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

she could nave n6U Inc power 10 90 lDJu-
ry il she possessed the will. Lee watch
ed her closely, but saw nothing to confirm
his suspicious. Her dwelling was about
mile distant. in a wild retreat. where she
shared her miserable quarters with dog
and cat, the former Of which mounted
guard over the mansion, while the latter
encouraged superstitious fears which were
equally effectua in keeping visitors away.
One dark, stormy night in autumn, he
was lying awake at midnight. medita,na
on the enterprise he had undertaken, which
in the beginning had recommended itself
to his romantic disposition. but had now
lost all its charms. 1t was one of those
tempests which in our climate so often
hang over the path Of the departing year.
His companions slept soundly. but the
wind which shook the building 10 its foun-
da,ion and threw heavy splashes OF rain
against the window. conspired with the
state OF his mind, to keep him wakelul.
! All at once the door was gently opened,
and figure moved silently into the room.
| 1t was loe dark TO observe its motions mar
rowly. bu, he could see it stopped towards
one Of the sleepers. who Immediately rose;
| utAt u tOOCucu ItiI OH Tic SuOuIuct. 1LcV
Immediately started up; the figure allowed
slight CLEAN, from dark lantern to pass
over his face. and as it did so. whispered
impatenily. 'not the man-bu, co,ne''
Il then occurred to Lee that this was the
opportunity he desired. The unknown
| whispered to him TO keep his place till
another man was called; but just at tho,
moment. some noise disturbed him, aud
making sign to Lee to follow, he moved
silently out Of the room.
He found the door OF the house unbsr.
red, and part Of the fence removed,
where they passed out Without any molss,
tation; the sentry had retired to 4 shelter
whereshe thought he could guard his pos,
without suffering from the rain; but Lee
saw that the conductors put themselves in
preparation to silence him if he should
happen 10 address them. Just without the
fence appeared q. STOPPING figure. wrap.
ped in red cloak, and supporting itsel
with large stick, which Lee at once per.
ceved could be no other than the old frui,
woman. But the most profound silence
was observed; man came out from a
thicket at little distance, and the Who'll.
party moved onward under the guidance
Of the old woman. At first they frequent
| ly stopped TO listen, but having heard the
sentinel's cry. "All's well," they seemed
| reassured, and moved with more conf.
dence than before.
They soon came near her cottage, un.
der an overhanging bank, where brighl
light was shining out from little window
upon the wet and dropping boughs thai
hung near it. The dog received them
lgraciously, and entered. A table was
spread with some coarse provisions upor
it, and large jug, which one Of the sol
/ diers was about to seize, when the mar
who conducted them withheld him. NO.
said he, 1--WE must first proceed with thu
business" He then went 10 a small closet
from which he returned with what seemed
TO have been. originally. a Bible, though
now worn to a amahog any color and spheri
cal form. While they were doing this
Lee had time to examine his companions
one Of whom was quiet looking soldier
the other, stout. short man. with mucl
Z the aspect of villain. They examined
him in turn; and as Lee had been obliged
10 punish the shortest soldier severely. h,
felt some misgivings when the fellows ey'
rested upon him. Their conductor was
middle-aged, harsh.looking man. whom
& Lee had never seen before. As no tim
was TO be lost, their guide explained L
them in a few words. that, before he shoul'
release them, he should require Of them l.
swear upon the Scriptures. not to max
the least attempt to escape, and never 4
reveal the circumstances or agents in tn
proceeding. Whatever might befal them
The soldiers, however. insisted on defer
ring this measure. till they had forme'
some slight acquaintance with the jug. an
expressed their sentiments on the subjec
rather by action than words. In this the
were joined by Lee, who by this time ha
begun to contemplate the danger OF hi
enterprise in new and unpleasant poin
Of view. If he were to be compelled I
accompany this party to New York. hi
disguise would at once be detected, and
was certain he would be hanged as spy
lie had supposed, beforehand, that b
should find no difficulty in escaping at an
moment: but he saw that their conducto
had prepared arms for them. which the
were to use in taking the life OF any on
who should attempt TO leave them-an
then the oath. He might possibly hav
released himself from its obligations, whe
, il became necessary for the interests Of hi
country; but no honorable man can we
be driven TO an emergency. in which h
must violate an oath. however reluctant
it was taken. He fell, that there was n
retreaiing. when there came heavy shocl
as Of something falling against the side
! Of the house; their practised ear at ono
. detected the alarm gun; and their condu,
:, tor, throwing down the old Bible, whic
he had held all the while impatien,ly in b
: hand, directed the party TO follow him
;, : close order, and Immediately quilted Ii
), old house. taking with him his dark lal
. ;. tern. 81 .T
d They went on with great despatch, b.
: not without difficulty. Sometimes the
). footing would give way on some sand
' bank or slippery field; and when the
J. path led through the woods. the wet bougl
q dashed heavily in their faces. Lee Il
that he might have deserted his precio,
/. companions while they were in this hurl
:. and alarm, but he felt. that. as yet. he hs
J. made no discoveries; and however DANCE