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

traYerged, rOl1ng country Dut HOb
thickly settled, although the road APP
peared to be a wellbeaten track. The
gloom, coupled with the rapidly OF
our movements, prevented me from
seeing anything other than those dim
objects close at hand. yet we were
evidently travelling almost straight
east. / endeavored to enter into con-
versation with the two fellows riding
on either side Of me, but neither one
so much as turned his head In re-
Spouse to my voice, and soon tired
of the attempt. The night told me
little of who they might be, although
they were both In the uniform of the
Queens Rangers, the one called Peter
on my right round, squat figure. and
bald-headed, his bare scalp shining
oddly when once he removed his
cooked hat; the other was an older
man, with gray chin beard, and gilt
tering display Of teeth.
The movements Of my horse caused
the ropes to lacerate my wrists and
ankles, the pain increasing so that
once or twice / cried out. The fell
lows guarding me did not even turn
their heads, but the lieutenant drew
up his horse so as to block US.
What is the trouble? Are you
hurt?"
These ropes are tearing into the
hesh," / groaned. I'D be just as safe
II they were loosened bit.
saw him lean forward, shading his
face with one hand, as he stared
toward me through the darkness. /
thought he drew quick breath as
from surprise, and there was q mo-
ment's hesitancy.
LET out the ropes q trihe, Peter, :
came the final order.
The little bald-headed man went at
It without word, the lieutenant rein
ing back his horse slightly, and draw
ing his hat lower over his eyes. In
the silence one Of the horses neighed,
and the boy seemed to straighten in
his saddle, glancing suspiciously about.
ride ahead slowly, Tonepah." he
ordered. 'IIl catch up with you" He
turned back toward me. who are
you, anyway"
Surprised at the unexpected Ques-
ton, my first thought was to conceal
my identity. These were Kings men,
and / was in ordinary clothes-the
rough homespun furnished by Farrell.
II. by any chance, was not the party
they had expected to waylay, might
be released without search.
'sWho am IT' echoed. do you
mean you have gone to all this trouble
without knowing whom you hold pris-
oner?"
EFT seems 80" coolly. eve know
who we thought you were, but ] am
beginning to doubt your being the
right man. Peter, take his hat Oft"
straigAtened up bareheaded, the
faint star-gieam on my face. The lieu
tenant remained quiet, but Peter broke
his sphinx.like silence.
s''T amt him, is it?"
''No; he must have taken the other
road after all" with q 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' what1l We do with this lad?
he answered drawlingly. Turn him
loosaf"
"Bring him along. Wen and out to-
morrow who he ia. and what his BUSH
ness may be. Men are not riding these
roads at midnight without some pur-
pose"
He wheeled his horse, and, with q
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 q 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 mystifed
me, but it became more and more evil
dent that / should have to wait until
morning before learning the truth.
Neither Peter nor the Indian seemed
to belong to the class with which the
army was recruited. Peter appeared
more like a welI-trained servant, and
his riding was atroeious. And the lieu
tenant There came back to me the
haunting memory that he had Joined
Delavan as 3 volunteer-the Dragon
uniform sunlclent 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 30
anxious to learn II had seen the lieu
tenant, and whether we had a party
out seeking him? Not one OF these
questions could I answer; not one
could ] even 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
usnna Fanraa could h .eau IN afthae