Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-09-27
{ was plainly to be his life or mine.

AZ he got wltnln easy range 1 sIoW'
iy lifted my pistol and, taking careful
aim at h!s head "a small mark in that
light, fired. He went down like
bullock summed with mallet.
Had it been broad day, doubtless
would have killed him (Which would
had been well for mel, but in the
deepeninE gloom my aim had not been
true; for when went up to. him | saw
he was far from dead, my ball having
passed close along his temple, plowing
q furrow and only completely stun;
ming him. He was breathing hoarsely.
as one does after shock 10 The brain,
and saw he was a stranger. E
And yet not total stranger, either;
for hal casually marked him in the
camp al Moristown, taking him 10 be
q farmers yokel glamored by he mill
tary. But God knows he was anything
bu, . farmers yokel.
Now he lay there face upward, his
broad chest heaving, and 4 wondered
why he lad tracked me. knew the
answer later. The first thing did
was to go through his pockets, and
from them took four or five papers
IN a wallet (though the light was then
100 poor to read a word of tbem), a
iong-bladed clasp.knife, a pipe, tobac-
co, and some coin.
let all bide but the wallet, and this
thrus; into my own pocket. Then !
went TO the spring, and filling my bat
81, hot hat nd h1ft
Ilssipatedlooking face, and listened to
his breathing grow more natural.
Finally he opened his eyes, and at
length sat up, staring around like one
aroused from deep slumber.
We'll, my friend" l said, as he
was sensible, what in the DEVILS
name do you mean by taking a pot
shot at man who never did you
barm?"
For an answer, he drew his hand
across his wet and bloody face, but he
did not speak. -.--,.
And did my ball plow your tongue
as well as your head?" | asked, trl-
fle impatient with him.
NO." he returned with snap; but
he would say no more, not even open
ing his lips when l questioned him.
F. Well" said l, picking up his rifle, "if
you will not talk, perhaps you will
walk, and possibly l will learn some
thing from your papers"
With that he clapped his hand to
his breast pocket, the most foolish
thing he could have done, 1t putting
into my head that his papers might
prove valuable to others beside him
self. "so!" said I. "sets the wind
in that directionf Ny dumb friend,
you will at once take off your shoes;
III have a look at them"
For not a great while before Major
Andre had been taken at Tarrytown,
and the mine Of wealth found in his
shoes had damned the traitor Arnold,
cost Andre his life. and saved the
Colonies. Therefore, my wits were at
work on the shoes of this would.be
ASSASSIN; but he made no offer to obey
me-.
See here, SIR" i said, growing
angry at his sullenness, and believing
he fully understood me-; had | the
means | would be tempted to hang
you offhand to the tree we are under,
but as sure as God made little apples
I'll finish you with your own rifle IL
in two minutes your shoes are not
Off" And l thrust my face into his,
meaning what said. fancy he knew
it as well, for without a word he took
them off and got to his feet.
"Sit down." said ], fearing he
would ran. He did so, and even then
caught the evil look he flashed at
me. And SO / went through his shoes
ard found something. In one OF
them was long folded paper half in
print, but not word could make out
in the darkness. i refolded it and
placed it in my pocket and tossed the
shoes into the underbrush.
"I-haee. small doubts about getting
at your rating now, my friend" said !.
TIP Wieh you and walk, and II you
ran, IFeIpember that have that in
hand which can run faster"
ne bOl sullcnly W MS lSet, ana i
drove him ahead OF me. back TO Bas-
hngridge; band it was well ! had not
ntlcmpted 10 drive him into camp, for.
from loss OF blood aud his lacerated
feet, which were unused to going un.
siud, the man was staggering wreck
~ the time we reached Ledare's
house. BY, then the slip OF a moon had
SGT. and II was dark; and TO my sur.
prise, by the gate of the home lot
stood msieur with pierced tin Ian
tp.n, talking to Continental officer
IN horseback, ana yBy his side was an.
oher horse with an empty saddle.
MyiDaisoner fell to The grass In a
state of collapse, and the Frenehman
Uttered Il cry Of astonishment at sight
II me, calling me by name. told my
story in few words.
And 40 you are Captain Dress
lcr!" raid the officer, who had not ap-
reared greatly moved by my adven-
re.
II am | said, looking at him. for
Ls tons was fhardly cordial. t