Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-02-26

ting, when it added to the virtuous spirit of the
hour. The protestatons of friendship and well |
come were warmly rendered to him by the host |
Fast and thickly the guests were assembling, |
the laugh, and the thngling music, rose joyful
iy around. The twilight was fast emerging
into night; but thousand sparkling lo,nps of
beauty gave Il brilliancy ofday to the scene;
all was happiness bright eyes and blooming
faces were every where beamlng; but alas a
serpent was lurking among the flowers.
In the midst of the hilarty, the sound of
cannon burst suddenly upon the ear, startling
the guests, ard suspending the dance. Wash
lnGton and the officers looked at each other
with surprise, but their fears were quickly dis
PEELED by Rugsdale, assuring them it was only
4 discharge of ordnance in honor OF his disin-
gulShed visitors. The JOY of the moment was
again resumed, bot The gloom of suspicion had
iallenup tie spirit OF W ishington, who sat in
moody silence apart from the happy throng.
A silent tap upon the shoulder aroused him
from his abstraction, and looking up he percei-
we'd the person Of the Indian standing in the
bosom ofa myrtle bush, close to his side.
'lla again here" " he exclaimed with aston
Inent; bat she motioned him to be silent, and
kneeling at his feet, presented him with bo
Quct otfowers. Washington received it, and
was about 10 place it in his breast, when she
graspcd him firmly by the arm, and pointed to
IT, said in a whisper, 'SNAkE! SNAkE! and the
next moment mingled with the company, who
! appeared to recognize her as one we'll knoNn
and esteemed.
( der her words and singular Appearance, had,
/ however, sunk Gcepb into his heart, to his sur
prise lie saw small peice of paper in the
midst of the flowers. Hastily he drew it forth,
and conioundcd and horror Stricken, read, BE-
WARE you ARE BETRAYED = He was now a
ware that he was within the den of the tiger
but to quit abruptly, might only draw the com
munlcatlon oitreachcry the spccdicr upon his
/ head. lie resolved, therefore, TO disguise his
feelings, and trust TO that Power that had new
CT iorsakcn him. The festivities We're again
renewed, but almost momentslIly interrupted
second sound ci tire cannon. The guests
now began 10 regard each other with dlstrust,
while many and moody were the glances cast
upon Rug~la1e, whose countenance began To
show SYMPTOMS of uneasiness, while ever and
anon he looked from the window ont upon the
broad green lawn which extended to the rivers
edge, rs if in expectation OF same ones arrival.
I bot y bp tp
himself Can they have deceived me! Why
answer they not the signal At that moment
a bright flame rose from The river, Illuminating
for moment the surrounding scenery, and
showing a small boat filled with persons making
rapidly for the shore. 'All's we'll he continu-
ed; in three minutes shall be possessor of
coronet, and the cause OF the Republic be no
more Then galy turning to Washington,
he said, Come, General, pledge me to the sue
cess ofour arms The eye ofRugsdae at that
moment encountered the scrutinzng look of
Washington, and sunk down to the ground
ms hand trembling violently, even 10 so great a
degree as to partly spill the contents of the GO
bet. With difficulty he conveyed it to his
lips--thcn retiring to the window, he waved
his hand, which action was Immediately re-
spondcd to by n sound of the cannon, at the
same moment the English anthem of GoD SAW
IHs KINe,' burst in full volume upon the ear
and band of men attred in British uniform
with their faces hidden by masks entered the
apartment The American officers drew then
swords, bat Washington, cool and collected
; stood with his arms folded upon his breast, qu
ety remarked to them-'Be calm, gentlemen
this is an hour we did not anticipate Ther
: turning to Rugsdale, said, speak, sir, wha
: does this meant
Il MEANS replied the traitor, placing hi:
l hand upon the shoulder of Washington, tia
you are my prisoner. In the name of King
. George ! arrest you
! Never exclaimed the General. we may
be cut to pieces, but surrender we viii not
Therefore, give way and he waved lls sworc
: to the guard who stood with their muskets lev
n eled as it ready to fire, should they attempt Il
escape In an instant were their weapons re
rersed, and dropping their muskets to the hor
ror of Rugsdale and the agreeable surprise o
l. Washington, his'own brave party, whom he
: had left in charge Of the barge, stood revealed
before him.
Seize that traitorr exclaimed the comman
g der. In ten minutes from this moment let Inn
h he a spectacle between heaven and earth The
n wife and daughter clung TO his knees in suppl
J. cation, but an lucyoca5lc oath had passed hr