The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-06-13

UAuNt CHCifClcu W n hSdFy budAAs
Duval singled out the officers from
among the others, and brought them
forward to where I stood There were
but three--Grant and two Hessians.
looked at them keenly, recalling the
slight figure OF the young lieutenant
with the boys voice Could the lad
have been shot, or what had become
OF him?
"Are you three all that are left7"
questioned bluntly. who command
ed the vanguard"
The two Hessians looked at each
other stupidity, and / asked the ques-
tion again before Grant saw At to re-
ply. His manner was excessively in
solent
.'That is more than / know. We
joined after dark, and did not meet
Delavan's officers"
''He vas vat you call maybe a vol
unteer leftenant," added one Of the
Germans brokenly "At Mount Holly
we met, yah, and from there he
joined"
mot one Of Delavan's men then7"
Il dink not; he vas Light Dragon.
hat the wagon guard-the first vag-
ons-an' see him there. Mine Gotti
he come pack vid his mems all right
slash, shoot-his horse rear up; that
vas the last see already"
"The lad got away, with three 9TH
ers. SIR broke In aenew voice at my
back. 'erhey wheeled and rode
through us, across the water. We
thought the horse guard would get
them over there, but guess they
didn't; anyhow there was no firing.
The fellows must have turned In i'm.
der the bank, and rode like hell"
Satisfied as to this incident, and not
altogether regretful that the boy had
thus escaped, held a short consulta-
ton with Duval, seeking explanation
as to why the command had been so
unceremoniously thrust upon me, A
few words only were required to make
the situation clear. Farrell's ability
to injure and annoy the enemy largely
depended on his leadership not being
known. While taking part In every
engagement. he always required his
lieutenants to represent him In nego-
tiations, so that up to this time, what
ever the British might suspect, they
aad no positive proof that he was
openly In arms against them. Duval,
IN turn, taking advantage Of my pres
ence, had shifted the responsibility to
my shoulders.
"But what do you people do with
your prisoners2" asked.
"send EN- to the Continental lines
when we can" he explained, land II
we can't then turn 'em loose. No use
parollng EN-, as they consider us
guerillas. If I was you I'd run EN-
back to the farm house across the
creek, an hold 'em there till we get
rid OF this stuff Maybe It'll take
twenty-four hours to hide 1t all, and
burn the wagons. Then the boys can
turn 'em loose. an there's no harm
done. I'd like to take that fellow
Grant into our Mnes-he's mean
pillaging devil--but it's too big risk;
Bristol Is about the nearest picket
post, and the redcoats have got cav
airy patrols all along In back OF the
river"
'Bu& cannot wait here" an
swered, impatiently. Farrell under
stood that have important informa-
tion for Washington, and only came
with you tonight because you were
following along my route. I've got to
20 on"
That's all right; Just give your
orders, and wen attend to the rest.
What we want is for these lads to
so back to Philadelphia saying they
we're attacked by force Of militia I'M
der command Of an ofEicer Of the Con-
tinental line. That win give Clinton
a scare, and turn suspicion away from
us. Grant knows you. / understand.
so he'll report the affair that way.
You can be off within thirty minutes"
II was easy to grasp the point OF
view, and saw no reason for refusing
assistance. gave the necessary or
ders, standing under the torchlight in
full view, and waited while squad
of partisans rounded up the disarmed
prisoners, and guarded them down the
slope to the edge Of the stream.
Teams were doubled up, and several
Of the heavy wagons rumbled away
into the darkness. Two, too badly In
iured to be repaired, were fred where
they lay, the bright flames lighting
up the high banks on either side the
road I found q big black horse, with
British arms on the bride, and pair
OF loaded pistols In the holsters. a
fine-looking animal, and came back
into the fire glow, determined to lose
no more time. Duval had disappear
ed. but, as / stood there looking about
Tor him to say goodbye. a young
country fellow came up hurriedly
from out the darkenss.
You're wanted down thar" he said,
with the jerk Of q thumb over his
shoulder THE Tory Officer wants
to see ye"
what officer? Captain GrantT
4 reckon that's the one" indiffer-
entity; anyhow I was told to fetch ye
down thar. Bannlster sent me-"
went as he. directed down the