The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-11-11

We calculated he would hasten directl,
to the camp of Washington. We. ar
misled, or we have passed him secretet
in the forest"
"Perbaps that inn keeper deceived
US. Methinks he was not so imbecile al
he pretended
"By my souls salvation thou has
hit it. Doltsl asses that we arel Die
/ you not note the nimbleness of his leap
| when thy hand was raised against him
Judas, how this villain triumphed l.
! Ride. back-for thy life ride like light.
ningl"
''Nay, not back, if he be spy. he has
taken che other road, and sent US FOOLS
errand on this. A league hence we
passed by-path, that doubtless inter
sects the highway some distance to the
west along the river" "
"Well, be that our direction. Blood!
how we have idled nor would have
credited the clown with such wit"
cay, and now that I suspect him, I
recollect the quietude of the village
The place was solitary. Nor ever prof
fered the man taste of his wine"
"Ughl didst thou notice his keen
eyes ?"
"True--like the ppy's own-black as
jet--it was himself-curse him ! But
surely our beasts need batting after so
long ride, and faith, feel like tasting
of nv flask"
"Mind now, Wolf, we must capture
that fellow, an we starve ourselves and
stall our eteeds. On, on, five hundred
pounds and brevet. Thiae"-
"The gold for me, captain"
"And I the brevet--done. This ride
shall cost the peddler dear p"
"Hcre we go. Huzza Tally 10!
Five hundred pounds" !"
"Silence, Wolf, once upon the scent,
we must surprise the fugitive"
cay, quiet will / be, but the five
hundred pounds. Joyel IT'S enough
to reward the taking of two spies. Up,
my gallant nag" he continued, olasping
the horses neck, ''thou shalt be stabbed
fortnight, if thou doest thy duty"
However, the path was much longer
than was snticipated. Darkness came
on, and long after nigh;fall they we. 9
compelled to rest themselves at log
house that opportunely lay in their way.
After couple of hours they pursued
their object, and at length emerged Oh
the high road upon which, as they con
jectured, the fugitive was league in
advance OF tkem Fastening 10 the Amer
ican rendezvous.
John Putnam, who so easily eluded
his pursuers at the deserted hotel-de-
serted because of a late foray and muir
derous attack upon it by the British
was indeed hurrying along the tzrn-
pike, with pack upon his shoulders
| and staff in his hand. Under tho lin
ing of his clothes were secreted descfip-
tions of the English forces living in that
| VlClultI "ElCh ~ was bCSSeSdIO W pldCC
in Gen. Washington's possession, before
he could make any decisive movements.
Putuam's mission had thus far been sue
cessful, and upon his safe return reposed
the success of his commander. There
fore, knowing himself pursued, he had
assumed and doffed many disguises in
the course of the last hundred miles
travel, and then at length, in his origi
nal costume, hailed with Joy the famil-
lar spots that indicated his approach to
the American outposts.
'Thank heavenl" be exclaimed, "that
/ these weary limbs are near home, but
thrice the distance would walk, and,
aye, even let myself be hanged to the
door of an inn,' to further Washington 3
glory and save the lives of my coun-
trymen. God" he cried looking upward,
.Thou who watcheth this struggle for
liberty, smile on our last effort Save
the true believers !"
"But the sun will be up, anon; must
| quicken my gait; already the troops
must have discovered my deceit, and
are following me- Fearful is the appre-
hensiop, but never finch, Jack Putnam,
this stick shall not die without an ef,
fort. ,
"Ahl did I hear football! Hist
nay | it was the futter of some bird, OF
the dawn awaking some beast. Stay,
and am captured or killed who will
oh the torture nay wife aud child !
But, have It'll Gen. Washington prom
ised to act fathers part towards my
child, if should fall doing my duty.
It's all right, old follow-holloa, this is
Hickory Hill, and I'm not far off the
lines. Now feet of mine, walk" eoa
In this soliloqui.ing manner he NUT
tered, until suddenly the olattering of
horses feet became too distinct to escape
his notice.
"Thunder can they be SO close p
And yet cannot hide in the brushwood.
Washington must have these papers by
twelve o'clock this day; haven't time
to hide. But hang me if I do hide like
cowardly red coat Pm no coward
though dozen Hessianp be on my trail,
like bloodhounds. I'll 60 on, and if my
tongue saves me not, by the mighty Her
o,,laa o1y,I> tebol1 -'L = ~. d..