Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-07-02
WHOLE NUMBER 66l.

" "a - Ill ~ y ~ DAAAA W.
figure raised to its f1l height, with an uuer reck.
lessness Of selfprassryalon that appeared 70 pos.
5ess him in that moment of agony, when he saw
defeat hoyering over the American arms.
"Follow me, who lists" he exclaimed putting
spurs 10 his steed-"We may even yet discover
some vulnerable point around The fatal house."
He rode directly in the FIRE of the enemy, to.
ward the northern wall Of Chew's mansion, and
IN bis train, fired by generous emulation TO share
the danger Of the noble man, rode the gallant
Hamilton, the brave Pickering and the daring
Lee, side by side with florbcu Tracy, who sur.
rendered his men, fyr the ZINE, 10 the command
Of Harry Hefi, and rushed on with Washington
and his staff into the very jaws Of the British
cannon.
Ire they were aware, the parry found them.
selves riding within twenty PAGES of the northern
wall Of the mansion, with deadly and inccs-
SAINT fire Of musquetry pouring from the opposing
armies sweeping by their heads Ike hail, while
the sod al their horses feet was furrowed BY can.
non balls.
The danger was imminent, and nothing bu. the
interpos,ion Of Higher Power could have say.
cd the life Of Washington 10 that dread moment.
The officers Of his staff with one voice bcsoughl
him to iy, but unheeding their excloma,jons,
Washington rode directly along the northern wall
Of the mansion, and noted that the shutters Of
the lower window were closed, and that II was
5arricadcd half way up by heap Of loose tim.
Der and brushwood piled upon the ground, while
The muzzIe Of the British guns poured a constan,
shower Of balls through lUoP-hoIes cut into the
shutters.
Having noted this fact, the commander.n-chief
turned his horse to the American lines, and FOL-.
lowed by his gallant band, rode forward exposed
10 the fire Of the contending armies, when mis-.
taking their way in the fog, they presently found
themselves entonged amid the sheds and encIo.
sures Of the caule-pen, fifty PAGES from the man
sion, with bullets pcelIng splin;ers from the tim
bers every instant and cannon balls scattering
dust and sand into their faces as they struck the
earth on every side.
"Save yourselves, gen,emen!" shouted Wash.
inglon, and every member Of the staff .eaped his
horse over the enclosure Of boards, some three
feet in height, and gaoped norlhward toward
the American lines, expecting Washington and
Herbert Tracy TO follow their example.
leap. captain Tracy, leap your horse and
save yourseItl' shouted Washington as d bullet
lodged in the pommeI Of his saddle.
"Not ill you are sate!" replied Tracy, facing
the storm Of battle with as much calmness and
self-possession as though ne were but breastng
the career Of q summer shower.
Il cannot endanger the limbs Of this noble
horse by leaping yonderfence," exclaimed Wash.
inglon. "He has borne me safe in too many a
hard fought fight 10 think Of it. Captain Tracy
save yourself as best you may will take the
path in rcnt Of the house whcr. the fog is rails.
ed by the enemy's fre!"
And ere Tracy could reply. Washington put
spurs 10 his steed, who sprang through the gale.
way Of the catte-pen toward Chew's mansion,
and leaping over the intervening ground with the
speed Of an arrow, bore the Commauler-in-chief
toward the house.
Herbert leaned 10 one side OF his stced. and
held his breath. Another moment and Washing.
ton would be in the midst Of the fire, pouring
from The windows in front OF the mansion. An.
other moment and his form would fall to the
earth riddIed by an hundred bullets!
"Ic shall not fall alone by the Heaven above
us!' shouted the young Ranger. giving his srecd
the rein and gallopng across the lawn toward the
house-"There! there! He is in front of the
house-he is down! mol no! He passes! He
passed as | live--safe-saf, and unscalhed!-
Huzza! Away, Nighthawks!"
As Herbert followed in the footsteps of Wash.
inglon, swept through the blaze of musQuetrv in
front of the mansion, and taking sudden circuit.
disappeared in the fog toward the Germantown
road, as he gave his steed the rein and rode over
the bodies of the dying and the dead. that litter.
ed every foot Of earth, the shrill and piercing
sound of a female voice in an agony of fear
broke upon the air from a small circular window
in the northern wing in the rear Of the building,
and the face Of q fair maiden, with ewes dimmed
with tears, and lip quiverng with terror, was
thrust out into the light while with clasped hands
and heaving bosom, Marian sent up prayer to
Heaven for the safety of her lover.
"Oh! Heaven he is lost!" she exclaimed. rs
Herbert disappeared in front of the house, "He
lalls-he falls from his horse-they have killed
hm--murderers that theyare! Nay-nay," she
continued as Herbert re-appearod on his way to
the main road over the awn-"He is saved!-
Heaven be thanked! He is saved"
"Here's purity how dye do in Mr.. Chew's
house." exclaimed familiar voice, and Miss
Betty Fisher entered the small and dimly-lghted
apartment with large drops of perspiration pour
ing down her round fat cheeks, her apron usual.
ly so neat and prm all torn into tatters, and hcr
cap, soiled with SCOT and dust, suspended by a
single thread TO her hair, "Here's purity how
dye do, in Mr.. Chew's house! | raey wish
some folks 'ud stay at home and take care Of their
own duds! Oh, Lud! such fright as I've had!''
Miss Walham used all her efforts 10 calm the
agated state of Miss Betty Fishers mind, but
in vain.
"Jist to think Of i'll" iist run down stars to
take look alter the furniture. and Id got to the
first landing when what should see-oh, good
ness grashus! there was sergeant Thompson
sch nice portIy man, laying tthe foot Of the
stairs all his elegant rufaes kivered with blood
and all the furniture cracked to pieces. the ma
boronv tables snlit nto hits the cornete - ry,