Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-04-15
p II.
Within the Enemy's Lines.

WITHIN LiC Gbct0v > LllcSs
A long cavalry cape concealing the
British uniform / wore, my horse and
myself We're ferrled across the Schuyl-
kill, just below the mouth of Valley
creek, and there, amid the silence and
darkness Of the eastern shore, | part
ed with Hamilton, who had accOmpa-
MED me thus far, whispering final
words Of instruction. My horse was a
fresh one, chosen from the stables of
the Life Guard, but the trappings were
Of the British service. Within five
minutes | WAS out of sight of the
picket fire on the river bank. riding
steadily southeast through the night,
every nerve alert. An hours riding
found me well beyond our outermost
pickets, yet, in fear that I might en-
counter some body Of irregulars. scout
ing the neutral ground, | held on 10
my passport until | perceived the first
flush of dawn in the east. Then, con-
WINGED of close proximity to the Brit
ish guard lines, | tore the paper into
fragments. Avoiding all roads, and
seeking every bit of concealment pos"
h'S'Nf - 'Nc V'tJ ~ bClOto L
plunged suddenly into a Hesslan
picket post, the distant smoke of the
Philadelphia chimneys darkening tho
sky ahead. Unable to speak German,
my uniform won sufficient courtesy, so
that / was escorted back under guard
to an outpost of the Queens Rangers,
where l explained my presence and
20 nix tn u rpl-Fo1pH poptnip In Torv
green, so insolent in manner as to be
insulting, until | exhibited the sealed
dispatch, and demanded to be escort
ed at once to Sir William Howe. This
brought results, and | entered the city
under escort Of a dozen horsemen,
their green coats faced with dingy
white, cooked hats Tapping as they
rode.
1t was thus we came TO Callowhin,
and d6l deneaR9Asat OF British srena-
diers, OF g~sss3snIr6e Fifty-fifth regl-
fnent volunteering to guide me to
U0we's quarters in High street. He
was a genial fellow, and pointed out
various places Of interest, as we rode
more slowly through the streets close
along the river side, questioning me
often upon affairs in New York. TO
which l returned such vague nswer
as pleased me, paying small heed to
the truth. All along the river were
r~edoubts, we'll garrisoned, with black
gun muZzles pointing out across tho
water. Many houses had been RACED,
and their debris, together with the
fire ruin Of the past winter, gave to
everything a look of desolation. Much
artillery was parked in the state house
yard, and several vessels of war were
lying at anchor in the stream, while
the entire shore line was fllcd with
baTges, decorated as for a fete, a large
force of men laboring about them. My
companion, observing my interest at
tracted in that direction, refined up
his horse to explain.
Those are the galleys being made
ready for the MischiauZa, Fortesque."
he said, waving his hand. you came
TO us at a lucky hour"
"The Mischianza ?" / asked, puzzled
by the strange term. Some festival,
yon mean?-5ome gala day."
otis an Italian word, they tell me,
siB0ifying medley. The officers give
it in farewell to Sir William, who will
sail tomorrow. A pretty penny IT
costs. See, there is Major O'Hara
now, one Of the managers; there are
three others. Sir John Wrottlesly, Ma
jor Gardiner, and the chief engineer,
M%ontresor. DO you know them? No?
Oh, ! had forgotten you have only just
arrived. You will know them ere long.
however, for they are the leaders In
such affairs. That IS Captain Andre
there with O'Hara." He waved his
hand, and the younger officer lifted his
cooked hat in acknowledgment. let
US spur over there, lieutenant, until l
get you Il ticket of invitation"
| followed, careless of the loss CT
time so l could both see and hear.
Andre, this is Lieutenant For
tesque Just in from New York with
dispatches for Howe. ! have prom
Used him a ticket for tonight"
The young officer l~aughingly extend
ed a hand.
The more the merrier, Craig. With
the Forty-second l see, sir; knew your
colonel we'll. Youm find America isn't
so bad, after you get used to It. We've
had a gay time here, eh, O'HarR? The
best of liquor. and the prettiest OF
girls, and now well show the town
something It won't forget in a hurry"
He held out q card 10 me. Rather
ornate. considering the printers in
these colonies; designed it myself"