Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil: A Young Virginian in the Revolution — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

CHARLESTON 199 hundreds of wasted, fever-haunted, despairing men. Was this the minute he had dreamed of, prayed for, so long! Would he — when he came — be like one of those? Would he come — the proud man he remembered, “the Chevalier Bayard of Virginia,’ — as the ghost of manhood? His straining eyes followed one figure in the frowsy multitude. It was instinct with purpose among the purposeless. “There’s a man that walks like Troupe! He’d be self- contained at the mouth of hell —”’ Something tore and tugged at his heart. He could not see the jumbled deck. The galley had put off from the vessel. Six sailors, a lieu- tenant, — and the man who “walked like Troupe.” “What if he should know me!” The thought gave the actor stage- fright. With a gulp and a grip of himself, he signaled the approaching boat. The twelve oars were poised in air; the subaltern sang out,.— “Friends of Audley Anderson, Major of Horse, Wash- ington’s Army, may communicate with the prisoner.”’ Tom saluted. Then, to the soldierly, bearded man in “ragged regimentals,’” — “Have I the honor of speaking to Major Anderson?”’ A startled look on the thin, jail-bleached face. “T am Audley Anderson.” “We are charged with messages from your son —”’ Hproupes:’ “Your second son— John? Ah, Tom! He has your letter. He is deeply concerned on your account. Appeal has been made for the cartel. Your exchange 1s promised.”’ Oh, the challenge in those hollow eyes! “Where is my boy?” “A fortnight ago he was in North Carolina, in good health and spirits.’ “Tn North Carolina?” “He is in the service, sir.’ “Impossible!”" “He is Sumter’s aide: known as ‘ Dare-Devil.’”’ What a glow kindled through the prison-bleach! “God CORVICIOO cS (C©) mn