Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-01-09
Vol. l..
From the Ladies' Companion for December.
The Rescue;
AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTION
BY ROBERT HAMILTON.

| " was an dulunnal eVcnlng--tne IOreets LAD
begun to don their lnentles Of gorgeous colors.
The fields, sLorn Of their harvest treasures, lay
like golden lakeiets in the rich and mellow sun.
set The Noble highlands, like giant warriors
clothed in their panopoly Of rock and foliage,
threw their sulen shadows far out upon the b..
som Of the glorious Hudson, who, rolling on in
his path Of beauty, cleaned like fallen rain.
bow in the innunerable tints OF occidental glory.
Far in the distance lowered the venerable Cro'-
nest, begrt with dadem of purple and gold.
The first star was twinklng on the brow Of twi.
| light, deep dark clouds were encircing the zone
OF creation, rock and mountain, tree and shrub,
hill, dale, valley and rivuet all commngled in
one hozy softness, rendering It scene OF indie.
scrbable loneliness, beautiful as in those days
OF primitive innocence, ere sin was known, or
desolstion and decay had fallen upon the bios.
SONS Of our earthly Eden. Such was the even
| ing when barge was seen to leave the promon
tory Of West Point, in tue neighborhood OF
which we locate our narrative, in the year 1772.
In it were several persons attired in the military
costume Of the period, who, with well measured
strokes OF their oars, made it dart over the
golden waters like a ray OF light. In the stern
was seated a man about fifty years Of age, his
head was uncovered, and revealed to view
wide and capacious brow--his features were
marked and masculine, his mouth, which was
peculiarly characterized by closeness of the
lips, gave 10 him look of determination, yet
in no way impaired the mild and merciful ex.
preston which regned over his general aspect.
Like the others in the boat. he wore dark blue
coat, with broad buff facings, closely buttoned to
The throat, heavy golden epaulelts, buck.skn
smallclothes, high military boots, with spurs
Of steel, while belt Of buff encircIed his waist
in which was fixed straight sword. Such was
the costume of the parsonage who was destined
to achieve the liberty Of his country, and to burst
the letters OF oppression. Reader, need we say
who it was? In your "mind's eye," does he
not stand before you? Is not his name the
watchword Of your independence, and his mem.
Dry enshrined in the heart Of every son Of free
dom TWAS GEORGE WAsulNG1oN
As the barge gained The opposite bank, one OF
the rowefs leaped ashore, and made it fast to
the root Of willow which hung its broad thick
branches over the river. The rest OF the party
then landed, and uncovering, saIuted their com.
mander, who respectfully returned their courtesy.
| "By ten O'Clock you may expect me-" said
| Washington. "Be cautious-look we'll that
you are not surprised. These are no times for
trifing.
depend upon u.s." replied one of the party.
81 do he responded. and bidding them fare.
well, departed along the bank of the river.
That evening patty was to be given at the
house Of one Of his old and valued friends, to
which he, with several other American officers,
had been invited. 1t was seldom that he partic.
Pated in festivity, more especially in that period
when every moment was lraught with danger !;
nevertheless, in respect TO an old acquaintance,
backed by the solicitations of Ruby RugsdaIe,
the daughter Of the host, he had consented to re.
lax from the tolls Of military duty, and honor the
party, for few hours, with his presence
| After continuing his path, for some distance,
along the rivers side he struck off into narrow
road, bordered thickly with brushwood, Hinged
with a thousand dyes Of departed summer
here and there grey crag peeped out from The
foliage, over which the green ivy and the scarlet
woodbne hung in wrealhy daIIiance; at other
places, the arms Of the chestnut and mountain
ash met in leafy iondness aud cast gloom deep
| almost as night. Suddenly crash among ia.
branches was heard, and like a deer young In.
dlhn-glrl bounded into the path. and stood full in
his presence. He sartei back with surprise,
laid his hand upon his sword but the Indian
only fell upon her knee, placed her finger on
her lips, and by sign with her hand, forbade him
10 proceed.
"What seek you, my wild flower :" said the
General. She started 10 her feet, threw small
tomahawk from her belt Of wampum, and imi.
tsed the act of scalping al enemy-then again
waving her hand as iorbidding him 10 advance,
she darled into the bushes, leaving him lost in
| amazement.
There is danger" said he to himself after a
short pause, and recovering from his surprise.
THAT Indians manner betokens me no good,
but my trust is in God; he has never yet de.
serted me-" and resuming his path, he shortly
reached the mansion Of Rufus Rugsdae
His appearance was the signal for Joy among
the party assembled, each Of whom wed with
the other TO do him honor. Although grave in
council, and bold in war, yet in the bosom OF
doa este bliss, no one knew better how to rem
der himself agreeable. The old were cheered
by his consolatory words. The young, by his
mirlhful manner, nor even in galllnuy was he
wanting, when it added to the viltuous spirit Of
the hour. The pro,estalions OF friendship and
welcome were warmly rendered 10 him by the
host. Fast and thckly the guests were assem-.
bling, the smile, the laugh, and the niingling
music, rose ioyously around. The twilight wa:
fast merging into night. But thousand lamps
Of sparkling beauty gave a brilliancy OF day to
the scene-all was haPpiness-brght eyes and
blooming faces were every where beaming, bu
alas! serpent was lurking among the flowers.
In the midst Of the hiliarity, the sound Of q
+ cannon burst suddenly upon the ear, startling
the guests, and suspendng the dance. Wash
ingIon and the officers looked at other witt
surprise, but their fears were quickly dispelled
by Rugsdale, assuring them it was only dis
charge Of ordnance in honor Of his distinguished
visitors. The Joy OF the moment was again re