The Irish standard., 1912-06-15
CHAPTER XXI.
I Uncover CAPTAIN Grant

Uncover Captain Grant.
The thicket was sufficiently dense t.
conceal us from the man, who re.
manned standing at the foot of the
steps. He was but mere dark shad.
ow, and could not even distinguish
that he was a soldier, yet the danger
of his presence was sufficiently great,
for should he advance to the right he
would come upon Grants unconscious
form, and in that silence the slightest
noise might arouse suspicion. Mistress
Claire still chung to my hand, but only
to whisper sentence Of instruction.
go straight north, major, until you
reach the hedge; follow the shadow
of that beyond the orchard, and then
take the road running westward.
Don't mount until you reach there
Eoodby.''
"Goodby, you will not forget met"
I'll am afraid not, but-but you
must go!"
j.. I left her standing there. a faint
CLEAN of white against the dark shrub
berry, motionless.
There is no incident Of that nights
ride which recall distinctly. mere
~ pushed on steadily through the
darkness, leaving my mount to choose
his own course, confident we were
headed toward the river. was suf
ficiently acquainted with the valley of
the Delaware, when daylight came, to
decide upon the nearest ford. AS to
the British patrols, I must run the risk
Of lodging these, but felt safe from
such an encounter for several hours.
In truth I met no one, having no occa-
sion to even draw rein, although we
passed through two small villages, and
by number of farms. I could not
even determine that these houses were
occupied; they were dark and silent,
even the galloping hoofs of my horse
failing to awaken response.
1t was already daylight when drew
up on the bluff summit to gaze down
into the river valley. In the middle
distance small villages faced each
other across the stream, and toward
these most of the roads converged-
proof of the existence of a ford. I
could not be mistaken as to the town
Burlington on the Jersey shore, and
opposite Bristol. I should be safe
enough in the latter, even If we had
no outpost stationed there. knew
hon es along those shaded streets,
where food would be forthcoming, and
where could probably procure fresh
horse. It was the nearer town, nestled
on the Jersey bank, that I studied
with the greatest care, but, so far as
could see, the single street was de-
serted. To the south, certainly two
miles away, a squadron of horse were
riding slowly, surrounded by cloud
of dust. Without doubt this was the
British patrol that had left the village
at daybreak.
1t was a hot, close morning, and the
padded Rangers coat heavy and tight
fitting. took it off, finging it across
the saddle pommel. As did so
folded paper came into view, and l
drew it forth, curiously. My eye caught
the signature at the bottom of brief
note, and I stared at it in surprise.
Fagin! How came Fagin to be writing
to Captain Grant? He pretended to
be a Tory to be sure, yet both armies
knew him as a murderous outlaw.
plundering loyalists and patriots alike.
There came to me memory OF Far
TELLS chance remark that Grant had
some connection with this fellows ma
rauding. I had not seriously consid-
cred it then, but now-why. possibly
1t was true. read the lines almost at
. glance, scarcely compromising at
tlrst, and then suddenly. realized the
base villainy revealed:
"Have the money and papers. but
the girl got away. Will wait for you
1T Lone Tree tonight. Don't fail, for
the whole country will be after me
% soon as the news gets out about
Elmhurst. FAGlN. .