The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-03

ing. which seemed, by the shadowy outline, to b. a
large stone barn. They entered it, and were severally
placed in small hooks, where they could feel that the
hay was all around them, except on the side OF the wall
Shortly after, some provisions were brought to them
with the same silence, and it was signifed to them they
we're to remain concealed through the whole OF the com-
ing day. 49,.
Through a crevice in the wall, Lee could discover, as
the day came on, that the barn was attached t"a small
house. He was 50 near the house, that he could over
hear the conversation which was carried on about the
door. The morning rose clear, AMI it was evident from
he inquiries of h~orseman, who occasionally gaH"ped up
to the d ,rr, that the country was alarmed. The farmer
gave short and surly replies, as if unwilling to be taken
of from his labor but ~thetother inmates were eager III
their questions, and from the answers Lee gathered,
that the means by which he and his companions had
escaped, were as mysterious as ever.
The next night, when all was quiet, they resumed
their march, and explained to LIE, that, as he was not
with them in their conspiracy, and was accidentally
associated with them in their escape, they should take
he precaution to keep him before them. just behind the
guide. He ST. omitted without opposition, though the
arrangement considerably lessened the chances in favor
Of his escape. He observed from the direction of the
stars, that they did not move in direct line toward the
Delaware, but they changed their course so often that
be could not conjecture at what point they intended to
strike the river. He endeavored, whenever any peculiar
object appeared, to fix it in his memory as well as the
darkness would permit, and succeeded better than could
have been expected, considering the ag'tated state III
| which he Travelled.
Fer several nights they went on in this manner, be
my delivered over to different persons from time to time /;
aud as Lee could gather FROM their whispering con
ver>ation, they were regularly employed on occasions
like the preseLt, and we'll rewarded by the British for
their seryices. Their employment Vas fulL-nfdsBger,
ami though they seemed like desperate men, he could
observe that ID y never reunited their precautions They
we're concealed Dy day in barns, CELLARS, caves made TO,
the DurDOSe and similar retreats and n dav WAS
passed IN q tomb, the dim, nsions Of which had bee
enlarged, aud the inmates, if there had been any, ban
.shed to make room tor the living. The burying grounds
were Il tavorite retreat.
Though the distance to the Delaware was not great,
hey had now been twelve days TN the Road, and such
was the vigilance and suspicion prevailing throughout
the country, that they almost ~despaired Of e~fccting
heir object. The conduct n grew impatient and Lees
>ompanlons, at least one OF them, became ferocious.
There was, as we have said, something unpleasant to
him in the glance Of this fellow toward him., which be.
came more and more fierce as they went on but it dill
not appear whether it were owing to circumstances or
actual suspicion. 1t so happ:ned that, on the twelfth
night the party sheltered themselves in the cellar of "a
little stone church, where they could talk and act with
more freedom, both because the solitude of the place
was not often disturbed even on the Sabbath-and be
cause even the proprietors did not know that the illegal
hands had added a cellar tothe convenience of the build
ing.
The party we're seated here as the day broke, and the
light which Struggled in through crevices opened for the
purpose, showed u low room about twelve feet square,
with a damp Aoor, and large patches of white moli upon
the walls. Here they we're smoking pipes with great
diligence, and, at intervals not distant, applying a huge
canteen to their mouths, from which they drank with
satisfaction. While they were thus engaged, the short
soldier thinking from Lees appearance that he was fast
~asleep,-while his eyes were only closed to deceive them
asked in a careless way if they knew whom they hal in
the party. The others started, and inquired what he
meant.
Il mean,' said he, that we are honored with tae
company Of Capt Lee, of the rebel army. The rascal
once punished me, and ] never mistook my man when |
had a debt of that kind I" pay. Now l shall have my
revenge
The others fastened to express their disgust at his
ferocity, saying, that If, as he said, their companion Was
an American officer, all they had TO- o was to watch him
closely. They said that, as he had come among them
unlimited, he must 60 with them to New York and take
the consequences; but, meanwhile, it was their interest
not to seem t. suspect him, otherwise he might give an
alarm, whereas it was evidently his intention to 20 with
them till they were ready to embark for New York,
The other persisted in saying that he would have his
revenge with his own hand, upon which the cond vet,
drawing a pistol, declared to him that if he saw the
least attempt to injure Captain Lee, or any conductor
which would lead him to suspect that his disguise was
discovered, he would that moment shoot him through
the head. The soldier put bis hand upon bis knife with
an ominous scowl upon the conductor, but seeing that
ne had to do with one who was likely to be as good as
his word, he restra. ned himself, and began to arrange
some rubbish to serve him for q bed. The other SOL
diers followed. his example, but the guide took u position
near Lee, so as to prevent any injury that might be
ofered him.
The next night they went on as usual, but the man
uer of their conductor showed there was more danger
than before !; in fact, heexpla ned to the party that they
we're not now far from the Delaware, and hoped to reach
it before midnight. They occasionally heard the report
} of a musket, which seemed to indicate that some move
ment was going on in the country. Thus warned, they
~quickened their steps, and it was not long before they
saaw a CLEAN Of broad clear light before them, such as is
reflected from calm waters even in the darkest nights
They moved up to it with deep silence there were
various emotions in their breasts; Lee was hoping fol
an opportunity to escape from an enterprise which was
t growing too serious, and the principal objects OF which
were already answered and othere were anxious les'
, some accident might have happened TO the boat on which,
they depended for crossing the stream.
; Whep they came to the bank there vas no traces o
. poat on the waters Their conductor stood still tor !
moment in dismay but, recollecting himself, he said ii
I vas D .ssible it might have besn secured lower dow" th'
i. stream, and forgetting everything else, he directed th'
.o!diers to accompany him, leaving Lee alone ID chare
t the rufian who knew him, and who had sworn to ki
I'm.
!. Lee was as brave as any officer 10 the army but Il
), vas unarmed, aud though he was strong, his al seisd'