Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-04-20
ERALD OF THE TIMES.

enemy he knew nothing. lie gave the coun-
tersign to Gates, and was placed under a
strong guard.
Taking advantage Of this timely and uncx-
pected Intelligence, Gen. Gates Immediately
summoned a council of officers, in order to
inquire whether any brave spirit could be
found under their respective command who
would voluntarily run the almost desperate
risk Of entering the British camp that night,
for the purpose Of ascertaining as near as
possible, their force and intended movements.
The project was Immediately made known
to a chosen few, whose zeal IN the cause
could not be doubted: when about thirty Of
the number, whose enthusiasm overcame all
fears Of danger, except for their common
country simultaneously volunteered to make
the rash attempt. Lots were cast, and the
important and daring enterprise devolved on
young Wiber For moment even his ap-
parently sunburnt cheeks could not conceal
the flush with which they were suffused but
it was only for moment; and, within that
moment, a score of hardy New England hun
ters offered themselves as substitutes.
"No," replied Wilber with frmness,
"should consent, should deserve the cow
ards fate. 1t has fallen to my lot, and let
mine be the peril"
"Rash YOUTH" said the General, "leave
this dangerous undertaking to some one of
the many who have already offered their ser
vices, and who, if they have not stouIer
hearts, must be supposed to have more expe-
rience, and to possess more physical energy.
than could possibly be expected in lad Of
your age. / doubt not your patriotism, but
old soldiers, and we have but few AMONG
us, are more efficient in such cases than mere
school boys"
"Sir," said WILDER, 81 am no school boy
My appearance deceives you. have recent
ly passed fearlessly through a more trying
stru ggle than this then do not compel me
either to shun the danger which would at
tend the failure or the glory which would
crown the success of the enterprise"
Enough" replied the General, "but re-
member that on you, perhaps even more than
on myself, depends the fate of our little ar
my" Then calling WILDER aside, he gave
him the English countersign, with such ad-
vice and directions as he thought would be-
of service to the young soldier, who inmedi-
ately commenced making preparations for
placing himself between a bare chance of
life, and the almost certainty Of death. Ar
rayed in the uniform of British soldier, and
wrapped IN a dark cloak, he was conducted
by an officer of the guard to the outposts of
the Amercon camp, when bidding farewell
to his comrades, he directed his steps to-
wards the camp of the enemy.
He had now moments time for reflection.
He thought of his late peaceful and happy
home-of the parents whom he had left clan.
destinely; and of the probability of never
again meeting them on earth-but he thought
of his country too and pressed forward. In a
short time he found himself within hailing
distance of a British piquit.
"Who goes there ?" demanded the sentinel
in q rough voice.
"A friend"
"Give the countersign."
Wilber advanced to the point Of the senti-
ne's bayone,, and opening his cloak suftic-
iently to show his uniform, whispered sue
cess
"Right," replied the unsuspecting sentinel,
"what news from without"
81 have been in the rebel camp" was the
reply. "Their force is small, but rapidly in
creasing, and they are not expecting an at
tack from us for several days"
"Then they will be disappointed" replied
the British soldier. "Even now Gen. Bur-
goyne is preparing to attack them. Before
sunrise we must all be under arms"
~ know it," replied WILDER, sand they will
fall an easy prey to us, but must hasten to
join my company ;"-and throwing off his
Disguise, he was soon in the heart of the ene-
ny's camp. There was all hustle and actv-
", in anticipation of the next days conflict !;
md all were elated with the certainty of all
easy and ignoble victory. /
Having satisfied himself after haitian hours
-amble among the tents, of the danger to pro-
cure any further information, and aware Of
the Importance Of Immediately conveying to
the American General the little intelligence
which he had received, he cautiously, hut
boldly left the camp in a different direction
from that which he had entered it. He met
with no detention until accosted by the piquit
guard
"\Vho goes there ?"
"a friend"
"The countersign ?"
"Success."
"Whither bound ?"
"For the camp of the rebels, in quest of
intelligence. shall be prepared with dis
guse, and if | escape detection, shall return
to General Burgoyne before the dawn of to-
Should not return, you will know
my fate"
Go then, and may God and your King
protect YOU"
He reached his anxious comrades in safe
ty, and was soon in the presence OF his Gen
eral, with whom he had conference of few
minutes when confidential messages were
prepared for desperate strug-
gle. Wilber, having changed his dress, was
made the bearer of these dispatches to the
several commanding officers OF the regiment
and company to which he was attached,
which he was not backward to execute.
Just before dawn, soft voice whispered
in the ear of Henry Elverton, as he was lying
on his musket-'Courage, Henry, we shall
meet again. Before Henry could recover
from his surprise, the mysterious speaker had