Licking Valley courier. [volume] (West Liberty, Ky.) 19??-current, 1912-05-16
CHAPTER |.
A PerIlous Mission.

. Ocfeidl VI I'D udu lSluulucu ldIucl
late that evening about the cheerful
FIRE in front of my hut-for the nights
were still chilly, although it was May,
and the dreadful winter passed-dis-
GUESSING the improved condition Of our
troops, the rigid discipline Of Baron
de Steuben, and specializing ON what
would probably be attempted now
that Sir Henry Clinton had succeeded
TO the command Of the forces oppos-
Ing us. remember Maxwell joined
US, together with Knox of the artil-
lery, each man with a different theory
Of campaign, but alike agreeing that,
In spite of all we had endured during
those. months of suffering and priva-
lion at Valley Forge, the time to
strike once again was near at hand,
although our numbers were barely
half that Of the enemy.
1t must have been midnight when l
crept into bunk, and even then
found sleep absent, my eyes gazing
out through the open door to where
the embers of the fire glowed red, and
sentinel paced back and forth in
regular monotony. Suddenly he halt
ed, and challenged hoarsely, flinglng
forward his gun. There was an indis-
tinguishable answer, and as straight
ened up the figure Of a man blotted
out the doorway.
Major Lawrence"
"Yes. What. is it," swung to the
door, unable to recognize the voice.
The mans hand rose to salute.
81 am Colonel Gibbs orderly. Cen
sral Hamilton wishes you to report
1t once at headquarters"
1.-THE Potts house"
Eyes, sir"
dressed hastily, my pulses throb.
bling with eagerness. Whatever the
message meant, there was certainly
some purpose of vital Importance in
sending for me at this unusual hour,
and ! was boy enough still to welcome
any form of active service. No duty
of the war had SO tried me as the long
winter of waiting. Yet, rapidly as
moved, the orderly had disappeared
before got outside, and l picked my
way as best could alone through the
darkness, along the rear Of McIntosh's
huts, until reached the low fence sur
runding the Potts house. Here sen
incl challenged, calling the corpora
If the guard, and in his company
trudged up the path to the front door
There was light showing through
the window to the left, although the
shade was closely drawn, and guart
y ataad- Within the holl--At the frs
3ound of our approach, however, 5 aid,
door was flung open, letting forth {
CLEAN Of illumination, and perceived
the short, slight figure of Hamilton
as he peered forward to get bette
glimpse Of my face.
"All right, corporal" he said terse
ly, gripping my hand. "Come in, ma
Tor; your promptness would seem t,
indicate a readiness to get into sery
Ice once more"
81 had not yet fallen asleep" .ex
planned, "but We are all eager enougl
Tor action of any description"
He smiled cheerily.
"You will soon be busy, never fear.
He closed the door behind us, an6
with a glance, viewed thereon an,
ats occupants. 1t was a small, 10y
ceilinged apartment, containing
liable, few chairs and high con
mode. A few Goals glowed in tn
wide fireplace, and the walls wer
dingy with smoke. Three candles, a
ready burning low, gave fitful illum
nation, revealing four occupants, a
known to me. At an open door to tn
right stood sweetfaced woman
glanclng back curiously at my el
trance, and whipped off my hat bow
Ing low. Once before had seen he
Mistress Washington, and welcome
the gracious recognition in her eye
Colonel Gibbs stood before the fir,
place motionless, but my glance sweI
past him to the calm, uplifted fac
above the pile Of papers littering tn
table. He was not looking at me, br
his eyes were turned toward his wifi
1T Is not necessary for you to r.
tire" he said quietly. 1--WE shall ne
udetain this gentleman except for fe'
moments"
at is not because Of the major
coming withdraw" she replied plea
- antly. but the hour is late. and al
very tired. Good night, ALL"
Washingtons eyes were upon tn
door until II closed; then he turne
slightly, facing me. Before he spok
again, Hamilton broke in:
This is the officer. sir, recommen,
ed by General Maxwell-Major Law
renee OF the Maryland line"
bowed silently, and the comman
or rose to his feet, extending his ham
mo doubt we have met before" b
said slowly. "You have been with |
for some timer"
my first action was at Harler
SIR"
"You could not have been at Vale
Forge during the past winter, hoy
ever?"
II was with the Marquis dc Ia Fa
site at Albany"
"Ah, yes" his face clouding at Il
recollection. "a young officer, Hami
ton, but capable, no doubt You hay
used him before, you said?"
Eyes. at Long Island, and he e
tered New York once at my request
Washington's gray eyes were ST
on my face.
Lawrence is a Massachuset
name"
mot exclusively" l returned, :"
our branch are Virginians."
The stern lines about the mou
relaxed into smile.
Indeed; from the eastern shoi
then. | recall now having once m
Judge John Lawrence, whose wi
was Lee"