The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-04-21

"True, like the spy's own, black asjes;
|'iwas lie himself, curse him. But surely
our beasts need batting after so long a
tide, and in faith feel like tasting OF my
flask" e"'' %
"Mind il not now; wait--we must cap
,ure that fellow, If we starve ourselves
and stall our sieeds. %, on, five huns
dred pounds and my brevet--thine be-"
1.-The gold for me, captain"
sand 1.-THE brevet-done. This ride
shall cost the pedlar dear"
"Hcre wo 60! Huzza! Tally no!
Five hundred pounds!"
"Silonce, Wolf, once upon the SCENT
We must surprise the fugitive"
"Ay, quiet will I be, but, Eve hum
dred pounds! Jove! '.is enough lore
ward the taking Of two spies. Up, my
gallan, nag" he continued, slapping his
horses neck" thou shalt be stabbed a
i IN
fortnight, IL thou doest Thy duty"
However, the path was much longer
than they imagined. Darkness came or
and long before nigh.fall they were COM
pelled 10 res. themselves and their beasts
a, log house thai opporiuneiy lay in
,be;r wsv After couple Of hours they
pursued their object, and q, length emer-
ged on tho high road upon which they
coniecturcd the fugitive was league in
ADVANCE Of them, Fastening towards the
American rendezvous.
John Putnam, who had 20 easily dnped
his pursuers al the deserted hOtel before
mentioned, deserted because Of late
foray, and murderouS attack upon il by
the British, was indeed hunying along the
turnpike, with pack on his shoulders,
and 4 staff ia his hand. Under the lining
Of his clothes wore secre,ed descriptions
Of the English forces lying in the yicini>
,y, which was necessary 10 place in Gen.
Washing,on's possession, before lie could
make any decisive movement. Pafnams
mission had been successful, and upon
his safe return repcssd tho equal success
Of his commander. Therefore, knowing
himself pursued, he had already assumed
and doffed several DISCUSSES in the course
Of one hundred miles travel, and at length,
lin his original costume, hailed the famil-
lar spots iha, indicated his approach to
,,ha American outposts.
"Thank Heaven!' he exclaimed, "thas
these weary limbs are near home. But
thrice the distance would | walk, and,ay,
even let myself be hung at the door Of an
inn, 10 further Washing.on's glory and
save the lives Of my coun,rymen. God!'
he cried, looking Upward, "ThOu wis
wa.chost this struggle for Liberty, smile
: on our las, effort! Save from tyranny Thy
true believers" ~.
"Bu the sut viii be up anon; I mus
J quicken MY gait; already those trooper
: may have discovered my decsit, and ar
y following me. Fearful is the apprehen
Q sion., But never finch, Jack Putnam
!, this stick shall not let lhee die withou
an effort"
"Ab! did I hear a football! Hi.,! Ma,
i, was the duiter Of some bird, or the daw
J swakeniug some beast. Stay, an al
y captured or killed, who WilI-oh! the FOL
Q ture! my vile and child! But have il
!. Gen. Washington promised to &C. ia
q theirs part towards my childreb,if sho'
. fall doing my du'y. It's all right, oil
: fellow. HaHoa! this is Hickory lillian
I'm not far off the lines. Now feet {
mide, .valk!h' In this soliloquising mar
10 ner he mu.tefed, until suddenly the ella
:, >, ,oring Of horses feet became too d'st'n'
10 escape his notice. g ,
V "Thunde,! can they Be so closei An
. vet / cannot hide in the bfushvood :
!, Washington must have these papers
j " IL o'clock this day. haven't time
But hang me il / do hide, like
y cowardly red coat. I'm no coward, tn
dozen Hesslans be on my trail ~
blood,hounds, Ill go on, ahd ifmy 'ong'
!" cannot save me, BY the mighty Hercul
in this club shall" se. l.t,e-
l,s So he continued his journey,and can
e. in view Of the noble Hudson that in Il
y. distance was dotted by the white canya
he Of several fishermen, but these Aoated I
their way unnoticed BY him who st'ain'
all every nerve short Of running, TO gain u
vel continenlal headquarters. But near
and closer came the horsemen; and
ell could recognize their rough voices
he boisterous conversation. Putnam turn
cd . cufve in'the road that ran UP the hi
aide auyynuuded ~ hilg0 trees and ms