The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-03

ing, which seemed, by the shadowy outline, to d. a
large stone barn. They entered it, and were severally
placed in small hooks, where they could feel that the
hay was all around them, except on the side OF the wall
Shortly after, some provisions were brought to them
with the same silence, and it was signifed to them they
were to remain concealed through the whole OF the com-
ing day.
Through a crevice in the wall, Lee could discover, as
the day came on, that the barn was attached t"a small
house. He was 50 near the house, that ne could over
hear the conversation which was carried on about the
door. The morning rose clear, and it was evident from
he inquiries of horseman, who occasionally galloped up
to the DIR, that the country was alarmed. The farmer
gave short and surly replies, as if unwilling to be taken
OF from his labor but ~thetother inmates were eager III
their questions, and from the answers Lee gathered,
that the means by which he and his companions bad
escaped, we're rs mysterious as ever.
The next night, when all was quiet, they resumed
their march, and explained to LIE, that, as he was not
with them in their conspiracy, and was accidentally
associated with them in their escape, they should take
The precaation to keep him before them. just behind the
guide. He b. LIMITED without opposition, though the
arrangement considerably lessened the chances in favor
Of his escape. He observed from the direction Of the
stars, that they did not move in a direct line toward the
Delaware, but they changed their course so often that
he could not conjecture at what point they intended to
strike the river. He endeavored, whenever any peculiar
object appeared, to fix it in his memory as well as the
y WV0I0 RSAAAN1 0A0 0oSSSSAC0 4CtACA tud
have been expected, considering the agitated state iu
which he Travelled.
For several nights they went on in this manner. be
ny delivered over to different persons from time to time
aud rs Lee could gather from their whispering con
versation, they were regularly employed on occasions
like the preseLt, and well rewarded BY the British for
tneir serxiesa- enplaymsn szss Aai-0fa.sger,
ami though they seemed like desperate men, he could
observe that h. y never RENTED their precautions They
we're concealed oy day in barns, CELLARS, caves made to,
the purpose and similar retreats; and one day was
passed in q tomb, the dim, nsions Of which had be-. u
enlarged, aud the inmates, if there had been any, ban
'shed to make room for the living. The bu,yiug grounds
| were u favurite retreat.
| Though the distance to the Delaware was not great,
hey had now been twelve days ON the Rad, and such
Was the vigilance and suspicion prevailing throughout
the country, that they almost ~despaired OF ef.cting
.heIr object. The conduct n grew impatient and Lees
>ompanlons, at least one OF them, became ferocious.
There was, as we have said, something unpleasant to
him in the glance Of this fellow toward him, which be.
came more and more fierce as they went on but it dill
not appear whether it were owing to circumstances or
actual suspicion. 1t so happened that, IN the twelfth
night the party sheltered themselves in the cellar of "a
little stone church, where they could talk and act with
more freedom, both because the solitude of the place
was not often disturbed even on the Sabbath-and be-
cause even the proprietors did not know that the illegal
hands had added a cellar tothe convenience of the build
ing:
Inc parry were Sc9tcO ucrC as tue Oay OfOKc, ana the
light which Struggled in through crevices opened for the
purpose, showed y low room about twelve feet square,
with = damp floor, and large patches of white mold upon
the walls. Here they were smoking pipes with great
diligence, and, at intervals not distant, applying a huge
canteen to their mouths, from which they drank with
satisfaction. While they were thus engaged, the short
soldier thinking from Lees appearance that he was fast
aslesp,-while his eyes were only closed to deceive them
asked in a careless way if they knew whom they hal in
the party. The others started, and inquired what he
meant. IT. afat.rs 81. eua,
Il mean,' said he, that we are honorcd with tae
company Of Capt Lee, Of the rebel army. The rascal
once punished me, and ] never mistook my man When
had a debt of that kind h. pay Now | shall have my
revenge a M
The others fastened to express their disgust at his
ferocity, saying, that il, as he said, their companion was
an American officer, ali they mad TO do was TO watch him
closely. They said that, as he had come among them
unlimited, he must 60 with them to New York and take
the consequences; but, meanwhile, it was their interest
not to seeln t. suspect him, otherwise be might give an
ALARM, whereas it was evidently his intention to 30 with
them till they were ready to embark for. New York.
The other persisted in saying that he would have bis
revenge with his own hand, upon which the conduct,
drawing a pistol, declared to him that if he saw the
least attempt to injure Captain Lee, or any ~conduet"r
which would lead him to suspect that his Disguise was
discovered, he would that moment shoot him through
the head. The soldier put bis hand upon bis knife with
an ominous scowl upon the conductor, but seeing that
ne 0AQ 10 90 VIII Que WIN was ll8ciy y " ~ &HOO y >
his word, he restra ned himself; and began to arrange
some rubbish to serve him for : bed. The other SOL
diers followed. his example, but the guide took u position
near Lee, SO as to prevent any injury that might be
efered him. - 4. #.
The next night they went on as usual, but the man
ner Of their oo0ductor showed there was more danger
than before ; il fact, heexpla ned to the party that they
we're not nov far from the Delaware, and hoped to reach
it before ~nfdnight. They occasionally heard the report
of q mnsket, which seemed to Indicate that some move
ment va going on in the country. Thus warned, they
quieken@ their steps, and it was not long before they
ssw = glssns Of broad clear light before them, such as is
reflected from calm waters even in the darkest nights.
They moved up to it with deep silence there were
various emotions in their breasts; Lee was hoping for
an opportunity to escape from an enterprise wl',ch was
growing too serious, and the principal objects Of which
we're already answered and othere were anxious lest
some accident might have happened TO the boat on which
they depended for crossing the stream.
When they came to the bank there vas no traces OF
. noat on the waters Their conductor stood still for u
moment in dismsy but, recoIlecting himself, he said It
was p ,ssible it might have ben secured lower dow" the
stream, and forgetting everything else, he directed til.
.uldiers to accompany him, leaving Lee alone IN chars'
/ the ruff IN who knew him, aud who had sworn to ki
I'm.
Lee was a. brave as any officer io the army; but h
vas unsrmed, aud though he was strong, his al se'sA'.
.-..Al 1900 oc~>.Tul Wh;lo ho af.od- NIGER n,