Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil: A Young Virginian in the Revolution — page 100: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

84 Tom ANDERSON, Dare-DEVIL “We heard Troupe had got back? Maybe that started the story.” “What? Troupe? — Speak out, for God’s sake!” “Madam, I heard so,” floundering. “A likely story. Troupe under this roof and I not know it? Why, what moonshine, boy!”” Yet was she perturbed. Sheepishly enough, Peachy raced homeward, pursued by the on-coming storm. Wind and rain did their worst. Night fell. The mistress of Oxheart took from the key- basket the passe-partout which opened every door in the house. And this was why a ghost appeared at a birthday party. Tom’s story had done much to restore Mrs. Anderson’s shaken nerves. Her boy was no chicken-hearted noodle, thank God. He had done just what he should have done. How [Tom kindled at that! Now they’d no time to lose. Rumor was rife. By sunrise this young gentleman must be miles away from Oxheart. Delay would be disastrous. Even Peachy had some sort of clue to the situation. Dare interposed: “‘Madam, Mrs. Grattan is going to Philadelphia. Her teams will pass here before day. What if you wrote her a letter —” ‘Saying a friend of ours, traveling incog., is anxious to reach the Capital; war times; business of secrecy and im- portance. Relying upon your dear Mrs. Grattan’s wit and discretion — she’s got *em!— you write to beg, et cet. — Lady Pantoufle has blazed the way for us!” ‘Such a letter should not be intrusted to a servant’s hands.” “Til take it,” and ‘Tom made ready for the ride, while Ole went to the stables for his mount, and grandmother wrote the diplomatic note which was to save Leslie from being seized. “Better supercargo on a Conestoga full of mink-skins, calf-skins, and skunk-skins than to risk that Vigilance crowd,” said Tom. He was sure to be back be- fore midnight. ‘Goin’ to ride Ma’y Jane,” a young mule with the speed of a deer. ECONMMICOOOKSa(e©) m