Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1859-01-05
BURS UNDER THE SADDLE.
A SKETCH OF THE REVOLUTION.

During the month of March, ITS, the
British army being at Philadelphia, and the
American forces at Valley Forge, the Amer
lean commander-in chief was desirous of OBJ
taiuing some information concerning the state
of affairs in the city, and desired Capt. Allen
M'Lane to pick him out a few t-usty men for
the purpose. Nj Lane selected FIVE of his own
men, with Sergeant John Marks for leader,
and sent the latter to headquarters to receive
instructions.
Marks was very young man to be en-
trusted with important services being only
twer ty-two years of age; but NJ Lane had
frequently marked his conduct IN camp ard
field, had made himself well acquainted with
his character, and knew that he could be
tn oroughly relied on. Marks was a lank,
bony fellow, with high cheek bones, square
jaw, and rather large mouth; but he had q
fine expressive eye, his features were exceed
ingly noble, and his countenance entirely un-
der his con troll. With this, he possessed
great powers of mimicry, which he used to
comrades, aud had reputation for shrewd-
ness His muscular system had not yet re-
ceived its full development; but his habits
had made him almost active panther.
He was fully instructed by General Wash
ington as to the information desired, and left
camp at dark, arriving IN short time at
Port Kennedy, on the Schuylkill. At that
point he strIck across the country, and by
means of by-ways, with which he was we'll
acquainted, having been raised in the neigh
borhood, evaded the scouting parties of the
enemy, and arrived at Mantua, before dark
Here he posted his little troop iu cedar
hollow, overlooking the river; while he, in
the disguise of countrymau, with a sack of
vegetables which be had stolen from a gar
den in the ighborhood, rode iuto the city.
He not only escaped detection, but managed
to sell his vegetables to a member of Howe's
staff was taken to the generals presence. and
in return for false Information IN regard to
Washiugton's movements, managed to learn
some facts of Importance. Promising to re-
turn in few days with more vegetables, he
was enabled to leave the town leisurely, will
passport in his pocket, aud some sugar
! coffee, and other articles of like nature in hi
sack He joined his men without suspicion
about night-fall. and after dark the LITTLE
party set out on its return.
Now, had Marks kept in the course b.
which he came, it is possible he could hav
, reached the American lines in good time AN
, safely But it happened that about mil
e from the river, at a point nearly cpposit
e Spring Mill, there nVeu FARMER Dy IN
name of M'Ilvaine, who, although Quake
5 and non-combatant, was we'll disposed towar
the American cause. MIlvaine had daugh
o ter, named Priscilla, young and handsom
i girl, to whom Marks was strongly attached
. but who had pever betrayed any symptom
Y of affection in return. The house was ha
d a mile or more out of the former route, b,
: lover-likc, the trooper took his men in th'
= direction. 1t was late in the night when |
neared the place-the moon was down-y
+ it was probably some satisfaction to the your
q man to look upon the building where he su
y posed his lady love to be buried in reposc.
10 AS they silently and swiftly passed alon!
s. the Watchdog of the farm began to bark, t
y inmates of the house were alarmed, and
: light a: one Of the windows showed them
Is be stirring. At the same moment. hor'
,e man rode unexpectedly from the shadow