The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1928-11-16

l followed the roundabout Susque
hanna road and passed By the ruins
OF many a cabin. II was not the most
direct route. but Il pleased me 90
fool myself with the thought ! would
never continue as Ear as Alexandria
However, did persevere. and an
astounding thing happened TO the and
expelled my apathy and ieft me qulv
ering with q new purpose. The On
Ondaga would have said n wac my
brenda working for me. A white man
would have said II was luck. q all
happened at q hamlet on the Mary
land line where q dozen men were
listening to o rugged fellows plea
for volunteers TO serve as rlfiemeD
In the expedition soon 10 be made
against Canada. Weary of war
weary of myself. and finding solace
only In my strange dreams, ! would
have passed oy with deaf ears had
not his rude eloquence compelled my
attention while he cried out:
"Sick of it2 Who aint sick of lti
But how will II be stopped unless
your rifles help stop itf tell you
we've got 'em running now. You've
had q beliyful of lighting? Who ANTI
| thought ! had a beIlyful at Brad
docks battle. I've thought ! had
more'n enough during the last three
years. But i've been Farming all
these years: Farming that II we want
a job well done we must do Il our
selves. Men. it's the long rifle. and
not the Brown Bess what's going to
put stop to the lnjun deviltries
And If you'll go along with me ~.
lead only as long as can keep ahead
When any other felier can lead faster
ne takes my place and take his
orders"
| refined In and stared at the fellow
closely. There was something reminis
cent In the strong young face He
was quick to see me and my travel
stained forest garb. and he called out
over the heads of his audience:
"Welcome. friend You i0ok like
as you was used to woods lighting"
1--WE had my share of it: from Brad
dock down to Forbes and much in be
tween"
"Buf you're not through yet? Your
long rifle still shOots?"
''It still shoots. am not through
until the job is finished"
He pointed me out as wholesome
example. and embarrassed me by ex
tOlling my high spirit. Whereas was
sick of Indians, sick of hardships
| had but one desire; to spread my
blanket back of the Carlisle house
and close to the sleepy lap-lap of the
Potomac and rest there one night and
perchance dream of Busby and other
playmates. backed my horse away
and waited until the young man had
finished his talk and had secured half
a dozen flames or marks on his mus
ter-roll. Then dismounted and
Joined him and drew him aside. and
said:
"Youll be Daniel Morgan, at one
time wagner in Braddock's army "
Dead center But don't know you
from Adam. friend You have mighty
little meat on your bones"
Il threw you on to horse at the
lower ford of the MOnOngahela on
July ninth. three years ago"
"H-li | remember The man fight
ing beside the tall Injuni"
"There was young person with
you"
"a gal in breeches. Elsie Dinwold
she gave her name She had the grit
of any man ever see."
"Had?" | repeated. deathly faint
ness stealing through my gaunt frame
"And still has, ri guarantee. If
she's kept out of danger and diGn"
git sculped. Lord But she did try
desperate hard to git of that boss
and git back to the fightingl"
"Man, where is she? Where did
you leave herr Why don't you say
something when you talk?" cried
And placed my hands on his
shoulders and shook him.
He grinned broadly and showed no
resentment at my manners.
"Where she Is cannot say. Hut
she went to Alexandria. gathered
from her falkland she talked mighty
/. little-that some one she used to
know. and liked heap. lived there
once. But you'n be signing up as q
rifleman for northern wOrk?"
mounted before b0thering to
answer him. Then called hack:
"That must come later. ! must On.
ish a journey first" an,
And though 1t was dark and my
horse was weary rode on.
A skeleton Of a man on worn.
out horse. No leisurely riding now
would not have eaten. nor slept, If
not for my mount had but one de
sire-to strike into the old postroad
and finish the distance at a smash.
ing gallop. The poor brute was bad
~ used up when did leave Shooters
hill behind me | refined In.
Now that | had arrived and would
soon know all, experienced strange
timidity. Three years had passed. No
soldiers now enlivened Alexandria !;