The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-08-06

-t'el' DIT d punt nearly opposite spring MIL,
there lived farmer by the name of Mlllvaine,
who although a Quaker and non-combatant
was wpll-dsposed toward the American cause
M'lllvaine had daughter, named Priscilla,
young and handsome girl, TO whom Marks was
| strongly attached, but who never betrayed any
symptoms of affection in return. The house
was halfa mile or more out of the former
route, but lover-like, the trooper took his men
10 that direction. 1t was late IN the night
when he neared the place-the moon was down
yet it was probably some satisfaction for the
young man to look upon the building where he
supposed his lady-love TO be buried in repose.
As they silently and swiftly passed along,
the Watchdog ofthe farm began 10 bark, the
inmates OF the house were alarmed, and light
at one Of the windows showed them to be stir
| ring. At the same moment, horseman rode
unexpectedly from the shadow of a small patch
OF woods on the left, and challenged the new
! comers. The answer was pistol shot from
( Marks, which tumbled the challenger from his
horse. A general alarm al the farm house
succeeded, and was answered by bugIe call
! short distance ahead. Marks found that he
| had come upon a post of the enemy, and dash
! ed on with force. At the turn of the road
hundred yards farther, they found small de-
tachment formed across their path. As the
Americans knew the road forked on the other
side of this force, and their chances of escape
were good, if they could reach the left hand
bu-p 10 bo
BY only one horseman at time, they charged
sword in hand.
Three of the troop managed 10 break through
and escape, but Marks, and stout trooper by
the name Of Gahl, from Bucks county, were in
tercepted, and obliged to cross sabres with the
enemy. il proved useless to contend with SUI
perior numbers, by this time reinforced BY
others from the farm house and after a short
and severe contest, resulting in the death of one
OF the British troops, the two Americans were
taken prisoners, and carried back to the house
ofAPIIlvaine. .s7i
Marks was filled with chagrin, partly at his
folly in taking the most dangerous path, and
partly at his inability to convey TO the Comman-
der-in-chief, the valuable information he had
picked up in the city. He veled this NOR
tiication, however, in a cool and careless de-
meanor; and IN reply to the lieutenant comma1-
ding the British detachment, said that he hal
been out on foraging party, had lost his way,
and managed TO get almost within sight of the
city before he discovered his blunder. Priscilla
who with the rest Of the family, was now
awake and dressed, saw, but apparently did
not recognize Marks. After some more ques
tionS which were answered in what seemed 10
be an open manner, the lieutenant directed the
Americans 10 be placed, securely bound and
guarded, in an upper room OF the house, there
to remain until morning. BY the way OF COM
fort be gave them the assurance that they would
both be hanged as spies.
Marks with his companions passed a sleep
less night; il vas not alone the prospect of an
lgnomnious death which troubled him but he !
had learned enough in the city TO know that
surprise movement similar TO that attempted on
the previous 4th ofDecemher, against the Ameri- /
can forces, was set down for the following day,
and was aware that it was entirely unexpected.
He revoIved various plans of escape in his mind,
none OF which appeared TO be practicable, and
finally concluded to dismiss any premeditation I
on the matter, and be merely prepared to take /
advantage of unexpected circumstances. As |
for Gahl, he took matters like philosopher
and snored away all night in happy uncon-
scousneSs of his situation.
AT daylight the prisoners were brought down
and placed upon the porch, while Lieutenant
Draper and the men under his command took
breakfast in the house. The horses Of the troo-
pers, with those of Marks and Gahl also, were
all saddled and hitched TO the fences under
charge of little Scotchman named Mcpherson.
Priscilla, accompanied by Lieutenant Draper,
came out, the former bearing some food After
it was partaken of, Priscilla laid The dishes
knives and forks upon bench in the porch.
and listened with apparent interest 10 the ques
tons put by the lieutenant. The latter, by
way OF encouragement, assured the two Amerl-
cans that if they gave true statements their
lives would be spared-otherwise they would
certainly be hanged. He then left them for a
short time, to digest the information, Priscilla
remaining behind.
The Quaker girl, still appearing not to recog-
nize Marks, said to him, loud enough to De
heard by the soldiers who were passing to and
fro:
81 would advise thee, friend, TO tell all thee
knows. Friend Draper will keep his word