explain about, after I had gone and got his letter to the girl, as he
met me on my way back. But why don't he meet me fore this time? It's
pesky strange he should hang back in a woman affair so! Why, he would
go--like enough has gone--but then how could he miss me? O Lord, Bart,
what a stupid pup! He passed you when you was napping it in the bushes
at that cool spring! I'll bet my old hat on't! Well, we shan't see
much more of him to-night, likely, seeing it is love he's doing, and
such a moon as this holds the candle; and we may as well be trying to
find out this business without him. So let's be digging out what the
paper says. Harry and the rest of 'em don't know I can read writing;
but I can, when driv to it; though I think we won't let 'em know that,
Bart; for no knowing what cunning things we may find out if they don't
mistrust it. Now let's look. Why, I can see as plain as day!' he
added, holding up the writing to the bright moonlight, and beginning
to spell out the well-known bold and distinct characters of the
secretary of the council, as follows:--

"TO BARTHOLOMEW BURT:--

"You are hereby appointed by the Council of Safety to go through this
and the neighboring towns, bordering on the British line of march; to
spy out the resorts of the tories; to mark and identify all inimical
persons; to gain all the information that can be obtained respecting
the movements of the enemy at large; and make report, from time to
time, to this council or some field officer of our line.

"IRA ALLEN, _Secretary_." [Footnote: Those who may doubt the
probability that such a commission would be issued by this body, would
do well to consult that part of the journal of their proceedings, at
this period, which has been preserved and published, in which will be