The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-08-16

remains 7"
"Neither, oh neither" replied the tor
tured girl, pressing her hands over her eyes
to hide the burst of tears the question had
unlocked. A young officer plying her dis
tress handed her chair. She sat down,
and was endeavoring to check her untimely
tears, when another advanced, thing ofla-
ced scarlet and huge epaulettes, and touch
ing the tip cf her white neck with his irso-
lent finger, demanded "if she were neither
the wife nor the sister ofihe handsome spy,
what else could she be, unless it were a
sweetheart ?"
The blood flashed into the marble cheek
of the insulted girl, like a sudden sunset;
but without answering him, she turned to
General Howe and said, 81 expected at
least to be secure, but as find myself mis-
taken, request an answer to my petition
and liberty to Withdraw"
Howe cast on the young impertinent a
look of stern anger; then turning to Sarah
he said with smooth suavily 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 re-
mains you seek have been disposed of ac-
cording 10 The law in such cases, and mus.
not be disturbed. ! should be extremely
happy to CRAFTY you, but in this, as have
said, it is entirely out of my power"
Sarah wns about to speak again, but with
bow Of dismissal he requested the young
officer who had handed her The chair to see
her to the boatin which she came. She shrunk
from the offered arm of her conductor,
though her srembling limbs needed sup
port, and walked silently to the shore but
Just as she was stepping stepping into the
boat he drew close 10 her side and whs-
pered BE in that little cove yonder at mid
night, and will help you to the possession
ofihe body you are so desiious to obtain"
Sarah with s,ihe cry of joy seized his
hand.
"And will you indeed heIpl God bless
you."
Restrain YOURSELF" he said, {" we shall
be observed: sail out Of sight of the camp,
and a! midnight come as have directed TO
the covc-the grave is near by-you can
see the tree--he hesitated--but too late
Sarah's eyes had fallen on that fatal old
: oak, standing bleak and alone, spreading
: It's huge branches against the the sky, like
B tho congregatcd arms of giant executioners.
!, A remnant of rope dangIed from one Of its
, gnarlcd limbs. She gave one long,
piercing look, and her heart seemed for n
moment in the clutch Of n vulturc then
with shuddering grasp Of horror she
, sprung into the boat, aud shut out the sight
with her locked hands.
|, rhp sapap n,oon that h.d ,,,f,a..,J a. n,
parting of Hale and his betrothed, now
shone upon her rs she sat by the side of his
old father in the boat, that lay upon her
oars in the cove, rocking to the swell of the
rising tide, and drifting by degrees towards
the shore. The watchers were anxiousy
looking for the appearance Of the generous
Englishman, within hearing of the sentinel
stationed near the grave. His heavy, meas
ured tread, at length ceased, and the sound
, OF some voices came from where no was
. standing. There was silence for few mo-
1 Inents. cracking iG the brushwood that
1 skirted the cove, and then the youLg officer
/ stood on the beach within few PAGES of
them.
}. Quick pull on Shore" he called out in
a suppressed voice. have got rid Of the
/
shall not have time" Two or three strokes
n Of the oar brought the boa, to his feet. The
old man arose, the very picture Of stern
8 grief, the moonlight displaying tho still lin
G eaments of his pale face as he graspcd with
both his, the hand which was extended
to assist hun on shore. The boniman fol-
i lowed and Sarah was left alone.
Ii was fearful half hour to the poor girl,
with the waves meaning like unquIe,
Y spirits about her and tho dreadful sound vi
Q shovelling earth and muffled voices coming
from the distance. She dared not look Of
e ter the three as they went towards the grave
e for her heart sickened at the thought of u
+ gain looking on the gallows tree with its
borrid appendagc.
ir A suspension Of SQUADS caused Sarah {,
Is raise her face from Ithe folds of her shaw
J. where she had buried it: no living being
j. was in sight. But the black shadow Of the
10 bloody oak had crcpt along the waters lik,
J. a vast pail endowed with vitality, till its ex
le tren,ity lay upon the edge of the bout, ano
cr was insiduously moving towards her. Will
y a cry of terror, and shuddering oil over a
if the unearthly dew Of another word wa
N upon her, the poor girl snatched an oar ant
IN showed the boat out into the moonlight. A
IN gain she looked up,--and the three VIII
se had disin,crred the dead appeared, bearin
We him over the bright grass wrapped in th
I'd cloak Of the Englishman, the feet snpporte
Of by the generous officer, and the gray hair
Of the father streaming over the bosom q
n his Iifeless son. Noisslessly they came I
r. the shore. There the old man left h
in burtbcn in the arms Of the officer while h
ee took his seat in the boat; and then b
quiyering arms were extended, and II
sr- body Of Nathan Hale, shrouded in its mi
en- itary winding sheet. was laid across the Is
,s- Of his fatber,--while his head rested on Il
IA eb,Il.I boo.,, "a L.. ko,...L.I