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

between the TWO, a compact body,
each borderman fighting independent,
~, but knowing the game. heard no
word or command, no shout of direc
ton from either Farrell or Duval, yet
we ripped them asunder with sweep
ing rife butts, and. almost before
could catch a second breath, the few
who remained on their feet were help
lessly trapped. Farrell saw It was all
over. and his whistle sounded again,
sitting the uprosr. Up to that mo
ment he was beside me: with the
echoing Of the shrill blast he had dis
appeared.
It was Duval who emerged from the
wreck OF the train, demanding surren.
der.
Who commands heref" he shouted
Speak up quick"
There was hesitancy, and then out
Of the black mass huddled against the
bank I recognized Grants voice.
suppose 1 do; has any one seen
Captain Delavan3"
He fell at the first fire, SIR" an.
swered some one huskily.
Grant stepped forth into the moon.
light, bareheaded, his sword in hand
Then I am the senior officer" he
announced, his voice shaking slightly.
Who are your
Camden minute men. Do you sur.
render7"
he took a long breath, glancins
about at the dark shadows. Some one
held q lighted torch, the red fame
casting q, sudden CLEAN over the sur.
rounding faces. It was clear that
further resistance was useless, yet
Grant temporized.
"Are you in commando
NO." said Duval: but I represent
the commander"
II deal with the one responsible in
this affair and demand terms. Who
Is your leader2'
Duval smiled, turning his head In
quiringiy.
II don't think you have much
choice" he commented dryly. How.
ever, perhaps you are not too proud to
talk to regular who outranks you
/ present Major Lawrence, Of the Con-
tinental Line"
Surprised as I was by being thus
suddenly thrust forward into supreme
authority, l as instantly understood
the purpose, and stepped to the front
Grant stared at my face in the gieam
Of the smoking torch, almost as
though he looked upon q ghost.
"Youl"
Certainly, Captain. It is q pleas
urs to meet with you again, especially
under such happy circumstances. But
I: my men are becoming impatient. Do
you surrender"
Under what terms?" he parleyed.
None, but we are not savages. You
win be treated as prisoners Of war. "
His hatred Of me made him obsti-
nate, blu the utter helplessness of
their position was too apparent to be
ignored. A Hessian muttered some
thing in German. and Grant dropped
the pot Of his sword with an oath
''Goo~." I said promptly. "Lieuten.
ant. have your men disarm the pris-
| oners."
There was no resistance, and the
militiamen herded them against the
bank. encircled By q heavy guard
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
I 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 himf
"Are you three an that are leftT'
I questioned hluntly. who command
ed the vanguard"
! The two Hessians looked at eacf
other stupidity. and / asked the ques
ton again before Grant saw At to re
ply. His manner was excessively In
] soient.
THAT is more than I know. We
Joined after dark, and did not NEE
Daiavan's oficers.7
He vas vat you call maybe q vol
unteer leftenant," added one of tht
Germans brokenly. at Mount Holly
We met, yah, and from there b
Joined"
Not one Of Delavan's men then 2
Il dink not; he vas Light Dragon
hat the wagon guard-the first vag
ons-an' see him there. Mine Gott
he come pack vid his mems all right
slash, shoot-his horse rear up; tha
vas the last I see already"
The lad got away, with three 9th
ers. SIR" broke In asnew voice at m!
back. They Wheeled apS rod
Through rs, across the water. W.
thought the horse guard would &c
then aver there, but ] guess the.
didn't; anyhow there was no firms
The fellows must have turned In un
der the bank, and rode like he'll"
Satisfied as to this incident. and no
altogether regretful that the boy ha'
thus escaped, held a short eonsults
ton with Duval, seeking explanation
AZ to why tho command had been .
unceremoniously thrust upon me.
few words only were required to max
the situation clear FarrelPs abtlit
20 tnjure and annoy the enemy largei
depended on his leadership not bein
known. While taking part IN ever
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