Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-05-21
VOLUME l3..-.NUMBER 80.

himself only tobs silver turnip."
"fou must dismount, sir" said the sturdy
yeoman sternly.
swell, must do any thing to get along, nv
good felowl Here is general Arnold's pass, Thai.
perhaps, you may respect if you do not British
officer"
"Dismount, sir, and we will read IT," said Paul.
ding, who still held the horse by his nostrils.-
ave have no idea of letting YOU escap, till
we know your business"
"Hold on like death to dead niger, John"
said Ike to the man at the nose, the horse grew
resIlVe under the gripe, "gold watches don'igrow
in every body's cornpalch."
"Gentlemcn, you had best let me go or you
Will get yourselves into trouble. Examine this
pass. Be brief for have been too long delain-
ed already"
81 cannot read it until you dismoun,," said
Paulding, holding the closed paper in one hand.
Andre sprung lightly from the saddle to the
ground, when the yeoman released his gripe on
| The horse, passed the bride beneath his arm, and
opened the passport. 81 hope you'll not be Of
Tended, sir" he said with the air of respect which
he had hitherto preserved, Notwithstanding his
resoIute manner, "but there are spies and other
dangerous people abroad, and | only want to know
| 1t you are true man. If you are proved TO be,
why there's no harm done, and if you amt
| WHY"
"Then we'll havethe watch on shares and pull
siraws for the chan," said Ike.
"Ihe name in the pass is Anderson, is it yours,
sirl"
"tis. Let me go and will give you my
watch, horse, saddle and bridle."
"Yonr anxiety and your offer leads me to sus-
pect you. Here is general Arnold's signature
that is all rghtenough, and we would let you pass
with 1t, if you had not just now called yourself
a British officer"
"Rather suspicious!" said he of the hair.
"He's regular circumstance-and no mis-.
take," said Ike, fumbling about the waistband for
fob that the sagacious tailor had phrophetcally
constructed therein. "Lets search him."
"Ay, lhat'll show what's rumpsl" said the
knight with the legs.
"There is no alternative" said Pauldng, "you
must excuse us, but it must be done, SIR"
Leading him into the wood they proceeded 10
examine his hat, coat and waiscoat, without ma
king any discovery. At length they compelled
him to resign every article OF his apparel 10 their
scrutiny. He of the long locks pulled off his
boots, while Ike opened his watch and examined
the case. Their search was vain, and he was
directed to resume his apparel, when Paulding
thought he heard rafting like paper as Andre
drew on his boot. His fine thread stockings a.
lone had not been taken off, his captors satisfying
themselves with passing their hand along the out
side of the calf and ancle.
"Mr. Anderson, you will oblige me by remov.
ing the stockings" said the vgiant yeoman.
81 had thought this foolish search was ended"
said the young man, his heart sinking.
"Your stockings must come off, SIR"
"Iake them off" said Andre, placing his palm
on his brow, and turning away his face, wrung
with an expression of the keenes anguish. In
tho feet were discovered the fatal packets given
him by general Arnold. A glanceat the contents
OF one or two of the papers at once gave them
an idea OF their importance and dangerous nature.
After they had consulted together few minutes
as to the disposal Of their prisoner, he who was
called Ike, approached Andre and saio:
Snow what'll you give us 10 let you go freel"
"Any amount you ash" ;" was the eager reply.
"Will you give me your watch and chain, and
these gentlemen your horse, saddle, bride, and
hundred guineas told''
"CheerluIly. And the money shall be direct
ed to this very spot if you say SO, so that you
shall be sure to get it."
"ls that all you will gve7" asked Paudng.
"lwl give you whatever you ask, goods or
money TO the amount of thousand pounds"
"Now Mistur," said he Of the nose, in patri-
otic tone, and with look Of nconcevable mag
nanimity, "f you'd give usten thousand gum
eas, and your watch 10 boot, yes, your gold watch
and chain to boot, we would not let you stir q
step, hey, boys"
"lt he's enemy, poor as we may be, I'd rather
be without the money than he should escape TO do
} mischief" responded Davy.
"Would you escape if you couldl" asked Paul.
ding.
) "Most assuredly."
81 don't intend you SHALL" was the quiet reply
Of the American In few minutes alierward.
they directed their prisoner TO remount his horse
and with Paulding leading the animal by the bri.
die, and the two others marching, one few pa
ces in advance, and the other in the rear they
re-entered the'road, and moved at a smart pace
norlhwardly towards North Castle, the nearest
military post Of the Americans.
CHAPTER TX.
On the eastern bank Of the Hudson, two mile.
southwesterly from West Point, there stands, q
the present day, time-worn dwelling. 1t is {
long, rambling structure, two stories high, anC
erected apparently, at different periods-a low
gallery, in some places sunken, runs around it
; with vines creeping about its slender columns
and grass growing in its crevices; shrubs have go
s root-hold on the moss-covered roof, and hang
d over the caves in graceful festoons. 1t is thC
Y centre of lawn, from the bosom of which, nu
: merous fine old trees of a centurys growth, senC
up their trunks to great height and form broac
e canopy of foliage above the venerable roof
|. Everu thinn about it-is wnrro eaten fences. il