Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-08-27
VOLUME I.---NO. Is.

I
they would set down and have little chat
before retiring to this they reluctantly
agreed and they seated themselves before the
| fire.
Joshua's thoughts were for away among the
endearments of home and the social circle of
friends near and dear to him. The image of
his own Fanny was prominent in his imma-
gination and while he was actively engaged
in forwarding the cause OF the Americans, his
thoughts would always wander home to the
friends that held space uppermost in his af-
fections. The host tried all the art OF Ian
guage he possessed to draw into conversation
his guest. Joshua generally replied in mono
syllables and 80 grufly too that his compan-
ion was compelled to answer in his place to
avoid suspicion. To awaken him to true
sense of propriety, Joshua's companion trod
upon his foot. This rallied the young man
and he entered into the conversation with
more apparent animation. The host was very
communicative and talked at a rapid rate and
Joshua seemed to be inspired with the same
disposition. The cause of the great struggle
!
with considerable freedom-our hero taking
sides with the loyalists. This threw the land
lord completely off his guard, and he consid-
cred his guest on the right side of the dispute
lie proceeded to detail all the information he
possessed, in regard to the horse trade and its
connection with the great battle which had
been fought upon the Brandywine. He pro-
ceeded:
.'After the rebels had retreated large
number of horses were caught riderless on
the battlefield. They were the property of
the Hessians, who had the privilege of plum
dering the dead and appropriating whatever
they could find to their own individual uses.
These animals were brought with the army to
Germantown and the best selected out of
them and the remainder sold to the people in
the neighborhooa. James Yeatman, specu-
lator in horses, purchased a large number of
them and has them now, in one of my fields,
for sale."
The young Quaker listened to the narration
of the host with a heavy heart. There were
"reminiscences of that battle that did not set
with good grace upon his mind. But he
hid his modification, and replied:
81 will examine these horses in the morn
ing and if they will suit will purchase from
thy friend. But it is growing late, and feel
very much fatigued-I wish thee would show
me to bed.'
| The host, anxious to accommodate aman who
he believed was possessed of means, and who
would purchase largely from the stock of hor-
ses in his field, in the profits of which he was
silent partner, busted himself in showing
him to bed. They were conducted to com
Portable little room in the first story OF the
house where they found the fixtures neat and
clean, giving promise of coed nights rest.
The landlord babe them farewell and then re-
tired. Just as the travellers were about to
betake themselves to the inviting slumbers
held out to them, he heard a number of horses
come up to the door in brisk trot. In an in
stant the young Quaker grasped the candle
and was about to extingush it when his arm
was caught by his companion.
"It will! create suspicion if this light goes
out while the newcomers are at the door. 1t
does not matter to which party they may be-
long If they see light disappear suddenly it
will create suspicion that may lead to our
arrest, and if we fall into the hands ofthe to-
lies we will fare bad enough"
Joshua, admonished by his companion,
placed the candle upon the table and calmly
sat down to mediate upon the best course to
pursue in regard to the newcomers. It was
not long before the party alighted and entered
the Inn. Their horses were properly cared
for and they were making themselves merry
over some of the best native whiskey. Anx-
GUS to gain all the information that laid in his
power, Joshua quietly left the room and de-
scended the stairs. The party in the bar
room were making themselves merry, and
the loud laugh and rude joke were uppermost
| in the hustle. Ever and anon the rebels were
the subject of conversation the depredations
and plundering that they had committed,
when recited, would produce peals of laugh
ter and other demonstrations of merriment.-
Joshua drew close to the door and placed his
ear in close proximity to the Key hole where
he listened with marked attention. The con
versation was unintelligible to his keen ca
| and in vain did he endeayor to catch the words
that might lead to some useful information
Disappointed in his attempts to overhear the
conversation Of the persons in the bar-room,
he retired to his bed it was not long before
he heard the sound of many feet ascending
the stairs. From the manner that they stag
gered about. and the loud language used il