Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-30
ID A IL Y.
dNasbingtOn Sentiuel.
THE TRAITORS DOOM.
CHAPTER /.

The camp fires Of Gen Marion's little band
were fitfnlly cleaning out upon the midnight
darkness, and the sparks darted high from the
smouldering embers. The encampment was
upon small stream, one OF the numerous
tributaries Of the broad Savannah. 1t was near
the last Of November, in l77S-'9, that the events
in our tale transpired. The night was dark and
dreary. 1t had rained copously the preceding
evening, and every low nook OF the small creek
where the army lay was overflown. Deep black
and dismal looking clouds obscured the heavens,
and far in the distance con,d be distinctly heard
mutterihg soundSsB( thunder now and then
breaking the lone stiffness of the forest; while
vivid flashes Of lightning darted over the sable
surface Of the armament above, revealing for
an instant the surrounding wood, and then
leaving all darker, gloomier, and more dismal
than before.
The sentries walked their rounds silently.
The soldiers one by one retired to sleep, until
each had yielded himself willing prisoner TO
Morpheus and lay dreaming of home and loved
ones far away Did we say all had yielded to
the soothing influences OF the sleep-god? Not
all. There was one who yet sat by the flick
ering blaze of his camp fire, listlessly, not
even needing the drops of rain that now fell
freely for a few moments.
It was Clarence Erskine. A young man Of
some fve-and-twenty years, and the son OF an
English nobleman, who, at the breaking ont of
hostilities between the mother country and the
colonies, left the ranks of the British army and
espoused our cause, which, at that time, was
not an unusual occurrence.
He had until lately been engaged with the
army at the north, and in every action in which
q Lol haa,, Il rood fnrt,,na IN isina ta
had come out covered with glory. But being
Of an ambitious and rather naughty spirit, he
saw no very fruitful field before him for promo
ton, if he remained and acted with this division
Of the troops, and so finally he resigned his sta
ton as lieutenant and departed for the south,
to try his luck in another quarter; and more
by acting as the commander of small scout
ing party, than in general engagements. He
soon connected himselfwth Marion as mere
private, determining 10 raise himself by yalor
to higher position.
He was tall and spare, with a cadaverous
lear in his eye, and phiz which, taken alto
gether, betokened one Of those many notoned
creatures who throng the pathway Of life--one
of those who would sacrifice all the principles
of virtue and liberty at the shrine OF the AL
mighty Dollar He was of an ambitious tenn
perament that thirsts for glory and renown, let
the means by which they are acquired be good
or bad. Such was Clarence Erskine.
But, as he sat pondering over the low EN-
bers, holding communion with his inward SELF
form approached unperceived, and ere he
was aware a hand was laid upon bis shoulder.
Suddenly springing to his feet, he by the glim-
mering light recognized the form to be that Of
General Marion, who smiingly addressed him
thus - ,
Be not frightened, sir; it is friend and
not foe who thus surprised you and, indeed.
you may be truly glad it was not q redcoat or
tory"
aThank you, general thank you for the sur
prisal, for no longer ago than yesterday boast
ed to my messmates that no one could ever
surprise me while awake; but now | entirely
relnquish the idea. p.
He no doubt would have proceeded further,
in answer but Marion quickly asked, is your
name not Erskine--CIarence ErskineY'
aThe same" said Clarence, his face lighted
up with beams of hope
"rhe same who comes to me well recon-
mended from the army in the north, and who
behaved so gallantly yesterday in the skirmish
with the toriesg"
'sThe same y and a deep blush suAfnsed it.
self over the young soldiers cheek and brow,
crimsoning it deeply.
Both were silent. Clarence was busy with
his inward SELF Thoughts of glory pervaded
the chambers Of his mind for his valor had
already been taken notice Of by the superior
officer He perceived, in lancifnl gleamings,
promotion and future greatness. He saw al
ready the path to honor laid wide open before
him--already heard The throng greeting him
with long and loud acclamations Of joy.
I But this fancifal train Of thought was broken
by Marion, whc had been also commnning with
himself and scrutinizing Clarence.
"Mr. Erskine, do you think there is any one
among all these men under my command who
would venture to assume the garb of a deserter,
for a short timer
Indeed answered Clarence in amazement,
" cannot tell, but would rather suppose there
are many, who, if they thought it would pro.
mote the cause for which they are battling,
would do it,"
aWould yon do it?" asked Marion, half mu-
singly. -,
'sWell, general, as to that, as | said before,
if in any way it will contribute to the promo
ton of our interests and ttrtherancei OF our
cause, would do IL; though to act the spy is,
acknowledge, pretty hazardous task" :. ],
at ia a dangerous task, admit, replied
Maroon, DuL one, Ill tHiS ihsthhSes -
performed undiscovered, will result in the total
defeat of all the tory forces in the south, and
perhaps, he added, of the British also. But, if
YOU consent to act, come with me to my tent,
and will there furnish you with the necessary
instructions for the accomplishment of the de.
sign, which know, if carried out, will gain
glory for the country, and glory for the per.
former.
At the word glory Erskine's eye twinkled
with new lustre, though Marion saw il not,
and he said eagerly, al will be that one; will
GO" ta -
1Wen,n replied Marion a little warmly, { if
YOU fulfil your part in this, as you have in
everything which you have attempted under my
care, honor shall be yours"
"Ah, General, leave that to me-" calculated
Clarence, his heart swelling with pride and hls
dark eyes flashing fire al the expression, honor
shall be uo,sys. Leave that to me, he repeat
ed, "leave that to me. Give me instructions
how to act, and TN make neutrality-suspicious. Tor
the rest
"yery well," was the response, and both pro-
ceeded to the tent Both seated, Marion thus
begun in low yet audible tone.