Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-09-17
CHAPTER VII.

The ensuing evening was cold, dark, and stor.
my. The commandant Of Fort Constitution
was faithful to his appointment. He was receiv.
ed at the door of Captain Wilton's cottage by
Arabela, and conducted silently to the drawing
room. A single light family Illuminated the in
terror, and scarcely served to reveal the figure OF
an individual, plainly dressed, and enveoped in
an overcoat, seated beside table in the centre
of the apartment. He rose on the entrance Of
Gansevoort, and advancing hastily TO meet him,
with extended hand, and cordial manner, said,
81 rejoice to meet you, Mr. Gansevocrt, or rather
Sir Francis, if yoI will permit me thus, in anti
cpaton, 10 address you"
The comnandant drew back with evident
emotion, and declining the protfered hand of the
other, replied; "lf mistake not, | have the
honor of addressing Sir Philip Bender. We
will waive courtesies for the present, until we
more fully understand the relation in which we
stand TO each other"
"We meet no longer as enemies, Mr.. Ganse-
WORT, but as felow-subects Of the same most
gracious sovereign"
"You and are, indeed, subjects of one SOW
ereign, Sir Philip, but it is that Sovereign whose
empire is the universe"
"Very true" replied the other. "My re-
mark, perhaps, was not properly applicable until
our business is accomplished"
"If there is business to be transacted between
us, Sir Philip will have the kindness to disclose
the nature of it,"
Come, come, Colonel Gansevoort," replied
! Major Bender, with "a smile, "lct US have no un-
necessary lormaIity. | have come to consum-
mate, in every particular, the negotiation already
pending between us, through my fair plenipoten-
tiary here, and to learn from you at what hour
you will be prepared TO deliver formal possession
of the fortress under your charge TO its rghtiuI
and royal proprietor, whom have the honor to
represent"
"You then recognize this lady as your auhori-
zed agent in what has heretofore passed between
her and myself on this subject and now renew
her propositions"
81 do" eagerly replied Sir Philip; 81 see We
are fast coming to the point"
"Ycs, Sir Philip Bender, we are coming to the
point but it is one Of which you do not seem tc
dream. In the name, and by the authority of the
Congress of the United States, arrest you as 9
spy"
Simultaneously with these words, which were
spoken in tone sufficiently elevated to be heart
without the door opened, and serjeant, follow
ed by a dozen men. entered the room. A deadly
,palor overspread the countenance of Sir Philip
Surprise and CONSERVATION for q moment paray
zed his faculties. He made no attempt at escape
but dropping silently into a chair, covered his Iact
with his hands, and remained speechless. llat
not Bender considered his success in this intrigue
, as nearly certain as any human project can b.
rendered before its fulhllment, nothing woult
, have induced him to run the hazard Of person
al exposure. But, Notwithstanding bis certainty
he had still done all that he could do, to be pre-
pared for what he considered the very remot
contingency of mistake. Hehad landed thirty
, men, under command of Wiley, and cOnceaIe'
them at the edge Of wood, about third Of
mile distant; it being impossible to bring then
! into the village without instant detection.
f faithful servant alone had accompanied him I
the house, and had received instructions, in cas-
t of need. TO hasten, if possible, and bring them Il
in time for a rescue. AT the moment Of his al
rest, Miss Wilton, trembling with terror had sir
ped from the room, and FASTENED to notify th
t servant of his masters danger. Sir Philip
f horse stood saddled at the door, and the clatte
of his hoolS, as he dashed down the street, no,
f caught the ear of the prisoner. Hope, therefore
Y had not entirely deserted him. IF by any mean
he could detain his captor fifteen or twenty min
utes. he was yet safe, and not only SO, but woul
a have accomplished no slight enterprise in caPtur
b, ing the commandant of the fort. Gansevool
manifested becoming respect for the feelings q
t his prisoner, and allowed him to remain som
e minutes undisturbed. When the latter, how
= ever. saw that preparations were making to de
part, he resorted to another arIitice to gain time
lie sought to draw the comnandantinto a debat