The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1912-04-27
CHAPTER II.
Within the Enemy's Lines.

within tho Ehomy0 lln00,
A long cavalry cape concealing the
British uniform wore, my horse and
myself were ferried across the schuyl-
Kill, Just below the mouth Of Valley
creek, and there. amid the silence and
darkness Of the eastern shore, I part
ed with Hamilton. who had accompa-
MED me thus far, whispering final
words Of instruction. My horse was q
fresh one, chosen from the stables of
! the Life Guard. but the trappings were
Of the British service. Within five
minutes I 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 we'll beyond our outermost
plckets. yet. in fear that might en-
counter some body of irregulars, scout
Ing the neutral ground, l held on to
my passport until I 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
sible, 1t was already sunrise before
plunged suddenly into a Hessian
picket post, the distant smoke Of the
Philadelphia chfmneys darkening the
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 I explained my presence and
rank to a red-faced captain in Tory
green, so insolent in manner as to be
insulting, until I exhibited the sealed
dispatch, and demanded to be escort
ed at once to Sir William Howe. This
brought results, and l entered the city
under escort of a dozen horsemen,
their green coats faced with dingy
white, cooked hats Tapping as they
rode.
| It was thus we came to Callowhill,
and the encampment of British grena-
diers, an officer of the Fifty-fifth regi-
ment volunteering to guide me to
Howe's quarters in High street. He
was 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 returned such vague answers
as pleased me, paying small heed to
the truth. All along the river were
redoubts, we'll garrisoned, with black
gun muzzles pointing out across the
water. Many houses had been RACED,
and their debris, together with the
fire ruin Of the past winter, gave to
everything 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 filled with
barges, decorated as for fete, large
force of men laboring about them. My
companion, observing my interest at
tracted in that direction, reined up
his horse to explain.
Those are the 'galleys being made
ready for. the Mischianza, Fortesque,"
he said. waving his hand. you came
to us at a lucky hour"
"The Mischianza?" asked, puzzled
by the strange term. "some festival;
you mean?-some gala day."
"'Tis an Italian word, they tell me,
signifying medley. The officers give
1t 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
5or Gardiner, and the chief engineer,
Montresor. 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
get you ticket Of invitation"
followed, careless Of the loss Of
time so could both see and hear.
ANDRE, this is Lieutenant For.
tesque just in from New York with
dispatches for Howe. have prom.
lsed him ticket for tonight"
The young officer laughingly extend.
ed hand.
"The more the merrier, Craig. With
the Forty-second see, sir; knew your
colonel we'll. You'll find America isn't
30 bad, after you get used to 1t. We've
had a gay time here, eh, O'Hara? The
best Of liquor, and the prettiest Of
girls, and now we'll show the town
something 1t won't forget in q hurry"
He held out a card to me. Rather
ornate, considering the printers in
these colonies; designed it myself"
It was certainly handsome souve.