The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-09-13


with steady eye. Though the officer
stood to appearance unmoved, tho sweat
rolled in heavy drops from his brow. He
soon took his resolution, and sprang upon
his adversary with the intention Of wres.-
ing the pistol from his hand; but the other
was upon his guard, and aimed with such
precision, that. had the pistol been charged
with a bullet, that moment would have
been his last.
But it seemed that the conductor had
trusted to the sight Of his weapons to rem.
der the use Of them unnecessary, and had
only therefore loaded them with power; AS
it was, the shock threw Lee to the ground;
but forum ately, as the fellow dropped the
pistol, il fell where Lee could reach it, and
as his adversary stopped. and was draw
ing his knife from his bosom, Lee WAS able
to give him stunning blow. He imme.
diately threw himself upon the assassin.
and long and bloody struggle began;
they were so nearly matched in strength
and advantange, that neither dared to un-
clench his hold for the sake Of grasping
the knife;. the blood gushed from their
mouths, Ind the combat would have prob
ably ended in favor of the assassin, when
steps and voices were heard advancing.
and they found themselves in the hands OF
party OF countrymen, who were armed
for the occasion. and were securing the
banks of the river. They were lorcibly
torn apart. but so exhausted and breath
less. that neither could make any explana-
lon. and they submitted quietly to the dis.
Dosnl of their captors.
The party Of armed countrymen. though
they had succeeded in their attempt, aud
were sufficiently triumphant on the occs.
sion. were sorely perplexed to determine
how to dispose Of their prisoners. After
some discussion upon the wisdom OF the
nearest magistrate, they accordingly pro.
crsded with their prisoners to his mansion
about two miles distant. and called on him
to rise and attend to business.
A window was hastily thrown up, and
The justice put forth his night capped head
and, with more warmth than became his
dignity, ordered them off; and. in requi,sl
for their calling him out Of bed in the cold
generously wished them in the warmes,
place which occurred TO his imagination
However, resistance was vain; he was
compelled to rise; and, as soon as the
prisoners were brought before him, he or.
dered them in irons to the prison at Phila'
delphia. Lee improved the opportunity
to take the old gentlemen aside, and told
him who he was and why he was thus dis
guised; the justice only interrupted him
with the occasional inquiry, "Most done?'
When he had finished. the magistrate told
him that his story was very we'll made up
and told in manner very creditable te
his address, and he should give it all the
weight which it seemed to require. AL
Lees remonstrances were unavailing.
As soon as they were fairly lodged ir
prison, Lee prevailed on the jailor to car
ry a note TO Gen. Lincoln, informing hin
| Of his condition. The General received
it as he was dressing in the morning, and
| Immediately sent one OF his. aids to the
! Jail. That officer could not believe his
eyes when he saw Captain Leo. His uni
form, worn out when he assumed it, was
| now hanging in rags about him, and he
had not been shaved for fortnight; he
wished. very naturally, to improve his ap
| pearance before presenting himself before
the Secretary Of War; but the orders were
peremp,ory to bring him as he was. The
General loved joke full we'll; his laughter
was hardly exceeded by the report OF hi.
own cannon; and long and loud did hi
laugh that day.