Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1168 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

gal Tom’s band numbered just twenty sabers, and as the body of provincials approaching consisted of but ten men, the Tory felt certain of an easy victory. The enemy soon made their appearance rather in- cautiously from the woods north of the inn, and bofore they were aware of the proximity of foes, they received a volley from Prodigal Tom’s men. Singular as it may seem, however, not a patriot was touched; and without as much as slacking their speed, they charged the Tories. A sharp and deadly atruggie ensued, and fora moment it seemed that victory would crown the efforts of the patriots; but the death/of their leader turned the tide, and those that were not slain were taken prisoners. This victory added new laurels to the fame of Prodigal Tom, and as the news of the conflict spread through the country, his name added new terrors to the peace of the patriots, Ben Darling’s inn now became converted into a nospital for both patriot and Tory wounded, and the innkeeper and his wife were intrusted with their care. Fortunately for them, however, that old In- dian nomad, Doctor Dave, came along soon after the fight, and being called in by Prodigal Tom, rendered good surgical aid to the suffering men. Prodigal Tom left the inn shortly after the battle, and about noon reached the British army under Cornwallis. When presented to the general in his private apartment, the young Tory appeared as though half doubtful of the reception that would be given him. Nor was he altogether nn) ap in the stern reticence of the man. Cornwal is, as he took the young partisan’s hand, gazed into the youth’s face with a look that manifested surprise; and he even seemed to recoil from him, as though an intuitive doubt had suddenly entered his mind, The young partisan, however, appeared calm in the august presence of the English general, and conducted himself in a very easy, yet formal man- ner, that seemed to relieve the stiff disciplinarian of his hesitation and reticent demeanor. ‘Prodigal Tom,”’ he said, in measured tones, “it affords me pleasure to meet you for the first time, though to me, ahd in fact to your enemies, you are well known by reputation. The service you rendered Sir Henry Clinton as a spy, is all the recommenda- tion I desire of your faithfulness to the crown, But when | first got a glimpse of your face, I could not help remarking to myself the resemblance you bore to your rebel brother, Delaware Dick.” ‘hen, you have met my brother Dick, general?” Tom said, = The general and the youth were alone, and yet when Tom put this question, the commander glancec quickly around him, as his meeting. with Delaware hick at the cabin forced itself with burning humilia- tiop upon his recoliection. But affecting a stern in- difference, he answered: ‘* Yes, he came into our lines a few days before the capture of Trenton, bearing genuine pe tos from. Colonel Rahl. As no one recognized him, and his papers were genuine and his story plausible, there wWA&s not the shadow of a thing by Which to mistrust him of being a spy. Since that time, however, I have found that he was Delaware Dick, Washing- ton’s spy and sqout,”’ ‘How did you discover the fact, general?” asked Prodigal Tom. ‘*By the merest accident,” was the evasive reply, that brought a faint smile to the sensual lips of the young Tory. ** Dick is a wily rebel, my lord; and but for a rebel %etticoat he would be with us to-day.” **{t is love, then, that made him a rebel?’’ * Yos, your excellency.”’ ‘Out of respect to you, Thomas, I should be sorry to »ver take him as & spy.’”’ * He certainly knows the consequence, my lord; aii’ while 1 hold all the respect and love of a brother for him, I shall not flinch one iota from my duty to my king, nor. endeavor to prevent his capture and punishment asaspy. In fact, my lord, I am here to make a statement of the partisan warfare that is zoing on outside, and to solicit of you sufficient force to drive the rebel element out of the country.”’ ‘““\My dear sir,” said the general, thoughtfully, **I cannot spare 2man, horse nor foot, now. Lam upon the eve of a great battle. I shall attack Washington soon, for his victory over Rahl has emboldened him to such a degree as to Induce him to recross into New Jersey and take a position near Trenton. After T have accomplished my present Seagne ainst the enem, I shall send out an adequate force to subdue the bands of rebel partisans, and compel the citizens to return to their allegiance to the king.”’ “{ can afford to wait, my lord,’’ Prodigal Tom. re- pled, knitting his. beetling brows and dropping his eyes to the ground, as if plunged in momentary re- ection, : The young Tory leader was in private consultation with the general for an hour or two; and when he finally left his quarters and strolled out into the amp, he found his men enjoying the hospitality of the British soldiers, He was received on every hand with marked respect, and as he sauntered leisurely along, he was finally approached by a young officer, ear addressed eer eas. iiicsat “I beg your on, gal Tom, for my inter- ruption; but t could not resist the tempbatian to speak to you.” Prodigal Tom started at sound of his voice, betray- ing no little surprise and sudden fear. The young officer noticed his perturbation, and to relieve him, continued: “Sir, Lam Clement Fairmont, Captain of Dra- goons.” - ‘* Captain, I assure you it affords me pleasure to make your acquaintance,” replied Tom. *“T have known you for some time by reputation, Tom,” the captain said. 6 ee er Cee —— ae 9 ‘Delaware Dick. se ———— ‘‘And my rebel brother, Delaware Dick, also, I dare say.”’ ‘Yes; Ihave met your brother, Delaware Dick,” he answered, a strange smile playing over his face, ‘*T presume there are few officers of dragoons, or of partisan ers who have not met Dick,” the young Tory replied; ‘‘and some of them have met im to their sorrow, And while I regret that I have a brother engaged against my king, I must admit that he is a thorn in the British crown—one that Should be removed ai all hazards.” Captain Fairmont gazed mages into Tom’s eyes for full half a minute, then he said: *'Tom, do you know where your family is?” - rx ; know where they were last,’ he answered, eva- vely, 5 They have not changed places for some time. I called upon your mother and sister, Geraldine, a few days ago, as I came down from New York.,”’ “Indeed?” exclaimed Prodigal Tom, betraying pore nervousness. ‘I hope yon left them well, cap- in?’ i a well, and praying for peace."’ “‘May God protect them until this war is over! Mother was very sorry whe the war, began, and for the sake of her boys has endeav« to remain neu- tral; but Geraldine has always been like brother Dick, a confirmed little rebel.” “Yes, she hesitates not in axpresaing her feelin for the American cause,” said Fairmont; “and, Tom, I think a great deal as she does in regard to this war upon.the Colonies.” ‘*Hal ha! hal” laughed Prodigal Tom, softly, arching his sullen brows as though a new light had burst upon his mind, “I see now, captain, what ails you. Geraldine Melinott has won your affections." ‘* Well,” replied Fairmont, slightly confused, “I always thought this war was unjust; but having pur- chased a captain’s commission in the army, I was unfortunately sent here to America, I say unfortu- nately, though I don’t know that it has been unfortu- nate to me, for had it been otherwise, I should never have met Geraldine,”’ “Then you love her, captain?’’ **T will Soanilsr admit I do, Prodigal Tom.” “Then don’t let her win you from your country and king, captain, or by heavens you will be un- worthy of her.” ‘*l know she is worthy of any living man, Tom, and her devotion to the colonies is that of a heroic woman. She speaks in strong praise of her brother Dick and his service to the colonies; but of you, Tom, she, and your mother, have néver apoken,” VAY, they have denounced me as the prodigal son, I hear,”’ said Tom, bitterly. ‘Strong, indeed; must be my mother and sister’s Jove for thelr country when it will turn them against me. But they will see that I am right.”’ Again Captain Fairmont fixed his eyes upon Prodi- gal Tom's as though determined to penetrate his very thoughts. Ie was really a relief to Tom when the bray of a trumpet, and the roll of drums calling to arms, resounded through the camp, diverting the attention of Fairmont from the secret that lay bu- ried in his heart. The alarm had been sounded on discovering the er of a band of ‘provincial horse, which the picket had nepories to be the advance of Washing- ton’s army.. But the report was unfounded, and the enemy withdrew toward Trenton, without firing a n, as soon as they came within sight of the Brit- ih army; Captain Fairmont and Prodigal) Tom, at the head of their men, were dispatched in pursuit of them, But all they found was a v aban Indian— old Doctor Dave—wandering toward-Trenton, CHAPTER X., A STRANGE MEBTING. Somn twenty miles north of Princeton was a mag- nificent estate known as Fairmont Place. Its east- ern boundary was the Raritan river, along which its broad acres stretched for a league or two, <A pala- tial residence adorned the place, surrounded by a beautiful park that was diversified by drives and graveled walks, Large barns and out-holses stood adjacent; and long rows of neat little tenement-houses, half-hid- dep in a border of shrubbery stretching down the lane, added an appearance of thrift to the premises, Colonel Samuel Fairmont had emigrated to Amer- ica at an early day. fie came as a scion of one of the best families of England, and with the future greatness of the colonies at heart, an the erec- tion of a home in the wilderness bordering on the Raritan. Having the advantage of some wealth, he soon had the foundation of a great fortune laid; and for nearly half a century, it continued to increase gradually, ; f ) Colonel Fairmont’s residence had not been alto- ether a private one. e served in some of the Indian wars, and gained the distinction of a colonel. He afterward served as a colonial officer, and might have attained to distinction, had he not re- fused promotion in order to devote his entire time to the cultivation and improvement of his estate. Through all those years of residence in America among American people, he adhered strictly to his English customs and ideas; and when the Revolu- tion began, many woudered upon which side Colonel Fairmont would throw his sympathies, since he was slow in expressing an Opinion, In the course of time this became a question of great interest, for it was well known that his wealth would carry great influence whichever way he went. The old man—being now upward of seventy— was really placed between two fires, and in order to escape both, determined to maintain a strict neu- trality. But that he held an unexpressed preference for one side or the other, there was not a doubt: and so, both royal and’ patriot spies were constantly on s - whhen te << om <a bie =~ we. | | | al i. 2a a —_— aset of flossy whiskers that gave | ae the alert for some word or act that would betray his beart’s sentiments. The colonel, however, was wily as a fox, and mistrusting the motives of these spies, finally came to regard every pha as one prying into his cherished secrets. Notwithstanding his fact, however, the doors of Fairmont Place were always open to the ‘traveler—stranger or ac- quaintance, royalist or rebel, A few evenings after the battle of Trenton, Col- onel Fairmont and a gentleman were seated in the ences library of Fairmont Place, enjoying a pieasant conversation. The colonel was unusually ospitable and communicative, for in the stranger he felt that he had a guest whose motive was in ne manner secret, The stranger was a young man, with a keen, gray eye, and a crop of sandy hair and whiskers; and while there was nothing attractive in his general ap- pearance, there was nothing calculated to e der mistrust; for, in those days, few traveled alone but what were suspected of some secret designs in some shape or other, In the midst of their conversation, however, they were suddenly interrupted by a negro servant, who entered the room and announced a stranger at the door desiring lodging for the night, The old man’s placid countenance changed to a on look; but, after a moment’s hesitation, he ad: of ha him in,-till I see of what metal he is com- posed,’ The traveler was usheted into the library, when the old man, rising from his seat, gave him a sharp, critical look, and then said: It is after **Good-evening, sir; you travel late. ten, sir.” ‘1 dare say it is,’’ replied the stranger, in a tone that had an agreeable ring to the old man’s ear; * but L was determined to reach Fairmont Place be- fore I stopped, for I have long been anxious to rest _bencath its roof.” “Then you shall not disappointed, sir; take a seat, and I will see that pour horse is cared for and groomed, and that a bite of.supper is prepared for , ee Whom have I the honor of addressing, gir?” ‘Marvin Elwood, of New York,” “Indeed?” exclaimed the old man, taking his hand; ‘well, Mr, Elwood, I am pleased to meet you. Al- low me to introduce you to Mr. Roscommon, who is also a guest of mine to-night.” In cordial terms the two acknowledged the intro- duction, when all taree became seated, Marvin Elwood could not have been over three- and-twenty years of age. He was a little below me- dium size, but rather prepossessing in form and fea- tures, He possessed a wealth of long dark hair, and ™m an additional look of manhood and force of character; while a air of keen, bright eyes.shot their pieasen glances ull of mesmeric power, into the oid man’s face an around the room fn an indifferent and honest sort of a way that at once disarmed Fairmont of all doubts of his new guest. After passing the compliments of the day, Mr. El- wood was conducted to the dining-room, where an ample repast had been spread for him by a colored female servant. “A very agreeable gentleman, colonel,’’ Roseom- mon said, when alone with his host, “ but rest assur- ed he is a deep one." ; “IT shall endeavor to draw him out when he re- turns,” replied Fairmont, “and see how hestands om the question of the day,” Elwood soon returned to. the library—Fairmont's favorite sitting-room—much refreshed by his repast, and seating himself, at once entered into conversa- tion. He talked easily, his sentences flowing smooth and unbroken; and to the surprise of his compan- ions, he made no effort to conceal his sympathies for the colonies, but expressed himself in the strongest terms in favor of the revolt of the opp! essed people, This éxpression of feeling, Colonel Fairmont’ no- ticed, touched Roscommon unfavorably, He moved uneasily on his chair, and after his feelings bad be- come worked wp to a certain pitch, he replied in a manner derogatory to Elwood’s views. Colonel "Fairmont remained calm as a summer sky; but when he saw that an adverse feeling was rising between his guests, he broke the current of Convernntient by ordering in a bottle of Madeira and glasses. This the guests did not hesitate to ake of; but instead of producing a salut effect, it only served to excite their brains, and increase their feeling against the cause which the other espoused. “You are endeavoring to evade solid facts, Mr, Elwood,’’ Roscomnion at length protested; “ buat suppose we accept your own theory, I can’t see what moral power you rebels can be ome pets to make one of you equal to three Britishf®olaiers.”’ ‘* Well, this can be readily accounted for, Weare Behosg on our Own grounds; weselect Our Own bat- tle-flelds; our own way of fighting; and usually our own time. We never risk a battle till we think we can win; so you can see the advantages we possess, As to one provincial being equal to three enemies, that has been fully demonstrated upon more than one occasion among the partisans.”’ “Name a single instance, will you Mr. Elwood?” Roscommon suid betraying some inward emotion. “The battle between British Bill’s and Delaware Dick’s forces yesterday. The latter with fifteen men sa the former with forty or more,’ repiied Marvin Elwood, “Delaware Dick did nothing of the kind,” retorted Roscommon inatone that implied more than the disputes ofa ey ge **T tell you he did,” reiterated Elw. a tone that was fam and unyiel@tng; Be ebsotataly | se ‘ ~ ~- J