Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-04-27
Introducing Peter,

evidently travelling almost straight
east. ~endeavored to enter into CON
versation with the two fellows riding
on either side of me, but neither ono
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 a round, squat figure, and
b~a1d-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 l%acerate my wrists and
ankles, the pain increasing so that
once Or twice 1 cried out. The fell
lows guarding me did not even turn
their heads, but the lieutenant drew
up his horse 80 as to block us.
What is the trouble? Are you
hurt?"
These ropes are tearing into the
flesh" 1 %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. l
thought he drew q quick breath as
from surprise, and there was a mo-
ment's hesitancy.
Let out the ropes a trihe, Peter"
came the final order.
The little bald-headed man went at
It 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 suspiciously about.
ride ahead slowly, Tonepah," he
ordered. "IW 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 l was in ordinary clothes-the
rough homespun furnished by Farrell.
If, by any chance, ! was not the party
they had expected to waylay, l might
be released without search.
who am II" / 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 I am
beginning to doubt your being the
right man. Peter, take his hat Off"
l 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 a slight laugh,
We've been on a ~wild-goose chase.
However. tia too late now to catch
the fellow on this trip"
Peter rubbed his bald pate, his eyes
on me.
"An' whatIl we do with this lad 2"
he answered d~rawlingly. Turn him
loose?"
Bring him along. Well find put to-
IlCItcW ~ ho ~, Ii Vhdt LIS bhoi
ness may be. Men are not riding these
roads at midnight without some pur.
pose"
He wheeled his horse, and. with a
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 a ways
yet aforo 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 mystiled
me, but 1t became more and more evi,
dent that I should have to wait until
morning before learning the truth.
Neither Peter nor the Indian seemed
to belong t 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 al 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 n purpose? Why was Grant so
anxious to learn If l had seen the lieu
tenant, and whether wS had a party
out seeking him? Not one of these
questions could l answer; not one
could Z even guess at with any degree
of satisfaction.
We were coming out Of the low,
swamp lands into a thickly set
tied. and cultivated region. Rail and