Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-12-17
CHAPTER XVI.
THE RETURN-CEsAR's ADVENTURE,


When the remaining soldier re, ched the
Old Barracks, he found Sir Henry Clinton
and Captain Berksford aa ai,ing the return
of his party.
-.ssAre you not one Of the men sent in
pursuit of the spy!'
81 am, sir" replied the soldier, removing
his hat, and presenting subdued mien to
his superior.
swell, sir, have you returned successful
81 am sorry to say have not.''
What! have you given over the chase 60
soonr'
"lt was through compulsion, sir. Myself
with two comrades had become separated
from the main party, and very Unexpectedly
came upon the rebel. We attempted 10
arrest him, but were unable to accomplish
| it. Some unseen power must have given
strength and courage TO tine fellows arm
| am all that remains of the three-my two
friends were struck down nearly at the same
moment by the hand of the spy, and my LIE
was spared only when | was unable to re-
sists, and had promised to return TO quarters
without molesting him again"
ITS lie! you're his accomplice" elled
! Clinton, pallid with rage. at is an impos-
! sibility fer one ma to show such lronir'
mo, Sir Henry" interrupted Berksford,
"the man speaks the truth. | might have
known that nothing shor: OF the whole
British force weuId have been able to cap
ture him! We have tried it before, and
half d dozen men are mere moulhful lor
him. Curse the leliow. believe the devil
himself would step forward and assist him
if he should happen to be caugh: in very
tight piace!"
"You know him. then, Berksford,' inter.
posed Clinton.
Yes! II, wish didn't though"
"Perhaps you might set some trus.y scou
upon his track, then, and apprehend hin
before he does any material damage"
81 will do what can," replied the Cap
tain; but at the same time, the expression
OF his features gave a dubious reflection t,
his words.
The party separated-Sir Henry to pact
fretfuly the floor Of his private library, il
order to keep down the anger that was con
tinualiy rising Up in his throat The soldie
congratulating himself upon his lucky escup
aud inxardly blessing the facetious Captain
fer his timely interruption of the enrage
Clinton. And Berksford TO depart for :
ne" scene, whittier with the readers per
mission, we will follow him.
, Mounted upon the self-same charge
= ! ,,h Io 10
opening of our story, he galloped GRACEFUL
along The dew sprnked turf, through
woody route that led to Meadowdale man
, sion. The faithful Caesar attended hi
master, keeping few rods in the rear, an
amusing himself the while by mimickin
the varied tones of The feathered songster
Il which greeted his ear. This was an en-
II ployment which the negro's genius require
the want of an opportunity to display hi
l. taste, would have rendered him superlative
ly miserable.
The distance was traversed in silence b
= the Captain. The occurrences of the morr
: ing were not calculated TO leave him in til
most complaisant turn Of mind-his riy;
had eluded his grasp for third time, an
= that, with the odds, greatly in favor of tn
: royal party. Thus if the young America
{ had showed Gs much rigor in his suit Wit
70 Mary Dawson, as he had in eIuding the IN,
chinaiions Of his enemies the royalst col
e sidered his hopes entilely thrown away.
The mans on was reached, and the Cal
- :" tuin was cordially welcomed by the unc
= !, of Mary. The day was employed with boa
y riding, fishing, and other amusements whie
Meadowdale so well afforded. As the eve
It ing drew near, Major Dawson and his que
y retired to private room. The CAPITA
u, made an effort 10 cast aside his gloomine
~ of spirit, and assume more buoy ant natur