The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-07-17
MY LADY OF DOUBT.
CONTINUED from Page Thirteen)


asininityi We've got the Redcoats
hemmed in, and did you ever zee q
better field? Pray God 1 may hear
Washington when he comes up. I'd
rather be dead then, than Charles
Lee"
We gave the orders, and the men
fell back sullenly, swearing fercely
as they caught the rebellious spirit Of
E their officers. Scarcely able to breathe
in the hot. gtagnant air, caked with
foul mud to the waist, We attained the
higher ground, and dropped helpless
r Even from here the enemy were in.
visible, although We could see the
smoke Of their guns, and hear distant
crackle of musketry. / sat up, star
ing through the heat waves toward
the eminence on the left where
- Wayne's men remained, showing dim.
u against the trees. A group Of horse
p men were riding down the slope
heading toward our line. AS they
came into the sandy plain below and
skirted the morass, recognized Lee
In advance, mounted on a black horse
hecked with foam. Twice he paused
gazing across the hills through leyeIed
field glasses, and then rode up the
steep ascent to our rear. Maxwell
met him not twenty feet from where
! lay.
What does this @ean, sirf'' Les
Ehundered hoarsel. why are your
men lying strewn about in this unsol
dierly manner, General MAXWELL"
Are you unaware, sir, that we are in
p the presence Of the enemy?'
Maxwell's face fairly blazed, as be
Strengthened in the saddle, but befors
his lips could form an answer. a sud
den cheer burst out from the crest OF
the hill, and I saw men leaping tc
their feet, and waving their hats. Ths
next instant across the summit came
Washington, a dozen officers Clatter
ing behind, his face stern-set and
white. as he rode straight toward Lee
What is the meaning Of this re
treat. General Lee? My God, sir, how
do you account for such disorder and
,~ Confusion?" he exclaimed, his voice
ringing above the uprOar, his angry
eyes blazing into Lees face. Answer
me-"
The other muttered some reply
failed to catch.
That's not true" returned Wash
ington, every word singing like a
whip. TT was merely covering party
which attacked you. Why did you &C
cept command, sir, unless you intend
ed to fghtr'
"I did not deem it prudent, General
Washington, u bring ON a general en-
gagement"
You were to obey my orders, sir,
and you know what they were See!
They are coming now"
He wheeled his horse about, point
ing with one hand across the valley.
Major Cain, have Oswald bring up
i his guns at once; Lieutenant McNeilI,
ride to Ramsey and Stewart; have
their troops on the ridge within ten
minutes-General Maxwell, these are
your mem"
They are, SIR
Hold this line at any cost, the re
serves will be up presently
AS he drew his horse about he again
came face to face with Lee, who sat
his saddle sullenly, his gaze on the
ground. Washington looked at him
q moment, evidently not knowing what
to say. Then he asked quietly:
''Wiu you retain command on this
height, or, not, sIr?"
cit is equal to me where I COM
nand."
- Then expect you VIII take proper
means for checking the enemy"
81 shall not be the first to leave the
ground; your orders shall be obeyed."
What followed was but a medley Of
sight and sound. I saw Washington
ride TO the left; heard Lee give a hur-
lied order, or two; then I was at the
! rear Of our own line Strengthening it
tor assault. There was little enough
+ lime left.
Under the smoke Of several batter
les, whose shells were ripping open
/ die side of the hill, the British were
: advancing in double line, the sun
cleaning on their bayonets, and re-
Vealing the uniforms OF different
corps.
STEADY, men! steady!" voice after
voice caught up the command. Hold
FOUR fret
"Wait until they reach that fallen
: Tee!" I added.
Every man Of US had q gun, officers,
Ill. Coatless as though We came from
he haying field, the perspiration
streaming down our faces, We waited.
The rife barrels glowed brown in the
sun, as the keen eyes took careful
sight. We were but q handful, a single
To- hin line; If the reserves failed we
would be driven back by mere force
Of numbers, yet before We went that
slope should be strewn with dead.
Crashing up from the. rear came Os- |
yald with two guns, wheeling into
+. position, the depressed muzzIes spout. /
/ ing destruction. Yet those red and
blue lines came on; great openings
i were ploughed through them, but the |
living mass closed up. They were at /
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