The Coolidge examiner., 1933-06-30

nOrthward with members Of his
staff followed by the main body of
his troops. In an open field near
a creek he halted the shattered
army for rest. Guards were mount
ed. videttes thrown out and thou.
sands of weary men lay down like
spent dogs 10 sleep on the damp
earth now drying in the sunlight
Surgeons went about among the
men dressing wounds which had
not disabled them. Colin and Amos
were among the first so treated.
They stretched out side by side
Three days and nights they had
seen of restless toll with the
wounded. the baggage, the horses.
the guns and the boats. They had
come through the valley of death
Its shadow was on them.
It's a hard life which there amt
no mistake" Amos muttered II
deserve II hut reckon Godn think
I've had hell enough"
"ThereH be more tomorrow. ."
Colin answered. 81 say d-n the
future generations"
Amos had forgotten his soul and
begun snoring. For a moment Colin
thought of the fog and the cross
ing and then be slept.
The loss of artillery, stores, camp
equipment and men was great. bur
more discouraging than that was
the loss of morale. The CHEEKY
confidence OF the men was gone
Whole regiments and half regi-
ments disappeared. Many war-sick
discouraged men wandered in the
wooded hills, half-crazed by weari
ness and fear. Washington moved
his army TO the high country in the
north. His courage and confidence
were still strong.
Most of the faithful men, well
trained in Cambridge. were with
him. The deserters were replaced
by fresh troops coming daily to his
new post on Harlem Heights far
above the city.
Soon after the crossing Colin, his
little wounds repaired, rode down
TO the City tavern for letters by
post. The young man was over
joyed to find a letter from Pat sent
from Quebec on the fifteenth of
June. Its contents saddened him
She wrote:
Dear one: | love you. Our little
ship is in storm and If our cap
tain loses his heart and head ! fear
that we shall never get to port.
The wind is against us know
that Nancy is trying to win you.
She is beautiful. much lovelier TO
look at than | am and the wretch
will stop at nothing. She was the
worst flirt in school. do not won.
der that you think her irresistible
She is a superb physical creature.
She knows ii and in her dress and
manners will give you delightful
lessons in female physiology and
psychology. | know that you have
a taste for both. Success and un
derstanding TO you in the pyscho-
logical studies. Harry Gage, much
improved by your discipline is doing
his best to win me. What may
come of ii only God knows. am
still true TO you and waiting for
His guidance. l wonder If you will
remember old Mother Enslow, the
applewoman. You wouldn't know
her now. She is my NADIA sleek,
rosy-cheeked, white-haired. kindly.
wise old lady. Often she speaks OF
you as 'One of her boys. When
am In despair she gives me new
heart Every night she prays for
you and so do | although ] have
lost my influence If | ever had any
| have promised TO say nothing of
the army. This letter must be read
by our friend Gen. Sir Guy Carleton
and stamped with his approval.
hope il may reach your hand and
heart You love merry words and
/ am sorry that | have none to put
in 1t. | hope that the cOldness OF
the weather has not crept into my
letter. Poor, war-wrecked fool thai
l am. 1 forgot that ! was angry.
Yours still with devotion,
Pat"
1t was disappointing letter. He
knew not quite what to make of il
Had she given up and was she pre-
pairing him for a bitter end to theiI
romance? he could not believe
that. AS to Nancy had he not over
come that peril? Pats letter had
been more than two months on its
journey. Fortunately the masterfu
Mrs. Bowlby must have covered the
long waterway to Quebec and might
have arrived there soon after the
letter was written.
He rode down TO the end of the
island and had a brief talk with
General Putnam. whose scouts and
videttes covered long area of the
waterfront. He was getting sig
nails at night from the far side OF
each river.
Returning TO the tavern, Colin
left word at the desk that if man
came from Philadelphia asking for
Caporol UTocbipOfnn thpv u,oro to