The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-18

ARTHUR n. WILLIAMSON
ccsyrsxht BY A. c. MeCiurE 4 Co
snssrea - soz,Ono's Hall London
Beyond the gleam OF the uncovered
windows all was wrapped In complete
darkness. save that here and there
we could distinguish the dull red
glare OF camp-fres where the company
COOKS were yet at work, or some
sentry post had been established. We
turned sharply to the left, and pro-
ceeded down q comparatively smooth
road. which seemed to me to possess
q rock basis. IL felt so hard. From
the position OF the stars judged our
course to be eastward, but the night
was sufficiently obscured to shroud
all objects more than few yards dis
tsnt. Except for the varied camp
noises on either side OF US the eve
ming was oppressively still. and the
air had the late chill of high attitudes.
Mrs Brennan pressed more closely to
me as We passed beyond the narrow
zone OF light. and unco1sciously we
icil into step toSetDer.
A few hundred yards farther a fire
burned redly against a pile OF logs.
The forms OF several men lay out
stretched beside II. while sentry
paced back and forth. In and out of
the range of light. We were almost
upon him before he noted our an.
proach, and In his haste he swung his
musket down from his shoulder until
the point OF It's bayonet nearly
touched my breast.
Haiti" he cried sternly, peering at
us In evident surprise. Halt. this
road Is closed"
Valley Forge" whispered the girl,
and noticed how white her face ap-
peared In the flaming of the fire.
The word is all right. MISS" re-
turned the fellow. stoutly. yet with
out lowering his obstructing gun. But
We cannot pass any one out on the
countersign alone. II you was going
the other way II would answer"
But We are returning from the OFF,
GERS ball." she urged anxiously, "and
are one our way to Major Brennan's
quarters. We have passes"
As she drew the paper from out her
glove one OF the men at the fire
scrang TO his feet and strobe across
tho narrow road toward us. He was
M nj 81
but wore corporals stripes.
What is II, Mapes?" he asked
sharply.
Without waiting an answer he took
the paper she held out and scanned
it rapidly.
This is all right" he said, handing
IL back. and lifting his cap In salute.
You may pass. madam. You must
pardon US. but the orders are exceed
ingly strict tonight. Have you a pass
also. Colonel?' handed II to him, and
after a single glance II was returned.
Pass them. guard" he said curt
ly. standing aside.
Beyond the radiance Of the fire she
broke the silence.
II shall only be able 10 go with you
90 far as the summit OF the hill yon-
der. for our quarters are Just to the
right. and could furnish no excuse
for beins found beyond that point"
she said. do you know enough of
the country TO make the lines Of your
army?"
'Tk this Ia the Kendallville pike we
are on" l answered, II have a pretty
clear conception Of what lies ahead.
hut I should DO very glad TO know
where i am TO look for the outer
picket"
There Is one post at the ford over
the White Briar." she replied II
chance to know this because Major
Brennan selected the station, and re.
marked that the stream was so high
and rapid as 10 be impossible at any
o.Ler point for miles. But | regret
this 10 as far as my information ex-
tends"
started to say something-what
hardly know-when. almost without
sound OF warning little squad OF
horsemen swept over the brow OF the
hill In our front. their forms darkly
outlined against the starllt sky. and
rode down toward us at n sharp trot.
I had barely time to- swing my com.
panion out OF the track when they
clattered by. their heads bent low TO
the wind. and seemingly obllyious to
all save the movements OF their
leader.
"Sherldan!" l whispered. for even
IN that dlmness I had not failed 20
recognize the short. erect figure which
rode In front.
The woman shnddered. and drew