Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1168 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

"" pats’ r ae. . ¢ at -_ * Sen * = ~ ~~ “*S 5 J 7 - i an a unless some one should be about and identify me, the British will know no better.” He concealed the dispatch upon his person, stole out of the wood-house, found his horse, and mount- ing, galloped away. he trooper lay drunk until noon, when he crawled out of the wood-house, blear-eyed and sick. When he found that he had been robbed of his dispatch, he mistrusted something of the real truth, and at once started on his journey. A short ways from the Bland residence, he was captured by a band of par- tisan rangers, wearing scarlet wings wpon their hats. Delaware Dick rode hard in the direction of Corn- wallis’s army, ignorant of the fact that the enemy were then on the march down the river. About noon he met the advance guard, and, being halted, was soon made acquainted with the situation. He informed the guard that he was direct from Tren- ton, with dispatches for the commander; and so he was at once escorted into the presence of Cornwal- lis, who, with his generals, was riding some distance in advance of the main column of his army. Dick's heart beat wildly with fear when he found himself a spy in the enemy's camp. The presence of several Tories filed him with uneasiness, through fear of detection. He introduced himself to Cornwallis as Abel Day, a scout and spy in the employ of Colonel Rahl The general had heard of Abel Day incidentally, and as the youth told his story so straight, he had no grounds for mistrust. ‘* Sir,” said the general, ** what Dries you here?’ ‘“‘T have come with a dispatch from Colonel Rahi,”’ was Dick’s answer, and he presented the purloined paper to the general. t this juncture, our hero caught sight of a face that sent a chill of fear through his.deart. It was the face of a young British officer—one that he had never seen before; and yet he became convinced, b the light in his eyes and the half-triumphant smile upon his face, that pon Onicus perce n re’ him. ick expected nothing else than exposure once Gatien up his mind to act. according; but, to his surprise and relief, the young officer turned away. Garnwalita read the dispatch, then said: “Colonel Rabl is afraid of Washington, and wants reinforcements. You can say to him, Abel Day, that he need have no fears ef Washington or any other rebel.” ‘‘ He also expressed an ignorance of your move- ments, general, which makes him more apprehen- ive of anger,” remarked the young spy, with man- ifest indifference, Cornwallis shot a quick, contemptuous glance at the youth, who fairly winced under the look, ** Tell Colonel Rat that I do not make my plans known to every straggler and royalist in the col- auies.”’ Here Dick met with a partial defeat that preclud- ed further questioning and observations. He rode long in silence by the general’s side, at the same Brae keeping a sharp watch on the young officer, whom he suspected of knowing him, Finally the general ordered his return to Trenton, and called upon the young officer in. question and a couple of dragoons to escort him beyond the ad- vance guards. et The officer took a position at his side and they rode away, the two dragoons following behind. Dick’s heart almost ceased to beat. He felt as- sured that he was known to the officer, and how the interview was-to terminate he knew not, When alone upon the road the spell of silence was beoken by the young officer, who, turning to the spy, 6 ° * Young man, do you know you are running a ad rous risk?’ Dick's face prow red and white by turns. “You see I know you, Delaware Dick,”’ he con- tinu ‘*T thought so, at least,’’ answered our hero; ‘‘ but why did you not a me?’’ *T am under obligations to you, Dick,” he an- swered. ‘** Por what?” ; : “Tl tell you at another time, if we should ever meet again.’ Delaware Dick was cotapletaly astounded. Here was a bit of a mystery to ‘ ) The officer who gave his name and rank: as Cle- ment Fairmont, captain of dragoons, soon left our hero to pursue his way alone, and ponder over the mystery that stood between him and the ignoble death of a spy. ae og Woy Conta od to poe ea) Bergorkes a elaware opes of finding a good cam -groun where he could wait until fiesta bri ~ the river for him to cross over in pursuit of Washington, Delaware Dick. ee ee ee eee established his own quarters there. He found things quite comfortable in the deserted hut. The byilding was provided with an immense flre-place and wide- mouthed chimney. On the hearth a roaring fire was burning, and diffusing its warm glow throughout the whole room. The yawning fire-place was crammed with huge logs of hickory that crackled and roared with a peculiar, cheerful song. That the rebel band had intended to remain at the cabin during the night was evident from more than one fact: upon a rude table at one side were some Smoking viands and a deck of cards. In one corner was a huge ple of wood, that had been re- cently prepared for the night. In the bottom of the pile was an immense back-log that, in addition to the one already in the tire, would have lasted a week, Cornwallis was much pleased with his prepared uarters, and at once made himself at home. He inst, however, had the building searched from cel- lar to garret for lurking enemies; but finding the coast clear, he divested himself of his military trap- ping, which he hung upon the wall, and then ar- ranging his camp-chair, he seated himself before the cheery fire. After supper had been served throughout the camp, and darkness had set in, Cornwallis dispatch- ed an orderly to summon his generals to a brief council in the cabin. In half an hour the generals were all present. The wind rose, and, howling through the woods rattled the clap-boards on the roof of the cabin, and rumbled in the great chimney. The fire snapped and roared on the hearth, and the light danced and quivered over tho staid and sober faces of the generals as they gazed into the crackling flame, Thoughts of the dear ones at home far beyond the sea were brought up in the minds of the officers, as they gathered around the hearth. Faces were con- pence up before their mental vision in thé dancing and at ames, “My lord,” said a subordinate, addressing Corn- walis, ‘I am of the Spenon that a rigorous winter is setting in. That wind blows like it,” “T hope you are a false prophet, general,” re- plied Cornwallis, ‘‘ for it would put an end to our victorious campaign, and give the enemy a chance to recruit his strength.” **Perhaps, in the present destitute condition of the American army, a severe winter would deci- mate its ranks more than our guns,” said an officer. ‘‘All but that,’’ replied a fellow-soldier; ‘‘ them Americans can stand more hunger, fatigue, and de- feat than any peaple on the face of the earth,” “Tl admit,” said Cornwallis, “that they haye fortitude and endurance: but nature is somewhat the same in all men, and that there is a point where these attributes of brave men cease to a virtue there is not a doubt. If we are to believe any of the reports that reach us through deserters, ey can not hold out much longer,. And now, what I wish to say is. this: I have revised my plans of operation. I have determined to remain here until the Delaware freezes over, then cross into Pennsylvania, and at- tack Washington, If successful—and there is not a doubt but we will be—I shall march at once upon Philadelphia, where the rebel Congress is now sit- ting. With my forces divided up and posted at Trenton, Princeton, New wick, and other points, I will be enabled to hold the J erseys against any uprising element. In fact, a corporal’s guard can maintain the peace here now. There is nothing to be feared from Washington, for he has been com- pletely vanquished, I consider the revolt of the col- onies virtually at an end in the Jerseys; and the ex- pedition forming under Burgoyne in Canada, will soon possess Lake Champlain and all the upper country.” “Then it is to be understood that we remain here till the river freezes over?” “Yes: we are in good quarters, and occupy a po- sition that will 1 Wash n to think we have gone into winter-quarters. | Cornwallis’s plans were approved by his generals, and, after some regulations for the army fad been completed, the council broke up, and most of the generals sought their own quarters, Three, however, remained, and the deck of cards left by the patriots on the table suggesting a means of pastime, the four took their position around the table and began playing. For a seat, two of the players rolled the uge hack-log”’ lying in middle of the floor, Over the cards and a bottle of rare old brandy pur- loined from a patriot cellar, the quartette the hours pleasantly. Ever and anon, the fire was replenished from the the corner out into the LE PD OR ge weg OO ne am Bw . on ' - : bg i —— - . 4 a ad * ° the quivering mass of fire before him, a thousand forms seemed gathering to do honor to the great conqueror. The fire burned low. Only a subdued light from the glaring coals, that the general’s capricious mind had peopled with lords and ladies come to do him honor, pervaded the room. Shadows at length be- gan to gather like lurking assassins in the corners, and behind the tables and chairs. The thoughts of the general finally Brew slu The effect of*the brandy, the warm room, and the seductive silence began to draw him into the gentle me cia ofslumber, He fell into a drowsy stupor— & doze, The fire burned lower. The shadows deepened. The wind whistled around the cabin, and the boards on the roof. Still my lord slept on in his chair, Suddenly there was aslight noisein the room; but Cornwallis did not hear it. Had he been awak however, he would bave seen a portion of the end o the nuge back-log lying in the middle of the floor, pushed cautiously outward, revealing a black cavity within. And from the darkness of this cavity he would have seen a human face peer out—a face that was aglow with a wild and desperate look. It was a youthful face, and as the gray eyes swept the sur- rounding room and saw the general asleep in his chair, the lithe, active form of a man glided, like a worm from its chrysalis, out of the hollow * back- log.”’ Then rising to his feet, the fearless young stranger drew a pistol, and pointing it at the gene- ral’s heart, said, in a low tone: ‘* Wake up, my lord, you are my prisoner,” And the British general, starting from his.sleep, found-himself face to face with the redoubtable young patriot, Delaware Dick! CHAPTER ITl. BEARDING THE BRITISH LION, ‘““SruencEr, general, or by the love of liberty Iw® send a bullet through your héart,” said our hero, @& Cornwallis rose to his feet and faced his enemy ag the dark, murderous tube leveled at his heart by; steady hand. There was a look in Delaware ord he hin and’ meaning in his tone that seemed to transfix th . reneral and hold him under a terrible fascinatior le started back with surprise and terror, his ¢yéa fixed upon the face of his enemy, as if held there by some diabolical enchantment, “T’ve got the advantage of you, my lord,” com tinued the young spy, “‘ and I intend to hold it, One word loud enough to attract the attention of the iard I shall take as & signal for me to fire. Your eath would be a great victory to the American eople at this time; but I don’t want to take ft, un- a7 you force me to it as an only means to save my- self,” Cornwallis gradually recovered his composure ag he became more fully cognizant of his situation. He recognized the face before him as that of the reputed British spy, Abel Day. He saw now t he had been deceived by this young partisan. But how had he gained admittance to the cabin? He ran his eyes around the room. He saw the great shell of a log on the floor, and its open end. It told the st ng story—the young enemy had been concealed therein, The British general felt for his trusty sword, far- getting that it. hung upon the wall. But when he found he was unarmed, he inwardly cursed the faté that had kept them from throwing the great log on the fire as they had the rest of the pile of w He saw through the whole of the young spy's game, Tt had been well played. The occupation of the cab in by the Scarlet Wings, the roaring fire on the hearth, the supply of fuel, including the big log in the corner—aé of ad been arranged for the BurDome the spy working out his designs. His calculationg had been well made, for nothing but mere conjece ture could have led him to believe that the army would encamp there, Cornwallis did not know him self, an hour before he stopped, that this cabim would shelter him during the n ght, “Sir,” he finally said, thongh he spoke low, “vou are a rebel spy—your life will pay the forfeit,” ‘*T am Delaware Dick, my lord,” answered the une daunted young patriot, “brother of Prodigal Tom, the Tory Spy. Cornw shuddered inwardly. The name was familiar to him, and he knew that he confrontec a foe worthy of his own steel. The situation was a critical one to both the general and the spy. At any moment a soldier or an officer was liable to enter the cabin, when, to Dick, escape would be out of the question; and at the same time he resolved, if discovered, that Cornwallis should die As the day wore away the sky became overcast | supply in the corner. This was kept up until all but a 3 with , fleecy clouds, and a chill, damp wind the uge ‘‘back-log,” upon which the officers were | To the latter the situation was humiliating in the . from the north-west threatened a stormy December | seated, had been burned. extreme—he, an English lord and general, a captive a night, This made the British gencral more anxious Without, the cold wind still frolicked in wild glee, | in the of a boy, and that, too, in the very | so go into camp early, and so he sent a party of cay- | Huge, damp snow-drops filled the air. midst of his own army. | ape Unda one Colonel Yon Baden to select a suit- By ten o'clock, the whole camp was wrapt in si- To Dick’s last retort he said: Na « able place somewhere in advance, - lence and slumber. Only the weary pace of the ‘* Put down that weapon, if you expect the least Yon Baden had not gone over two milea when he } cloaked sentinels outside, and the merry ne mercy, sir.” was attacked by a band of isan rangers that.| of the officers at head-quarters, broke the ush | ‘“Texpect none—I ask none. General, you are my . were encamped in a log cabin, which stood on the | of the wintry hour. risoner. At least, you are in my power for the time is! | roadside on the margin of a deep, dense woods. A About midnight. the three generals took their de- ing. .If I die, you shall die with me, Iwill never . >. sharp e ement ensued, when superior numbers for their own Gn leaving the com- | be taken alive. I swear by the Most High, pi triump and the patriot rangers were driven off. | mander alone,- He wheeled his around before | You have the power to save my life and your owm Several of Von Baden’s men were killed and wound-.| the fire, and. stretching out his limbs, gazed reflect- | too, I will not remove 1 from your heart . ed, and one of the provincials was slain and left om | ively into the pie embers. The ext, martial | till you comply with my request.” bs the field of battle. The ba found upon the hat | bearing of his face told of the inner workings of the A contemptuous sneer passed over the face of ‘the : of the latter told that he belonged to that noted | heart and mind, That he was fighting over his bat- | British general. He glanced toward his sword, then } band of.Scarlet Wings, the followers of Delaware | tles and tape og 3 his victories, was evident from | with his eye he measured the distance between him : allis.< t into in th edge that he and th Soke the vie stority of “eee wae: thing flattering in his situation 'y , w co up wen cam e now e the auster? |. There was nothin » me of the timber. He ok. possession of the cabin - compressed lips... Vague thoughts came up in hig | | The wind whistled, and the boards overhead rat: which the Scarlet Wings had been ensconced, and minds They carried. him back to England, and, in | tled sharply. | 4 a . | » OP | ws comicbooks.co g _ + ¥ a=. os a