River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-09-12
CHAPTER Discontinued.

CHAPTER IX.--continued.
who are those fellows back
there?" | questioned at last. made
nervous by the silence.
THE boys in the gulch? Jersey
militiamen," he explained shortly
You see there's some of US that
cant get away all the time, because
Of the women and children, and tie
farm work. Besides, regular soldier
Ing don't just appeal to our sort So
we do our fighting round home in our
own way However, the most Of us
manage to have hand in the real
thing once in a while even at that
We were over at Germantown, and
down at Brandywine. FarrelPs got
commission, but the rest of us are
taking our chances It's neighbor
against neighbor. Whatever we've
got left has been held at the point Of
the rifle. We're doing our share in
this war, an Washington knows it.
Over there to the east Red Fagin,
Old Man Kelly, an their gangs of Pine
Robbers, are making the fields red;
sometimes they get down this far
raiding the farms, but mostly, we're
fighting foragers out of Philadelphia,
and they're not much better. Half the
houses in this country have been
burned, and mercy isn't very common
on either side Those lads yonder are
not pretty soldiers to look at, but
they're wolves to fight, and hungry
for it."
They are called on whenever Far
rell wishes?"
We'll, yes; those come who can.
They're not always the same bunch.
You see Farrell covers quite a bit VI
country, with a lieutenant in each SEC
ton who is in touch with the neigh
bors there. l belong in Camden, and
don't go outside very often, but there
is a sort of organization all the way
between here and New York When
ever there is a big fight on, the most
of us get into it somehow. Washing
ton counts on us in a pinch, but most
~ we're raiding or cutting off British
supplies. Say, Major, isn't that those
fellows coming?"
He pointed into the east, in which
by the faint light of the moon for per
haps hundred yards. looked eager
ly, and could dimly distinguish a
vague shadow on the summit of dis
tant rise of land. The shadow moved.
however, and as we both stared in I'M
certainty, there came to our ears the
far-off crack of a whip. We drew
farther back against the bank, paus-
fng to make sure there was no decep-
ton. One by one we could perceive
those vague shadows topping the rise
and disappearing. l counted ten, con-
WINGED they were covered wagons,
and then the night wind brought to
us the creaking of wheels, and the
sound Of mans voice. Duval's hand
gTipped my arm and to the signal we
crept back beyond the crest, and then
hurried down to where Farrell had
concealed his men. He was awaiting
us in the middle of the road, his short
broad figure almost laughable in the
moon shadow.
We'll, are they coming?"
Just over the crest" replied DuvaI
brusquely Il counted fifteen wagons"
Quite a convoy, an worth fighting
for Take the left, Duval; Major,
come with me-"
We drew aside under the prctection
of a boulder, from where we could see
clearly to the top Of the ridge Only
Tor a moment was there silence, the
men all about us lying low in their
coverts, breathless and intent. Then
we heard horses hoofs and the MUIR
muir of approaching voices.
We could see them quite clearly, as
they topped the crest, the moonlight
revealing men and horses so distinct
ly l could even guess at their uniform.
Those in advance rode slowly, four
abreast, down into the black shadows,
lolling in their saddles, voices muir
mrring, seemingly unconscious of any
danger. I. was easy to comprehend
their state of mind. Delavan had been
left alone for a week. permitted to
sweep the countryside unmolested.
Hs a2d his command had naturally
grown careless, never suspecting their
every move had been watched by
keen-eyed scouts. Now, guarded by
Grants troop. they believed them
selves sufficiently strong for any
emergency; that no force the scat
tered enemy could gather would ven
ture upon attack. BY daylight they
would be within sight of the Phila-
delphia outposts, and serenely conf
dent in their numbers, the night
march had therefore become a mere
routine. heard Farrell chuckle grim
ly to himself as he observed the care
less approach of those advance rid
ers.
They were the Queens Rangers.
the white facings of their coats con-.
spicuous, their guns swung at the
shoulder in reckless confidence. A,
slim young lieutenant appeared to be
in command.
Ten wagons passed without a move
ment or sound from the men lying
concealed almost within arms reach
~ the unconscious guards. Farrell
Ggver stirred, and I scarcely ventured
10 breathe. Then there came squad
ron of Rangers, an officer riding alone
In front, The black shadow Of another