The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-05-16

The knowledge that was Ia the very
heart Of the enemy's camp. with grim,
stern duties to perform and return
journey to accomplish. kept me neryed
to point where / thought OF little
else than my task. But now dared
not remain Indifferent, and. indeed, the
enthusiasm Of my companions became
contagious, and ! joined with them
eagerly, as they hurried forth to the
best point Of view. Once there the
sight revealed aroused me to an en-
thusiasm scarcely less than that Of
those crowding about. Few, indeed,
have ever witnessed so gorgeous q
spectacle as that river presented.
Well out in the stream lay the yes
sells Of war-the Fanny, Roebuck and
Yigilant- together with long line Of
transports, stretching as far as the
eye could see, flags flying, and decks
crowded with spectators. The pageant
came down with the tide, moving in
three divisions to the inspiring music
of several bands, the oars of galleys
and barges keeping exact intervals.
AS they passed nc the officers beside
me named the various occupants. In
the leading galley were Sir William,
Lord Howe, Sir Henry Clinton, the Of
ficers of their suites and some ladies.
In the last of the boats stood General
Knyphausen, the Hessian commander.
Between these were fiat-boats, covered
with green cloth, loaded with ladies
and gentlemen, or else containing
bands. Six barges, darting here and
there, kept open space amid the
sWarms of small boats. Everywhere
the eye swept over riot Of color, and
the ear caught babel of sound. AS
the last barge glided by the man next
me growled in disgust:
Those are lucky dogs of duty to-
day" His eye caught mine. Why
don't you go after them, Fortesque?
There will be plenty of fun afoot
yonder where they land"
Where is that?"
"At the old fort; follow the crowd.
and you'll not go astray. Have you
a ticket?"
Captain Andre honored me with
one this morning"
Then you are good for the first
row. Don't miss it, man." with enthu-
siasm. Twill be such sight as has
not been Witnessed since the Field Of
the Cloth NJ Gold !"
"A passage at arms, you mean?"
cay! as gorgeous as those Of the
old-time knights; a fair conceit as
read the program. I'd be there now
but for the damned orders that hold
me here. If you ride hard you can
make the spot before they come
ashore"
There was no reason ! should not
co. and much in the glittering prospect
! appealed to me. Five minutes later
was trotting out of the Yager camp
pressing passage through the crowds
already headed southwark, the dra
COON riding silently at my heels
Mounted men that day were few, and
doubtless believing we were connect
ed with the pageant, the jam sullenlJ
parted, and gave us opening, so we
reached the site Of the old fort as the
barges began discharging their oc
cupants. A glance about, however
convinced me as to where the Lists
were to be run, and headed my horse
in that direction and gained a poini
Of vantage before the throng poured in
/ was somewhat to the right of ths
big stand, the FESTIVE heels of M
horse keeping the crowd away, and
with clear view as far as the rive
bank 1t was, maybe, 400 yards dowI
a gentle slope to the waters edge
where the line was forming. This pas
sageway was lined with onlookers
held hack by numerous guards, Will,
to my left extended a square lawn
perhaps $50 yards each way, surround
ed by double rank of grenadiers, ths
bayonets cleaning on their guns. Thii
open space was equipped with every
thing needed for the coming tourney
and on three sides were tiers of RAISED
seats. had barely observed all thii
when the guns of the Roebuck, echoet
by those of the vigilant, began t.
boom a salute, and the head Of tn,
column of marchers began slowl!
mounting the slope. The costumes
worn were as varied as those of ;
masquerade, representing. all tn,
changes since the days of chiyalry
The whole line glowed with color, ant
cleaned with steel.
Like some great serpent, glitterini
in the sun. this procession passed IN