Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-08-27

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left the place, and now that the famii'ly have
returned it would be dangerous experiment
for us to undertake to recapture it. Besides
they say the family that resided there, are
the most consumate rebels in the land"
"That cannot be, for they are quakers and
that sect almost in body go for the royal
cause"
"You make very much of a mistake IN
this case, at least, for understand that these
people are the very opposite Of what you say,
and that they have very near relative con-
nected with Washington's staff"
"You don't mean to say that they are
rebels ~
| 81 do" was the reply.
"Then by the eternal will have the silver
tankard and other articles that sank in the
well, il have to kill the whole family to get
possession of it,"
Joshua heard the thieves distinctly disclose
the hiding place of the treasures of his owl
household-he heard them make thsdrcadfu
threat against his own family, if it should
stand in the way of the consumation of the
wishes of these VILLAINS. He fairly shuddered
at the idea. They continued the CONVERSE
tion:
"If il hadn't been for that precipitate ordei
would be worth, at least, hundred dollars
to-day, more than | am. Be that as it may
must have this treasure. Jack Fitzeralt
| ell. TO- aft tItu bind N
fore, and he will not be now"
DO you think yon could find the same
place againf"
Certainly dol have been in Whining
ton several times, and know every crook and
turn about the place."
Suppose you were in the house could you
find the we'll you speak about"
at would be pretty much of a job, for
filed it up with feather beds, and rubbish,
and paved the well over"
"Does any body but you know anything
about it ~
"No; for did it in the night, after the
old straight jackets left, and before our rec
coat friends took possession of it and,
by the way, there are more valuables in that
we'll than what belonged about the house,
For robbed several families the same night,
and hid the combined treasure in that well. u
How do you propose to get the valuablei
back again!"
"That is a matter of some consideration
| II can get ten or twelve good men to assist
me in the undertaking, will go tomorrow
night and storm the castle and carry away the
booty"
"That is rather wild project and one thai
may cost you your life."
"Life was ever afraid to risk my life fol
plunder when that happens will give up
the business we now follow, so successfully"
"Supposs the inmates of the house should
oppose you, what would be the consequence.
ave would shoot them down like dogs l'
At this conclusion, Joshua trembled exceed
ingly. He was fully lays travel from
home, and he had heard the rufian decide to
rob the house of his parents on the very next
night-he was OH an important errand fol
Washington-ho could he gain the desired
information about the locality of the enemy's
camp, and be in Wilmington the next night
in time to save from the snare of these viii
lains his family. Fillial affection struggled
hard for the mastery, but patriotism was up
permost in his mind. He thought of the
fearful responsibility that rested upon his
determination. If he did not get the desired
information, for Washington, how many lives
would be lost II he neglected to Illustrate
the designs of the tories, what would become
Of his family. With these conflicting ideas
in his mind, the young man tossed upon his
pillow. Still, the villains, in the adjacent
room, continued their conversation. They
laid their plans for the restoration of the
treasure with as little secrecy as II there were
no one present in the house to hear them.-
Joshua trembling heard them all, while his
heart beat heavily with excitement, but he
dared not move, for he would be discovered,
by the rufians SO near at hand. In the
course of time their voices began to dieaway,
and at last they ceased altogether--they were
asleep. Would the young quaker stsalthily
leave the house and fly to the rescue of his
relatives, or would he remain where he was,
and attempt the horse-trading game in the
morning, were matters that exercised his
mind considerably. But the recollection that
10 had heard Fitzgerald mention, that he was
o,inectcd with the army, and the fact, that
he might have seen him somewhere, and
would know him again, flashed across his
mind. While he was revolving these matters
in his imagination, he heard the sound OF
approaching horses. There appeared to be a
large number of them they alighted at the
door, and he heard feet upon the porch. In
a moment the door was opened and the party
entered. Once more Joshua quietly left his
bed, and proceeded towards the stairs that
led to the bar-room. AS he passed the door,
Of the tories, he heard them snoring exceed
ingly loud this assured him that he need fear
nothing from them. Stealthily he desce nded
the stairs and again placed his ear to the
door of the bar-room. This time the door
was partially open, and he could both hear
and see the newcomers distinctly. They
were clad in the uniform of British officers,
and appeared to be of some note.
They were not like the drunken brawlers
that preceded them, but appeared to be intel
ligent and thoughtful men. They appeared
to have travelled some distance; their cloth
ing was dusty and their conversation denoted
men who were deeply interested in the strug,