Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-09-23
N.P-9saD
Hence apart from the happy throng.

~ A4AA ~ A9 AA6lA dOLAOA AIM
looking up he perceived the person of the
Indian standing in the bosom of a myrtle
bush close to his side.
"Ha! again here !" he exclaimed with
establishment, but she motioned him to he
silent and kneeling at his feet, presented
him with a boquet of flowers. Washing
ton received it and was about to place it
in his breast, when she grasped him by
the arm, and pointing to it, said in a
whisper, /" Snake! snake!" and the lex
moment mingled with the company, who
appeared to recognize and welcome her
as one well known and esteemed.
Washington regarded the boquet with
wonder he saw nothing in it to excite
his suspicion her words and singular APP
pearance had, however, sunk deeply into
his heart, and looking closely upon the
nosegay, to his surprise he saw a small
piece of paper, in the midst Of the flow
ers. Hastily he drew it forth, and con-
founded and horror stricken, read, " Be.
aoare.i You are betrayed" 1t was now
apparent that he was within the den of
the tiger, but to quit it abruptly might
only draw the consummation of treachery
the speedier upon his head. He resolved
therefore, to disguise his feelings, and
trust to that Power which had never for
saken him. The festivities we're again
renewed, but almost momentarily inter-
rupted by a second sound of the capaon.
The guests now began to regard each
other with distrust, while many and
modify were the glancesscast upon Rugs
dale, whose countenhnce began to show
symptoms of un~easiness, while ever and
anon he looked from the window out upon
the green lawn, which extended to the
rivers edge, as if in expectation of some
ones arrival.
What can detain them ?" be muttered
to himself. Can they have deceived me?
Why answer they not the signal?" At
that moment a bright fame rose from the
river, Illuminating for a moment, the sur
rounding scenery, and showing a small
boat filled with persons, making rapidly
for the shore. "All's WE'LL" he continued,
in three minutes Ishall be the possessor
of a %coronet, and the cause of the Repub
lie be no more" Then gaily turning to
Washington, he said, Come General,
pledge me to the success of our arms."-
The eye of Rugsdale at that moment, en-.
countered the scrutinizing look of Wash
ington. and sunk to the ground his hand
trembled violently-even to SO great a
degree as to partly spill the contents of
the goblet. With difficulty he conveyed
it to his lips, then retiring to the window
he waved his hand, which was immediate
ly responded to by a third sound of the
cannon, at the same moment the English
anthem of God save the King, burst in..full
volume upon the ear, and a band Of men
attired in British uniform, with their ia,
ces hidden by masks, entered the apart
1.ent. The American officers drew, their
swords, but Washington cool and collec-
ted, stood with his arms folded upon his
breast, quietly remarking to them, " Be
calm gentlemen, this is an honor we did
not anticipate" Then turning to Rugs
dale, said, Speak, what does this mean 2"
1t means" replied the traitor, placing
his hand upon the shoulder of Washing
ton, . that you are my prisoner. In the
name of King George, | arrest YOU"
Never exchanged Pssgv the su & saaR4q4eehdvF
we will not. Therefore. give way" and
he waved his sword to the guard who
stood with their muskets leveled, as il
ready to fire, should they attempt to es-
cape. In an instant we're their weapons
reversed, and dropping their masks, to the
horror Of Rugsdale, and the agreeable
surprise Of Washington, his own brave
party whom he had left in charge of the
barge, stood revealed before him.
Seize that traitor !" exclaimed the
commander. "In ten minutes from this
command, let him be a spectacle between
the heavens and the EARTH" The wife
and daughter chung to his knees in suppl
cation. but an irrevocable oath had pas
sed his lips. that never should treason
again receive his forgiveness after that
of the miscreant Arnold. For my own
life" he said, while the tears rolled down
his noble countenance at the agony Of
the wife and daughter, " for my own life,
| heed not, but the liberty of my native
land-the welfare Of millions demand his
~sacri6ce-for the sake of humanity | pity
him, but my oath, and now in the pres
ence of Heaven. | swear | will not for
give him."
Like a thunderbolt fell these words
apon the hearts Of the wife and daugh.
ter. They sank ~lifeless into the arms of
the domestics, and when they recovered
to consciousness, Rugsdale had atoned for
his treason by the sacrifice Of his life.
1t appeared that the Indian girl, who
was an especial favorite, and domestica-
ted in the family, had overheard the in
tention Of Rugsdale to betray the Ameri-
can General, and other valuable officers,
that evening, into the hands of the Brit
ish, for which purpose they had been in
vited to this feast of Judas Hating,
in her heart, the enemies Of America, who
had driven her tribe from their native
forest, she resolved to Illustrate their de-
slgn, and consequently waylaid the steps
of Washington as we have described, but
failing in her noble purpose, she had then
recourse to the party left in the posses
sion of the boat.
Scarcely had she impaired her infor-
nation and the shadows of the night
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