M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-08-26
Sntt;rstina stOrp.
BURS UNDER THE SADDLE
A SKETCH OF TIE REVOLT TIoN.

During the month of March, 177S,
the British army being at Philadel.
phia, and the American forces at Val
ley Forge, the American commander
ir.chiet was dcsirous Of having some
information concerning the state Of
affairs in the city, and desired Cap.
tain Allen M'Lane to pick him out Il
few trusty men for the purpose. Nc.
Lane selected five OF his own men,
with Sergeant John Marks Tor lead.
er, and sent the latter to head.quar'
tiers to receive instructions.
Marks was a very young man to
be entrusted with important services,
being only twenty-five years oi age;
but McLane had frequently marked
his conduct in camp and field, had
made himself well acquainted with
his character, and knew that he could
be thoroughly relied on Marks was
q lank, bony fellow, with high check
bones, square jaw, and rather large
mouth; but Ae had u fine, expressive
eye, his features were exceedingly no.
bic, and his countenance entirely un-
der his control. With this he posses.
sed great powers of mimicry, which
he used to show off frequently for the
amusement Of his comrades, and had
reputation for shrewdncss. His
muscular system had not received its
full development; but his habits had
made him almost as active as a pan.
ther. He was fully instructed by Gen.
Washington, as to the information de-
sired, and left camp at dark, arriving
in a short time at Port Kennedy, on
the SchuylkilI. At that point he
struck across the country, and by
means OF by.ways, with which he
was well acquainted, having been
raised in the neighborhood, evaded
the scouting parties OF the enemy, and
arrived at Mantua, soon after dark
Here he posted his little troop, in a
cedar hollow, overlooking the river;
while he, in the disguise OF d country
man, with sack OF vegetables, which
he had stolen from a garden in the
neighborhood. rode into the city. He
not only escaped detection, but man
aged to sell his vegetables to men,
Der of Iiowe's staff, was taken to the
generals presence, and in return for
false information in regard to Wash
ington's movements, managed to learn
some facts OF Importance. Promising
to return in few days, with more
vegetables, he was enabled to leave
the town leisurely, with a passport in
his pocket, and some sugar, coffee and
other articles Of like nature in his
sack. He joined his men without
suspicion about night-fall, and after
dark the little party set out on its re-
turn. ..
Now had Marks kept in the course
by which he came, it is possible he
could have reached the American
lines in good time, and safely. But
it happened that about mile from the
river, at a point nearly opposite Spring
Mil, thele lived a farmer named Nc
lllyaine, who although a Quaker and
non-comhatant, was well disposed to-
ward the American cause. McIll-
vaine had daughter, named Priscil.
la, young and handsome girl, tt
whom Marks was strongly attached,
but who had never betrayed any
symptoms Of affection in return. The
house was half mile or more out OF
the former route, but lover-like, the
trooper took his men in that direction
1t was late in the night when he near
ed the place-the moon was down.
YET it was probably some satisfaction
for the young man to look upon the
building where he supposed his lady
love to be buried in repoSe.