Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-03-26
though it was a matter of indifference to

though 1t was a matter of indifference to
Which camp he directed his steps. He
soon managed TO attract my attention, and
enjoyed silcucc by GESTURE that escaped the
observation of our cap,ors. AS it began to
grow dark we passed along the ridge of steep
bank or ledge. On the very brink thick
growth of cedar bushes concealed its depth,
or rather its height, from view. Here John
lcapcd over the bushes down the bank, bid
dingme to follow him, which instnctively
did, and found myself about thirty feet near
or the centre ofgravity than my captors. 1t
was emphatically a leap in the dark. AS
gathered myself up, saw my companion
standing with drawn knife in his hand
A few shots were fired from above but the
darkness concealed us from vicv and pre-
senty two who had dismounted sprang down
ledge in pursuit--but both received the In-
dams knife before they could regain their
feet. We next heard n number set off at
full speed, and concluded their design was to
reach us by some other point ofdcccnt. My
companion seized my arm, and we set off in
the direction ofcalming the horsemen. A few
PAGES brought us to a stream of water, its
banks closely lined with trees. John plum
gcd into the water, and crawlcd beneath the
projecting roots Of tree. This was way of
concealment not at all congenial to my hab-
its but cold water is preferable 10 cold lead,
so W. !ain TO plunge in. | was soon in
the arms OF John, who counteractetl the ten
dency Of my body to rise to the surface, ard
gave me breathing hole amid the roots OF
the tree.
1t was altogether an uncomfortable place
but then it was the best quarters we could
get. We soon heard horsemcn approaching
-whcreat the water felt decidedly warmer,
They passed us, but did not return, as Ser.
gent John seemed to expect. say seemed,
for not word did he speak during the whole
of tho night, which was the longest one
known, according at least to my experience,
during the revolutionary war. Not till ius,
before daybrcak did we leave our bath.
sometimes suspected that John was asleep,
but found that all attempts to cxtricate myself
were vain. When we did emerge, was un.
able to walk. John placed me on his shoul.
dcrs, and we reached the American camp in
safety. a fever was the consequence, but
then it was better to have a fever among
ones friends than in prison-ship.
Another exploit of Sergcnt John, one tina
caused him to be promoted tc the rank Of
Ensign by vote of the company, though he
still retained the rank of Sergeant on the
roll, it may be we'll TO relate. While the
two armies lay at White Plains, our soldiers
used to pass, by circui,ous route, beyond
the cncmy's line, for what purpose hardly
remember. 1t was, however considered as
a sort Of exploit; and hence became a rather
frequent practice. On one occasion party
of which Sergeant John was one, passed the
night in the rear of the enemy, at the house
OLA Du,chman, who protested great attach.
ncnt to the American cause. They took
the prccaa,.,n to keep him within doors
during the night, bu, in the morning, SO firm
was their conviction of his honesty, the,
permitted him TO 90 for his cows when the
old scoundrcl fastened directly to the British
camp and gave information.
A party of Hcssians were sent to capture
our soldiers. The officer in command, from
his chamber window, happened to see then
descending hill little distance in front Of
the house, and Immediately ran down for the
purpose of alarming the men, who lodged III
the barn. When he came 10 the back door
through crcvice, he saw stout Hessian
who must have approached in advance of hi.
comrades, standing ready to cut off his re.
treat and discharge his piece as soon as til,
door should be opened. The officer hat
presence of mind enough to run to tho win.
dow and call to his men to make their escape
This, it may well be imagined, they proceed
ed TO do with no superlluous delay, with tn,
exception of Sergeant John, who, catching
sight of the stout Ilessian trooper by the
door, aud dccming it his duty to deliver hi
brother officer, stole coolly up and made nc
bones of shooting the villain-that is, tho
llossian-through the head and they tl,cr
succeeded, though not without some difficult
ty, in making their escape before the res
Of the troop arrived.