Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-09-30
Eo, s..

The others FASTENED to express their disgust at his
terocity, saying, that it, he said, their companion
was an American officer, all they had to do was to
watch him closely. They said that, as he had come
among them unlimited, he must go with them to New
YORK and take the consequences; but meantime it was
their interest not to to suspect him. otherwise he
might give an alarm, whereas it was evidently his in
tenon to go with them till they were ready to embark
Tor New York The other persisted in saying that he
would have his revenge with his hand upon which
the conductor drawing pistol declared to him that If
he saw the least attempt njure Captain Lee or any
conduct which would lead him suspect that his dis
guise was discovered, he would that shoot him
through the head. The soldier put his hand upon his
knife with ominous scowl upon his conductor but
seeing that he had to do with one who likely be
as good as his word, he restrained himself and began
to arrange some rubbish to him for bed The
other soldier followed his example, and their guide
withdrew, locking the door after him.
= The next night they went on as usual but the man.
ner OF their conductor showed that there was more
danger than before; in fact he explained the party
that they were now not far from the Delaware, and
hoped to reach it before midnight They occasionally
heard the report of musket, which seemed to indi-
cate that some movement was going in the country
thus warned, they quickened their steps, and it was
not long before they saw CLEAN of broad clear light
before them, such as is reflected from calm waters
leven in the darkest night. They moved up it with
deep silence; there were various emotions in their
breasts; Lee was hoping for an opportunity to escape
from an enterprise which growing serious and
the principal objects of which were already answered.
the others anxious lest accident mighthav
happened to the boat on which they depended for
crossing the stream.
When they came to the bank there were no traces
Iof boat the waters Their conductor stood still
for moment in dsmay; but, recollecting himself he
said it was possible it might have been secured lower
down the stream and forgetting every thing else, he
directed the larger soldier to accompany him, and,
giyng pistol to the other he whispered, f the rebel
tlocer attempts to betray shoot him. if not, you
will not for your own sake, make any noise to show
where we are In the same instant they departed
and Lee was left alone with the ruffan
He had before suspected that the fellow knew him,
and now doubts were changed into certainty at once
Dark as it was, it seemed if FIRE flashed from his
leye now he felt that revenge in his power. Lee
was as brave any officer in the army but he was
unarmed, and though he strong, his adversary
what to do the fellow seemed enjoying the prospect
of revenge, he looked upon him with steady eye
nusn He G6ep svoSa to the
took his resolution, and sprang upon his adversary
with the intention of wrestling the pistol from his hand
but the other upon his guard and aimed with such
precision that, had the pistol been charged with
i la bullet, that moment would have been his last But
seemed that the conductor had trusted to the sight
of his weapons render the of them unnecessary
and had therefore loaded them only with powder; as
lit was the shock threw Lee to the ground; but forr
nately, the fellow dropped the pistol it fell where Lee
could reach it, and as his adversary stood and was
drawing his knife from his bosom, Lee able to give
!: him stunning blow. He Immediately threw himself
upon the assassin and long and bloody struggle began;
they nearly matched in strength and advantage
that neither dared unclench his hold for the sake Of
graspng the knife; the blood gushed from their mouths
the combat would probably have ended in favor OF
the assassin when steps and voices were heard adva
RI cling and they found themselves in the hands of
party of counrymen who were armed for the occa-
= sion, and were securing the banks of the river.
III They were fnrciby torn apart but so exhausted
and breathess that neither could make any expana
ton and they submitted quietly to the disposal of then
lcaptors
as The party of armed countrymen, though they had
succeeded in their attempt, and sufficiently tri-
umphant the occasion, sorely perplexed to de-
termine how to dispose OF their prisoners After some
discussion, of them proposed to throw the decision
upon the wisdom of the nearest magistrate. They ac-
corngy proceeded with prisoners to
about two miles distant, and called him to rise and
. attend to business. window was hastily thrown up
a. and the Justice put forth his nghtcapped head and
o. with wrath than became his dignity, ordered
re them off and in requtal for their calling him out
bed in the cold generously wished them in the warmes
y place which then occurred to his imagination How
s. ever, resistance vain; he compelled to rise
tn and the prisoners were brought before him
he ordered them to be taken in irons to the prison
n u Philadelphia Lee improved the opportunity to taxi
q, the old gentleman aside, and told him who he was
TX and why he thus dsguised the justice only inter
he rupted him with the occasional inquiry most done!
ed When he had finished, the magistrate told him tina
he his story was very well made, and told in manne
very credtable to his address, and that he should gy
Az it all the weight which seemed to require Alice
IL remonstrances were unavailing.
As soon as they were fairly lodged in prison, Lee
prevailed the jaor to carry note to Gen. Lincoln
-e-l informing him of his condition The General recev
wv ed it he dressing in the morning. and mmed
atey of his aids to the jail That officer coul
up not believe his eyes when he saw Captain Lee. Hi
on uniform, out when he assumed it, was now hang
ing rags about him, and he had not been shaved fc
,o fortnght he wished very naturally, to improve HI
appearance before presenting himself before the See
on rotary of War; but the orders were peremptory
er. bring him he was. The General loved joke flu
Eat wells his laughter hardly exceeded by the repo
p- of his cannon and long and loud did he laugh thu
N, day.
We When Captain Lee returned to Lancaster, he i'm
mediaely attempted to retrace the ground; and SO az
JUS curate, under all the favorable circumstances ma
been his investigation that he brought justice tee
cir persons who had aided the escape OF British Prso
cir ers II Is hardly necessary 70 say 20 Inv eceed