Charlevoix county herald., 1917-10-12
I could only grapple with him. and


were rolling on the edge of the narrow
deck beyond the coaming. and in three
seconds more We were both overheard
and IN the waters of Newark Bay, he
clutching me with a grip OF a mad
man.
1t looked to go hard with me then,
for saw he was anxious for my life
even IL 1t cost him his own; and
have small doubt that this assault was
only hurried by the appearance of the
patrol that he had 1t up his sleeve
for me, and was biding his time. But
be this as it may. was In desperate
way as we struggled and clawed at
each other. for the most part beneath
the surface: and l was something bet
ter than half drowned when I felt
myself pulled into boat. When had
freed my lungs of water and gathered
my wits together ] saw ! was in the
swhaleboat prisoner, as was my late
guide. he then lying unconscious In
the bilge witl a sailor working over
him
And 1t was evident that ], too. had
been unconscious for at least a brief
space, for when l fully sensed my sit
uation ] saw the officer the was very
young) turning in his hand p zee OF
water-soaked paper. AS he marked
me looking at him he smiled and said:
Nov, by my faith, Mr.. Melton,
you h-.a had a narrow escape!
thought you gone, for a moment!"
The name of Melton brought me to
my full senses as hardly anything else
would have done, but perhaps 1t were
well that ! was still too weak to show
surprise or make an answer, and he
continued: "'Twere fortunate I was
hard by, lieutenant; Simcoe told me
to be on the lookout for you, but my
faith! didn't expect to come across
you In this fashion. And / fancy that
Bellmore won't thank me for interfer-
ing, as had l not come up in time 1t Is
ten to one that he were a hundred
pounds richer"
He laughed aloud as he spoke, and
held out the paper to me. 1t was the
note of hand to Lysander Melton, for
one hundred pounds, signed by Bell.
more" which Washington had given
me at my request. The officer had evil
IDENTIFY taken il in a search of my
clothing while / was unconscious.
AS quick as lightning saw how the
land lay. This man did not know Mel
ton, and from the paper he took me to
be him. Certainly it would not do for
me to deny 1t without explaining how
Melton's note got into my possession,
and had no story ready. Ihad moth.
ing ready, for that matter, but !
thanked God / would not have to
prove myself, since the paper ap.
peared to have done 1t for me.
who is the chap you were clinched
to-" asked the officer, indicating my
late companion who was showing
signs of remaining life.
II know not" said, pulling myself
together, save that his name Is Dean,
and that he is parlous rebel. !
hired him to sail me to the point, but
he was suspicious, and was taking me
to Paulus Hook and Lee. conceiving
that l was a deserter from the rebel
army. We clinched. You know the
rest. What will you do with him?
Hand him over to Simcoe,' was
the light answer. But as he is only
a non-combatant, he will be likely to
go free. ! tell We what, Melton, you
have had a damned close call, and a
pity il would have been had you gone
down; for this exploit is feather in
your cap, and It won't hurt me for
having pulled you out"
made no answer, not exactly know
ing what the young fellow was driv-
ing at, and the officer went on: "Pll
be free and say tbs a pity that you are
a Southern Provincial and new to the
city; but you have been inquired
about. Major Stall was asking Sim.
coe II he had heard anything OF your
return, and then said that you were
a cursed brave man to try to smooth
your record by volunteering to get in.
to Morristown. Did you get there?"
YES" / answered.
AYE! Stall said there were not ten
men In the army who would dare II.
COuBThtulhte you, anu Tell you tuib W
let you know how you stand. But
damme II care to play cards with
you"
He laughed as II to take the sting
for the last remark, and held out his
hand; adding that he was Lieutenant
Selfridge, of General Simcoe's com
mand, then station"I on Staten Island
He war garrulous young fellow, that
offlcer, and l let him talk. From his
words concluded that Lysander Mel
tons record was shady. and between
the memoranda of his card winnings.
which Washington had shown me. and
Selfridge's own remarks, gathered
that he was a card-sharper. IL nothing
worse. shook hands with the officer.
by the by. Melton. do you report
to Knyphausen or to Arnold" he sud-
denly asked.
"To Arnold" ! answered, after
moment Of rapid thought; that Is,
when can get my full report ready"
But I wished the boy-for he was
hardly more than a boy-would quit
nueationing mo. n made me nervous