The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1924-11-28
CHAPTER xxvII-contInusd.

ling IOT ueIenSe III case OF attack.
It was soon after Washington's depart
ure that Arnold went away on the road
to the South. Solomon followed, keep
ing out of his field Of vision. The gen.
eral returned two days later. Solomon
came Into Jacks hut about midnight
of the day of Arnold's return with I'M
eortant news.
Jack was at his desk studying a
map Of the Highlands. The camp was
at rest. The candle In Jacks hut
was the only sign Of life around head
quarters when Solomon, having put out
his horse, came to talk with his young
friend. He stepped close to the desk,
swallowed nervously and began his
whispered report.
"Suthin' neevarious be goin' on" he
began. "A British ship were lynn
nigh the mouth o. the Croton river
Arnold went aboard. An officer got
into his boat with him and they pulled
over to the west shore and went into
the bush. Stayed thar till mos night.
If 'twere honest business, why did
they go off in the bush alone fer a
talk1"
Jack shook his head.
"Soon as l seen that ] went to one
o. our batteries an toll the cap'n what
were on my mind.
"D-n the OIL British tub. Well
make 'er back up a little SEE he.
She's too clus anyhow
Then he let go shot that ripped
IA 81 or hou
they were some hoppin' Ground on the
deck o. the big British war sloop.
They h'isted her sails an she fell away
down the river a mile 'er so. The
sun were set when Arnold an the
officer came out o. the bush. / were
in a boat with fish rod an could jes'
see 'em with my spy glass. the light
were so dim. They stood thar lookin'
fer the ship. They couldn't see her.
They went back into the bush. 1t come
10 me what they was goin' to do. Ar
mold were a-goin' to take the Britisher
over to the house o. that OF Tory. Reub
Smith. / got thar fust an hid In the
bushes front o. the house. Sure
'nough that's what were done. Ar
mold an t. other Teller come erlong
an went into the house. 'Twere so
dark 1 couldn't see 'em but l knowed
twere them"
Howl" the young man asked.
"'Cause they didn't light no candle.
They sot in the dark an they didn't
talk out loud like honest men would.
come erway. / couldn't do no more
wall - cQfd
Jack. Now go and get some rest.
Tomorrow may be a hard day.
Jack spent a bad night in the eff
fort to be as great as his problem.
In the morning he sent Solomon and
three other able scouts TO look the
ground over east, west and south of
the army. One Of them was to take
message to Washington.
After the noon mess. Arnold mount
ed his horse and rode away alone.
The young brigadier sent for his trust
ed friend. Captain MerrIwether
Captain. the general has set out |
on the east road alone" said Jack.
HE is not well. There's something |
wrong with his heart. I am a little
worried about him. He ought not to |
be travelling alone. My horse is in front |
of the door. Jump on his back and |
keep In sight of the general, but don't |
let him know what you are doing"
A little later Mrs. Arnold entered |
the office of the new brigadler In a
most cheerful mood.
81 have good news for you" she an
nounced "a British officer has come
In a ship under a flag of truce to
confer with General Arnold. ! sent
a letter to Margaret Hare on my own
responsibility with the generals Off
cial communication. / invited her to
come with the party and promised
her safe conduct to our house /
expect her. For the rest we look to
you. Let us have a wedding at head
quarters. On the night of the twenty
eighth, General Washington will have
returned. He has agreed to dine with
us that evening"
81 think that she must have OBJ
served the shadow on my face for.
while she spoke, great fear had
rOluo upon me. ne leStllleu III tne
court of inquiry. ut seemed clear
to me that. If there was plot the
capture OF Washington himself was
to be a part of 1t and my sweetheart
helpful accessory.
"'You know much that / am eager
to know / said. The general has
not told me that he is to meet the
British. May / know all the good
news?
"'Of course, he will tell you about
that she assured me. "He has told
me only a little 1t is some negotia-
tion regarding an exchange of pris-
oners. l am much more interested In
Margaret and the wedding. | wish
you would tell me about her. ] have
heard that she has become very beau
tiful.'
II showed Mrs. Arnold the minla-
ture portrait which Margaret had
given me the day Of our little ride and |
talk In London and then an orderly