The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-06-06

uduBGE. IL was easy 10 COMpIeHc1Hs
their state Of mind. Delavan had been
left alone for week. permitted to
sweep the countryside unmolested.
He and his command had naturally
grown careless, never suspecting their
every move had been watched by
keen-eyed scouts. Now. guarded by
Grants troop, they believed them
selves sufficiently strong for any
emergency; that no force the scat
tered enemy could gather would ven
ture upon attack. BY daylight they
would be within sight of the Phila-
delphia outposts, and serenely conf
dent In their numbers, the night
march had therefore become mere
routine. heard Farrell chuckle grim
ly to himself as he observed thtcare
less approach of those advand rid
ers.
They were the Queens RAJ gers,
the white facings Of their coats con-
spicuous, their guns swung at the
shoulder in reckless confidence. A
slim young lieutenant appeared to be
in command.
Ten wagons passed without move
ment or sound from the men lying
concealed almost within arms reach
Of the unconscious guards. Farrell
never stirred, and scarcely ventured
to breathe. Then there came SQUAD
ron Of Rangers, an officer riding alone
in 'front.' the black shadow of another
cn0ffnyo ne he
over the ridge behind them. The
horsemen passed us, the officer turn
ing in hts saddle with an order to
close up their ranks. / recognized
Grants voice, and then, sharp as a
blow, rang out Farrell's whistle at
my very ear.
There was leap Of flame from
both sides the road, lighting up that
cash in the clay bank as though 1t
was an inferno, the red and yellow
glow cleaving the night asunder, with
ear-splitting roar. / was on my feet, |
my rife splitting, yet hardly conscious |
Of any act, stunned by the suddenness |
of the reports, confused by those |
black figures leaping forward through !
the weird glare. / saw and heard, and
yet 1t was all confused medley, in
which bore active part while scarce
ly realizing its significance. It was
fierce hand-to-hand melee so swiftly
fought as to be over with almost In
a minute, and yet so desperate the
narrow roadway was strewn with bod
les. Frightened horses whirled and
ran; wagons we're overturned; hem
med in against the high walls, Ger
mans and British made one mad effort
to extricate themselves; the advance
guard came squirting back, pushing
blindly into the ruck, the boyish voice
of their young lieutenant sounding
above the uproar. But our men were
between the two, a compact body,
each borderman fighting independent
ly, but knowing the game. / heard no
word Of command, no shout of direc-
ton from either Farrell or Duval, yet
we ripped them asunder with sweep
Ing rife butts, and, almost before
could catch second breath, the few
who remained on their feet were help
AOo6AJ IAdpPOu. pd1AG1I saw II Was HAk
over, and his whistle sounded again,
stilling the uproar Up to that mo-
ment he was beside me; with the
echoing of the shrill blast he had dis
appeared
1t was Duval who emerged from the
wreck of the train demanding surren-
der.
who commands here?" he shouted.
Speak up quick"
There was hesltancy, and then out
of the black mass huddled against the
bank recognized Grants voice.
I suppose I do; has any one seen
Captain Delavan?"
HE fell at tie first fire, sir" an
swered some one huskily.
Grant stepped forth into the moon
light, bareheaded, his sword in hand.
Then l am the senior officer" he
announced, his voice shaking slightly.
who are your"
Camden minute men. Do you sur
render?"
He took long breath, glancing
about at the dark shadows. Some one
held lighted torch, the red fame
casting sudden CLEAN over the sur
rounding faces. It was clear that
further resistance was useless, yet
Grant temporized.
"Are you in command?"
NO" said Duval; 'but represent
the commander"
'T deal with the one responsible in
this affair and demand terms. Who
is your leader?"
Duval smiled, turning his head In
quiringly.
Il don't think you have much
choice" he commented dryIy. Glow.
ever, perhaps you are not too proud to
talk to a regular who outranks you
1 present Major Lawrence, Of the Con-
tinental Line"
Surprised as 1 was by being thus
suddenly thrust forward into supreme
authority, l as instantly understood
the purpose, and stepped to the front
Grant stared at my face in the CLEAN
Of the smoking torch almost as
though he looked upon a ghost.