"I am informed that I may venture to send this epistle under a flag that goes out today. No doubt but some Yankee Paul Pry in blue-and-buff will crack the seal and read it before you receive it. "But I snap my fingers at him. I care not. I am bold to say that I do love you. And dearly! So much for Master Pry! "But, alas, my friend, now indeed I am put to it; for I must confess to you a sadder and deeper anxiety. For if I love you, sir, I am otherwise in love. And with another! I shall not dare to confess his name. But _you saw and recognized him_ at Summer House when Steve was there a year ago last spring. "Now you know. Yes, I am madly in love, Jack. And am racked with terrors and nigh out o' my wits with this awful news of the Oriska battle. "We hear that Captain Walter Butler is taken out o' uniform within your lines; and so, lacking the protection of his regimentals, he is like to suffer as a spy. My God! Was he _alone_ when apprehended by Arnold's troops? And will General Arnold hang him? "This is the urgent news I ask of you. I am horribly afraid. In mercy send me some account; for there are terrible rumours afloat in this fortress--rumours of other spies taken by your soldiery, and of brutal executions--I can not bring myself to write of what I fear. Pity me, Jack, and write me what you hear. "Could you not beg this one mercy of Billy Alexander, that he send a flag or contrive to have one sent from your Northern Department, explaining to us poor women what truly has been,--and is like to be--the fate of such unfortunate prisoners in your hands? "And remember who it is appeals to you, dear Jack; for even if I have not merited your consideration,--if I, perhaps, have even forfeited the regard of Billy Alexander,--I pray you both to remember that you once were a little in love with me. "And so, deal with me gently, Jack. For I am frightened and sick at heart; and know very little about love, which, for the first time ever in my life, has now undone me. "Will you not aid and forgive your unhappy, "CLAUDIA." Good Lord! Claudia enamoured! And enamoured of that great villain, Henry Hare! Why, damn him, he hath a wife and children, too, or I am most grossly in error. I had not heard that Walter Butler was taken. I knew not whether Lieutenant Hare had been caught in Butler's evil company or if, indeed, he had fought at all with old John Butler at Oriska. Frowning, disgusted, yet sad also to learn that Claudia could so rashly and so ignobly lavish her affections, nevertheless I resolved to ask Lord Stirling if a flag could not be sent with news to Claudia and such other anxious ladies as might be eating their hearts out at Oneida, or Oswego, or Buck Island.