Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

a b UNTO THE FOURTH GENERATION. faithful, brave enough to take the trip?” “Aye, sir!’’: The colonel raised his head. “And he is——’”’ Clear and low rang out the young lieutenant’s voice. ‘Here! ”’ The officer rose and stretched out his hand. “Could you asked. “Aye, but first I would ask that I might be allowed to write a few words to my home—a note that I will place in the hands of my friend and kinsman, Sir Richard Vaughan, for safe delivery in case ”"—the brave voice broke—“ in case my mission should fail.” “One and as many more as you please, but the prayers of your com- rades shall follow you to bring you back safely to them—and her.” The older man smiled thoughtfully as Ravenscroft saluted gravely and left him to his thoughts. “A brave and generous heart,” he said ; ‘‘ may the fates look kindly on his wooing.” * start tonight?” he * * « That afternoon as it verged toward twilight, Ravenscroft, equipped and spurred, went to headquarters for last orders. Ten minutes later he emerged with the document safe in his keeping. He went back to his tent, laid it with his cap and gauntlets near by and turned to get from his wallet the rough map of the surrounding country that he might the better obtain his bearings. After a hasty perusal he rose from his camp stool, and picked up his soft hat and gloves. Then he stooped for the paper. It was gone. He looked again, scarce believing the awfulness of his discovery; he rent aside the flap in his tent and looked o1t—no one in sight; he tore open his clothes, he groveled on the ground, and then it was that in one wild burst of agony he fully realized the greatness of his loss. 12 A T75 Gone! like a mist of the morning; melting from under his touch. Gone! and now in the hands of a traitor; Gone! the papers he had sworn to de- fend with his life’s blood; gone! and with it the safety of his comrades he _ had hoped to save; gone! and with it the untainted name of the Ravens- crofts. He clenched his hands until the nails ate into the flesh; he bit his lip until it bled, and yet he heeded not. Mechanically he found his way to headquarters. With a face from which all color had fled, with lips that could scarcely form the words of confession, in a voice that thrilled those assembled with a strange new awe, he told his piti- able tale, and then in the death-like si- lence that followed he unbuckled his sword, handed it to his commander and resigned his commission. He stood there with uplifted face; with unseeing eyes; stripped of spurs and blade; devoid of rank—disgraced, and yet those who saw him then did say that he still looked the nobleman. All night that little detachment watched and waited, dreading the birth of the new day. All night were the men preparing for the onslaught that was so soon to follow. Muskets were tested and polished, blades tried; already had some of the number been set to con- structing the embankments. Day dawned; from out of the east the sun came forth and eyes weary with a sleepless watch, looked in vain for the glimmer of red and sword blades in the dazzling light. Hours passed. Evening was near at hand. Another day dawned and another day crept by. Suddenly was heard the indistinct beat of horses’ hoofs in the distance; faint at first but coming nearer. Then the sound of a bugle. Vainly the Conti- nentals strove to pierce the mist that had fallen over the sunlight. Some murmured a prayer; the battle madness seized on others and they waved their blades aloft; some stood silent, Spar- tan-like, waiting for death, or worse. COMICOOOKS eo