American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper., 1846-07-16
CAPTURE AND RE.CAPTURE.
BY CAROLINE F. oRNE.


CAPTURE AND RE-CAPTURE.
BY CAROLINE F. oRNE.
[coNcLuDED.l
Joseph's eye took in the whole group at
lance; Arundel, still hand-cuffed, like the rest,
btahed his proud bearing. He had demanded
the commandant to have the fetters taken
s ON all, and to be treated as a gentleman
nould be treated by gentlemen-but this was
! lot allowed. Little Arthur sat beside his mo-
ler, one of the soldiers having provided her a
eat, and leaning his head on her bosom, he
|as weeping bitterly. Jacob was the only stoi-
hl parsonage among them-his keen eye was
urtively watching every person, and taking
Potice of every thing. As Joseph looked ear
estly at him, CLEAN of intelligence shot from
s dark grey eye, which Joseph Immediately
responded to by putting his finger on his lips,
IS if carelessly and accidentally. Slight as the
notion was it was understood and acted upon.
This little by-play was unnotced by the guard,
pr the sentinels on duty. As Joseph was still
gazing with deep interest on the lovely Mabel,
who ever pressed the weeping Arthur close to
her side, word came from the commandant that
the prisoners must be taken to Savannah di-
rectly, with a guard of ten men. Poor Mabel
could hardlyErestTaiD her tears at this bitter
news, and TO add to their misfortunes, they were
|all 10 go on foot and still hand cuffed, for it
seemed the commandant considered them i'm
portant prisoners. One thing only gave them
a little comfort. The brutal officer was not 10
take charge of them, but in his place was a
mild and rather amiable looking young man,
who seemed to be humanely disposed towards
them, and offered them some refreshments,
which they declined, however.
AS Joseph turned away from the prisoners,
L. L L.
thought to himself, 81 shall certainly die, if |
don't do something for these unfortunate peo-
pie. Poor lady! so beautiful and in such vile
hands! | must do something, or | shant live
long. ] can't bear it," And he walked slowly
and thoughtfully away. In half an hour after
wards, Joseph and Thomas Barry had taken a
solemn and afiectionate leave Of each other.
] hardly hoping to meet again, perhaps for years
The sun was slowly descending the western
sky, and his sianting beams poured through the
trees, and lay in golden bars OH the rich green
that bordered a little spring, whose bright wa
ters ever sweiled up fresh and clear and spark
ling, and making the grass around its rocky
basin enc perfect emerald. Under the old trees
and near their roots, sprang up gorgeous anc
brilliant flowers Of the most glowing hues. The
stiffness that reigned here was deep and tran.
quill. II seemed as though the lovely spot were
abandoned by man, and yielded TO the rule oi
fairies, and wood nymphs. The soft murmul
of the waters, the gentle rustling of the oak an
hickory leaves, and the cool and waving of the
palmetto, the sghing of the dark pines, and the
low hum of the wild bees, all disposed to Ian
guor, and delicious enjoyment. But had you
passed few PAGES from the spring-side, and
entered a little deeper in the woods, and looked
behind the enormous trunk of lofty Lirioden
L.. 4 r-l
Of sorrow, of anxiety, and expectation. Lean
ing against the trunk, and listening earnestly t
every sound that broke the stiffness of the
woods, unarmed and alone, stood our frient
Joseph, awaiting the arrival of the prisoners
and anticipating with reason, that the company
would halt at this spring. He had, on parting
from his brother, taken short cut through thu
woods, and arrived at the spot about an hou
before.
At length the sound of approaching step
was audible to his keen ear, practised to detec
the slightest noise. The sounds became NOR
and more audible; the steps drew nearer anC
nearer. Cautiously and stealthily Joseph drew
nearer the spring, still keeping in the shelter O
the trees. Securing favorable position h
watched the movements of the soldiers, as the
marched their prisoners into the small opening
Jacob sat down with his back against a larg
tree, close by which eight of the soldiers stack
ed their guns. The other two mounted guar,
over the capuyes, who were seated little dis
tance from the spring. Weary with the toll @
long march, the delicate Mabel, accustome
to every luxury, still endeavored to look cheer
full that her husband might not be more distres
sed on her account. Poor Arthur, the momen
he sat down, laid his head on his mothers la
and fell asleep, overcome with heat and fatigue
Marion sat beside her mistress, sad and despon
dent. Arundel, with compressed lip and haugh
ty caimness, regarded the soldiers, who, seizin,
their canteens dipped them deep into the coo
waterss,and drank freely of the pleasant draugh,
Joseph meantime, was obliged to make dc
tour in order to escape the notice of the guard
and while stealing along, he incautiously caugh
his foot in projecting root, and stumbling fe
with light crash; sufficient, however, to caus
one of the guards to turn towards the spot; for
tunately Joseph was concealed from the view
and he lay still as possible. ,
"Why don't you fire, Davy?" said the othe
guard, laughing. "May bey0u'll shoot a deer.