Beadle's Dime Novels No. 127: Bald Eagle — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

NOBLE MARTYR. 29 “They contain details of the anticipated attack of the allied armies upon the City of New York.” Montagnie threw himself back in his chair with the air of one overwhelmed with a sense of intense self-disgust, and Which for a moment bore down all other considerations. “ Phis is a mere boy’s task, your excellency ; I had foolishly nerved myself for a great sacrifice.” “You will secure these papers carefully about your person, descend the Hudson in the rear of the mountains; leaving them upon your left, you will follow the gorge of the High- lands, through the Cleave of the Ramapo, ordering your time so that you will do. this before daybreak.” While Washington spoke. this slowly and distinctly, Mon- tagnic arose to his feet, amazed at what he heard. “The pass is in the hands of thetnemy!’ he at length ejaculated. Washington had resumed his pen, and seemed unconscious of the presence of the speaker, while Montagnie stood as if plunged in reverie, with his eyes fixed upon the unchanging aspect of Washington; but no vague and dreamy. reveric Wasted the faculties of Wendell Montagnie, as he thus stood ; they were all keenly alive, disentangling the maze of thought Spread out before him. Strange and bewildering surmises Crowded upon him, as to the motives of the commander-in- chief. What could they be? Was he—the noble, the true, the devoted, after all—? No, no, the ingenuous blush of youth mantled his cheek, as the startling and unworthy: thought darted across his.mind; yet why expose his meas- ures to the sure hazard of bemg known to the foe? The route prescribed was unusual, circuitous, and the Pass of the Ramapo in the hands of the enemy. Why not take the back road further to the north, which had been. constructed: ex- Pressly for the use of the troops, in order to keep the com- munication open. between West Point and the Jerseys? Un- able to solve the enigma, he was still resolved to act. At length a bright flush cast itself over his face, and a sad smile Played with it as he broke the painful silence, “T must double the ramparts of the enemy, take any quan- tities of winged lead, and be deprived of my papers.” Washington raised his head impatiently, and answered in connicloooks.com