The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-08-06
and then you can Judge for yourself. Cesar

and then you can judge for yourself. Cesar,
come with me-
So saying, and taking the black by the arm
with vice-like grasp, he led him up stairs
''Not one word, you rascal" was whispered in
his ear, cor kill you on the spot" The ne
gro drew his breath hard and convulsively, but
dared not speak. The uniform was produced
and exhibited, and Israel made efforts to put it
on before his captors. The person whom it fit
ted being short and slight in figure, its ludic
rous disproportion to the towering height and
robust form of the elder brother, convinced
the soldiers Of their mistake and the sergeant
made awkward apologies, shaking the hand of
the man he had so lately called rebel, assuring
him he had no doubt he was an honest and loyal
subject, aad that he would take care his fideli-
ty should be mentioned in the proper quarter.
"And now," he said, cas- your supper is
ready, we will sit down" He seated himself
beside his host, whose resentment at his famil
iarity was tempered by the thought that his
brother was saved by the well-tmed deceit
The ladies also were compelled to take their
places, and to listen in silence to the coarse re-
marks of their unwecome guest. With rude
protestations of good will, and promises ofpat-
ronage, he mingled boastful details of his ex-
ploits in saughtering "the rebels, = that caused
the auditors to shudder with horror. Mr.. Israel
used to relate afterwards that he grasped the
knife he was using, and raisedit to strike down
the savage, but that his mothers look Of ago
nised entreaty withheld the blow. The Hes
sian continued his recital accompanied by many
bitter oaths. l*
| '.That Paoli affair, he cried, "was capital! |
was with general Grey in that attack. 1t was
Just after midnight when we forced the out
posts and not a noise was heard so loud as the
dropping of a musket. How the fellows turn
ed out of their encampment when the heard us!
| What running about--barefoota and half cloth
ed-and in the light of their own fires! These
showed us where to choose them, while they
could not see u.s. We killed three hundred Of
the rebels with the bayonet, l stuck them my
selflike so many plgs-one after another-till
the blood ran out of the touch-hole of my
musket." e
The details of the Hessian were interrupted
by Mr.. Israel's starting to his feet, with face
pale with rage, convulsed lips, and clenched
hands. The catastrophe, that might have en-
sued, was prevented by faint shrek from his
young sister, who fell into his arms in swoon
The sergeant's horrible boastngs thus slleneed,
and the whole room in confusion, he bade the
family good night, saying he was on duty, and
presently quilted the house. .
The parting Of those who had just gone thro
so'agitating a scene was now to take place
Caesar was sternly questioned and reprimand
ed for his perhdy; but the black excused him
self by pleading that he had been compelled tc
do as he had done. For the future, with stream
ing eyes, he promised the strctest fidelity; and
to his credit be it said, remained steadfast II
the performance of his promise.
Having bidden adieu to his family, Mr.. Is
rael set forth on his journey homeward. He ar
rived only to be made prisoner, the loyalis
who had given him the countersign, had be-
trayed the secret ofhis expedition. He and his
wite's brother were Immediately seized anc
carried en- board the frgate Roebuck, lying il
the Delaware, few miles from the then bo
rough OF Wilmlngton-and directly opposite hi
farm--in order to be tried as spies. ~
Being one Of the "committee of safety" th'
position of Mr.. Israel, under such an accusation
was extremely critical. On board the ship ht
was treated, with the utmost severity. Hi
watch, silver shoe buckles, and various articles
of clothing were taken from him; his bed wa
a coil of ropes on deck, without covering from
the bitter cold of the night air; and to all ap
pearances his fate was already decided. The
testimony of his tory neighbors was strong
against him. Several were ready to swear t(
the fact that while the loyal population of the
country had willingly furnished their share o.
the provisions needed by the ships of war; he
had been heard to say repeatedly that ''ht
would sooner drive his cattle as present tt
Washington than receive thousands Of dollars
in British gold for them.' .- ..
On being informed of this speech, the com
mander gave orders that detachment of sol
diers should proceed to drive the rebels cattle
then grazing in meadow in full view, dow1
to the river, and slaughter them in the face 0
the prisoner. ..- -.....-
What, meanwhile must have been the feel
ings of the young wife-herself about to be
come mother--when her husband and broth
er were led away in her very sight? The farm
was mile OF more from the river but there
was nothing to intercept.the view-tbe grounc
from the meadow slopng down to the water
Mrs. Israel was at this period about nineteen
slight, but symmetrical figure, of fair complex
ion, with clear blue eyes, and dark hair, hel
manners modest and retiring. She was devo
ted to her family and her domestic concerns
1t needed the trying scenes by which she was
surrounded, to develop the heroism which, il
times more peaceful, might have been unmark
ed by those who knew her most intimately.
From her position on the lookout, she saw
the soldiers land from the ships, shoulder arms
and advance towards their meadow. In an in
stant she devined their purpose, and her reso
luton was taken. With a boy eight years old
whom she bade follow her at his utmost, sht
started off, determined to battle the enemy, ane
save the cattle at the peril of her life. Dowr
went the bars, and, followed by the boy, she
ran to drive her herd to the opening. The sol
diers called out repeatedly to her to desist, anc
threatened, if she did not, to fire upon her.
Fire away!" cried the heroic woman. They
fred! The balls flew thickly around her. The
frightened cattle ran in every direction over the
| field. . .....-...-.-.. ...se ....'t - s.-.-...
"This way!" she called to the boy, nothing
daunted, t'this way, Joe! Head them there
Stop them, Joe! Do not let one escaped"
And not one did escape! The bullets fired
by the cowardly British soldiers continued
.. !, i:..1, -, h,