The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1912-07-25

lily, once pauBing 10 consult map,
signed the paper, and enclosed 1t in
another sheet. across which he
scratched a line of address,
pYou will deliver this to General
Arnold in person, major; do not spare
horse-hesh. You were in the action
today?"
with Maxwell's brigade"
"That was a hard fight along the
stone wall; you came out unhurt?
"A slight bayonet wound, sir; moth
ing to incapacitate me from duty"
Every we'll; take ten dragons as
escort. Hamilton will write you an
order. have told Arnold cur victory
is practically complete. Clinton may
slip away in the night, for he is a
willy old fox, but he has lost his pow
er to injure US in the Jerseys. hope
to bottle him up before morning, so
that any retreat will be impossible,
but even IL he succeeds In getting his
army to the transports at Sandy
Hook, he has lost prestige, and the
victory is ours Goodbye, major, and
the Lord guard you on your journey"
Ten minutes later, mounted on a
rangy sorrel, my dragon escort trot-
ting behind, l rode south on the
Plainsboro road, as swiftly as it's ter
rible condition would warrant.
The evidences of war, the wreck
age of battle, were everywhere. Sew
eral times we were compelled to leap
the stone walls to permit the passage
Of marching troops being hurried to
some new position; several batteries
passed US, rumbling grimly through
the night, and squadron of horse
galloped by, the troopers greeting us
with shouts Of inquiry.
We took to the fields, but. as there
seemed no end to the procession, /
turned my horses head eastward, con-
fdent we were already beyond the
British rear-guard, and struck out
across~country for another north and
south road. We advanced now at
swift trot, the sound of our horses
hoofs on the soft turf almost the only
noise, and, within an hour, came again
to parallel fences, and well travelled
road.
This was the road running mile,
or so, to the west of Elmhurst. 1t
led as straight as any, toward Phila-
delphia, but whatever stragglers the
British army had left behind would
be found along here. However, they
would probably be scattered fugitives.
unwilling to interfere with as strong
an armed party as this of mine. If
was alone it would be safer to turn
aside. Then, it was a strong tempta-
ton to me to pass thus close to Elm
hurst. 1t would be after daylight
when we reached there; might even
get glimpse across the apple orchard
of the great white house. Would Claire
be there? 1t seemed to me quite prob
able, as Eric was taking the wounded
colonel home for nursing. The girls
face rose before me against the black
night, and my heart beat fast. When
/ came back, would ride to ELM
hurst-surely she would pc there then.
The sergeant touched my arm.
Pardon me. sir, but there are horse
men ahead"
Indeed? was lost in thought,
Conroy. Coming this way?"
mo, sir, they seem to be travelling
south slowly. l noticed them first
as we turned the corner back there;
/ could see outlines against the sky"
"How large a party? They form
merely Jumping shadow to my eyes"
''Not more than three or four, sir,
with a covered rig of some kind.
They're halted, now; heard us coming,
/ reckon"
/ could perceive the little group,
but merely as a black smudge. Then
mounted figure seemed to detach It.
self from the darkness, and advance
toward u.s.
Halt your men. sergeant" / said
quietly. 'I'll ride forward and learn
what the fellow wants"