The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1912-11-09

was bowed Even to our cheers he
never once glanced up, and. as we
passed beyond the radius Of light. I
laid my hand upon the name OF Nor
gan's horse.
rs it true that Charles Lee thinks
We should let Clinton go without fight
ing?" I asked soberly. That was ru-
mored at the ferry"
""ris enough" he answered, his
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
there'n be no fighting. lad, I fear. un-
less Washington takes the bit in his
teeth and orders 1t. 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
fettle? retreating army IL always
half whipped, and we can choose our
ground. Why. lad, 'tis reported Clin-
tons line stretches out full twelve
miles, with train Of baggage wagons
and battery horses, and camp follow
ers enough for 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 along
the bank Of the Milestone river, wait
ing their turn to ford that stream and
Join Maxwell on the opposite shore
From where stood~J could see the
thin lines OF Continentals spreading
out like a fan. as the skirmishers ad-
vanced up the opposite bluffs. Down
the traInpled bank. men were strug.
Cling with light battery, and sudden
ly in the press of figures l came upon
Farrell. He was mud from head to
foot, his face streaked with 1t, 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, pointing
across at the black dots; now clearly
distinguishable In the glow of sun
shine.
Il was left behind, and came up Just
now with Morgan" replied. But I
am anxious enough to 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
No one knows exactly, but the Brit
ish are not far off, 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 us?"
| "Who?" my throat tightening.
| THE same you was SO anxious about
| few days back"
| Mortimer! Eric Mortimer"
! Aye, unless my eyes fail me al
ready. 1t was the boy"
| You are sure? You saw him.?
We'll. l had a glimpse, as he came
up the bank here from the ford, his
horse dripping. 1t was dark still, and
he only stopped to ask the road. I
knew the voice, and the form-the lad
is as slender as a 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 All!
there go 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
flowed swiftly, and moment later
had found Maxwell.
Yes" he said to my first question,
I'VE are going to fight, although 1t
may not be anything more serious
than skirmishing today. Washington
tas decided In spite Of Lee, thank
| God, and we'1l have a go at the Red
coats. Lafayette commands the ad-
vance, and Wayne will be up within
few hours. We are to skirmish for
ward toward Monmouth Court House;
Clinton has turned that way"
| you learned that from a scout?"
Yes; he Just came through; one of
Charles Lees men, / understood-a
blue-eyAd, rosy-cheeked boy, who said
his name was Mortimer He had rid.
den from Cookstown, and was reelins
in the saddle, but would go on. Your
men are over there, major, beyond the
clump Of timber. In my Judgment
we'll accomplish little today, for
yonder."
+ How many men win We have when
| Wayne comes upf"