Tom Anderson, Dare-Devil: A Young Virginian in the Revolution — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

234 Tom ANDERSON, Dare-DEVIL you know. I am flattered that it meets your approbation. How now? Whatapie! Whor Madame La Motte? Ma- dame is a Whig from the crown of her highest head-dress to the toe of her little foot.” The old brass knocker pounded the hall door. There was a call for Captain Anderson. Torch in hand, Troupe left the room. He came back . with a sealed document. ‘I’ve got to write an important letter. Is there writing- paper?! of any kind?”’ “One flyleaf left in “Gil Blas.’” “No; I used that to write to the Prison Commissioner, Major Stuart, to beg for my blanket.” There’s a flyleaf in General Meriwether’s hime-book.”’ somebody handed Troupe a time-stained flyleaf. He drew Taliaferro aside. Act as Troupe’s second? Cer- tainly. “If you'll save me some of the pie,” warned the hungry prisoner. Troupe wrote his letter and with Captain Taliaferro left the room. The bunch in the “mess-hall”’ were too astonished, eager, and anxious to talk. That some momen- tous thing had happened, nobody doubted. What a con- suming silence it was! Pinckney St. John sprang from his seat on the camp-chest. “Here’s a roomful of hugger-muggers for you. Why, gentlemen, every one of us knows the devil ’s to pay!— and no fellow opens his mouth. If Sir Aineas McIntosh—”’ Troupe opened the door. Every eye was turned upon him, in open apprehension. “Where’s Ben Taliaferro?” demanded Pink. ‘Gone round to my Lord Rawdon’s Headquarters, to convey my acceptance of The McIntosh’s challenge — “My God! A duel, boy?” General McIntosh had risen to his feet in uncontrollable agitation. He himself had met “on the field of honor” one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. The poison of that old encounter rankled yet. ECOMMICLOOOKSnEO) m