The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-06-09


thing once in q while even at that
We were over at Germantown, and
down at Brandywine. Farrei1's got .
commission, but the rest Of us are
taking our chances. It's nefghbor
against neighbor. Whatever we've
got left has been held at the point OF
the rife. We're doing our share In
this war. an Washington knows 1t.
Over there to the east Red Fagin
Old Man Kelly, an their gangs of Pine
Robbers. are making the fields red;
sometimes they get down this far
raiding the farms, but mostly, we'rs
lighting foragers out Of Philadelphia,
and they're not much better. Half the
houses in this country have been
burned. and mercy isn't very common
on either side. Those lads yonder are
not pretty soldiers to look at, but
they're wolves to fight, and hungry
for It.
'They are called on whenever Far
rell wishss?"
"We1l, yesI those come who can.
They're not always the same bunch,
You see Farrell covers quite bit OF
country, with lieutenant In each sec
ton who il In touch with the neigh
bors there. belong in Camden, and
don't go outside very often, but there
Is a sort Of organisation all the way
between here and New York. When
ever there Is 9 big fight on, the most
Of US get into It somehow. Washing
ton counts on US In pinch, but most
" we're raiding or cutting of British
supplies. Say, Major. isn't that those
fellows corningr'
He pointed into the east, IN which
direction the road ran, barely revealed
by the faint light Of the moon for per
haps hundred yards. 1 looked eager
ly, and could dfmly distinguish q
vague shadow on the summit Of a dis.
tant rise Of land. The shadow moved,
however, and as we both stared IN un
certainty, there came to our ears the
far-off crack OF q whip. We drew
farther back against the bank, paus
ing to make sure there was no decep
ton. One by one we could perceive
those vague shadows toppins the rise
and disappearing counted ten, CON
WINGED they were covered wagons
and then the night wind brought to
as the breaking of wheels, and the
sound Of q mans voice. Duvars hand
gripped my arm, and to the signal we
crept back beyond the crest, and then
hurried down to where Farrell had
concealed his men. He was awaiting
US In the middle Of the road, his short
broad figure almost laughabls In the
moon shadow.
We'll, are they coming?"
"Just over the crest" replied Duval
brusquely. ri counted fifteen wagons. "
Quite a convoy, an worth fighting
for. Take the left, Duval; Major,
come with me-"
We drew aside under the protection
Of a boulder, from where we could see
clearly to the top Of the ridge. Only
for q moment was there silence; the
men all about US lying low tn their
coverts, breathless and intent. Then
we heard horses hoofs and the muir
muir Of approaching voices.
We could see them quite clearly. al
they topped the crest, the moonlight
revealing men and horses so distinct
ly could even guess at their uniform.
Those In advance rode slowly, four
abreast, down into the black shadows
lolling In their saddles, voices muir
muring. seemingly unconscious of any
danger. II was easy to comprehend
their state Of mind Delavan had been
left alone for a week, permitted to
sweep the countryside unmolested
He and his command had naturally
grown careless, never suspecting their
every move had been watched by
keen-eyed scouts Now, guarded by
Grants troop. they believed them
selves sufficiently strong for any
emergency; that no force the scat
tered enemy could gather would ven
ture upon attack. BY daylight theJ
would be within sight Of the Phila
delphia outposts, and serenely conf
dent tn their numbers, the night
march had therefore become a mere
routine. heard Farrell chuckle grim
" to himself as be observed the care
less approach OF those advance rid
! ers.
They were the Queens Rangers
the white facings Of their coats con
spicuous, their guns swung at tht
shoulder In reckless confidence. A
slim young lieutenant appeared to b,
/ in command.
Ten wagons passed without move
meut or sound from the men lyfnI
concealed almost within arms reael
Of the unconscious guards. Farrell
never stirred, and scarcely venture.
TO breathe. Then there came a squad
ron Of Rangers, an oflcer riding alon,
in front, the black shadow of anothe,
section Of the wagon train Ioomiu,
over the ridge behind them. Tn,
horsemen passed as, the officer turn
/ ing In bis saddle with an order I.
close up their ranks. recognize.
/ Grants voice. and khen, sharp as
blow. rang out geFrefl's whistle a
my very ear.
| There was q leap Of fame from
both sides the road. lighting up tina
cash In the clay bank as though !.
was an inferno. the red and yeIlov
glow eleavfng the night asunder. Wit