The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-23
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tenant remained quiet, Dut feteF proAe
bis sphinx-iike silence.
''T amt him, is it?'
mo; he must have taken the other
road after ALL with slight laugh.
We've been on wild-goose chase
However, It's too late now to catch
the fellow on this trip"
Peter rubbed his bald pate, his eyes
on me.
AN whatTi we do with this lad?'
he answered drawlingly. Turn bin
loose?"
Bring him along. Well find out to.
morrow who he Is. and what his bust.
ness may be. Men are not riding these
roads at midnight without some pur
pose"
He wheeled his horse, and, with a
touch OF the spur, disappeared in the
darkness ahead. Peter clambered back
into the saddle. and gripped my rein.
Come on" he said disgustedly, kick.
ing the black In the side. TITS ways
yet afore yer lie down."
We rode steadily, and at good
pace Occasionally the older man
swore solemnly, but Peter never ut.
tered q sound, not even turning his
head at my attempts to draw him into
conversation. The situation mystified
me, but it became more and more evil
dent that / should have to walt until
morning before learning the truth
Neither Peter nor the Indian seemed
- AA1r a. ali ~w-&AA tx = 4.
army was recruited. Peter appeared
more like a well-trained servant, and
his riding was atrocious. And the lieu
tenant! There came back to me the
haunting memory that he had joined
Delavan as a volunteer-the Dragon
uniform sufficient proof that he was
neither of the original foraging party
Of Hessians, nor of Grants detach.
ment OF Rangers. Yet these others
wore green and white, and must, there,
fore. have been in Grants command
How did the four manage to escape
from our attack, evidently animated
by one purpose? Why was Grant so
anxious to learn if had seen the lieu.
tenant, and whether we had a party
out seeking him? Not one of these
questions could / answer; not one
could Ieven guess at with any degree
OF satisfaction.
We were coming out OF the low,
swamp lands into a more thickly set.
tied, and cultivated region. Rail and
stone fences could be seen on either
side the road, and we passed swiftly
by number of farmhouses, some sim.
pie log structures, although one or two
were more pretentious.
II may have been two miles further
along, when the lieutenant, and his In.
dian companion, wheeled suddenly to
the right, and, without slackening
speed, rode through an open gate, and
up a graveled roadway, circling
through grove Of trees ITO the front
door Of great square mansion. II
WAS dark and silent, wide porch in
front supported by huge pillars, a.
broad flight Of steps leading from the
driveway. The indian ran up these.
leaving the lieutenant holding his
horse, while we drew UP some yards to
the rear. ! heard the boom Of the
Iron knocker, followed by q CLEAN of
light through lower window. Then
, negro's voice spoke, and the front
door opened, disclosing two figures,
one with sputtering candle in hand.
The two e. hanged dozen words be-
fore the lieutenant asked impatiently:
as it all right Tonepah?"
The taciturn Indian made no at
tempt at speech, but gave an express
sive gesture, and the young officer
turned in his saddle.
Take the prisoner to the lower
room, Peter" he ordered CURLY. 'T'l
decide tomorrow If he can be of any
use to US"
The two fellows loosened the rope
about my ankles, and Peter waddlins
ahead, the graybeard gripping my
arm, we climbed the steps, and en-.
tered the hall. A tall, slim negro, evi.
IDENTIFY a house-servant from his sleek
appearance, cycling me curiously,
handed the little fellow a second light
ed candle, and the three Of US went
tramping along the wide hall, past the
circling stairs, until we came to a
door at the rear. This the black flung