The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-05-18
CHAPTER xI.
Introducing Peter.

Introducing Peter.
It was a new country to me that W.
traversed, a rolling country, but no,
thickly settled, although the road ap
peared to be a well-beaten track. The
gloom, coupled with the rapidity 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 l 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 olde,
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
desh," groaned. "I'd be just as safe
If they were loosened a 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 mo-
ment's hesitancy.
LET out the ropes trif1e, Peter"
came the final order.
The little bald-headed man went at
1t without a 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 suspciously about.
ride ahead slowly, Tonepah," he
or~ered. "Ill catch up with you" He
turned back toward me. "Who are
you, anyway"
Surprised at the unexpected qnes-
ton, my first thought was to conceal
my identity. These were Kings men,
and l was in ordinary clothes-the
rough homespun furnished by Farrell.
If. by any chance. Twas not, the party
they had expected to waylay, / might
be released without search.
"Who am II" I echoed. "Do you
mean you have gone to all this trouble
without knowing whom you hold pris-
oner?"
"It seems So" coolly. 1--WE know
who we thought you were, but / am
beginning to doubt your being the
, right man. Peter, take his hat off, T..
+ I Strengthened up bareheaded, the
faint star-gleam on my face. The lieu
tenant remained quiet, but Peter broke
his sphinx-like silence.
"T amt him, is it?"
"No; he must have taken the other
road after ALL" with slight laugh.
We've been on a 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.
can whatll we do with this lad?"
he answered drawlingly. Turn him
loose?"
Bring him along. Well find out to.
morrow who he is, and what his bust
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. Its waya
yet afore yer lie down."
We rode steadily, and at a good
pace. Occasionally the older man
swore solemnly but Peter never ut
tered a sound, not even turning his
head at my attempts to draw him into
conversation. The situation mystifled
me, but it became more and more evil
dent that l 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 well-trained servant, and
his riding was atrocious. And the lieu.
tenant! There came back to me the
haunting memory that he had joined
Delavan as a volunteer-the Dragon
uniform sufficient 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 SO
anxious to learn II had seen the lieu
tenant, and whether we had a party
out seeking him? Not one Of these
nuoations oOr1d anawor. mt opa