Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-05-14

answered Thomas, in the same low tone.
eve shall see presently. There is open
ing just ahead, and the persons will there be
revealed"
In moment after, our volunteers perceived
twossred coats'' slowly rising from the thicket.
They moved cautiously and glanced fearfully
around them. 1t was evident that they were
spies. Satisfying themselves that there was
no one near, the ssRoyalists'' assumed an up
right posture, leaned their guns against tree,
and were about to disguise themselves by dom
ming each farmers frock, when q hand was
laid on their shoulders. As they turned, Pei
etiah and Thomas each seized their man. The
opponent of Mr.. Hicks was of a stalwart, pow
erful build, and essayed to free himself from
the determined grasp of the Quaker. He wres-
tied manfully. Together they rolled upon the
green sward. In close embrace they rose a.
gain, and contended fercely. Peletiah had
dropped his gun, thus rendering the combat
more equal. Fisticuffs were resorted to,
and their well-directed blows resounded thro'
the stiffness of the wood, upon the verge of
which they were engaged. Thomas being COM
PEELED to hold his prisoner, could render his
friend no assistance. He stood with his cap
tive, the spectator of the scene. Summoning
the whole of his strength for final effort, he
threw himself upon the 'SBritisher" and bore
him heavily to the earth, vanquished. With
his teeth and one hand he tore the frock into
strips and bound the s'spy' calculating as he
did So
ssReally, friend, thee is we'll knit in limb and
muscle, and thou art no mean man of battle.
But verify thy strength availeth thee not, for
thou art my prisoner, friend! I am man of
peace, but the spirit of rebellion is waxing
strong within me. Being tied thus, of course
thee surrenders.
~ must cen bear the disgrace of being o.
vercome by an Id REBEL" ungraciously
groaned the captive.
ssUse no oaths, friend ssBritisher,'. they are
vain now, for the master thou servest, the Dew
il, has deserted thee in thy most needy hour.
must take thee to the camp. 1t is not far as
thou well knowest. Thy desire TO; know more
of our condition shall be gratifed. Thee will
proceed with me thther. will take charge
of this, thy instrument of death, SO that it
may yet do good service. will not harm thee,
stranger, if thou dost not attempt to fly. Go
like lamb to the slaughter, and thy person
shall be safe-attempt to escape and d-sinful
man. thou almost persuaded me to utter an
unclean word.'
The arrival of the volunteers and their cap
tiyes were hailed with acclamation and some
laughter. as the plain and peculiar garb of the
elder captor met their view, but Peletiah bore
these signs Of merriment with good humor.
aWhen the balls fly thick around thee and
the blood gushes from gaping wounds, my
friend, thee will not have time to notice pecu-
liarities," said he.
The persons arrested proved to be spies, and
| were placed in safe quarters. Peletiah and
Thomas were allOwed-to join their friends in a
division of the army under the immediate
command of the brave Sullivan, who, just re-
| turned from Lake Champlain, had temporarily
succeeded General Greene, then down with a
| yirulent fever. Their position was soon chan
| ged, however, for Washington apprehended an
attempt on the part of the enemy to force the
| lines, ordered a reinforcement to be sent to
| Colonel Hand, stationed some miles below
| Among those advanced was the company to
which our friends were attached: The skir-
mishes Of the outposts continued until 'sOld
! Put" was sent over from New York to relieve
| Greene, whose illness was protracted by his
| great anxiety.
At last the crisis came. Washington, who
surveyed the lines from the heights, was heard
| to exclaim
ssGood God what brave fellows must this
! day lose ~
/ The battle ragged with dreadful consequent
| ccs Nearly two thousand of the Americans
I caII haco oc{ {l,a ol
while they themselves lost about one-fourth
that number. There were no towards upon
that bloody field, but all fought well and brave
ly. The defeat of our forces was perhaps at
tributable to the fact Of the unlooked-for and
unfortunate illness of General Greene, who
having early had the command, had informed
himself of the prominent points along the
whole line of the defence, knowledge hardly
possessed by his successor.
During the action, our friend Peletiah had
received an unpleasant wound in the right
shoulder, but it did not deter him from con
tinuance in the ranks. His cheering voice an
imated many breast where hope had almost
died ont. But individual bravery could mo-
turn the tide of war. As the order for retrea
reached them, Peletiah felt q weakness oom
ing over him. He rallied, however, and pas
sed on with the brave survivors to new scenes
of conflict Throughout the war our friends
fought side BY side with marked zeal. They
never deserted the cause until the last enemy
had left the land, then they sought their home
in peace.
Judith kept her promise, and kind wei
come was awarded to the lover as well as to he
sire. The young couple were soon after mar
, ried. As we look back through the long visit
, Of years that have fed since the occurrence
above related we must allow that none hav