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

gather from their whispered conversations.
they were regularly employed on occa-
sions like the present, and we'll rewarded
by tho British for their services. Their
employment was full Of danger; and though
they seemed like desperate men, he could
observe that they never remitted their pre-.
cautions. They were concealed by day
in barns-cellars-cav made for the pur-
pose. and similar retreats; and one day
was passed in tomb, the dimensions oi
which had been enlarged, and the inmates
if there had been any, banished to make
room for the living. The burying grounds
were a favorite retreat, and on more occa-
sions than one they were obliged to resort
to supersti,ious alarms 10 remove intruders
upon their track; their success fully justi-
fed the experiment, and, unpleasantly sit
uated as he was, in the prospect of soon
being ghost himself. he could not avoid
laughing al the expedition with which old
and young fed from the fancied appari.
tions under clouds Of night, wishing to
meet such enemies, like Ajax, in the face
Of day.
Though the distance to the Delaware
was not great, they had pow been twelve
days on the road, and such was the vig;-
lance and superstition prevailing through
out the country. that they almost despair
OF effecting their object. Tho conductor
grew impatient, and Lees companions, al
least one Of them, became ferocious.-
There was, as We have said. something
unpleasant 10 him in the glances OF this
fellow toward him. which became more
aud more fierce as they went on; but it did
not .ppesr whether ii were owing to cir.
cum.,ances or actual suspicion. Ii SO
hsppe ned that. on the twelfth night. Lee
~ss placed in barn. while the rest Of the
party sheltered themselves in the cellar ol
little stone church. where they could talk
and act with more freedom, both because
the solitude OF the church was not often
disturbed, even on the Sabbath, and be-
cause even the proprie,ors did not know
that illegal hands had added = cellar tc
the conveniences of the building.
The party were seated here as the dsy
broke, and the light which struggled in
crevces opened for the purpose, showed q
low room about twelve feet square, with q
damp floor and large patches of the white
mould upon the walls. Finding. proba'
bly,. that the pavement afforded no accom-
modailons for sleeping. the worthiest were
seated each upon little cask which seem
ed like those used for gun powder. Here
they were smoking pipes with great dill
gence. and, al intervals not distant. apply
ing huge canteen to their mouths. iron
which they drank with upturned faces ex
pressive of solemn satisfaction. While
they were thus engaged, the short soldier
asked in careless way, if they knew
4 whom they had in their party. The Others
started, and took their pipes from thei
mouths to ask him what he meant. 81
mean," said he, "that we. are honoret
with the company of Captain Lee. of .h'
rebel army The rascal once punished
me. and | never mistook any man when
had debt OF that kind to pay. Now
shall have my revenge"
The others hastened TO express thei
disgust a, his ferocity, saying, that if, a.
he said, their companion was an Ameri
can officer, all they had to do was to watcl
him closely. They said that. as he hat
come among them uninvi.ed, he must g
with them to New York and take the con
sequences; but meantime, ii was their in
terest not to seem to suspect him, other
wise he might give an alarm, whereas
was evidently his intentions TO 60 witt
them till they were ready to embark 70
New York, The other persisted in say
ing that he would have his revenge wit
his own hand, upon which.t the conductor
drawing pistol declared to him that if h
| L. IN san
Lee, or any conduct which would lea
him to suspect that his disguise was dis
covered. he would that moment shoot hin
through the head. The soldier put hi
hand upon his knife with an ominiou
: scowl upon his conductor, but seeing the
he had 10 do with one who was likely 10 b
!, as good as his word. he restrained himsel
:. and began to arrange some rubbish I
: serve him for bed. The other soldie
followed his example, and their guid
withdrew. locking the door after him.
The next night they went on as usua
: but the manner Of their conductor shove
that there was more danger than before
/, , in fact, he explained TO the party that the
were now not lar IRON the Delaware, an
i. hoped TO reach i, before midnight. The
:, occasionally heard the repor. Of a muske
}, which seemed to indicate that some move
: ment was going on in the country. Thu
: warned, they quickeped their steps. and
! was no, long before they saw gleam ,
broad clear ligh, before them. such as
: reflected from calm waters even in tn
: darkest night. They moved up to it wit
!, deep silence; there we're various emotion
;. !. in their breasts; Lee hoped for the term
:, nation of an enterprise which was CROWN
,, too serious. and the principal objects
: which were already answered; the othel
= . were anxious lest some accident mig
: have happened to the boat on which the
: depended for crossing the stream.
: When they came to the bank there wei
" no traces of boat on the waters. The
: conductor stood still for moment in di
: may; but, recollecting himself, he said
was possible it might have been secure
lower down the stream. and, forgettir
everything else, he directed the larger SO
IL dier to accompany him. and. giving
IL pistol to the other, he whispered. "lf II
J rebel officer attempts to betray US. sho
u him; if not, you will not. for yeur on
,s sake, make any noise TO show where v