The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1912-06-13
-MorRan.s rinemeni.


"Morgan's rifiemenl"
Good. my ladsl" and even at that
distance ! could see his face brighten.
There will be work for you at dawn"
With rolling cheer. echoing down
our ranks from front to rear, we an
swered. swinging the guns over our
heads, as We swept forward into the
dark night. There might be discus
sion, dissension about that council fire.
but there was none In the hearts OF
those who we're going out to die. Al
ready rumors were flying about re-
garding Lees unwillingness to engage
In battle. | saw him as ! trudged
past, standing beside Wayne. the FIRE
light on his face. although his head
was bowed. Even to our cheers he
never once glanced up, and. as we
passed beyond the radius OF light. !
laid my hand upon the name OF Nor
gan's horse.
''Is II true that Charles Lee thinks
we should let Clinton go without fight
ingi" | asked soberly. THAT was ~.
mored at the ferry"
"'Tis enough" he answered, bis
eyes upon the dark column OF plod
ding men. "And he seems to have
others with him. ! know not what has
put the coward into the fellows OF
late. Saint Andrew the odds are no
greater than We have met before But
there1l be no lighting. lad, fear, un.
less Washington takes the bit In his
teeth and orders H. I'm glad the boys
cheered him; twill give the man new
heart"
you favor the Joining OF issue?"
why not? Were We ever in better
fettleg A retreating army is always
haif whipped. and We can choose ouI
ground. Why. lad. It's reported Gin
tons line stretches out full twelve
miles, with train OF baggage wagons
and battery horses. and camp follow
ers enough for a division. Twill be
easy work attending to them. and most
Of his troops are Dutch and Tories
BY daylight We came up with the
New Jersey militia. lying at rest alona
the bank OF the Milestone river, wait
ing their turn TO ford that stream, and
join Maxwell on the opposite shore
From where I stood | could see the
thin lines OF Continentals spreading
out like fan. as the skirmishers sd
vanced up the opposite bluffs. Dowr
the trampled bank. men were strug
Cling with light battery, and sudden
ly in the press OF figures came upon
Farrell He was mud from head tc
foot. his face streaked with II. but he
looked up with beaming eyes as ]
spoke his name. and our hands
clasped.
Il thought you would be over there
with Maxwell" he said. pointine
across at the black dots. now clearly
disiinguishable in the glow OF sun
shine.
Il was left behind. and came up Just
now with Morgan" | replied. But
am anxious enough 10 be with my own
fellows. What means that skirmish
line. Farrell? Are we already in touch
with Clinton?"
He swept the hair out OF his eyes
with his great fist.
mo one knows exactly, but the Brit
ish are not far on, and are headed this
way. A scout came through with the
news two hours ago-Clinton has TAX
en- the road TO Monmouth" He
chuckled grimly. glancing at my face
And who think ye the lad was who
told usl"
'Who?" my throat Tightening.
THE same you was so anxious about
a few days back"
Mortimer Eric Mortimer"
AYE. unless my eyes fail me al
ready. II was the boy"
"You are sure? You saw him?"
Well. had a glimpse. as he came
up the bank here from the ford, his
horse dripping. II was dark still. and
he only stopped TO ask the road.
knew the voice, and the form-the lad
IL as slender as girl-then he went
by me. digging his horse with the
spurs. and lying close. He had a Ora,
goon's cape tapping from his shoul.
ders. but twas the boy all right. Ali
there 20 the guns up the bank Now,
perhaps. they'll let me take my fight.
ing dogs across"
The way was open for me. at least,
and | swung up into the saddle. and
drove my horse down the slippery
shore into the water. The stream
was not deep. although the current