Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-03
vas the winter that the American

One day Captain Alexander Hamil-
ton went hurriedly into his Office with
out stopping to knock. Washington
looked up at him, surprised at his want
of military Difference. But he soon
changed his expression.
THE French are coming to help US,
general said Hamilton.
The general sat tn liking. A great
many matters hinged on this informa
ton.
Captain" he said at last, ''our enc
mics will strain every nerve to win
their cause before our allies can reach
US. OF the different moves they will
make the one 1 fear most is attempts
to seduce our people by offering liberal
terms for surrender of our independ-
ence. They will try to win over some
of our most prominent patriots not
only by such promises, but by offers OF
money and position if they will use
their influence to induce our people to
submit to the king. The place from
which these offers will eminate is Phil
adelphia, now occupied by General
Howe, surrounded by many sympa-
thetic Tories l shall send a message
to those of our prominent men there
| urging them to stand steadfast, and
with this help of the French our in
dependence will be achieved"
When toward evening the message
was ready, Washington handed it to
his aid, saying:
at is too important to trust to an
ordinary post rider. 1t must be car
ried through the British lines into Phil
adelphia."
Yes, general, and, coming from you,
it will doubtless have a great effect.
General Howe would give half his ar
my to intercept or delay its reaching
those for whom it is intended before
he has a chance to corrupt them. As
to the messenger, young Janeway is
your man by all means-he who car
ried the message through to our friends
in New York when we were on Long
Island"
That night Walter Janeway, a young
officer of the Continental army, mount
ed on the best horse that could be
found, started to make the distance OF
eighty miles between Morristown and
Philadelphia in as short time as pos.
sible He had nothing to fear for some
distance, for the region roundabout
was patriot ground. Nevertheless he
was dressed for the whole journey, or
rather, for his entrance into Philadel
phia, and, since the city was the home
of the Quakers, had chosen their cos
tune.
He rode all night and breakfast
ed at Trenton. which place was more
than half way to his destination ant
stretch. After resting and feeding the
animal he proceeded more leisurely
for he was now on British and Tory
territory and had part to play.
At Trenton young Janeway crossed
the Delaware in the fiatboat ferry Of
the period and pursued his way dowr
the right bank Of the river through
Pennsylvania. Midway between Tren
ton and Philadelphia, reaching a small
village, he stopped for dinner at {
tavern.
Being now within ten or fifteen miles
of Philadelphia, those he met were cit
iZen patriots and Tories, with here ant
there a British soldier. A member Of
General Howe's army scouting in uni
form sat opposite him at table.
whence come you, neighbour" hi
asked of Janeway.
From the College of New Jersey
where 1 am studying" replied Jane
way.
And whittier go your"
Home to my fathers plantation fl
Maryland"
princeton is not far from Morris
town, where they say is the headquar
ters of the rebel Washington. Has hi
many troops with him."
II have not been away from college
so | can form no opinion as to that
Thee can find out by going there thy
self"
." am not on that business. My oh
ject is to look out for emissaries pass
Ing from the rebels to our camp witt
communications to prominent sympa
thizers in Philadelphia. To which sid
do you belong?"
How can l, who believe that thos
who use the sword are sinners, belon
to either side?'
"Well, l shall return this Afternoon
and, so far as our paths lie together
would like your company"
Janeway accepted the offer, since h
could not well decline without exciting
suspicion. On the way the trooper VIII
was garrulous had much to say abou
the number Of communications he ha
Intercepted between the rebels OF Ney
York and New Jersey and their feuoy
;. rebels in Philadelphia. When the
, reached the outskirts of Philadelphi
Janeway told him at fork of the roa
= that he must bid him goodby, since tn
. way to his home in Maryland lay
the southwest. The trooper asked VIII
he did not go into Philadelphia, slice
!, and go on from there in the morning
:. Janeway replied that he had so man
relatives in Philadelphia that IL one q
them heard he had been there and la
h not been 10 see him it would give o.
= rense. The trooper urged that, ente
/ L.