Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-11-30

to think over plan, best adapted to the
emergency, TO extrieate himself from this
perlous situation. Ii was getting near
midnight. Thinking the present good
opportunity to effect an escape, the young
man left the covert, and proceeded care
fully down the hill towards the encamps
ment; then CROPPED his way through the
pitchy darkness towards the shore.
lie was now on the open road, and had
passed, as he thought, the place where the
most danger was to be apprehended. He
was gliding along with quicker pace,
lighter heart and freer breath, when the
cry OF Sentinel "No. 1-~twelve o'clock
and ALPS welI'' sounded close by his ear,
as though the speaker were but rod or
two ahead of him. He stopped short,
crouched down and held his breath, whilst
the pulsation of his heart nearly ceased.
He heard the retiring footsteps of the
guard. The moments we're precious.
Being now appraised of the direction he
ought to follow, he grasped pistol snd
crept silently to the right.
1t was anawful moment for him; few
more PAGES and he would have been in the
very cluches of the enemy, had not the
cry of the sentinel warned him. He scarce
ly brcathsd until he had got out of hearing
OF the soldiers footsteps. courage! pro-
whence is with me-" said he, wiping the
cold sweat from his brow, and trying to
still the now tumnl,uous throbbings Of his
heart. almighty Father, thank thee!"
confined he, hurriedIy, quickening his
pace to run, as be reached a bye-pa&
that lead directly, ashore. Heres 50 =
on the Leach, and after following it hun-
bred rods or more, he turned point oil
low rocks into a small cove, where, pro-
tected from Observation by the overhang'
buShes,his boat vas secured. His whole
fame trero5ied with emotion, and large
drops sfsweat hung on his forehead, pro
diced by the excitement he was in, rather
than exertion. He felt like tempest-los
mariner, who had been lowering 10 the
very jaws of death, but who had been res
cued, and had now arrived in sight of hi:
birth port. A momentary feeling of pride
swelled his bosom, at the thought of hi:
services he had rendered, or should rem
der his country. A thought of parents
and friends caused tender feeling. HC
was preparing 10 enter the boat, and was
saying "once more on the waters and In
...when a rnstling of the bushes Just be
hind caught his ear. young man, yielC
tiee,p SAID gruff voice from the thicket
accompanied by the click of.the cooking
of musket. "Brlton, never!" returned
the young man, as he sprang into the boa
and endeavored to shove off. yield o
die" SAID another voice, three men at tn,
same time springing forward and deiain
ing Tie boat. The young mans 6nge
played convulsively with the trigger Of h.
pistol, as he leyeed il at dim tigure be
fore him. But lie felt the sharp pressure
Of a bayoEe against his breast and reStrAi
ned himself.
'Dost hold life so cheap, youngstcrl'
said the same voice in a tone not to be mis-
taken. "Yleldl | bid thee Or" ant
he felt the weapon prick bis skin.
Il am your prisoner" said The yonnl
man proudly, aud putting aside their pie
ces stepped from the boat. lie was i'm
mediately Siezed by two soldiers, whilst
ls
"You would have stolen march on us
hah! youngsteri" said one of them taunt
lngly-"we were too old for yor my boy
you should have padded off before tn
tattoo was beat, and then if Vim. Derby
Cot bad been found empty, no one woul
have noticed it; but come YOU have ken
US u 'ong watch this damp night-see hov
this will tit" said he, adjusting a; the sam
time cord around the arms of the pris
oner. The young man uttered rot word
but subm lte quietly to their will, an.
seemed to take no notice Of their procet
dnes. His thoughts were elsewhere.
! 'CJme my friends We must be gone,
SAID the same speaker,who seemed to con-
mand, touching the prisoner on tic shou
dr., and speaking in a more feeling ton
~ pity you, yGung man, from my heal
leo.
Lead on" said the prisoner calmly
There was a struggle in the youn
mans breast, as he turned from the boa
which nearly overpo cred him; but hi
hrmness conquered, and he walked BE-
tween the file Of soldiers with lofty dis
nified bearing. On arriving at the eT
campment, his arms were pinioned, h
feet shackled, and he was left in the guar
house till morning.
The day previous to that on whic
the prisoner attempted his escape fror
the British camp, Washington wit
his forces evacuated the City of Ne
York, and took posts at Kings bridge
MGowan's pass and Harlem height.
the British at the same time takin
possession ofthe City.
The prisoner passed an unhapp
night. The following forenoon til
encampment at Bedford broke up an
moved over to New York. The pri:
oner was Immediately carried befor
Sir William Howe. The proofs wer
so strong against him, he did not pre-
tend to deny the object of his mission
He frankly and fearlessly acknowlede
ed that he was an American officer.an
that his motives were to gain inCorma
ton of the future movements &C.. .
the enemies ofhis country. Howe i'm
mediately remanded him TO prison
wretched dog hole of place, and CAV
orders 10 The provost marshal foT hi
execution on the FOLLOWING norp;n :