The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-08-31


edge of the stream. There was a
young moon in the sky yielding q
spectral light. barely making those
faces nearest me visible. At the sum
nit OF the clay bank. shadowed by the
forest growth encircling them. were
the others who had gathered at this
war rendezvous. the majority dis
mounted. holding their horses in readi-
ness for action. AS We rode In among
them neighbors clasped hands silent
ly, but the words exchanged were few.
Farrell forced his horse through the
press toward where a tall figure sat
stiff In the saddle. and my own horse
followed unguided.
"A goodly turnout. Duval," he CON-
mented briefly. What was the num-
Der before We came?"
"Forty-seven rifles" the Lieuten-
ants voice nasal. and high pitched.
The men from Orchard and Spring
dale are not in yet How many ar
rived with your"
Twenty; ample for our purpose.
even If the others fail US. This is
Major Lawrence of the Maryland
Line"
shook his long. thin hand. marking
the iron grip Of the fingers.
Well introduce you to some typical
Jersey fighting tonight Major" he
said genially. I'VE have a style all
our own"
81 had supposed l had witnessed all
styles"
hn to thof
every man among us has some outrage
to revenge, Our quarrel is a personal
one against thieves and murderers.
What is the program. Farrell?"
ITO intercept Delavan's raiders.
They will be along the main road
within the hour from all reports. He
has a wagon train loaded with stuff
gathered up between Medford an
Mount Holly. together with a consid-
erable drove Of cattle and some
horses"
And what force?"
About fifty men originally, but re-
inforced this afternoon with as many
more to help guard the train into
Philadelphia"
Mounted
The reinforcements were, but the
original foragers were afoot; they
were Hessians; the others Grants
company Of Queens Rangers"
GLORY be to Cod" exclaimed a
voice near at hand Did We hear that.
lads? It's Dutchmen and Tories we're
against tonight. Be CORY! wouldn't t
have missed the chance of this shindy
fer the best farm in Camden"
There was low growl from the
cluster OF men, and an ominous move
ment of bodies pressing closer. Duval
laughed mirthlessly.
THE bloodhound takes the scent"
he said grimly. God help those poor
devils when we cut the leash. Far
rell. Where do you propose meeting
them"
Across there in the bluffs" point
ing. where the road turns in between
the high clay banks. Well leave our
horses here, an cross on foot Is that
the right plan, boys?"
There was a murmur of acquies.
cence. a few questions, and then the
silence of approval It was evident
these minute men were under small
discipline, and their officers led only
by force of character Without orders
the horses were led away, tied Sc
curely In the black depths OF the
woods, and the men came struggling
back. rifles in hand, grouping them
selves along the edge of the stream.
There was no attempt at military
formation. but Duval Strengthened
them out SO as to count the number
present.
"Sixty-nine, all told" he announced
briefly. 'All right boys, come on, and
keep your powder out of the water"
1t was firm bottom but the water
rose above the waist, with sufficient
current so we had to brace against it
in mid-stream. We trailed dropping
up the eastern bank, coming out upon
well-traveled road. A hundred feet
beyond was the cleft through the clay,
and there Farrell halted us. dividing
the men into two parties. Under his
orders they disappeared like magic,
the silent night engulfing them COM
pletely. The three of us, Duval, Far
rell, and myself, alone remained in
the deserted road
"Duval," said the blacksmith quiet
ly, you an the Major feel your way
along to the top, an discover what is
happening. I'll stay here, an take
care of the boys"
The road was a gradual rise, the
clay packed hard under foot, but from
the summit we could look away for
some distance over a level country,
dimly revealed under the new moon.
There was nothing in sight, and no
sound disturbed the solitude. We sat
down on bunch of turf, rifles in
hand, to wait patiently, our eyes scan
ming the distance.
tTO BE CONTINUEDD