The Glenwood post., 1912-08-03
CHAPTER III,
The Fete and Mischianza.

The Fete and Mischianza,
l confess that up to this time I had
experienced little interest in the af.
fair. After Valley Forge it was hard
for 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
of some slip of tongue betraying me,
the knowledge that was In the very
heart Of the enemy's camp, with grim,
stern duties to perform and return
journey to accomplish, kept me nerved
to point where l thought Of little
else than my task. But now dared
not remain Indifferent, and, indeed, the
enthusiasm of my companions became
contagious, and I Joined with them
eagerly, as they hurried forth to the
best point of view. Once there the
sight revealed aroused me to an en-
thusiasm scarcely less than that Of
those crowding about. Few, indeed,
have ever witnessed so gorgeous a
spectacle as that river presented.
Well out in the stream lay the ves-
sells of war-the Fanny, Roebuck and
Vigilant-together with long line Of
transports, stretching as far as the
eye could see, flags flying, and decks
crowded with spectators. The pageant
teame down with the tide, moving in
three divisions to the inspiring music
Of several bands, the oars of galleys
and barges keeping exact intervals.
AS they passed us the officers beside
me named the various occupants. In
the leading galley were Sir William.
Lord Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, the Of
fcers of their suites and some ladies.
In the last of the boats stood General
Knyphausen, the Hessian commander.
Between these were flat-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 riot of color, and
the ear caught a babel of sound. AS
the last barge glided by the man next
me growled in disgust:
Those are lucky dogs off duty to-
day." His eye caught mine. why
don't you go after them, Fortesque?
There will be plenty of fun afoot
yonder where they land"
Where Is that?"
cat the old fort; follow the crowd.
and you'll not go astray. Have you
a ticket?"
Captain, Andre honored me with
one this morning."
Then you are good for the first
row. Don't miss 1t, man." with enthu-
siasm. "'Twill be such sight as has
not been witnessed since the Field Of
the Cloth of Gold"
"A passage at arms, you mean?"
cay! as gorgeous as those Of the
o1d-time knights; q fair conceit as I
read the program. I'd be there now
but for the damned orders that hold
me here. If you ride hard you can
make the spot before they come
ashore"
There was no reason l should not
go. and much in the glittering prospect
appealed to me. Five minutes later
was trotting out Of the Yager 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 sullenly
parted, and gave us opening, 80 we
reached the site of the old fort as the
barges began discharging their oc-
cupants. A glance about, however,
convinced me as to where the lists
were to be run, and headed my horse
{y thnt ooip nj
Of vantage before the throng poured in.
was somewhat to the right Of the
big stand, the restive heels Of my
horse keeping the crowd away, and
with a clear view as far as the river
bank. 1t was. maybe, 400 yards down
a gentle slope to the waters edge,
where the line was forming. This pas
sageway was lined with onlookers,
held back by numerous guards, while
to my left extended square lawn,
perhaps $50 yards each way, surround
ed by double rank of grenadiers, the
bayonets cleaning on their guns. This
open space was equipped with every
thing needed for the coming tourney,
and on three sides were tiers Of raised
seats. Z had barely observed all this
when the guns of the Roebuck, echoed
by those Of the Vigilant, began to
boom a salute, and the head Of the
column of marchers began slowly
mounting the slope. The costumes
worn were as varied as those Of a
masquerade, representing all the
changes since the days Of chivalry.
The whole line glowed with color, and
- =.