M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-08-26

servation; cautioning them ut the
same time not to move too soon. She
told them that the Lieutenant's hors-
es, one Of which was ridden by his
servant, and both standing nearest the
gate, were the swiftest OF all, aud
then went out and exchanged some
light observations with Mcpherson,
patting and admiring the various hor.
ses, one by one. Marks kept a close
watch upon her, and noticed that she
passed something under the saddle
cloth of each horse; but she did not
| lay her hands on the two horses of
! the Lieutenant. Priscilla returned
presently, and witha a significant glance
at the captives, entered the house and
engaged Lieut.. Draper in converse.
| tion.
Mcpherson, in the meanwhile, had
noticed that some manGuvering was
being made, and came on the porch to
inspect the fastenings of the prisoners,
AS he did so, Gahl, who was a pow.
eriul man, struck him between the
two eyes with his full force, and the
Scotchman fell backwards from the
raised floor to the ground, striking his
head against a stone so severely, as to
take away his senses for the time. Be-
fore the alarm could be given, Marks
and Call were mounted on the ofic-
ers horses, and gallopng iuriously up
the road. Draper rushed out, and,
hurried pistol shots being Intellectual,
ordered Il pursuit. But the party had
not proceeded a dozen yards, before
every horse grew rcstive, and at length
utterly unmanageable. All attempts
to control them were in vain, and ;he
horses growing more furious, unseat-
ed trooper after trooper. The single
exception was in Marks own horse,
which Draper had mounted. He was
quiet enough; but Draper happening
to dsmount, in order to examine into
the cause of the trouble, the steed gal.
loped off after his master, whom he
ultimately overlook.
After considerable time thus lost,
it occurred to the Lieutenant, that
there was some trick in the natter
The horses were stripped, and it was
found that the sharp burs Of the bur.
dock had been placed under every
saddle, and had irctted and CALLED the
animals almost to madness. BY this
time, the fugitivcs had too much start
and pursuit was abandoned.
About four miles further or, Marks
and Gahl fell in with three troopers
Of the enemy. The Americans were
without sabres, but there were pistols
in the holsters, and with these they
settled two of their opponents. The
third put spurs to his horse, and turn
ing down a cross road, escaped -
Marks and his friend were in too
much Of IL hurry to pursue him, and
rode on towards the camp, where they
arrived that afternoon. The inlorma.
tion that Marks brought was Of essen
tial service. The British arrived du-
ring the night, but found such tormid-
abe preparations made to receive the
attacking columns, that they quietly
rctreAted by the road they came.
Lieutenant Draper suspected Prs-
ella, who denied having a hand in
the matter, and wondered very much
where She burs had beer obtained at
that season of the year. The truth
is that the girl had got them from
some uncombeG wool, which lay in
the upper chamber, the sheep Of the
iarm having gathered them in their
rambles. Thus two kinds of non.
combatants had played important parts
in the matter; but the Lieutenant new
er found that out. lie never ceased
to lament the loss Of his pistols, which
were Il handsome silver mounted pair,
nor his showy cloak, which had been
strapped behind his saddle, both prov,
ing OF great service to Marks.
Marks and Gail were promoted
The latter was made sergeant, and
was killed afterwards in skirmish at
Van Dams Mill. Marks served
through the war, became ultimately
a captain, and distinguished himself
in several actions. After the war he
returned to Chester County, and PriS-
ella became his wife. The latter was
formerly "disowned" by her sect, for
marrying out of meeting" and for
having aggravated her offence, by be-
ing married by IL "hired priest" The
expulsion did not seem to affect her
spirits much, for she became a jolly,
contented matron. and lived to a good
old aye, surviving her husband two
years. The descendants of the couple
still live in Chester and Montgomery
Counties, with the exception OF a
grandson, George Marks, who is, or
was recently, thriving farmer in
Vinton County, Ohio. =.
COLUMBUS, Kentuckey, IS hard