Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-05-14
"There must be spies around the camp, ,,

"There must be spies around the camp"
answered Thomas, in the same low tone.
"We shall see presently. There is a OPEN
ing just ahead, and the persons will there be
revealed
In a moment after, our volunteers perceived
twossred coats" slowly rising from the thicket.
They moved cautiously and glanced fearfully
around them. It 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 hand was
laid on their shoulders. As they turned, Pei
etiah and Thomas each seized their man. The
opponent of Mr.. Hicks was of 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 f1ercey. Peletiah had
dropped his gun, thus rendering the combat
more equal. Fisticuffs were now 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 ssBritisher" and bore
him heavily to the earth, vanquished. With
his teeth and one hand he tore the frock into
strips and bound the sspy'; calculating as he
did So
ssReally, friend, thee is well knit in limb and
muscle, and thou art mean man of battle.
But verify thy strength availeth thee not, for
thou art my prisoner, friend l am man of
peace, but the spirit of rebellion is waxing
strong within me. Being tied thus, of course
thee surrenders.
81 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.
I must take thee to the camp. 1t is not far as
thou well knowest. Thy desire TOT know more
of our condition shall be gratified. Thee will
proceed with me thither. 1 will take charge
of this, thy instrument of death, so that it
may yet do good service. l 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
tives 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.
ssWhen 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 Charnplain, had temporarily
succeeded General Greene, then down with
virulent fever. Their position was soon chan
ged, however, for Washington apprehended an
attempt on the part of the enemy TO force The
lines, ordered reinforcement 70 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 cold
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 l must this
day lose ~
The battle ragged with dreadful consequent
ces. Nearly two thousand Of the Americans
| fell before the deadly aim of the royal army,
while they themselves lost about one-fourth
that number. There were no towards upon
that bloody field but all fought well aud 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, a 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 out But individual bravery could not
| turn the tide of war. As the order for retreat
reached them, Peletiah felt 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 homes
| in peace.
| Judith kept her promise, and kind well
| come was awarded to the lover as well as to her
sire. The young couple were soon after mar
| ried. As we look back through the long vista
| of wears that have fed since the occurrences
| above related we must allow that none have