The Glenwood post., 1912-11-02
CHAPTER XXI.
! Uncover CAPTAIN Grant.


The thicket was sufficiently dense to
conceal us from the man, who re.
mained standing at the foot of the
steps. He was but a mere dark shad.
ow, and ! could not even distinguish
that he was a soldier, yet the danger
Of his presence was sufficiently great,
for should he advance to the right he
would come upon Grants unconscious
form. and in that silence the slightest
noise might arouse suspicion. Mistress
Claire still clune to my hand. but only
to whisper . sentence Of instruction.
Go straight north. major. until you
reach the hedge: follow the shadow
of that beyond the orchard, and then
take the road running westward.
Don't mount until you reach there
goodby"
"Goodby, you will not forget mel"
IL am afraid not, but-but you
must go!"
left her standing there, a faint
gleam Of white against the dark shrub
berry, motionless.
There is no incident of that nights
ride which recall distinctly. I mere
ly pushed on steadily through the
darkness, leaving my mount to choose
his own course, confident we were
headed toward the river. I was suf-
ficiently acquainted with the valley of
the Delaware, when daylight came, to
decide upon the nearest ford. Al to
the British patrols, must run tho risk
Of lodging these. but felt safe from
such an encounter for several hours.
In truth met no one. having NO occa-
sion to even draw rein, although we
passed through two small villages, and
by a number OF farms. I could not
even determine that these houses were
occupied; they were dark and silent,
even the galloping hoofs Of my horse
failing to awaken response.
1t was already daylight when drew
up on the bluff summit to gaze down
into the river valley. In the middle
distance small villages faced each
other across the stream, and toward
these most of the roads converged-
proof of the existence of a ford. |
could not be mistaken as to the town
burlington on the Jersey shore, and
opposite Bristol. 1 should be safe
enough in the latter, even if we had
no outpost stationed there. l knew
homes along those shaded streets,
where food would be forthcoming, and
where could probably procure fresh
horse. 1t was the nearer town, nestled
on the Jersey bank, that l studied
with the greatest care, but, SO far as
I could see. the single street was de-
serted. To the south, certainly two
miles away, squadron of horse were
riding slowly, surrounded by a cloud
of dust. Without doubt this was the
British patrol that had left the village
at daybreak.
1t was hot, close morning, and the
padded Rangers coat heavy and tight
fitting. took it on. ninging it across
the saddle pommel. A did SO a
folded paper came into view, and l
drew it forth. curiously. Ny eye caught
the signature at the bottom Of brief
uote, and stared at 1t in surprise.
Fagin! How came Fagin to be writing
se Captain Grant, He pretended to
b Tory to be sure, yet both armies
knew him ~ q murderuus outlaw,
pfandeFing loyalists and patriots alike.
There cane to Ne . Re0ory q Far
rsal's chance remark that Grant had
se0s connection with this fellows ma.
nvang- haa ~ osrioasly coasid-
efsd It thea. 61t now-why. possibly
lt was true. reaA the llAeo almost 1t
gAAce. scarcely conpreAeaAing at
arst, and thea suddenly realised the
haze vil1Ainy revealed:
Have tho money and papers, but
the girl got away. WIN wait for yoH
At Lnas Tree tonight Doa't fail. for
he whole co1ntsy win - aftsr NE
e sooa - the nsvs gsts sut aAcet
0emAnfsk 1A0na.s
= - - - ssee ~ - ma