The Glenwood post., 1912-11-09


to Lee had been sent back by the In
dian. Then Eric must have been In
the house while I was there. Indeed
1t must have been Eric who made me
prisoner. Ard to protect him she
had told me deliberate falsehood.
As | rode back through the night,
finding psth almost by instinct
through the maze Of military encamp-
ments, | thought of all these things,
eXonerating her from wrong, and yet
wondering more and more at her real
connection with the various events.
The chief had not stated what infor-
nation of value Grant had promised
to reveal; nor what Eric's first report
had CpntaiEed. In my sudden disap-
pointmeut | had forgotten to inquire.
And where could the boy be- What
cculd have happened TO him? Scme-
thing serious surely 10 keep him thus
hidden for nearly a month. Claire
would know, but she was probably
long ago back in Philadelphia in the
heart Of the British garrison. And !?
Wen. | was tied hand and foot by dis
ciplinp; helpless TO turn aside from
dr'F now in the face cs,his new cam
V9iEu- Every m1n YVES needed. and
10 personal consideration would 'ex-
cuse my leaving the rJuks even for a
day. Il was with afa.y heart rode
into the camp Of my regiment, and lay
down on tie bare Eralld. with head
p'ilowed ur-n the saddle, knowing the
drums would sound in a few short
hours.
It was hard TO work through. the
routine Of the next few days. although
some Excitement was given US Of
Maxwell's brjgude by scouting Getails
sent across the. valley 10 obcerve the
movements of the British patrols. On
sueh duy passed Ise greater portion
Of two days in the SADDLE and, by
chance, met both Farrell and nuyal,
who were with tle Jersey mHt'amcn,
now rapidly coming in 90 aid us, as
the rum0Ts OF an impending battle
spread across country Farrell came
at the head Of ifty men, rough look
ing, ragEealy dressed fellows, but well
armed, and ! had a word viii him
while pointing OUT where Dioklnson's
troops were camped. Unfortunately
he knew little of value to me. Nor
timers column of Queens Rangers
had passed his place on their return
to Philadelphia two days after my es-
cape. Grant was not with them, but
Claire was, while Peter had been left
behind at Elmhurst. Fagin had not
been overtaken, although the Rangers
hal to-, Il tel, x,-tt 1,
of his followers, losing two men.
Colonel Mortimer had been wounded
slightly. AS to Eric he knew nothing
no one had even mentioned the lads
name.
II was thus clearly evident could
DO nothing, although l now possessed
a well defined theory of just what had
occurred. To my mind Eric was in
the hands of Fagin, either hidden Sc
curely away among the sand caves for
some purpose connected with Grants
treachery, or else with the intention
of claiming the reward for his capture
offered by Howe. The former prob
ably seemed most likely in view of
Grants failure to return to Philadel-
phia with Colonel Mortimer, yet there
was no reason why the conspirators
should not wreak vengeance, and win
the reward also. But did Claire
know, or suspect the predicament of
her brother? If she did, then she
was seeking to conceal the truth from
her father. but would never remain
long inactive in the, city. l knew the
girls real spirit too well to believe
she would fail fer long in Learning
the boys fate. And when she did she
would act quickly. Perhaps even now
she was back at Elmhurst, facing peril
in the track of the cOntending armies,
striving to give the lad refuge.
In an agony Of apprehension asked
for scouting detail in that direction,
but was sternly refused. Word had
come that Clinton was evacuating
Philadelphia; that his advance was
already across the Delaware Any mo-
ment might bring to our little army
orders to press forward to intercept
him. l was a soldier, compelled to
remain.