The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-10-03
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WHF~N
A PerlIous Mission.
CHAPTER I.

NsI' run emily, hltnOugh II was May,
and the dreadful winter passed-dis-
GUESSING the Improved condition Of our
roons, the rigid discipline Of Baron
de St"uben. and specializing on what
would probably be attempted now
that Sir Henry Clinton had succeeded
10 the command of the forces oppos.
ms US ! remember Maxwell Joined
ms, together with Knox OF the artil-
tery, each man with different theory
OF campaign, but alike agreeing that.
In spit" Of oil We had endured during
ehoBC months Of suffering and priva.
don at Valley Forge. the time TO
strike once again was near at hand.
although our numbers we're barely
half that OF the enemy.
II must have been midnight when |
crcpt into bunk, and even then
fouGd sleep absent my eyes gazing
out through the open door to where
the ,mbers of the fire glowcd rcd. and
sentinel paced back and forth In
regular monotony, Suddenly he halt.
ed, mud challenged hOarscly. nlnglng
forward his gun. There was an indls.
unEuishablc answer, and as straight
encd mp the figure Of n man blotted
out the doorway.
Major lawrence"
Yes. What Is til" swung 10 the
moor. unable TO recognize the voice
The mans hand rose to salute.
81 nm Colonel Gibbs orderly. Gen.
sral Hamilton wishes you to report
Mt once at headquarters"
Tho Potts house,"
Yes. sir"
dressed hastily. my pulses throb.
Ding with cagcrncss. Whatever the
message meant. there was certainly
some purpose OF vital importance In
sending for me ut this unusual hour.
and was boy enough stlll to welcome
any form OF active service No duty
OF the war had so tried me as the long
winter Of waiting. Yet. rapidly as
moved, tho orderly had disappeared
before ! got outside. and / picked my
way rs best could alone through the
darkness. along tho rear OF Mcintosh q
huts. until reached the low fence sur.
Tunding tho Potts house. Here a zen.
unei challenged, calling tho corporal
OF the guard. and In his company |
trudged up the path to the front door.
There was a light showing through
the window to the left, although the
shade was closely drawn, and a guard
stood within the hall. At the first
sound OF our approach, however. n side
door was flung open, letting forth
CLEAN OF illumination, and perceived
the short, slight figure OF Hamilton
as he poered forward to get better
glimpse OF my face.
All right, corporal" he said terse.
sy. gripping my hand Come in, ma.
5or; your promptncss would seem to
indicate readiness to get into serv.
ice once more"
! had not yet fallen asleep" | ex.
planned. but We are all eager enough
FOR action OF any description"
lie smiled cheerlly.
You Will soon be busy. never fear"
lie closed the door behind us, and.
with glance. ] viewed the room and
its occupants 1t was a small. low
ceilnged apartment. containing q
table, few chairs and high com.
mode. A few Goals glowed in the
wide fireplace. and the walls we're
dingy with smoke Three candles. nj. |
ready burning low. gave fitful illumi- |
nation, revealing four occupants. all
known to me. At an open door to the !
right stood swcet.faced woman.
CHANGING back curlously at my en-.
trance. and whipped on my hat bow.
ing low. Once before had seen her, !
Mistress Washington. and welcomed
the gracious recognition in her eyes !
Colonel Gibbs stood before the fire
place motlonless, but my glance swept |
past him to the calm, uplifted face |
above the pile Of papers lltterlng the |
table lie was not looking at me, but |
his eyes were turned toward his wife. |
ut is not necessary for you to re.
tire" he said quietly. We shall not |
detain this gentleman except for few
moments"
at Is not because OF the majors |
coming | withdraw" she replied pleas.
AntIy, but the hour is late. and | am
very tired. Good night. all"
Wnshington's eyes were upon the |
door until It closed; then he turned |
glightly, facing me. Before he spoke
again. Hamilton broke in:
This is the officer. sir, recommend.
ed by General Maxwell-Major Law.
renee of the Maryland line"
bowed silently. and the command.
er rose to his feet, extending his hand.
mo doubt we have met before" he
said slowly, You have been with us
for soy.e time?"
MI first action was at Harlem,
sir
"iou could not have been at Valley
Forge during the past winter, how,
ever"
81 was with the Marquis de Ia Fay.
sitc at Albany"
"Ah. yes" his face clouding at the
recollection. "A young officer Hamil-
on. but capable. no doubt. You have
,Bed him before, you said?"
Yea at Long Island. and he en-.