The state herald., 1913-02-14
CHAPTER XVI.
Tho Road to Philadelphia.

IL must nave ueen ~ CLOCK, anu,
II l had slept at all. was scarcely
conscious Of 1t. All about me the men
lay outstretched upon the ground, still
in their shirt-sleeves. as they had
fought, their guns beside them. The
night was clear and hot. scarcely a
breath of air moving. Here and there
against the skyline passed the dark
silhouette OF sentinel. There was no
sound OF firing only an occasional
football to break tho silence of the
night The wounded had been taken
to the field hospitals at the rear;
down In our front lay the bodies OF
the dead, and among these shone the
dim lights OF lanterns where the last
searching parties were yet busy at
their grewsome task. was weary
enough to sleep. every muscle OF my
body aching with fatigue, but the e1-
citement Of the day, the possibility Of
the morrow, left me restless. had
received no wound, other than a slight
thrust with a bayonet. yet felt as
though pummelled from head to foot.
The victory was ours-the army real.
lied this truth clearly enough; We had
repulsed the red-coats. driven them
back with terrible losses; we had seen
their lines shrivel up under our fire.
officers and men falling and the rem
nant fleeing In disorder. II meant
nothing now that force outnumber-
ing US yet remained intact, and In
strong position. Flushed with victory.
knowing now We could meet the best
of them, We longed for the morrow to
dawn so we might complete the task
reviewed the vivid incidents of the
day, looking up at the stars. and
wondered who among those | knew
were yet living. who were dead.
thought OF others in those lines OF the
enemy. whom had known, speculat.
ing on their fate. Then along our
rear came a horseman or two. riding
slowly. A sentry halted them. and
arose on one elbow to listen.
Lawrence? Yes. sir. Major Law.
renee is lying over there by the scrub
oak"
got to my feet, as the first rider
approached
This you, Lawrence?" asked n
voice instantly recognized as Ham.
ilton's. You fellows all look alike
tonight. Where is your horse. major?"
Il have been on foot all day, SIR"
answered saluting.
"Ah. indeed; well. you will have
need for a horse tonight. Vain.
wright" turning to the man with him.
'ls your nount fresh?"
Appears to be, sir belonged to
British dragoon this morning"
Let Major Lawrence have him.
Major. ride with me"
We passed back slowly enough to.
ward the rear OF the troops. through
the field hospitals. and along the edge
OF a wood, where n battery OF artillery
was encamped, We rode boot to boot,
and Hamilton spoke earnestly.
The battle is practically won. Law.
renee. in spite OF Charles Lee" he
said soberly. "of course there will be
fighting tomorrow, but We shall have
the redcoats well penned in before
daybreak. and have already captured
ammunition enough 10 make us easy
on that score, Poor. and the Carollna
men, are over yondor. while woodford
IL moving his command TO the left.
Al dawn wen crush Clinton into frag.
ments Washington wants TO send A
despatch through to Arnold In Phlla.
dolphia. and recommended you, ns
you know the road He remembered
your service before. and was kind
enough TO say you were the very man
You'll go giadly7"
81 should prefer TO lead my own
mon tomorrow. sir"
"Pshnw' doubt n we have more
than Rklrmish. Sir Henry will sec
his prcdieamont fast enough. Then
there will bo nothing left to do. but
guard prisoners"
Very we'll, colonel; am roady TO
serve wherever needed"
"of course you arc. man. There
should not bo much danger connected
with this trip, although there will be
Htrngglers In plenty. I'm told that
Clinton lost moro than three hundred
doscrteru crossing Camden"
Headquarters wcrc In a single.
roomcd cabin Mt the edge OF a rayine.
A squad OF cavAlrymon wcro In front,
their horses tied TO rail fonco. but
within Washington was alone. except
for a single aldo, writing nj a rude
table In the light OF halfdoIsn