White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-05-25
CHAPTER XIV
In the Valley of Death From Which
Unfortunately a Valiant Figure


Emerges and Another Disappears.
Sprinkled with blood, sore with
small wounds, their faces blackened,
their garments torn, General Arnold
and Colonel Cabot strobe YEARLY into
camp. The god Of war had covered
them in the day of battle. The val
liant, the fearless and the masterful
have miraculous gift in passing
through the dark valley. Death would
seem to love best those who are afraid
The men began cheering. Praise of
Arnold's valor was running through
the line. General Gates was jealous
Arnold was growing with anger at
the, neglect which had prevented
complete victory. Eager to continue
the fight at sunrise, he was forbidden
to do so. There were high words be-
tween the two generals. Arnold was
denied any further part in the battle
ans under officers were commanded to
disregard his orders. Arnold's con-
duct was undoubtedly high-handed
and exasperating. He refused to give
up his command and threatened any
man who tried to take it into action.
Thus jealousy and bitter politics had
begun to paralyze the army.
Burgoyne's force was in bad way.
1t had failed. Many Of it's best Off
GERS were dead or wounded. The
tickle Indians decimated by Morgan's
sharpshooters had found the white
mans love too costly and too painful.
They were deserving. The Canadian
militia were stealing out of the camp
and making tracks for home The
supply of food was vanishing. The
British machine was in need of oil
and repairs. Why didn't Howe come
| on with his army? He was not even
yet laundering to get through away
down in the Highlands of the lower
Hudson. Burgoyne retreated, waiting
for the help that could not reach him.
Gates followed and surrounded him.
In this time of waiting, messen-
ger brought a letter to Colin Cabot
1t was from Rachel Bowlby. 1t said:
II am in Doctor Parmly's camp.
For more than a month I have been
here trying to pull Pat out of the deep
pit she is in. She clings to me and
if she were my own child could not
love her more. The smallpox passed
and then she fell into burning fever
Out of her head most of the time and
thinks you are here. The doctor gives
me little hope. He says that in three
days we shall know. AS soon as pos
sible 1 shall come down the river at
night and try to get around the Brit
ish. shall have to take to the bush
above them and hurry on down the
east shore with my little birch-bark
canoe on my back until get to safe
water. I am eager to return to my
neglected children. Across the river
from Bemis heights is wooded hill
| will time my trip to reach 1t about
ten o'clock at night and probably on
the ninth or tenth of October. If the
news is good | will light two torches,
if it is bad only one. So If you will
keep watch from half past nine to
half past ten those two nights, you
will know all that can tell you and
may God help us whatever happens"
The tone of the letter was discour-
aging. Was it to end for him in bitter
loss and encouragement? He had
little hope of good news when on
the night of October ninth he climbed
tree near Arnold's headquarters and
sitting on lofty limb looked east
ward through the darkness. It was
clear, still, cold moonless night.
Never had he so felt the beauty and
mystery of the calm. peaceful, shin
ing, infinite deep above him. Sudden
ly flicker Of light far away. Then
two flaming torches glowed side by
side in the darkness Thank God, Pat
was better. She was on the way to
good health again.
A long time he sat in silence Look
ing up at the heavens and thinking.
The lights! Here again was an aston
ishing fulfllment The mystery he
gan to vanish as he thought of it.
Mrs. Bowlby had naturally sought to
follow the letter of the predction-so
she had used lights-the only means
of swift communication. Still there
was an element in this matter little
beyond his reach. Suddenly he ceased
to think. His eyes were busy. The
ancient wilderness had begun to cele-
brate the recovery Of her he loved.
The season had been dry. The forest
floor was covered with dead leaves.
The fire of the torches had dripped
into them. 1t travelled from ledge to
ledge as Rachel Bowlby hurried down
to the river. It embraced the hill.
{To BE CoNTINUED.>