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

the American commandcr-in-chief was
DESTROYS Of having some information con-
corning the state Of affairs in the city,
and desired Captain Allen M'Lane to
pick him out a few trusty men for the
purpose MLane selected five of his
own men, with Sergeant John Marks for
leader, and sent the latter to head.q quar-
tiers to receive instructions.
Marks was very young man to be
entrusted with important services, being
only twenty-five years of age but
M'Lane had frequently marked his con-
duet in camp aud field, had made HIM
self well acquainted with his character,
and knew that he could be thoroughly
relied on. Marks was Il lank bony fell
low, with high cheek bones, square jaw,
and 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 minlicry
which be used to show off frequently for
the amusement of his comrades, and had
a reputation for shrcwdness. His mus
cular system had not received its full
development; but his habits had made
him as active as q panther. lie was
fully entrusted by Gen. Washington, as
to the information desired, and left camp
at dark, arriving in short time at Port
Kennedy, on the Schuy kill. 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, cvaded the scouting
parties Of the enemy, and arrived at
Mantua, soon after dark. Here he post
cd his little troop, in cedar hollow,
overlooking the river while he in the
disguise of a countryman, with sack of
vegetables, which he had taken from a
garden i'll the neighborhood, rode into
the city. IIcnot only escaped detection,
but managed to sell his vegetables to a
member Of llowe's staff, was taken to the
generals presence, and in return for the
false information in regard to Washing
tons movements, managed to learn some
facts of importance. Promising to return
III few days, with more vegetables, he
was enabled to leave the town leisurclv.
with Il passport in his pocket, and some
sugar, coffee and other articles of like
nature, in his sack. lie joined his men
without suspicion, about nightfall, and
after dark the little party set out on its
return.
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 point
nearly opposite Spring Mill, there lived
IL farmer named Ilvaine, who was we'll
disposed toward the American cause -
Mllyaine had lighter, named Pris-
ella, young and handsome girl, to
whom Marks was strongly attached, but
who had never betrayed any symptoms of
affection i'll return. The house was
half mile or more out Of the former route,
but loyer-lllc, the trooper took his men
i'll that direction. 1t was late in the
night when he neared the placc-thc
moon was down-yct it was probably
some satisfaction for the young man to
look upon the building where he sup
posed his lady-love to be buried in
reposc.
As thcy silently and swiftly passed
along the Watchdog of the farm to bark,
the inmates of the house were alarmed,
and a light at one of the windows showed
them to be stirring. At the same
moment u horseman rode unexpectedly
from the shadow of small patch OF
woods on the left, and challenged the
newcomers. The answer was pistol
shot from Marks, which tumblcd the
challenger from his horse. A general
alarm at the farm house succeeded, and
was answered by bugle call short
distance ahead. Marks found that he
had come upon post Of the enemy, and
dashed on with his force. At the turn
of the road a hundred yards further, they
found a small detachment formed across
their path. AS the Americans knew the
road forkcd on the other side of this
force, and their chances of escape were
good, if they could reach the left hand
road, which was Il mere by-path, to be
ridden by only one horscman at time,
they charged sword in hand.
Three of the troop managed to break
through, and escaped, but Marks and q
stout trooper by the name of Gail, from
Bucks county, Pa, were intercepted
and obliged to cross sabres with the
enemy. 1t proved useless to contend
with superiors numbers, by this time re.
inforccd by others from the farmhouse
and after short and severe contest
resulting in the death of one Of the
British troopers, the two Americans
were taken prisoners, and carried bacl
to the house Of M'Jlvaine.
Marks was filed with chagrin, partly
at his folly in taking the most dangerous
path, and partly at his inability to CON
vcy to the COMMANDMENTS chief, the
valuable information he had picked up il
the city lie yelled his modification
however, in cold and careless demeanor
and In reply to the lieutenant command
ing the British detachment, said that b
had been out on a foraging party, ha'
lost his way, and managed to get almos
within sight Of the city before he dis
covered his blunder. Priscilla, who
with the rest of the family, was no,
awake and dressed, saw, but APPARENT
did not recognise Marks. After som
more questions which were answered j