Eastern Colorado times., 1912-11-01


swered. swinging the guns over our
heads. as we swept forward into the
dark night There might be discus
sion. dissension about that council fire.
but there was none in the hearts Of
those who were going out to die. Al
ready rumors were flying about re-
garding Lees unwillingness to engage
In battle. saw him as I trudged
past, standing beside Wayne. the fire.
light on his face. although his head
was bowed. Even to our cheers he
never once glanced up. and. as we
passed beyond the radius Of light.
laid my hand upon the name Of Nor
gan's horse.
"Is It true that Charles Leo thinks
we should let Clinton 60 without fight:
ing?" asked soberly. "That was ru-
mored at the ferry"
"'Tis enough" he answered. his
eyes upon the dark column Of plod-
ding men. "And he seems to have
others with him. know not what has
put the coward into the fellows Of
late. Saint Andrew! the odds are no
greater than we have met before. But
therell be no fighting. lad. fear. un-
less Washington takes the bit in his
cheered him: twill give the man new
heart"
"You favor the Joining Of issuef"
why not? Were We ever in better
fettle? A retreating army II always
half whipped. and we can choose our
ground. Why. lad, It's reported Clin-
tons line stretches out full twelve
miles. with train Of baggage wagons
and battery horses, and camp follow
ers enough for a division. Twill be
easy work attending to them. and most
OF his troops are Dutch and Tories"
BY daylight we came up with the
New Jersey militia, lying at rest along
the bank Of the Milestone river. wait
ing their turn to ford that stream. and
Join Maxwell on the opposite shore.
From where I stood could see the
thin lines Of Continentals spreading
out like fan. as the skirmishers ad-
vanced up the opposite bluffs. Down
the tralnpled bank. men were strug.
Cling with light battery. and sudden.
ly in the press of figures l came upon
Farrell. He was mud from head to
foot. his face streaked With 1t. but he
looked up with beaming eyes as I
spoke his name. and our hands
clasped.
II thought you would be over there
with Maxwell" he said. pointing
across at the black dots, now clearly
distinguishable in the glow Of sun.
shine.
Il was left behind. and came up just
now with Morgan" I replied. But l
am anxious enough to be with my own
fellows. What means that skirmish
line. Farrell? Are we already In touch
with Clinton?"
He swept the hair out Of his eyes
with his great fist.
mo one knows exactly, but the Brit
ish are not far of, and are headed this
way. A scout came through with the
news two hours ago-Clinton has tax
en- the road to Monmouth" He
chuckled grimly. glancing at my face.
And who think ye the lad was who
told us?"
"Who?" my throat tightening
"The same you was SO anxious about
a few days back"
Mortimer! Eric Mortimer"
AYE. unless my eyes fail me al.
ready, 1t was the boy"
you are sure? You saw him?"
well, I had a glimpse. as he came
up the bank here from the ford, his
horse dripping. 1t was dark still, and
he only stopped to ask the road. I
knew the voice, and the form-the lad
is as slender as a girl-then he went
by me. digging his horse with the
spurs. and lying close. He had a Ora
goon's cape tapping from his shoul.
ders. but twas the boy all right Ahl
there go the guns up the bank. Now,
perhaps, they'll let me take my fight
ing dogs across"
The way was open for me, at least,
and I swung up into the saddle, and
drove my horse down the slippery
shore into the water. The stream
was not deep. although the current
flowed swiftly, and a moment later I
had found Maxwell.
YES" he said to my first question.
I'VE are going to fight, although 1t
may not be anything more serious
than skirmishing today. Washington
has decided in spite Of Lee, thank
God. and We'll have a go at the Red.
coats. Lafayette commands the ad.
vance. and Wayne will be up within
few hours. We are to skirmish for
1yo ~ <orvo ri Monmouth Co,,r< rJo,,.,