The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-08-28


sleepless night it was not OILY the
prospect Of an ignominious death which
troubled him but he had learned enough
i'll the city to know that Il surprise move
ment similar to that attempted on the
previous 4th of December, against the
American forces, was set down for the
following day, and was aware that it was
unexpected. He rcvolvcd various plans
of escape in his mind, none of which APP
peared to be practicable, and finally con-
cludcd to dismiss any reconciliation on
the matter, and be merely prepared to
take advantage Of unexpected circum-
stances. AS for Gail, he took matters
like II philosopher, and snored away all
night in happy Inconsistencies Of his
situation
At daylight the prisoners were brought
down and placed upon a porch, while
Lieutenant Draper and the men under
his command took breakfast in the
house. The horses of the troopers, with
those of Marks and Gail also, were all
saddled and hitched to the fences, under
charge of little Scotchman, named
Mcpherson. Priscilla, accompanied by
Lieut.. Draper came out, the former
bearing some food. After it was par
taken of, Priscilla laid the dishes, knives
and forks upon bench on the porch,
and listened with apparent interest to
the questions put by the lieutenant
The latter, by way of encouragement,
q ,n 4 81,
gave true statements their lives would
be spared-othcrwise, they would GER
tainly be hanged. He then left them
for short time, to digest the informa-
ton, Priscilla remaining behind
The Quaker girl, still appearing not
to recognise Marks, said to him, loud
enough to be heard by the soldiers, who
were passing to and fro:
" would advise thee, friend, to tell
all thee knows. Friend Draper will
keep his word with thee, | am sure. -
She then added in low voice, {" keep
still, John, and [ will save thee
Answer what say, but pay no heed to
what | do"
Mark caught her intent in moment,
and replied aloud
{" won't turn scoundrcl, Miss, for
fear Of death, even if had any surety
the captain there would keep his word. ]"
Other conversation followed and Pris-
ella, who had concealed sharp case
knife in her sleeve, managed to cut the
prisoners bonds, without observation,
f.p than ! t1n
move too soon. She told them that the
Lieutenant's horses, one of which was
ridden by his servant, and both stand
ing nearest the gate, were the swiftest
Of all, and then went out and exchanged
some light observations with Mcpherson,
pattlng and admrng the various horses,
one by one. Marks kept close watch
upon her, and noticed that she passed
something under the saddle-cloth of each
horse but she did not lay her hand on
the two horses of the Lieutenant
Priscilla returned presently, and with a
significant g lance at the captivcs, entered
the house, and engaged Lieutenant
Draper i'll conversation.
Mcpherson, in the meanwhile, had
noticed that some nan9uyring was being
made, and came on the porch to inspect
the fastcnings of the prisoners. AS he
did so, Gahl, who was a powerful man,
struck him between the eyes with his
full force, and the Scotchman fell back
ward from the raised floor to the ground,
striking his head against a stone so
severely, as to take away his senses for
the time. Before the alarm could be
given, Marks and Gahl were mounted on
their horses, and galloping furiously up
the road. Draper rushed out, and, hur-
ricd pistol shots being Intellectual, Or
dercd pursuit. But the party had not
proceeded IL dozen yards, before every
horse grew FESTIVE, and at length utterly
unmanageable. All attempts to control
them were in vain, and the horses grow
ing more furious, unseated trooper after
trooper. The single exception was in
Marks own horse, which Draper had
mounted. He was quiet enough, but
Draper happening to dismount, in order
to examine into the cause of the trouble.
the stccd galloped off after his master.
whom he ultimately overlook.
After considerable time thus lost, it
occurred to the Lieutenant, that there
was some trick in the matter. The
horses were stripped, and it was found
that the sharp burs of the burdock had
been placed under every saddle, and had
frcttcd and CALLED the animals almost tt
madness. BY this time, the fugitives
had too much start, and pursuit was
abandoned.
About four miles further on, Marks
and Gail fell in with three troopers OF
the enemy. The Americns were with.
out sabres, but there we're pistols in the
holsters, and with these they settled
two of their opponents. The third pu
spurs to his horse, turning down a eros.
road, escaped. Marks and his fricnt
were in too much Of hurry to pursue
him, and rode on toward the camp
where they arrived that afternoon. The
information that Marks brought was o
essential service. The British arrived
during the night, but found such formid
able preparations made to receive tn
attacking column, that they quietly
retrcated by the road they came.
Lieutenant Draper suspected Priscilla
who denied having anything to do wit
the matter, and wondered very muc
where the burs came from that time r