The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-12-21
CHAPTER xvIl.-Continued.

/ NFlfT n NNII.-SOTtinucu.
Colonel Curran Is certainly to be
! congratulated upon having found so
| charming guide, madam, a-d | can
assure you shall most gladly do my
| part toward the success of the expedi-
ton The Major was expected back
before this, | believer"
He left word that If he had not
returned by twelve was to wait for
! him no longer, as ne should go directly
TO his quarters. | find the life of a
soldier to be extremely uncertain"
I've are our country's servants,
madam he replied proudly, and then
taking out pad Of blanks from his
pocket, turned to me
May ] ask your full name and
rank, Colonel"
Patrick L. Curran, Colonel Sixth
Ohio Light Artillery"
He wrote it down rapidly, tore off
the paper, and handed it to me.
That will take you safely through
our inner guard lines" he said grave
ly, that being as far as my jurisdc-
ton extends. Goodnight, Colonel;
goodnight, Mrs. Brennan"
We bowed tremendously, and the
next moment Mrs. Brennan and
were out upon the steps, breathing
the cool night air. glanced curious
ly at her face as the CLEAN of light
fell upon it-how calm and reserved
she appeared, and yet her eyes were
aglow with intense excitement. At
the foot of the steps she glanced up
at the dark, projecting roof far above
US.
DO you suppose he can possibly be
up there YETI" she asked, In a tone
SC low as to be inaudible to the ears
of the sentry.
Who? Bungay?" | questioned in
surprise, for my thoughts were else
where. "Oh, he was like a cat, and
there are trees at the rear. Prob
ably he is safe long ago, or else
prisoner once more"
Beyond the CLEAN of the uncovered
windows all was wrapped in complete
darkness, save that here and there
we could distinguish the dull red
glare Of camp-freS where the company
cooks 9ere yet at work, or some
sentry post had been established. We
turned Sharply to the left, and pro
ceeded down comparatively smooth
road, which seemed to me to possess
a ppgly lt,gig Pol
the position of the stars | judged our
course to be eastward. but the night
was sufficiently obscured to shroud
all objects more than a few yards dis
tant, Except for tho varied camp
noises on either side of us the eve.
ming was oppressively still. and the
air had the late chill of high attitudes.
Mrs, Brennan pressed more closely to
me as We passed beyond the narrow
zone Of light, and unconsciously we
fell into step together.
A few hundred yards farther a fire
burned redly against a pile of logs.
The forms of several men lay out,
stretched beside it, Willie sentry
paced back and forth, il and out of
the range OF light. We were almost
upon him before he noted our an.
proach and in his hag,e he swung his
musket down from his shoulder until
the point OF its bayonet nearly
touched my breast
Halt" he cried sternly, peering AT
u in evident surprise Halt! this
road Is closed"
Valley Forge" whispered the girl,
and ] noticed how white her face ap-
peared in the flaming Of the fire.
THE word Is all right, Miss" re.
turned the fellow, stoutly, yet with
out lowering his obstructing gun But
we cannot pass any one out on the
countersign alone. II you was going
the other way il would answer"
but We are returning from the off
GERS ball, she urged anxlously, and
are on our way to Major Brennan's
quarters. We have passes"
As she drew the paper from out her
glove one of the men at the fire
| sprang to his feet and strobe across
the narrow road toward us. He was
smooth Of face and boyish looking.
| but wore corporal's stripes,
What is it. Mapes?" he asked
sharply.
Without waiting au answer he took
the paper she held out and scanned
II rapidly.
This IL all right" he said, handing
It back, and lifting his cap In salute
You may pass, madam. You must
pardon MS, but the orders are exceed
inely strict tonight Have you pass
also. Colonel?" | handed II to him. and
after a single glance It was returned
Pass them, guard" he said curt
/ ly, standing aside.
Beyond the radiance OF the fire she
broke the silence.
81 shall only be able 10 go with yot
50 far as the summit o. the hill yon
der. for our quarters are Just to the
right. anG ! could furnish no excuse
er being found beyond that point.
b. SAID DO YOU know enough al