The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-07-26
CHAPTER XXI.
| Uncover captaIn Grant.

Uncover Captain Grant.
The thicket was sufficiently dense to
conceal us from the man, who re-
mained standing at the foot Of the
steps. He was but a mere dark shad-
ow, and l 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 clung to my hand, but only
to whisper a 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
goodby."
] "Goodby, you will not forget me?"
'T-I am afraid not, but-but you
must go!"
l left her standing there, a faint
CLEAN of white against the dark shrub
berry, motionless.
There is no incident of that nights
ride which l recall distinctly. l mere
ly 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, / must run the risk
Of lodging these, but felt safe from
such an encounter for several hours.
In truth l met no one, having no occa-
sion to even draw rein, although we
passed through two small villages, and
by a number Of farms. l 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. l
could not be mistaken as to the town
Burlington on the Jersey shore, and
opposite Bristol. l should be safe
enough in the latter, even If we had
no outpost stationed there. I knew
homes along those shaded streets,
where food would be forthcoming, and
where could probably procure fresh
horse. 1t was the nearer town, nestled
on the Jersey bank, that 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 hot, close morning, and the
padded Rangers coat heavy and tight
fitting I took it off, fiinging it across
the saddle pommel. AS 1 did so a
folded paper came into view, and
drew it forth, curiously. My eye caught
the signature at the bottom Of brief
note, and l stared at 1t in surprise.
Fagin! How came Fagin to be writing
to Captain Grant? He pretended to
be Tory to be sure, yet both armies
knew him as a murderous outlaw,
loyalists and patriots alike.
There came to me a memory of Far
rell's chance remark that Grant had
some connection with this fellows ma
rauding. l had not seriously consid-
cred it then, but now-why, possibly
it was true. read the lines almost at
a glance, scarcely comprehending at
first, and then suddenly realized the
base villainy revealed:
"Have the money and papers, but
the girl got away Will wait for you
at Lone Tree tonight. Don't fail, for
the whole country will be after me
as soon as the news gets out about
Elmhurst. FAGIN."
So that was the reason for this raid
Grants personal affair. He had re
turned to Elmhurst, leaving his men
TO trudge on into Philadelphia under
their Hessian officers so that he might
with Fagin. What pity
It was l had failed to kill the fellow,
instead Of leaving him unconscious.
The papers! Perhaps they were in
he coat also. Surely Grant had no
lime to change or destroy them, as he
must have ridden directly to Elmhurst.
searched the pockets Of the garment
hastily, finding a note or two, his
orders to escort Delavan, and small
packet tied securely by cord. l felt
10 hesitancy in opening this, and as
its contents. The lines
'ead hastily seemed to blur before my
eyes; could barely comprehend their
Little by little grasped the
meaning Of it all, and then my mind
eaped to recognition Of Grants pur-
pose. They were notes of instruction,
-.ssf orders, suggestions, memoranda, ,
iuch as might be issued to a secret ]
gent greatly trusted. These were ad-
lressed simply Mortimer" many un- ,
igned. others marked by initials, but
instantly recognized the handwriting
Il Washington, Hamilton and Lee.