River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-09-19

dent that | should have to wait until
morning before learning the truth.
Neither Peter nor the Indian seemed
to belong to the class with which the
army was recruited. Peter appeared
more like well-trained servant, and
his riding was atrocious. And the lieu
tenant There came back to me the
haunting memory that he had joined
Delavan as a Volunteer-the Dragon
uniform sufficient proof that he was
neither of the original foraging party
of Hessians, nor of Grants detach-
ment of Rangers. Yet these others
wore green and white, and must, there
fore, have been in Grants command.
How did the four manage to escape
from our attach, evidently animated
by one purpose? Why was Grant so
anxious to learn il had seen the lieu
tenant, and whether We had a party
out seeking him? Not one of these
questions could ! answer; not one
could even guess at with any degree
Of satisfaction
We were coming out of the low,
swamp lands into more thickly set.
tied, and cultivated region. Rail and
stone fences could be seen on either
side the road, and we passed swiftly
by a number Of farmhouses, some sim
pie log structures, although one or two
were more pretentious.
1t may have been two miles further
along, when the lieutenant, and his In
dian companion, wheeled suddenly to
the right, and without slackening
speed, rode through an open gate. and
up a graveled roadway, circling
through grove of trees to the front
door Of great square mansion. 1t
was dark and silent, a wide porch in
front supported by huge pillars,
broad flight OF steps leading from the
driveway. The Indian ran up these,
leaving the lieutenant holding his
horse, while we drew up some yards to
the rear. | heard the boom OF the
iron knOcker, followed by a CLEAN OF
light through lower window. Then
a Negroes voice spoke, and the front
door opened, disclosing two figures
one with suffering candle in hand.
The two exchanged dozen words be-
fore the lieutenant asked impatiently:
is it all right Tonepah?"
Ihe tac1turn Indian made no at
tempt at speech, but gave an exnres.
sive gesture, and the young officer
turned in his saddle.
Take the prisoner to the lower
room, Peter" he ordered CURLY. eTu
decide tomorrow il he can be Of any
use to u.s."
The two fellows loosened the rope
about my ankles, and Peter waddlinc
ahead, the graybeard gripping my
arm, we climbed the steps. and en-
tered the hall. A tall, slim negro evi.
IDENTIFY house-servant from his sleek
appearance, cycling me curiously,
handed the little fellow a second LIGHT
ed candle, and the three of MS went
tramplng along the wide hall. past the
c1rcllng stairs, until we came to a
door at the rear. This the black fling
open, without a word, and I was led
down into the basement. The flicker
ing candle yielded but glimpses of
great rooms, beautifully decorated
and, almost before l realized what was
occurring, I had been thrust into a
square apartment, the door behind me-
closed and locked. The two guards
left the suffering candle. perbaDs a
third burned, behind, and heard them
stumbling back through the darkness
10 the Ioot or the stairs. | glanced
about curiously, shaking the Ioosened
rope from my wrists, my mind instant
ly reverting to the chance of escane
whoever these fellows might be. what
ever their purpose, / had no intention
OF remaining in their hands a moment
longer than necessary. Somehow their
silence, their mysterious movements.
had impressed me with a strange feel
ing OF fear which / could not analyze
could not believe myself a mere pris-
oner OF war, but rather as being held
for some private purpose yet to be re-
vealed. Yet the room offered little
promise. 1t was nearly square the
walls OF stone solfdly imbedded in
mortar, the door of oak, thickly stud
ded with nails, and the two small win.
dows protected by thick iron bars. It
was a cell so strong that a single
glance about convinced me of the hone.
lessness OF any attempt at breaking
out.
was not there to exceed ten min
utes when, without warning. the lock
clicked, and Peter came in. | sat I'D
quickly, but as instantly he had closed
the door, and actually stood there
grinning cheerfully. 1 would never
have believed him capable of so pleas
ant an expression but for the evidence
Of my own eyes.
Spring lock- he grumbled, a thumb
over his shoulder, "opens outside"
Whatever resemblance to a soldier
he might have previously shown while
in uniform was now entirely banished.
Bareheaded, his bald dome of thought
shining in the eandle-light, his round,
solemn face, with big innocent gray
eyes gazing at me, an apron about his
fat waist, the fellow presented an al
most ludicrous appearance. Somehow
my heart warmed to him, especially as
perceived the tray, heavily laden,
which he bore easily on one arm, and
the towel flung over his shoulder. And
as / stared at him his movements be-
came professional. Silently, solemnly.
his mind strictly upon his duties, he
wiped off the table top, and arranged
the various dishes thereon uith the