The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-05-12
CHAPTER II.
Within the Enemy,a LInes.


A long cavalry cape concealing the
British uniform I wore. my horse and
myself were ferried across the SchuyL
I'LL, Just below the mouth Of Valley
creek, and there, amid the silence and
darkness of the eastern shore, part
ID with Hamilton. who had accompe-
MED me thus far, whispering final
words Of instruction. Ny horse was q
fresh one, chosen from the stables OF
the Life Guard. but the trappings were
u the British service. Within five
minutes I was out Of sight Of the
picket fire on the river bank. riding
steadily southeast through the night,
every nerve alert. An hours riding
found me well beyond our outermost
pickets. Jet. in fear that l might en-
counter some body Of irregulars. scout.
ting the neutral ground, held on to
my passport until perceived the first
6ush Of dawn IN the east. Then. con-
WINGED Of close proximity to the Brit.
lsh guard lines, tore the paper into
fragments. Avoiding all roads, and
seeking every bit OF concealment pos
Bihle, It was already sunrise before
plunged suddenly into a Hessian
picket post, the distant smoke OF the
Philadelphia chimneys darkening the
sky ahead. Unable to speak German,
my uniform won sufficient courtesy, 30
that was escorted back under guard
10 an outpost Of the Queens Rangers,
where / explained my presence and
rank to q red-faced captain in Tory
green, SO insolent in manner as to be
insulting, until I exhibited the sealed
dispatch, and demanded to be escort
ed at once to Sir William Howe. This
brought results, and entered the city
under escort Of q dozen horsemen,
their green coats faced with dingy
! white, cooked hats tapping as they
rode.
3, It was thus we came to Callowhill,
and the encampment Of British grena.
diers, an officer Of the Fifty-ifth regi.
ment volunteering to guide me ito
Howe's quarters in High street He
was a genial fellow, and pointed out
various places Of interest, as we rode
more slowly through the streets close
along the river side, questioning me
often upon affairs in New York, to
5 which I returned such vague answers
rs pleased me, paying small heed to
the truth. All along the river were
redoubts, well garrisoned, with black
gun muzzles pointing out across the
water. Many houses had been RACED.
and their debris, together with the
IRE ruin OF the past winter, gave to
everything look Of desolation. Much
artillery was parked in the state house
yard, and several vessels Of war were
lying at anchor in the stream, while
the entire shore line was filled with
barges, decorated as for a fete, a large
force of men laboring about them. Ny
companion, observing my interest at
tracted In that direction, reined Ut
his horse to explain.
Those are the gaIleys being made
ready for the Mlschianza, Fortesque,
he said. waving his hand. You came
20 us at a lucky hour"
"The Mischianza7" asked, puzzled
by the strange term. Some festival
you mean i-some gala day%
"'Tis an italian word. they tell me
signifying medley. The officers givt
At In farewell to Sir William, who viii
sail tomorrow. A pretty penny Il
costs. See. there Is Major O'Hars
now, one Of the managers; there are
three others. Sir John Wrottlesly, Ma
DOR Gardiner. and the chief engineer
Montresor. Do you know them? No
oh, / had forgotten you have only Jus
ARRIVED. You win know them ere long
however. for they are the leaders IL
such affairs. That IL Captain Andr,
there with O'Hara" He waved hi
hand, and the younger ofacer lifted hi
cooked hat In acknowledgment. lie
us spur over there, lieutenant, until
get you q ticket Of invitation"
/ followed. careless Of the loss Q
time 20 could both see and hear.
Andre, this Is Lieutenant Fo1
tesque just In from New York wit
dispatches for Howe have prou
Used him q ticket for tonight"
The young ofacer laughingly extend
ed hand
"The more the merrier, Craig. Wit
Ahe Forty-second see, sir; knew you
colonel well. You'll find America ism
30 bad. after you get used to It View
mad q gay t1me here, Ell. O'Hara? tn
hest OF liquor, and the prettiest Z
n4rIs. and now we'll show the tow
spmething It won't forget IN hurry
He held out q card to me. "Rathe
ornate, considering the printers |
these colonies; designed Il myself"
Il was certainly q handsome souv
mir, perhaps six inches BY four 1
Sise, engraved az In a shield. yieldir
4 view Of the sea, with the setttn
sun, and on q wreath the words, "Lucc
dfscendenA, ancto splendore resu
cam" while at the top was the gel
- AZ arHrI.