, 1841-07-24
From the Ladies Companion.
THE RESCUE.
AN ID OF THE REVO-
LUTON.
By ROBERT HAMlL ton.

Il was an autumn e~vening-the forest had
begun to doff their man'les OF gorgeous
colurs. The fields, shorn Of their harvest
treasures, Law like golden lakelets in the
rich and mellow sunset. The noble high
lands, like giant warriors, clothed in the pan.
oply Of rock and foliage, threw their suIlen
shadows far out upon the bosom of the glo-
rious Hudson, and rolling on In the path OF
beauty, cleaned like afalIen rainbow In the
innumerable tints of accidental glory. Far
in the distance lowered the venerable Cio'nest,
begirt with a diadem Of purple and Gold
TIE FIRST star was twinkling or the brow of
twilight; deep dark clouds were encirclIng
the zone Of creation; rock and mountain;
tree and shrub, hill, and dale. valley, and riv-
ulet. all commingled in one hazv s~oftness.
rendered it a scene of indiscribable lowell
ness, beautiful as IN the days OF primitive in
uocence, ere sin was known. or desolation
and decay had fallen upon the blossoms Of our
earthly Eden.
Such was the evening when Z barge was
seen to leave the promontory OF West Point,
in the neighborhood of which we locate cur
narrative, the year 1862. In it were sever
oil persons a,tired in the military costume OF
that perioi, who. with well-measured strokes
of their oars, made it dart over the goldin wa
ter like a ray &c light. IN the stern was sea-
ted a man fifty years of age; his head was
uncovered, and revealed TO view a wide
capricious brow; his features were marked
and masculine; his mouth vas p'rucultfiv
characterized by a cl"s"nesS "f the lips gave
to him a lonk Of determination. vet which in
no way impaired the mild and merciful ex.
preston which reignei over his general as
peel. Like the Others in the boat. he wore
a dark blue coat. heavy golden epauletis, buck
skin small clothes, high military boots,
with spurs of sieel. while a belt uf puff en-
circled his waist. in which was fixed Il
straight sword. Such was the person who
was destined to achieve the liberty Of hi:
country. Reader need we say who II was
In svour minds eve does he not stand before
youf Is not this name the watchword o
your independence, and his memory enshrin
cd in the heart of every son OF ireedom?-
1t was George Washington.
As the barge gained the opposite bank on.
of the rowers leaped ashore and made II tas
to the root Of a willow which hung ITS broat
thick branches over the river. The res
Of the party soon landed and uncovering sa
luted their commander, who respectfully re
turned their courtesy.
.By ten o'clock YOU may expect me-
said Washington. "Be cau,ions-look wei
that YOU are nor surprised. These are NJ
times for trifiing.
sDepend upon US replied one Of the par
II do" he responded. and biding then
farewell he departed along the bank OF thu
river.
That evening a party was to be given a
the house of one of his old and valient friend
10 which he, with several other American
officers. had been invited. Ii was seldom
daat he participated in festivity. more espe
eisIr at that period when every Momen
vas fraupht with danger; nevertheless, ii
vespecs 60 an old acquaintance. BANGED b,
he solicitations Of Ruby Rugsdale. daughte
Of the boast he had consented TO relax fror
The tois Of a military duty. and honor tn
party, for a few hours, with his presence.
After continuing his path for some dlstanc
along the river side, he struck off into a nal
row road, bordering thickly with brus
wood, tinged with a thousand dyes Of dePal
ed summer.-here and there agrey era
peeped out from the foliage, over which tn
ereeu wv and the scarlet woodbine hung j
~rsa,hy dalIiance at other places; the arm
OF the mountain ash and chestnut met In leaf
fouduess, and cast a gloom deep as night
Suddenly q crashing among the branche
vas heard, and like a deer a young India
girl bounded into the path, and stood full
biz presence. He started back with surpr's
laid bis hand upon his sword-but the Ind
ID only fell upon her knee, placed her fnge