Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1837-11-14

| IN the beautiful majesty OF her grlel.
Howe advanced with stately politeness to
receive her, but she shrank from his ap-
proach, and with steady dignity, requested
the body Of Nathan Hale for christian
burial.
Howe was evidently surprised at the
nature of the petition, but courteously an
swered that it could not be granted Cap
tain Hale having already been buried
three days. a
yet surely he might be dlsinterreG
persisted she, eagerly stepping forward
then seeing denial in his looks. she added
beseechingly, you will not refuse his old
parents a last look on the face Of their son;
liz you are father, you cannot be so cru
ELY deafto humanity
Are you the sister or the wife Of the
deceased, that you thus urgently ask for
his remainsf
Neither, oh neither!' replied the tor
tured girl, pressing her hand over her
eyes to hide the burst Of tears the question
had unlocked.
young officer plying her distress,
handed her chair. She sat down, and
was endeavoring to check the untimely
tears, when another advanced--a thing
of laced scarlet and epaulettess-and,
touching her white neck with the tip of
his insolent finger, demanded, iii she were
neither the wife nor the sister of the
handsome spy, what else could she be, I'M
less IT were sweetheart
r'bo bIon1 ochod into tho IN rI1a hoax |
of the insulted girl, like sudden sunset;
but without answering him, she turned
to Gen. Howe, and said
Il expected at least to be secure, but
find myself mistaken; | request an answer
to my petition, and liberty to Withdraw
Howe cast on the young impertinent
look of stern anger; and then turning to
Sarah he said, with the smooth suavity of
manner SO common to the unfeeling man
of the world, and difficult to contend |
against, so artfully does it charm away
opposition
young lady, | regret that it is not in
my power to grant your request. The
remains you seek have been disposed Of
according to law in such cases, and must
not be disturbed. | should be extremely
happy to crafty you, but in this, as have
said, it is entirely out of my power
Sarah was about to speak again, but
with bow of dismissal, he requested the
young officer who handed her the chair,
to conduct her 10 the boat in which she
came Sarah shrunk from the offered arm
of her conductor, though much her trcm-
bling limbs needed support, and walked
silently to the shore; but just as she was
into the boat, he drew close to
her side and whispered
BE at that little cove yonder at midnight,
and will help you to the possession of
the body you are so DESTROYS to obtain
Sarah with stlfed cry of joy seized
his hand.
'And will you indeed help me? God
bless YOU
Restrain YOURSELF he said, I'VE shall be
observed; sail out Of sight of the dam, and
at midnight come as have directed to the
cove-the grave is near by, you can see
the tree he hesitated, but too late; Sa-
rah's eyes had fallen on that fatal old oak,
standing bleak and alone, spreading its
huge branches against the ky, like the !
congregated arms of giant executioners. |
A remnant of the rope dangled from one /
of its gnarled limbs.--Sarah gave one long
piercing look, and her heart seemed for q
in the clutch of vulture; then
with shuddering grasp of horror she t
sprang into the boat, and shut out the fear
full sight with her locked hands. t
The same moon that witnessed the part
ng of Hale and his betrothed, now shone
upon her as she sat by the side of his old
father, in the boat that lay upon her oars t
n the cove, rocking to the swell of the t
rising tide, and drifting by degrees to-
wards the shore. The watches were anx-
ously looking for the appearance of the
generous Englishman, within hearing of t
he sentinel stationed near the grave.
His heavy, measured tread at longth cea- a
,ed, and the sound of some voices came
rom where he was standing. There was
silence for few moments. cracking t
n he brushwood that skirted the cove, and
hen the young officer stood on the beach t
within few PAGES of them. I
Quick! pull on shore! he called out in Q
/ suppressed voice, 4 have got rid of the s
sentinel for half an hour; quick! or we
hall not have time
Two or three strokes Of the oar brought
he boat to his feet. The old man arose, !
he very picture Of stern grief, the moon Q
light displaying the still lineaments OF his a
'ale face, as he grasped with both of his, u
he large white hand extended to help him e
IN shore. The boatman followed, and c
Sarah was left alone.
1t was a fearful half hour to the poor &
girl, with the waves moaning like unquiet I
prits about her, and the dreadful sound 4
# shoveling earth and mufled voices COM |