The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1847-03-18


forth into light again. =. 49, s}l1l
Al last be approached the Colonel, and
bending down so that their faces nearly touch
ed uttered these words in whisper:
sGive up Benedict Arnold for John Andre
lis that what you mean? s
sltis' and the Colonel looked up into the
flushed face of his superior.
Pshrw! This is nonsencei Washington
would never entertain such a proposition
multered Sir Henry.
The answer from the Colonel was deep
toned, clear and deliberate. s.a
'Your Excellency will pardon my rudeness.
am rough soldier, bu. have heart, Ill
be frank with you. The fate of this Andre
fills me with horror. He is q good fellow,
though he does paint pictures, and write rhy-
mes, and act plays, and do other things
beneath the dignity of a soldier But he has
| would peril my life 10 save him. can't
help thinking OF his mother and sisters in
England-he is their only dependence and.
We'll, Colonel, well'-interrupted Sir
Henry.
'An officer from Washington waits the room
below, with authority from his General 10
make this proposition TO you-Giue me Ar
mold and Il1iH give you Aadre.' s.,.f
Sir Henry Clinton fell back in his seat as
though shot had pierced his breast He
said not word, but as if stupe6ed by this
proposition, folded his hands across his breast
and gazed vacantly upon the sunset sky.
The last CLEAN of twilight fell over the
broad expanse Of Manhattan Bay. All was
silent in The chamber, save the hard deep
breathing of Sir Henry Clinton, who with
his head inclined 10 one side, still gazed up
on the western sky with the same vacant
stare.
AT last two liveried servants entered, and
placed lighted candles upon the table.
The Colonel started when he beheld the
strange paleness OF Sir Henry's continuance.
He was terribly agiated, for his lips were
compressed, his brow contracted, his hands
pressed ixedly against his breast.
AT last he spoke. His voice was strange
ly changed from his usual bold and hearty
tones.
'Had George Washington offered me the
Throne of the Western Continent, he could
mol have so tempted me, as he does by this
proposition TO exchange Arnold for An
drer
Exchange them,' growled the Colonel.--
'But what will the world--what will my
king say? 1t would bea breach of conf
as.-~,~, --,;Slese.- ef-.A-eoidia.,s- honas-a-is-
would in fact, be- Ft....l e.f
'An easy method of rescuing the white
neck OF John Andre from the gibbet! cody
interrupted the Colonel. -
This was hard thrust, Sir Henry was ST.
lent for moment; but that moment passed
he hung his clenched hand on The table
Il am tempted horribly tempted' he ex-.
claimed in broken tones. Il never was
more tempted in my life. Speak of il no
more, sir speak of il no more! Did you say
that the rebel officer waited below?'
General, shall call him up?' whispered
the Colonel fixing his eyes firmly on Clinton's
face.
Sir Henry did not reply. The Colonel
arose and moved towards the door, when he
was met by an officer attired in a rich scar.
let uniform, who came along the carpet with
an easy stride, some what lessened in digni-
lily by preceptIble lameness.
The Colonel started as though ser pent
had siung him.
For in that officer with a rich scarlet uni
form Offering with epaulelts of gold
lin that officer, with The bold countenance
and forehead projecting over dark eyes that
emitted a steady glare he recognsed--BEN-
EDICT ARNOLD.
Good evening, Colonel! said Arnold, with
slight inclination of his head
i Good evening Colonel Arnold!' at last re-
sponded The Colonel, with slight YET mean.
ing lntonalion Of soon. Il never observed
il before, but--excuse me--you limp in your
right leg? Where did you receive this
wound?
1t was not often that Arnold blushed but
now his throat, his cheeks, his brow, were
scarlet. For moment he seemed stricken
into stone but at last he replied in deep
sonorous voice, that started Sir Henry Clin-
ton flom his chair:
That leg, sir was twice broken; the first
time phen l stormed Quebec. The Sec
ond time, at Saratoga arhen 1 took the last
fortress Of BurgoyneL-Are your answered
TSr? 15a4
Without word more leaving the asionish-
ed officer 10 remember the glare of his eve.
he passed on, and saiuied Sir Henry Clinton
with deep bow.
I Sir Henry received him with a formal bow
waving his hand toward the chair in the re-
cess oil the window. Arnold sat down, and
crossing his legs, in carless position, fixed
bis dark eyes in CGnion's face as he spoke in
laughing tone: e
DO you know General, heard Of very
clever thing as passed along the street,
Two OF our soldiers were conversing:--sI
tell you what il Isl said one of the fellows
10 the other, Sir Henry couldn't do a