Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-05
From the Dollar Newspaper.
The Traitor aud the Feigned DeSerter
A Tale OF the American Revolution.
By "JEREMY SKYLIGHT."
CHAPTER /.

By "JERENY SUNLIGHT"
CHAPTER |.
The evening of the twenty.frst Of September,
seventeen hundred aud eighty, was dull and
clouded. Far in the distant west the sun was
about departing, and as he gradually sunk, red
and fiery, beneath the horizon, his scanl beams
fingered softly for few moments upon myriads
Of threatening and gloomy yapors which reared
their airy walls in fantastic shapes against the
sky. A cool autumnal wind, which blew fierce
" from the ncrIhward, hurled the frosl-npped
leaves Of the stunted and sickly shrubbery in
rapid gyrations through the numerous mountain
gorges that open their breezy throats upon the
Hudson, until, at length, the inky waters receiv-
ed them in their retreat belorethe shrieking spr-
It's of the storm. The highlands, Immediately
on the banks Of the river, cast long and gloomy
shadows across the fretfu water, and so obscru-
sed the winding and picturesque shores as to
robe every object in the semblance Of night
Upon either side of the stream, as far as the eye
could pierce the gathering obscurity, family glim-
mered in the cool, frosty atmosphere, like lights
of distant city, the walch-fres Of the Continen-
tai army, as one by one their spiral blaze shot
brightly up amid the swift-coming darkness
There was no moon that night; and the stars re-
fused to gaze from out their heavenly homes up
on the slorm-swept earth below.
The evening gun from the fortifcation on
WesI Point had just been fired, the 'star-spanged
banner" lowered from its lofty staff, and the first
night-guard stationed, when the form of an Off
Ger, carefully enveloped in a capacous cloak,
passed hurriedly from beneath the fortress walls
and took direction toward the river. Walking
as rapidly as slight lameness in one Of his legs
permitted, he shortly arrived upon the bank of
the stream, and gliding specte-lke into u small
grove of trees which grew close TO the edge of
the water, strobe nervously 10 and fro beneath
the pendant boughs. Becoming at length ia
ligued by his constant and rapid movements, he
seated himself upon fragment of rock which
lay in close proximity to the roots of one of the
largest trees, and drawing from beneath the am
pie folds Of his cloak a small night.glass, direct
ed his gaze down the Hudson. Long did he
keep his eye TO the instrument, in vain endeavor
lug 10 catch aglimpse ofsome distant objectwhose
approach he was anxiously awaiting; but it was
darkness a-no friendly star lentits mild ray
10 assist his spainful and protractedkcn. Wrought
up 10 the last degree Of mental agitation, he has
tily closed the telescope, and essayed to catch,
in the occasional lull Of the sobbing winds, the
sound of approaching oars. In the ecstacy of
his feelings he held his breath, listening painful
ly for the coming of an object he momentarily
expected; but nothing stirred, save the winds
and angry waters.
Whilst the moody expectant tarried beneath
the boughs, which protected him in a measure
from the keen and searching blasts Of the brew
ing tempest his mind, although greatly excited,
had ample time for deep and sober refection.-
He thought upon the arduous services which he
had freely rendered his country in her exremi-
ty and distress-the honors and emoumens
which grateful people, sensible of their obliga-
tions, had in times past gIadly conferred upon
him-the skill and bravery which attached TO
him as successful general-and, above all, the
many endeorments, both of friendship and love,
which still linked him to those whom he was
about to sacrifice upon the altar of his peridy.
Notwithstanding the sell-satislaclion which this
brief and hasty review of his past life afforded
him, a seepless demon, which his evil thoughts
conured to his side, with smarting lash scourged
him on to wreak terrible vengeance upon his
own nation for imaginary insults which lis high
est council had heaped, mountain-ike, upon him
in the brightest day Of his we-earned prosper-
ty and renown. He had long since tried to for
give and forget the past, ere his heart had grown
hard and his ambition become dishonorable.-
That time was now gone by. He had thrown
the dice, and he was resolved TO stand their haz-
ard. Proud and impulsive, he was quick to re-
sent an injury and slow TO forgive ofe. With
boundless ambition, he possessed both courage
and SKILL and his resolution was half perform
ance. Such was the character of the man whom
we have followed to the spot where he was on
the eve of receiving an emissary of his coun-
try's foes, and arrange treason which would
altant his name with all coming time.
Wrapped in dark and tormenting revere,
his mind agtated by thousand conflicting emo
tions, he caught al last the dull and indstinct
sound of distant oars. Starting suddenly to his
feet he paced rapidly TO and fro as the boat grad
ualy approached the secret rendezvous, his bet
ter angel the while pleading eloquently in behalf
of his country's freedom and his own fair fame.
In few brief moments more, perchance her
"still small voice" had been needed; but whilst
his tortured mind was yet wavering between vir-
tue and perfdy, the praises of millions and their
execrations, the keel of the barge grated heavi-
ly upon the sandy shore, and he again resolved
10 become a traitOr!
Stepping resolutely toward the spot where the
boat had been grounded, a soft and manly voice
from the stern sheets Immediately greeted his
ear, to which he promptly replied in tones both
of assurance and safety. Coming forward, and
springing lightly upon the beach, the first speak,
or said, as he gracefully bent his fine, athletic
person toward his new companion
a"Havel the honor, sir, Of addressing General
Arnold?" Receiving reply in the affirmative,
ihe Englishman playfully Observed
"AnderSon at lastgreets hisfriend GHStaDUs." "
"Who is, believe me, rejoieed to meet him"
interrupted Arnold, taking the profered hand of
the British Major.
"We seem 10 be in perfect safety here. shall