Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-09-30
wHNnMeToN, DEL. FRIDAY, SEPT 80, 1881

lih Jul SihisttS So oitch ndilS upon tne pain OF
the departing year. His companions slept
soundly, but the wind, which shook the build
ing to its foundation and threw heavy splashes
of rain against the window, conspired with the
state of his mind, to keep him wakeful. All
at once the door was gently opened, and f.
CURE moved silently into the room. 1t was
too dark to observe its motions narrowly, but
he could see that it stopped towards one of the
Isleepers who Immediately rose; next it APP
preached him and touched him on the shout
der. Lee Immediately started up; the figure
then allowed slight CLEAN from a dark lantern
to pass over his face, and as it did so, whisper
ed impatiently, mot the man-but comet 1t
then occurred to Lee that this was the oppor-
tunity he desired. The unknown whispered
Ito him to keep his place till another man was
called; but just at that moment, some noise
disturbed him, and, making sign to Lee to
follow. he moved silently out of the room.
They found the door of the house unbarred,
and a.sniall part of the fence removed, where
they passed out without molestation; the SEN
try had retired TO shelter where he thought
he could guard his post without suffering from
the rain but Lee saw that his conductors put
themselves in preparation to silence him if he
should happen to address them. lust without
the fence appeared a STOPPING figure, wrapped
in red cloak, and supporting itself with a
large stick, which Lee at once perceived could
be no other than the old fruit woman. But the
most profound silence was observed; man
came out from thicket, at little distance and
joined them, and the whole party moved on
ward under the guidance of the old woman.
At first they frequently stopped to listen, but
having heard the sentinePs cry, all's well,
they seemed treasured, and moved with more
confidence than before.
They soon came near to her cottage, under
an overhanging bank. where bright light was
shining out from little window upon the wet
and dropping boughs that hung near it. The
dog received them graciously, and they ente-
red. A table was spread, with some coarse
provisions upon it, and large jug, which one
of the soldiers was about to seize, when the
man who conducted them withheld him. No.
said he, Eve must first proceed to business.
He then went to a small closet from which he
returned with what seemed to have been, orr.
lginally, a Bible, though now it was worn to Q
mahogany color and spherical form. While
| they were dong this, Lee had time to examine
| his companions; one of whom was large qui
let looking soldier, the other, a short stout man
with much the aspect of villain. They ex
amined him in turn, and as Lee had been obi
ged formerly to punish the shortest soldier Sc
verely, he felt some misgivings when the fel
lows eye rested upon him. Their conductor
was middle-aged, harsh-looking man, whom
Lee had never seen before.
II AS no time was to be lost, their guide ex
plained to them in few words, that, before h
should undertake his dangerous enterprise, h
: should require of them to swear upon tn
Al Scriptures, not to make the least attempt t
:, escape, and never to reveal the circumstance
n or agents in the proceeding, whatever migf
Al, l,a 90
i on deferring this measure, till they had forme
n some slight acquaintance with the contents {
d the Jug, and expressed their sentiments on til
It subject rather by action than words. In TIL
If they were Joined by Lee, who by this time ha
l. begun to contemplate the danger of his entei
s. prise in a new and unpleasant point of view
d If he were to be compelled to accompany h
1t party to New York, his disguise would at opt
T. be detected, and it was certain that he woul
s. be hanged as q spy. He had supposed, b
,e Gorehand, that ahe should find no difficulty
s. escaping at any moment: but he saw that the
rs conductor had prepared arms for them, whic
s. they were to use in taking the life of any oil
b, who should attempt to leave them-and thu
the oath. He might possibly have release
n. himself from its obligations, when it BEGAN
hit necessary for the interests of his country; b
e. no honorable man can well bear to be driv
10 TO an emergency, IN winch ne must Violate
ne oath, however reluctantly it was taken,
nd felt that there was no retreating, when the
of came heavy shock, as if something fallil
adj against the sides of the house, their practis
an ear at once detected the alarm gun and til,
ce conductor, throwing down the old Bible, viii
he he had held all the while impatiently in /
he hand, directed the party to follow him in clio
". order and Immediately quilted the house,
Ter! king with him his dark lantern.
re- They went on with great despatch, but r
,rs without difficulty. Sometimes their footi
Mt would give way on some sandy bank or 81
terpery field; and when their path led throu
e. the woods, the wet boughs dashes heavily
their faces. Lee felt that he might have I