently toward the enemy. but between
II and them was clump Of trees.
Then he arose, took out his handker-
chief and blew his nose. The next |
moment he came down from the para
pet.
III there Is anything about this
fort" said the major commanding.
unknown to you should like 20
know what it is. But you have taken
d fearful chance for your life, and |
only wonderfully good fortune enables
you to return with the information"
Il have still another gantlet to
run" was the reply. ito get through I
tho rebel lines with the information.
That. however does not trouble me.
nv general gave me my orders, and Il
Is my duty TO obey them II ! fan /
there are others % repeat the process
till some one shall make known your
requirements"
THAT night General Howe's aid sal |
lied forth. declaring that be would I
steal through the enemy's lines ln
the early morning Just before dawn
Tie patriots made dash for the fort.
climbing the parapet at the augle
where the Inspector had blown his
nose. He was with the storming party. 1
and when the British officer who had ]
commanded the fort saw hlm he cried I
in impotent rage
.sYou cursed rebel why didn't hang
ron for spy. as you deserved%
because you didn't know I was s
SOY" was the cool reply.