The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-03
CITY OF N1N1HGER TERRITORY MARCH 1883

ing, which seemed, by the shadowy outline, to BE- a
large stone barn. They entered it, and severaly
placed in small hooks, where they could feel that the
hay all around them, except the side OF the wall
Shortly after some provisions brought to them
with the same silence and it sgnfed to them they
to remain concealed through the whole Of the cou
ing day.
Through crevice in the wall, Lee could discover,
the day came on that the barn attached t"a small
house. He was so near the house, that he could over
hear the conversation which carried about the
door, The morning Clear AMI it was evident from
The inquiries of horseman who occasionally gall"ped
the drr, that the country alarmed The farmer
gave short and surly replies, unwilling to be taken
OF from his labor but thetother inmates were eager III
their questions, and from the Lee gathered
that the means by which he and his companions bad
escaped, were mysterious as ever.
| The next night, when all quiet, they resumed
their march, and explained to LIE, that be
with them in their conspiracy, and accidentally
associated with them in their escape, they should take
the precauton keep him before them just behind the
guide. He submitted without opposition, though the
arrangement considerably essened the chances in favor
Of his escape. He observed from the direction of the
stars that they did not in direct line toward the
Delaware but they changed their course so often that
be could not conjecture at what point they intended
strike the river He endeavored whenever any peculiar
inject appeared, to fix it in his memory well the
darkness would permit and succeeded better than could
been expected considering the agitated state u
| which he Travelled. aoi So
For several nights they went on in this monner be
my delivered t. different persons from time to time
| aud rs Lee could gather from their whispering con
versation, they regularly employed occasions
like the preseLt and we'll rewarded BY the British for
tneir serxissa 1hkenpluymsnl ~. all .0f -Assgss
ami though they seemed like desperate men, could
observe that b. RENTED their precautions They
lad 1uv1 huru
the purpose and similar retreats; and one day was
passed in tomb, the dim, nsons Of which had BE-.
enlarged aud the inmates, if there had been any, ban
4shed to make for the living. The buyug grounds
we're tavOrite retreat
| Though the distance to the Delaware was not great
hey had now been twelve days on the rad, and such
the vigilance and suspicion prevailing throughout
the country, that they almost despaired OF efrcting
.helr object The conduct grew impatient and Lees
>ompanlons, at least OF them, became terocious
There was, have said, something unpleasant to
him in the glance Of this fellow toward him. which be-
came and more fierce they went on but it dill
not appear whether it owing circumstances or
actual suspicion 1t happened that, on the twelfth
night the party sheltered themselves in the cellar of
little church, where they could talk and act with
freedom, both because the solitude of the place
was not often disturbed even on the Sabbath-and be
the propetors did not know that the illegal
hands had added cellar tothe convenience of the build
ing:
The party seated here the day broke and the
light which in through crevces opened for the
purp"se showed low room about twelve feet square,
with damp foor, and large patches Of white mod upon
the walls Here they were smoking pipes with great
diligence, and, at intervals distant, applying huge
canteen to their mouths, from which they drank with
satisfaction. While they thus engaged the short
soldier thinking from Lees appearance that lie was
asesp,-whe his eyes were only closed to deceive them
asked in careless way if they knew whom they hal iu
the party. The others started, and inquired what he
meant. lie st r. .fat4r ro.lsaa7a7c- s-.. ,.7 ,:s
| mean,' said be, that we honored with tae
company Of Capt Lee, Of the rebel army The rascal
once punished nle, and never mistook my when
had debt of that kind r. pay Now shall havelmy
revenge a. .agtacrs &sa ser@ss sr-
ferocy, saying, that it, he said their companion
American officer, all they had to do to watch him
closely. They said that, he had come among them
unlimited he must 60 with them to New York and take
the consequences bat meanwhile, it their interest
to t. suspect him otherwise be might give
alarm, whereas it evidently his intention 90 with
them till they were ready to embark for New York
The other persisted in saying that he would have biz
revenge with his hand, upon which the condb bct
drawing pistol, declared to him that if he saw The
least attempt to inure Captain Lee, any eondyktr
which would lead him to suspect that hsdsguise was
discovered, he would that moment shoot him through
the head. The soldier put bis hand upon bis knife with
an omnous scowl upoa the copduc.ol but seeing that
us had to do with Que who was likely to be Us good
his word, be ned HIMSELF and began arrange
some rubbish TO serve him fol bed.r Ihe other SOL
diers followed examples but the guide took position
near Lee 50 as to Psa'ent any injury that might Be
eiered him. - -. - \. - - :.
The next mig shsyI went on =, usual, but the man
ner Of their odnductor showed there danger
than before fact heexpa ned to the party that they
we're not nQ r from the Delaware and hoped reach
it before dnight They occasionally heard the report
of mtket, which seemed to Indicate that move
ment NJ g"9g op in the country. Thus warned, they
quicken their steps, and it not long before they
aw gls4 Of broad clear light before thea such as is
reflected om calm waters even in the darkest nights
They moved up to it with deep silence; there were
vsrio1S emotions in their breasts; Lee hping for
snopportuny to escape from an enterprise Which was
growing serious and the principal objects Of which
were already answered and othere were anxious lest
accident might have happened TO the boat On which
they depended for crossing the stream
When they Gang TO the bank there vas no traces Of
coat on the waters Their soaducor stood still for
moment in dsmsy; but recollecting hiuse ne said 1t
ssble it might have besn secured lower down the
stre., and forgetting everything else, he directed th
olders to accompany him, leaving Lee alone in chare
t the ruiiAn who knew him. and who had sworn to ki
4 I'm. ~
i Lee was a. brave as any officer 10 the army but
x.s srmed and tbuvh he Vas strong. his