Adventure, February 20, 1922 — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

Satisfied with my appearance we struck into New and followed it to Wall, planning to gain Broadway. As the greater part of the city lay east of Broadway I was for making Greenwich Village, quitting the city near the Bayard Hill fort of the Ameri- . can occupation, thus following the old river road, General Putnam’s line of re- treat the preceding year when it was sup- posed his garrison troops must be captured. Bucks did not care as to which point we left the city but insisted we must lose no time in escaping through the neck of the bottle, King’s Bridge, ahead of the alarm. He suggested that it might be easier to make the eastern limits of the city and escape through Bowery Lane under cover of night. Then if we could steal -horses” from some outlying farm and gain the hollow in the hills known as McGowan’s Pass we would stand an excellent chance of dashing through to Spuyten Duyvil Creek and win clear to Westchester county. As we entered Wall Street we found evi- dences of much excitement, and the task - of escaping from the city before morning appeared to be less simple than we had pictured. Dragoons were galloping, toward Broadway, also up Nassau and Smith. And I had no doubt they were patrolling Queen Street, as that portion of Pearl just above Hanover Square was then commonly called. Besides the usual night rabble theré were groups of decent citizens, very voluble, as if alive with eagerness to witness some rare spectacle. We mixed with these and I whis- pered to Bucks that the men riding east were sent to prevent my escape through the Lane. ‘And those riding west?” he asked. “To block me from getting by the Bayard Hill fort. Within an hour the whole north- ern boundary of the city will be eS with soldiers.”” _ “With big rewards offered for your sculp,” he mused. “One of us must get through. I think it will be you. They don’t know you.” “They won’t know you as you look now. We'll both git through. We'll go to my place on Golden Hill, where I left my rifle, eat ’n’ sleep, and then try a new plan that’s just popped into my head. Never do what the other feller thinks you will. They think you'll try to break through tonight.” I caught his arm and dragged him back from the edge of the road. Colonel Wentsel The White’ Dawn 103, trotted by, riding toward Knyphausen’s headquarters. His errand had to do with me. He and the others who had dined and wined with me would realize the importance of capturing me. They were remembering how they had discussed General Howe’s plans in my presence. ~ Bucks resented my attempting to hide. The boldest course was the best, and with a chuckle he added— “If you could see yourself you wouldn’t — fret any. You look worse’n the devil. Hold up your head and gawk all you want to. They’re looking for a feller in gay clothes. Now for Maiden Lane and an open ap- proach to my room on Golden Hill.” So: we went on, and every step convinced me more and more that one would need wings to escape from the city this night. Nor did the morrow promise us anything. I dreaded it as the condemned dread execu- tion day. “It'll be your new plan, or the noose,” I said. “Tt’s a good plan, sarge. Just a case of hiding where they’d never expect to find us. Injun trick. Being a Morgan you'll like it. But first I’ve got to git that rifle if I have to ram through the whole British army.” The nearer we drew to Golden Hill the more lively became the street life. The search for the bogus Ambrose Kerry was being conducted with frantic thoroughness, Torches and lanterns were everywhere, and at irregular intervals small fires were burning in the street for greater illumination." When we were within a few houses of The Defeat At Brandywine, Bucks turned down a lane and led me to the rear of a mean building ~ and entered an open door. Several rooms opened off the small filthy hall, the doors of which were open and the mean interiors fitfully lighted by candles. Bucks ushered me into a small apartment, villainous in appointments. I made to close the door as he lighted a candle, but he objected, saying: . : “Nothing to hide. You’re my cousin from Westchester village. I’m trying to git you to enlist. Mebbe you ain’t very bright in the head, but bright enough to hold back a bit.” Once more I told him of Howe's real purpose and named Berce as my authority for the information. In a whisper he re- peated the message over until I was satisfied —_ >< ; . \ > ™~ Es - ? ~ a, ‘EOMIIG piace SS cbe ok com