The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-05-19
CHAPTER IlI


The Fsto and MIschlanzA.
/ confess that up to this time ] had
Experienced little interest In tho ar
fair. After Valley Forge II was hard
Tor an American soldier to admire
such boys play. or to enter into the
spirit Of British fun making. Besides
the danger Of my position. the fear
- some slip Of tongue betraying me
me knowledge that I was In the very
heart Of the enemy's camp. with grim.
stern duties to perform and return
Journey to accomplish, kept me nerved
10 q point where thought Of little
alec than my task. But now dared
not remain Indifferent, and, indeed, the
enthusiasm OF my companions became
contagious, and Joined with them
pagerly, as they hurried forth to the
best point Of view. Once there the
sight revealed aroused me 10 an en-
Lhusiasm scarcely less than that Of
those crowding about. Few, indeed,
have ever Witnessed 20 gorgeous n
spectacle as that river presented.
Well out In the stream lay the yes
sells Of war-the Fanny, Roebuck and
vIgilant--tOgether with long line Of
transports, stretching as far az the
aye sould see. flags flying. and decks
crowded with spectators. The pageant
came down with the tide, moving In
three divisions to the inspiring music
Of several bands, the oars Of galleys
and barges keeping exact intervals.
A. they passed M the officers beside
me named the various occupants. In
the leading galley were Sir William,
Lord Howe. Sir Henry Clinton. the Of
ncers Of their suites and some ladies.
IN the last Of the boats stood General
Knyphausen, the Hessian commander.
Between these were hat-boats, covered
with green cloth. loaded with ladies
and gentlemen, or else containing
bands. Six barges. darting here and
there, kept open space amid the
swarms of small boats. Everywhere
the eye swept over q riot Of color, and
the ear caught babel Of sound. As
the last barge glided by the man next
me growled In disgust:
Those are lucky dogs on duty to
day" His eye caught mine. why
don't you go after them. Fortesque
There win be plenty Of fun afoot
yonder where they land"
Where Is that?"
at the old fort; follow the crowd
and you1l not 60 astray. Have you
\ ticketf"
Captain Andre honored me with
pne this morning"
Then you are good for the FIRST
row. Don't miss It, man." with enthu
siasm. Twill be such q sight as has
not been Witnessed since the Field oi
the Cloth Of Gold"
A passage at arms, you meant"
~Ayl az gorgeous as those OF ths
old-time knights; q fair conceit as
read the program. I'd be there now
but for the damned orders that hold
me here. II you ride hard you car
make the spot before they come
ashore"
There was no reason I should moi
80. and much in the glittering prospect
appealed to me. Five minutes latel
I was trotting out Of the Wager camp
pressing passage through the crowds
already headed southwark, the dra
COON riding silently at my heels
Mounted men that day were few, and
doubtless believing we were connect
ed with the pageant. the Jam sullehl!
parted, and gave us opening, SO W,
reached the site OF the old fort as tn
barges began discharging their oc
cupantS. A glance about, however
convinced me AZ to where the list
were to be run. and headed my hors
IN that direction and gained a poin
Of vantage before the throng poured in
- was somewhat to the right Of tn
big stand. the FESTIVE heels OF m
horse keeping the crowd away, an
with q clear view as far as the rive
bank. It was, maybe. 400 yards dow
n gentle slope to the waters edge
where the line was forming. This pal
sageway was lined with onlookerl
held back by numerous guards, Will
to my left extended . square lawr
perhaps $50 yards each way, surround
ed by q double rank Of grenadiers, tn
bayonets cleaning on their guns. Thi
open space was equipped with every
thing needed for the coming tourney
= and on three sides were tiers Of raise
seats. had barely observed all thi
when the guns Of the Roebuck. echoe
by those OF the vigilant, began I
boom q salute. and the head Of tn
column Of marchers began slowl
mounting the slope. The costume
worn were az varied as those Of
masquerade. representing all tn
changes since the days OF chivalr!
The whole line glowed with color, an
! cleaned tn steel
Like some great serpent, glitterin
in the sun, this procession passed u
! der the triumphal arches and disaI
ineared as its members took prescribe
positions on the stands. or in the p