Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1858-10-21


up to the house, and tried to regain his
horse The officer had no doubt of his be-
ing the one he sought, and he accordingly
urged his men forward at the height of their
horses speed, and succeeded in surrounding
him ere he had time to mount.
''Sieze him capture the spy! command
ed the Lieutenant.
But the youth whom they had thus sur
rounded was no coward, and withal no un-
skillful hand with the sword, as more than
one of the desperadoes found to his cost.
But the odds were too overwhelming to
make it long doubtful as to the issue.
The young man was overpowered and
wounded faint from the loss of blood, he
was placed upon horse and the cavalcade
galloped back to the Tory camp
Rose Lindon had been mute but all ab
sorbed witness of the scene. With the keen
est anguish, she saw the capture of her low
er; almost despairipg she saw them bear
him hence.
But she was one that scared above the
trial which surrounded her, rather than one
that sank beneath their weight.
Instantly her resolve was taken. Calling
the negro servant, she ordered him to pre-
pare her horse, and then retired to her a.
partment where she disguised herself in a
complete suit of male attire that exactly fit
ted to her person. The dark shining ring
lets were carefully concealed beneath dark
velvet riding cap, from which dropped a sim
gle plume. Thus arrayed, she mounted her
horse and sped almost with the rapidity of
thought in the direction of the camp of
Marion
It was indeed a lovely, brilliant night
The moon, which by this time had arisen,
folled majestically through the arch of hea-
ven, bathing the scene in a flood of golden
light.
1t was scene and time calculated to call
forth feeling, and the generous-hearted girl
felt the blood mantling to her cheek as she
rushed past objects long to her familiar
She thought not of the danger she thus in
Cured. She only thought of her lover as a
prisoner, and the means Of rescue. Thus she
sped on. Mile after mile was passnb and
still she slackened not her speed except occas
sionally to rest her weary -horse--In In this
way the distance to Lynch's Creek, the 10
cation of Marion's camp was soon passed.
As soon as she reached the place, the SEN
tinel ushered her into the presence of Ma
rion The latter surveyed her from head to
foot before he spoke At last he said:
"Young man, I am informed you have
important tidings which you wish to COM
municate to me alone Of what nature are
they?'
s.You have heard of John Coming Ball
and the band which he commands p queried
the disguised maiden.
Il have" was the reply. care you ac-
quainted with the position of his camp?"
Il am" rejoined the girl. ''It was to
inform you of it that thus visit your quar-
ters at this hour
"Ah! And where may he be %
Upon the banks of the Black Mingo, he
and his crew now hold their revels. Charles
Somerfeld is his prisoner"
"What! Charles Somer6eld prisoner
Why, he left the camp this afternoon. 1t
cannot be-"
1T is no less fact. He is their priso-
ner, and will probably be treated as a spy
unless prompt measures are taken for his
rescue"
"How am I to know the truth of what
you say" asked Marion.
II am the afianced bride of Charles Som
erfeld," returned Rose, and lifting her
plumed cap from off her brow, the silken ring
lets fell in profusion down her snowy neck.
'Rose Lindon, of truth, tits sufficient.
He must be rescued, and that this very
night You will be our guide to the tory
camp, will you not ?"
ri .:loa bouod oeeo,& ,pd ;pc4on+1u
Marion left the tent, and ordered the brigade
to arms. The band of men under the con-
troll of Marion were soon ready armed and
equipped for combat, and then, with the
noble patriot maid as their guide, they
sought their foe. Rose felt somewhat en-
barrassed at the novel position which she
occupied. but the frank, afable manner of
Marion soon put her at her ease. She was
surrounded by rough and uncouth forms, but
she knew that beneath that rough exterior
there beat noble hearts. Hearts which
would yield up life itself for the cause of
liberty would meet death for her. The in
tervening ground between Lynch's Creek,
and Balls command was passed in a COM
paratively short period, and the band of
patriots found themselves near the scene of
strife. They had hoped to surprise the to-
ries. but in crossing the bridge over the
Mingo they were startled by the report of a
gun, the signal of their approach. Scarce
had the boom of the gun, fired to rouse the
tory camp, died away, ere the whole brigade
were flying over the ground at their horses
utmost speed, for the moment required as
great celebrity as their movements hitherto
had required caution. A few moments and
they were in the midst of their surprised,
half-wakened enemies dealing death to all
opposed to their furious onslaught. 1t was