White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1933-05-04
BY
Irving Baclle11el:
Copyright 1882. by irving Bachelor
WNU Service

llle ulgnC the moving continued. Al
the coming of darkness Mrs. Rapelye
"a Tory woman who lived near the
ferry-sent negro to inform the
British of what was going on. The
messenger was held up at Hessian
post where the Germans were unable
to understand him. So the work was
not interrupted. General Washington
was the last to cross with some wound
ed men about daylight. The sun had
not risen.
Colonel Cabot and Captain Farms
worth were in the boat with him. The
Chief sat in silence looking grave and
weary. When they landed he turned
to them saying with a note of sad
ness in his tone:
"My boys, you are in need Of rest.
thank you"
II reckon God has been thinkin' of
u.s." said Amos.
mot of us but of the endless ages
ahead" the Chief answered
His white horse, taken over in the
night, was brought to him. He gave
to General Putnam orders covering
! the retreat and mounting rode north
ward with members of his staff fol-
lowed by the main body of his troops.
In an open field near creek he halted
the shattered army for rest Guards
were mounted, videttes thrown out and
thousands Of weary men lay down like
spent dogs to 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.
TITS hard life which there amt
no mistake" Amos muttered. II de-
serve 1t but reckon God'll think I've
had hell enough"
"There'u be more tomorrow" Colin
answered. II say d-n the future gen.
erations." EIk t
Amos had forgotten his soul and
begun snoring. For moment Colin
thought of the fog and the crossing
and then he slept.
The loss of artillery, stores, camp
equipment and men was great, but
more discouraging than that was the
loss Of morale. The CHEEKY confidence
| Of the men was gone. Whole regi-
ments and half regiments disappeared
Many war-sick, discouraged men wan
dered in the wooded hills, half-crazed
by WEAKNESS and fear. Washington
i moved his army 70 the high country in
the north. His courage and confidence
were still strong.
Most of the faithful men, we'll
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 popular caravansary was now al
most deserted. Its guests had mostly
fed before the wrath Of contending
armies. Word had come that the Brit
ish were moving back to their ships.
1t was apparent that for some days
York island would not feel the feet of
the enemy. If conditions were safe
on the lower island, he was to tarry
at the tavern three days in the hope
of meeting an expected messenger
from Mr.. Girard Of Philadelphia. The
young man was overioyed to find a
letter from Pat, sent from Quebec on
the fifteenth of June. It's contents
saddened him. She wrote:
Dear one: l love you. Our little
ship is in a storm and If our captain
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. I
do not wonder that you think her ir-
resistible. She Is superb physical
creature. She knows it and In her
dress and manners will give you de-
lightful lessons in female physiology
and psychology. know that you have
taste for both. Success and under.
standing to you in the psychological
studies. Harry Gage, much improved
by your discipline. is doing his best to
win me. What may come of 1t only
God knows. am still true to you and
waiting for His guidance. wonder
If YOU will remember old Mother Ems.
low, the apple woman. You wouldn't
know her now. She is my MAZDA
sleek, rosy-cheeked, white-haired. kind
ly. 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 l although have lost my In
duence If ever had any. | have
promised to say nothing of the army
This letter must be read b.. our FRIEND
Gen. Sir Guy Carleton and stamped
with his approval. / hope 1t may
reach your hands and heart. You love