The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-09-06
CHAPTER TX. Continued.

there?" I questioned at last, made
nervous by the silence.
The boys In tho gulch? Jersey
militiamen," he explained shortly.
"You see there's some of us that
can't get away all the time, because
Of the women and children, and tie
farm work. Besides, regular soldier.
ing don't just appeal to our sort. So
We do our fighting round home in
own way. However the most of US
manage to have a hand in the real
thing once In a while even at that.
We we're over at Germantown, and
down at Brandywine. Farrell's got a
commission, but the rest of US are
taking our chances. It's neighbor
against neighbor. Whatever we've
got left has been held at the point OF
the rife. We're doing our share in
this war, an Washington knows 1t.
Over there to the east Red Fagin,
Old Man Kelly, an their gangs of Pine
Robbers, are making the fields red;
sometimes they get down this far
raiding the farms, but mostly, we're
fighting foragers out Of Philadelphia,
and they're not much better. Half the
houses In this country have been
burned. and mercy is mt very common
on either side. Those lads yonder are
not pretty soldiers tp look at, but
they're wolves to fight, and hungry
for it."
They are called on whenever Far
rell wishes?""
We'll, yes; those come who can.
They're not always the same bunch.
You see Farrell covers quite a bit Of
country, with a lieutenant in each Sec
ton who is In touch with the neigh
bos there. l belong in Camden, and
don't go outside very often, but there
Is sort of organization all the way
between here and New York. When
ever there is a big fight on, the most
OF us get into it somehow. Washing
ton counts on us In a pinch, but most
ly we're raiding or cutting off British
supplies. Say, Major, isn't that those
fellows coming?"
He pointed into the east, in which
direction the road ran, barely revealed
by the faint light of the moon for Der
haps a hundred yards. I looked eager
ly, and could dimly distinguish a
vague shadow on the summit of a dis
tant rise of land. The shadow moved.
however. and as We both stared In IN
certainty, there came to our ears the
faroff crack Of a whip. We drew
farther back against the bank. paus-
ing to make sure there was no decep-
ton. One by n we could perceive
those vague shadows topping the rise
and disappearing. ] counted ten, con.
WINGED they were covered wagons
and then the night wind brought to
US the creaking of wheels, and the
sound Of a mans voice. Duval's hand
gripped my arm, and I'd the signal we
crept back beyond the crest, and then
hurried down to where Farrell had
concealed his men. He was awaiting
US in the middle of the road, his short !
broad figure almost laughable In the
moon shadow.
We'll, are they comfng?"
Just owe the crest" replied Duvel
brusquely. II counted fifteen wagons"
Quite a convoy, an worth fighting
for. Take the left, Duval; Major,
come with me-"
We drew aside under the protection
OF a boulder, from where we could see
clearly to the top of the ridge. Only
tor a moment was there silence, the
men all about us lying low in their
c%overts, breathless and intent. Then
we heard horses hoofs and the muir.
muir of approaching voices
We could see them quite clearly, as
they topped the crest, tho moonlight
revealing men and horses SO distinct
y could even guess at their uniform.
Ihose in advance rode slowly, four
ABREAST, down into the black shadows,
iolling in their saddles. voices muir.
nluring, seemingly unconscious Of n
uanger' 1t was easy I'd comprehend
tnelr state of mind. Delavan had been
ieit alone for a week, permitted to
sweep the countryside unmolested.
ne and his command had naturally
eroWn careless. never ~suspecting their
svery had been watched by
aeeh-eyed scouts. Now. guarded by
urants troop, they believed them
serves sufficiently stroh az for any
emergency; that no for & the scat.
.ered enemy could gather would ven
sute upon attack. By daylight they
would be within sight of the Phila-
selpnla ~outposts. and sarenely conf.
uent in their numbers. the night
march had therefore become a mere
,outine. heard Farrell chuckIe grim.
Y 70 himself as he observed the care
less approach of those advance rid
ers.
Ahey were the Queens Rangers
ene white facings Of their coats con.
splcuous, their guns swung at the
~" uer IN reckless confidence. A
snm young lieutenant appeared to be
u command.
zen wagons passed without a move
eoro " SOUND from the men lying
~ na4eu almost within arms reach
Ae unconscious guar dis. Farrell
never stirred. and | scarcely yentured
~ rne' Then there cd me a squad
Il hangers. an officer riding alone
shs black shadow Of another