Des Arc citizen., 1858-12-04
Burrs Under the Saddle
A SKETCH OF THE REVOLUTION.


 During the month of March, 177S, the British army being at Philadelphia, and the American forces a: Valley Forge the American commander-in-chief was des- rous of having some information concern ing the state of affairs in the city, and de- sired Capt. Allen McLane to pick him out few trusty men for the purpose. - Nc Lane selected five of his own men, with Sergeant John Marks for leader, and sent the latter to head quarters to receive instructions.
 Marks was very young man 10 be entrusted with important service, being only twen,y-one years of age; but Me Lane had frequently marked his conduct in camp and field, and made himself well acquainted with his character, and knew that he could be thoroughly relied on.-- Marks was lank, bony fellow, with high cheek bones, square jaw, but rather large mouth: but he had fine, expressive eye, his features were exceedingly noble, and his countenance entirely under his control. With this he possessed great power of mimcry which he used to show off fre- quently for the amusement of his com rades, and had a reputation for shrewd- ness. His muscular system had not re- ceived its full development; but his ,hab- its had made him almost as active as a panther. He was fully instructed by Gen, Washington, as 10 the information desired, and left camp at dark, arriving in short time at Fort Kennedy, on the Schuylkill. At that point he struck across the country, and by means of by-ways, with which he was we'll acquainted, having been raised ;n the neighborhood, evaded the scouting parties of the enemy, and arrived at Man tua, soon after dark Here he posted his little troop, in cedar hollow, overlooking the river; while he in the disguise of a countryman, with sack of vegetables, which he had stolen from garden in the neighborhood, rode into the city. He not only escaped detection but managed to sell his vegetables to a member of Howe's staff, was taken to the Generals presence, and in return for false information in re- gard to Washington's movements, man. aged to learn some facts of importance.- Promising to return in few days, with more vegetables, he was enabled to leave the town leisurely, with some, sugar, cOf- fee, and other articles of like nature in his sack. He jo ned his men without sus- picion at about night.fall, and after dark the little party set out on its return.
 Now had Marks kept in the course by which he came, it is probable he could have reached the American lines in good time and safely. But it happened that at about mile from the river, at a point nearly opposite Spring Mill, there lived a farmer named M'Ilvaine, who was well disposed toward the American cause M'Ilvaine had daughter, named Pris- ella, young and handsome girl, to whom Marks was strongly attached, but who had never betrayed any symptoms of afee- tion in return. The home was half a mile or more out of the former route, but lover like, the trooper took his men in that di- rec.ion. It was late in the night when he entered the pIace--the moon was down yet 1t was probably some satisfaction for the young man to look upon the building where he supposed his lady love to be bu- ried in repose.
 Asthey silently and swiftly passed along the watchdog of the farm began tc bark. the inmates of the house was alarm ed, and light at one of the window; showed them to be stirring. At the same moment horseman rode unexpectedly from the shadow of small patch of wood; on the left, and challenged the new-com. CTS. The answer was a pistol shot from Marks, which tumbled the challenger from his horse. A general alarm at the farm house succeeded, and was answered by a ] hlrIs call a shnrf distance ahead Mark.