Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-09-01

nominious death which troubled him but he
4 had learned enough in the city to know that a
| surprise movement, similar TO that attempted
| on the previous 4th of December, against the
American forces, was set down for the follow
ing day, and was aware that it was entirely un-
| expected. He reyolved various plans of es-
| cape in his mind, none of which appeared to
| be practicable, and finally concluded TO dis
miss any premeditation on the matter and be
| merely prepared to take advantage of unex-
pected circumstances. As for Gahl he took
matters like philosopher, and snored away
all night in happy unconsciousness of his sit
uation.
At daylight, the prisoners were brought
down and placed upon the porch while Lieut..
Draper and the men under his command took
breakfast in the house. The horses of the
troopers, with those of Marks and Gahl's also,
were all saddled and hitched to the fences,
under charge of little Scotchman, named
| Mcpherson. Priscilla, accompanied by Lieut..
Draper, came out. the former bearing some
food After it was partaken of, Priscilla laid
the dishes, knives and forks upon bench on
the porch, and listened with apparent inter-
est 10 the questions put by the lieutenant
The latter, by way OF encouragement, asSur-
ed the two Americans that if they gave true
statements their lives would be spared-other-
wise they would certainly be hanged. He
then left them for short time, to digest the
information, Priscilla remaining behind.
The Quaker girl, still appearing not to
cognize Marks, said to him, loud enough to
be heard by the soldiers who were passi. to
and fro:
81 would advise thee, friend, to tell all thee
knows. Friend Draper will keep his word
with thee, l am sure" She then added, in a
low voice, s'Keep still, John, and will save
thee. Answer what l say, but pay no heed
to what | do.''
Marks caught her intent in moment, and
replied aloud:
81 won't turn scoundrel, Miss, for fear of
death, even if l had any surety the captain
there would keep his word.''
Other conversation followed, and Priscilla.
who had concealed a sharp case knife in her
sleeve, managed 10 cut the prisoners bonds,
without observation; cautioning them at the
same time not to move too soon. She told
them that the lieutenant's horses, one OF
which was ridden by his servant, and both
standing nearest the gate, were the swiftest of
all, and then went out and exchanged some
light observations with Mcpherson, patting
and admiring the various horses, one by one.
Marks kept close watch upon her, and noti-
ced that she passed something under the sad
dle-cloth of each horse but she did not lay
her hands on the two horses of the Lieuten-
ant. Priscilla returned presently, and with
significant glance at the captiveS, entered
the house, and engaged Lieut.. Draper in con-
verSatiOn.
Mcpherson, in the meanwhile, had noticed
that some maneuvring was being made, and
came on the porch to inspect the fastenings of
the prisoners. AS he did so, Gail, who was
powerful 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 agaist stone so
severely, TO take away his senses for the
time. Before the alarm could be given, Marks
and Gahl were mounted on the Officers horses,
and galloping furiousiy up the road. Draper
I...lx 4 1
Intellectual, ordered pursuit. But the party
had not proceeded dozen yards, before every
horse grew restivc, and at length utterly I'M
manageable. All attempts to control them
were in vain, and the horses growing more fr-
rous, unseated trooper after trooper. The
single exception was in Marks horse,
which Draper had mounted. He was quiet
enough but Draper happening to dismount,
in order to examine into the cause of the
trouble, the steed galioped of after his master,
whom he ultimately overlook.
After considerable time thus lost it occur-
red 10 the Lieutenant, that there some
trick in the matter. The horses were stripped,
and it was found that the sharp burs of the
| burdock had been placed under every saddle,
and had fretted and CALLED the animals almost
to madness. By this time, the fugitiveS had
| too much start, and pursuit was abandoned.
About four miles further on, Marks and
Gahl fell in with three troopers of the enemy.
I
were pistols in the holsters, and with these
they settled two of their opponents. The
third put spurs to his horse, and turning down
a cross road, escaped. Marks and his friend
were in too much of hurry to pursue him,
and rode towards the camp, where they
arrived that afternoon. The information that
Marks brought, was of essential service. The
British arrived duriug the night, but found
such formidable preparations made to receive
the attacking columns, that they quietly re-
treated by the road they came.
Lieutenant Draper suspected Priscilla, VIII %
denied having hand in the matter, and Won
dercd very much where the burs had been
obtained at that season of the year. The
truth is that the girl had got them from some
| uncombed wool which lay in an upper chamber,
| the sheep OF the farm having gathered them
| in their rambles. Thus two kinds of nom
com batants had played important parts in the
matter; but the Lieutenant never found that
out. He never ceased to lament the loss of
his pistols, which were a handsome silver
mounted pair, nor his showy cloak, which had
| been strapped behind his saddle, both proving
| of great service to Marks.
| Marks and Gahl were promoted. The lat
| ter made sergeant and was killed after
wards 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 Ches-
| ter County, and Priscilla became his wife.
/ The latter was formally ssdsow ned' by her
sect, for ssmarrying out of meeting" and for
| having aggravated her offence, by being mar
ried by sshired priest" The expulsion did
not seem to effect her spirits much, for she be-
came jolly, contented matron, and lived to
good old age, surviving her husband two
years. The defendants of the couple still
| live in Chester and Montgomery Counties,
| with the exception of grandson, George
Marks, who is, or was recently, thriving far