The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-09-26

norses. A nasty supper was prepared In
the main building, which was double
log house, and the strangers sat down to
it. The elder gentleman thanked the Ia
dy in the most courteous terms for her
kindness, and apologized for the trouble
they had imposed upon her. His CONVEX
sation was most agreeable, and Mrs. Hin
son soon discovered that the gentleman
and his attire did not correspond. His
attention was often directed to Brightwell,
who stood before the fire, and at whom he
cast the keenest glances evidently endea-
voring to read his thoughts. A morncn-
tary separation taking place between the
strangers after supper, Mrs. Hin.on asked
the younger one, DO not have the hon
or of entertaining, in my house, the ccle-
brateo Col. Burr?' Confused and morti-
fed, he gave her no satisfactory answer,
but left the room. The question was sug-
gested by Brightwell, who had previously
communicated his suspicious to her.
Early in the morning the mysterious
parsonage, seeking a private interview,
disclosed his name to Mrs. Hinson, re-
gretted the absence of her husband whom
he had seen at Natchez-said be was dis
covered, and would prosecute his journey,
but had intended passing q week with
Col. Hinson. After inqniring the route
to Pensacola, and Mrs. Carson's ferry on
the Tombigby, he called for writing mate
rials and indited several letters His COM
panion was dispatched on the back route
for some purpose. He returned about
nine O'Clock in the morning, and the trav-
elers set out for the cutoff, not far dis
tant
Let us now return to COL Perkins,
whom we left last night in the woods,
highly excited, and shivering with the cold.
Why did not Brightwell keep his promise?
No one knows-it is mystery to this
day. Perkins remained at his post till
his patience was exhausted, and supposing
that Brightwell, probably on account of
the destinations of Burr, or the pity which
had seized him in his behalf, had betrayed
their plans, now mounted his horse and
rode rapidly to the house of Mr.. Joseph
Bates, sen, at Nannahubba Bluff, to avoid
the creeks on the main route to Fort
Stoddart. He procured from that gen.
tleman a canoe and negro, dropped down
to the Tnmbigby, and arrived at Fort
|-Stoddart just after daybreak. The com
mandant was Edmund p. Gaines, then a
young Lieutenant, now distinguished
Major General. Col. Perkins briefly ac-
quainted that officer with the particulars
of last nights adventure, and of his sus-
picions, which, although of slight founda-
tion, had nevertheless impressed him with
a solemn conviction of their truth Pla-
cling himself at the head of file of
mounted soldiers, the Lieutenant iInmedi-
ately rode off with Perkins. On the rise
of a hill, south of branch, and near a
wolf pen below Col. Hinson's, the Lieut.
suddenly encountered the person he was
pursuing, riding in company with his tray
cling companion, and the sheriff, Bright
well, when the following conversation took
place.
Gaines.-I presume I have the honor
of addressing Col. Burr?
Burr am traveller and stranger
in the land, and do not recognise your
right to ask such question
Gaines.-I arrest you at the instance
of the United States army. I hold in
my hand a proclamation of the President,
and the Governor of the Mississippi Ter
ritory, directing your arrest.
Bur.-You are young man, and may
not be aware of the responsibility of ar
resting traveller?
Gaimes.-I am aware of my RESPONSE
bility-I know my duty.
Col. Burr now entered into brief ar
gument to show that these proclamations
should never have been issued, and that
in following their dictates the Lieutenant
would be subjecting himself to much dam
age and blame. His manner was firm,
his air majestic, and his language impress
sive; but the firm young officer told him
his mind was made up-he must accom-
pany him to his quarters, where he would
be treated with all the respect due to the
ex-Nice President of the United States.
so long as he made no attempt to escape.
| w ilhouG lul llCI IcfuOHStTdUCC COI. DurT
became prisoner, and separated from the
gentleman riding with him.
The party reached Fort Stoddart in
the evening, and the prisoner was shown
to his apartment, where he took his din
ner alone. Late in the night, Col. Burr
heard groan in an adjoining room. He
arose, opened the door, and approached
the bedside of Mr.. George S. Gaines,
who was suffering from sickness. Burr's
manner was kind to him; he felt his pulse,
offered his services, said he had travelled
much, and knew something of medicine.
They entered into sprightly conversa-
ton. Burr asked questions about the
country and the Choctaw Indians, among
whom Mr.. Gaines lived as q. S. factor.
The next day Burr being introduced to
the wife of the commandant, daughter
of the late Judge Harry Toulmin, dined
with the family, and enlivened the whole
party with his wit, sprightliness, and ele-
giant discourse. In the evening he played
chess with Mrs. Gaines. with whom he