Part 78 (2/2)

”Out o' the North, my lord,” she whispered. And suddenly she turned, gave me a blind look, stretched out one hand.

”_Why_ do you think that horseman comes for me!” I said. My imagination caught fire, flamed, and I stood s.h.i.+vering and crus.h.i.+ng her fingers in my grasp. ”Why--why--do you think so?” I stammered. ”He's turned into William Street! He gallops this way! d.a.m.nation! He heads toward the Hall!--No! _No!_ By G.o.d, he is in our street, galloping--galloping----”

Like a pistol shot came a far cry in the darkness: ”Express-ho! I pa.s.s!

I pa.s.s!” The racket of iron-shod hoofs echoed in the street; doors and windows flew open; a confusion of voices filled my ears; the rattling roar of the hoofs came to a clas.h.i.+ng halt.

”Jimmy Burke's Tavern!” shouted a hoa.r.s.e voice.

”Ye're there, me gay galloper!” came Burke's bantering voice. ”An'

phwat's afther ye that ye ride the night like a banshee? Is it Sir John that's chasin' ye crazy, Jock Gallopaway?”

”Ah-h,” retorted the express, ”fetch a drink for me and tell me is there a Mr. Drogue lodging here? Hey? Upstairs? Well, wait a minute----”

I still had Penelope's hand in mine as in the grip of a vise, so excited was I, when the express came stamping up the stairs in his jack-boots and pistols--a light-horseman of the Albany troop, who seemed smart enough in his mud-splashed helmet and uniform.

”You are Mr. Drogue, sir?”

”I am.”

He promptly saluted, fished out a letter from his sack and offered it.

In my joy I gave him five s.h.i.+llings in hard money, and then, dragging Penelope by the hand, hastened to break the numerous and heavy seals and open my letter and read it by the candle's yellow flare.

”Headquarters Northern Dist: Dept: of Tryon County.

Albany, N. Y.

August 1st, 1777.

_Confidential_ ”To John Drogue, Esqr, Lieut: Rangers.

Sir,

”An Oneida runner arrived today, who gives an account that Genl St. Leger, with the corps of Sir John Johnson and Colonel John Butler, including a thousand savages under Joseph Brant, has been detached from the army of Genl Burgoyne, and is marching on Fort Schuyler.

”You are directed to take the field instantly with a scout of Oneida Indians, who await you at a rendezvous marked upon the secret map which I enclose herewith.

”You will cross the Buck Island trail somewhere between Rocky River and the Mohawk, and observe St. Leger's line of communications, cutting off such small posts as prove not too strong, taking prisoners if possible, and ascertaining St. Leger's ultimate objective, which may be Johnstown or even Schenectady.

”Having satisfied yourself concerning these matters, you will send your despatch by a runner to Albany, and instantly move your detachment toward Saratoga, where you should come into touch with our Northern forces under General Gates, and there render a verbal report to General Gates in person.

”You are strictly cautioned to destroy this letter after reading, and to maintain absolute secrecy concerning its contents. The map you may retain, but if you are taken you should endeavour to destroy it.

”Sir, I have the honour to be, etc., etc.,

”Ph. Schuyler, ”Maj: Gen'l.”

Twice I read the letter before I twisted it to a torch and burned it in the candle flame.

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