Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1168 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

> s pasty . ee) =e -o - vrs Oe ~ al Pope ms og \ > 4.> the woods, along the shuous windings of a dim path, and through mazes of tangled undergrowth, finally arriving at their destination in a place where the gloom, silence, and desolation impressed the rangers with a vague consciousness of being in the realms of grim Solitude. In a few niinutes, however, they were on their way back to the command; and, on arriving there, ity the most satisfactory evidence of Old Grindy’s VyALUy. RAY VAD UAL GLY FAA YY AACA AV eee 4k VER Ve nogro’s hidden retreat was not Delaware Dick, and the announcement of the fact crushed the ardent hope that the little band had dared to entertain of its being their leader. The rest of the wounded were at once removed to Grindy’s quarters, and left in the old man’s charge; while Lieutenant Banks and bis followers took to their saddles and rode away in thedirection of Fair- mont Place. The location of the mansion was now indicated by a mighty pyramid of fire, which thrust its quiveri apex almost into the very dome of heaven, an spread its broad glare for miles over field and forest. When about a mile from the mansion the rangers drew rein, and dismounting, concealed their horses in the edge of the woods, and then crept along in the shadow of a stone fence toward the fire. As they drew near, they saw a body of mounted Tories and the king’s horse come down the road and stop in front of the burning house. This induced the pa- triots to be more cautious, and leayi the main command behind, Lieutenant Banks and two com- rades crept on until they could command a fair view of the crowd gathered about the glaring ruins. “By heavens!’’ were the first wo that burst from Banks's lips, ‘do you see that young officer standing near that grotto, north.of the ruins?” “Yes,” answered Perry Hammond; ‘he seems to be taking it cool as a cucumber.” . ‘ ~ Ay: but don’t you recognize him, Perry?’’ asked anks, They were not over a hundred yards from the of- ficer in question; and for fully a minute Hammond studied his form and features closely. ‘‘T’ll admit,” he finally said, that there is some- thing familiar about his form, but then Ican’t re- call—”’ ‘ “ , Perry,” interrupted Banks, “itis Prodigal Tom, the Tory, and brother of our own Delaware Dick.” ‘*Ah, indeed! Then it is the resemblance in form and movement between the brothers that struck me as being familiar. I wonder if the young Tory knows that the gory of his brother is being con- sumed in that awful fire?”’ ‘Perhaps he does, which accounts for his grave demeanor and silent attitude. Here and there, about the park, little groups of of- ficers and soldiers, men and womien, both black and white, were gathered together, gazing upon the ru- ins with faces that seemed ghastly in the light of the red flames. The black servants and white tenants of Fairmont Placé had all flocked to the scene of de- struction. There wasa horrible fascination in the awful flame that ne could not resist, and before the roof of the mansion fell in, over a hundred per- sons were present. Banks and his companions studied each grouy and each face closely; and presently their eyes fell upon the form of a young girl who sat alone in the park upon a rustic seat. Her face looked ghastly ta the lurid light, and her eyes were red and swoller with weeping. ; This maiden was Agnes Melross, the betrothed wite of Delaware Dick; and while Banks had his eyes still upon her, he saw a negro youth emerge from the shadows behind her and touch her upon the shoulder. He saw the maiden start to her feet and asp the lad by the hand_as if eager for some intel- Saco from his lips; but when the lad shook his woolly head and pointed toward the burning man- sion, she cl d her hands to her brow, and sunk upon the ; he negre lad lifted her tenderly from the cold ound and placed her upon the seat, then drawing ee shaw! closer about her head and shoulders, he turned and walked sadly away. While this scene was being enacted, Banks saw shat Prodigal Tom was watching the maiden narrow- * and as soon as the black went away, the young to turned and approached her. _ He stopped in front of hez, lifted his hat and spoke, The maiden started at sound of his voice; but at sight of his face, she suck back into her seat, more than ever overcome by her emotious of sorrow, CHAPTER XII. CORNWALLIS RECEIVES A VISITOR. SHORTLY after the astounding news of the capture of the Hessians at Trenton had reached the ear of Lord Cornwallis, who was encamped near Princeton, he called his generals together in his private consul- tation room, and to them made known his inten- tion of marching against Washington at once. He hed learned through ‘his scouts that the American general had taken a position in the rear of Trenton, and was intrenching himself there, evidently, with the intention of holding the place, ‘‘But, general,”’ said one of his officers, ‘the sa- cious Washington would never have dared to con- nt your army had he not been assured of his own wer and ability to cope with you. I dare say he ; Jpeciahng’ ot Sg tint a . ord,”” added another, ‘‘ reinforcements eat & not in numbers. The defeat of Colonel will encourage the Americans to fight like Spar- tans.’ _ “Rut, generals,” said Cornwallis, “I propose to ; ‘have gone. Dagwere Dick. — —— -=+- — — ascertain both his strength and position before I make a strike.” This settled all feelings that were of an adverse na- ture oe the general’s plans; and the council soon ad- journed. Scarcely had the last officer retired from the com- mander's tent, when his prince of spies, Prodigal Tom, was announced; and the next moment the British general and the young Tory were closeted voe CUMer, From the lips of Prodigal Tom, Cornwallis learned, for the first time, the news of Delaware Dick's death at Fairmont Place, and, although it were glad tid- ings to his ears, he, out of respect for Tom’s feelings for his dead kinsman, ested no outward emo- tions of joy. On the contrary, he expressed deep regret that one so promising as Delaware Dick should throw himself away in such an unholy cause, and be cut down in the prime and vigor of youth, ‘* But,’’ said the general, finally changing the sub- ject, **Il am glad you have come, Tom,” - fn “Why so, my lord?” questioned ¢he at ory. ‘T want to hear from Washington's army.’ ‘*Colonel Rahl heard from it once too of\_a,my lord,” responded Tom, facetiously, a smile playing over his face. “T am not desirous of such news as that, Tom,” the commander replied; “it is of Washington's strength and position of his forces and batteries that I desire to know. If Ican learn where his stron points are, that will enable me to a!iack his w points,”’ “Then you propose to attack Washington, m lord—but pardon my inquisitiveness. I have bee in Washington’s camp more than once, and 1 shail risk another venture there for the information you desire, Between this and morning, my lord, you may expect to hear from Trenton.’ Cornwallis had perfect confidence in Prodigal Tom’s superior ability as a SPY and after some in- structions regarding the information desired, he dispatched the youth upon his dangerous mis- sion. Scarcely had the oung spy quitted the presence of the British Saat before an old man, desiring to see the commander, appeared at head-quarters. As he was well-known to several of the soldiers, he had no trouble in gaining admission to the general's pre- sence, “Sir,”’ said the latter, “Iam informed that your name is Wesley Marble, that you are a royalist, that you have sons in the king’s army; now, What brings you here?” “The news, my lord, of Delaware Dick’s death in a fight up on the Raritan.” “That is stale news; 1 have heard of his death be- fore now, Mr. Marble.”’ ‘* Ah, indeed!"’ exclaimed the old Tory, thought- ae “well, general, it seems queer, doesn’t it, that brothers would array themselves against each other as Prodigal Tom and Delaware Dick have done?”’ “That is nothing uncommon; brothers are fighting brothers and sons fighting fathers in every battle, But I have never heard of Delaware Dick and Prodi- gal Tom meeting in conflict,” ‘Nor I, general; and right here let me say this: I have known the Melinott family for years, and in all these years I never knowed thar were two boys in that family. The only one I knowed anything about war Thomas R, Melinott, and if thar'd been two, I'd a’ known it, for the Melinotts war our nighest neigh- ors,’ Cornwallis looked searchingly into Wesley Mar- ble’s face, and, after some soul-reading, he re- ied: ‘ Have you seen Thomas R. Melinott since the war begun At eee Yes; once or twice,” responded the old man. ‘Which of the two, Delaware Dick and Prodigal Tom, then, is Thomas R.?”’ ‘Delaware Dick is the one I always knowed from a wee bit of a boy.” “Then you have not seen Prodigal Tom, late- hd : fe Yes, sir; I've seen him, too,” ‘What's yeur opinion of him?” Wesley Marble glanced quickly around the room as if to assure himself that no one was near him be- sides Cornwallis; then leaning across the table, he whispered something in the general’sear that caused the latter to start as though the words had been the sting of aserpent, . ‘‘ Wesley Marble!’’ he thundered, ** what e-surance have you for this?” “ Tust what I told you, my lord.”’ Cornwallis seemed amazed, and for a moment he remained silent and thoughiful; while the nervous twitching of his facial muscles betrayed his inward emotions, At lengtl he asked: ‘‘ Where is the Melinott family, Marble?” “You've got me now eneral: after the old man was killed by British B (s Tory ranger, abouta year ago, tha motner and the nag seer Geraldine, disappeared from their old home in the Delaware valley, and the g Lord only knows where they 2 But, I’ve been thinkin’ the matter over and over, and now I’ve come to the conelusion that the disappearance of the mother and daughter was made in eee to conceal all positive proof of what I’ve been telling you.” A look of great uneasiness clouded the British of- ficer’s face. It was pisinky evident that he gave strong credence to the suspicions of Wesley Marble. ‘‘ Mr, Marble,” he said, “I am going to impose a I want you to find, if possible, duty upen you: where the widow Melinott and her daughter Geral- dine are concealing themselves, and report to me at your earliest convenience, This matter must be sounded to its depths. “T'll do my best, general,” the old Tory replied, and after some desul ry conversation he went away, leaving Cornwallis in a fever of excitement, The general kept Marble’s secret to himself, for raore t one reason; but, d his efforts to ap- pear indifferent, those around him noticed that tlie old man’s visit had left him in a state ef unéasiness. Darkness finally settled over the camp, The cen- eral retired early; but he could not sleep. He lay awake through the entire night, eagerly waiting the return of Prodigal Tom. Morning came, bpt the spy did not. Great fears for the y royalist’s safcty were entertained, Concealing the emotions, that had troubled him so long, in_ the blurry and bustle of breaking camp, Cornwallis appeared and collected, as was h wont on the éve of some great event; but not until he was moving with his army toward Trenton, did he experience any relief at heart. é had decided not to postpone his advance upon Washington in co uence of Prodigal Tom's non- appearance; for, while the information sought by the spy would be of great advantage to him, it was too immaterial, in another sense, to cause delay. Still, he entertained a hope that om would mevt him before he reached Trenton; but in this he was disappointed, On arriving in the vicinity of Trenton, he found Washington occupying a strong ition, with a small river—a tribu to the Delaware—in his front. But Cornwallis felt so confident of his supe- rior strength, that he at once began an attack on the American lines, and attempted to cross the stream in face of a deadly fire. But in this be failed. ‘Tie galling fire of the American rifles forced him back, with a heavy loss. Again and again the attempt to cross the stream and carry the provincial works by storm was renewed; but each time the british were repulsed. Right at length put an end to the battle, when Cornwallis was enabled to ascertain the extent of his loss, which had been heavy. Success was despaired of by his army, until a heavy reinforcement arrived from New Brunswick, and inspired the defeated sol- diers with renewed courage, and strengthened their spirits for the morrow’s work. Under cover of darkness, the British planted sev- eral batteries in commanding positions, threw up a long line of ‘hbreastworks and perfected other ar- rangements, which, all together, would give them a decided advantage over the position of the previous day. : Pll catch the fox to-morrow,” said Cornwallis, alluding to Washington, All through the night the American sentinels could © seen pacing to and fro within the light of the caip-fires that burned brightly on the plains beyond Assumption creek. At length dawn ushered in the day, and when about to order an advance upon the enemies’ lines, Cornwallis discovered the American camp was de- serted—that Washington had given them the slip, while keeping up the semblance of an oceupied camp through dhe night, Where the erican army had gone, the British knew not; nor had they the remotest idea of the time it had broken ef for the camp-fires burned bright- ly through the entire men 8 Cornwallis Gnglly concluded that Washington must have fied back into Pennsylvania, and while discus- sing the expediency of following him, a strange sound burst upon the ears of the whole royal army, “It is thunder,” said the British commander. ** Nay, eneral,” exclaimed one of his aids; “ it does not thunder here in January. It is the roar of cannon, my lord. The Americans have eluded us and marched upon Princeton! 'To arms! To arms! We have been out-generaled. It is the sound of Washington's guns!’ CHAPTER XVI. HOW MATTERS STOOD AT FAIRMONT PLACE, SEVERAL days had passed since the conflict at Fairmont, Place. The death of Delaware Dick had hed the ears of most of the settlers along the Raritan and Delaware My rap sh and while the news brought a sense of relief to the Tory element, it.cast * ogg of sadness and regret over every patriot ea The little band of Scarlet W , however, had not been destroyed, and under the Jeadership of Harry Banks, it kept up a morta) terror among the ‘ferics, The loss of their leader did not deprive the country of the usefulness af the rangers, ! Samuel Fairmont attributed the loss of his reid- dence to the rebel rangers, the Scarlet Wings; and at once declared his intention of sacrificing all ?» possessed, if need be, in behalf of the royal cause in America. He did not leave his farm, bat! at onea moved into the old, double ‘log-house that stood nex’ the ruins of his mansion, and in which he had tivci many years before the erection of his new residence, It was saree and commodious, and as most of the contents of the mansion had been saved from the pl it ane Som, Saas ed; ani: the colonel and his auly hemselves se ce more—com- forta rs ly, if not elegantly. 7 Since the night of conflict, Colonel Fairmont. noticed that his grand-daughter, Agnes Melross, had undergone a material change in spirit, which he could not attribute alone to the loss of their residence, Stfs was restl and A vague anxiety ess uneasy. seemed to eae her yery soul; while a cl ud of sadness se upon her brow and eelipsed the an- gelic light of her sweet, vivacious yo eari, “My child,” the old man said one day; when lo foun PY id rie ray A tly in ae tion spirit, ‘‘ w you are so an downhearted of late?” wo 4 a -cor — ~ - @-y es —— 9S ween, . > ie il , . A — eH e® rn