The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1860-06-13

Tor the fecapture OF q prisoner.
These obstacles to the success of
their scheme were well known to the
adventurous friends of Lafayette but
they were not inundated, and the
hour of exercise allowed to the prison
er was that selected for its compile
ton.
In company of an officer, and at
tended by an armed guard mounted be-
hind the carriage, Lafayette was in
the habit of daily driving in an open
cabriolet on the plain, and had so far
| won upon the confidence of the officer,
that when at distance from the, walls,
| they used to quit the carriage and walk
together.
The plan determined upon was as
follows :-Balman and Huger were to
ride ont on the plain, the latter lead
ing third h1rse, while Lafayette was
to gain as great a distance as possible
from the town, and, as usual, quitting
the carriage with the officer, draw him
imperceptlbly as near the boundaries
as might be, without awakening his
suspicion. The two friends were then
to approach, and, if necessary, to oy-
empower the officer, mount Lafayette
on the led horse, and ride at full speed
to Bautrapp, town at the distance
of fifteen miles, where a chaise had been
prepared to convey the party to the
nearest town on the Prussian domin-
ions In the morning, Huger had at
tempted to ascertain the precise time
at which Lafayette would leave the
castle, and then, with beating hearts,
they set forward on their expedition !;
but having almost reached the wood
ed country, and still no carriage APP
pearing, they believed some unfore-
seen accident had led to their discov-
cry, and hesitated how to proceed, till,
recollecting that their movements were
in all probability watched from the
walls, they slowly retraced their steps,
and, on nearing the town, beheld to
their great satisfaction, the wished for
cabriolet pass through the gates 1t
contained two persons. One was in
the Austrian uniform, and mnsketeer
as usual was mounted behind. Keith
er of the friends being personally ac-
quainted with M. de Lafayette, sig
nal had been agreed upon between
them. In passing, it was made, re-
turned, and the carriage moved on,
they continuing for time their ride
towards the town, and then slowly fol-
lowing the cabriolet at such distance
as to allow of Lafayette's executing
his part of the agreement. Upon the
two gentlemen quitting the carriage,
and continuing their exercise on foot,
the friends gradually approached, and
perceiVing NJ de Lafayette and the
officer engaged in earnest conversation
about the sword of the latter, which
Lafayette held in his hand, they seized
the favorable moment, and, putting
spurs to their horses, galloped for-
ward Their rapid approach alarmed
the officer; he attempted to draw La
| fayette towards the carriage; and find
ing that he resisted, struggled to re-
possess himself of his sword. At that
moment Huger reached the spot
You are Free" he said mount
this horse, and fortune be our guide !"
but the words were scarcely uttered,
when the sun, glancing on the naked
blade of the sword, startled the horse
he led !: he reared, broke his bride,
and galloped across the plain. NJ
Balman, in the vain hope Of overtaking
the frightened animal, rode after him,
while Huger generously insisted on
Lafayette mounting his horse, and
making all speed to the place of rem
devious. Lose no time" he ex-
claimed the alarm is given, the pea
SAINTS are assembling; save yourself. +"
Lafayette obeyed, and mounting Hu-
gers horse, he left him on foot, and
was soon out Of sight. NJ. Balman
had, meantime, pursued the flying amir
nal, but perceiving it had taken the
road to the town, he gave up the chase
as hopeless, and returning to IIuger,
he sprang on the saddle behind him,
and they galloped off together. But
the double burden proved too much
for the already wearied horse. lie
stumbled and fell; and NJ. Balman,
thrown to some distance by the shock,
was SO injured, as with difficulty to be
raised from the ground. Once more
the gallant Huger, with the same for
getfnlness of self that had character
lied him through the whole undertake
ing, sacrificed the chance Of his own
safety to secure that Of his friend, and.
assisting Balman to remount, he in
sisted that he should follow LAFAYETTE
and leave him to make his escape on
foot; for as he was good runner, he
said he could easily reach the woody
country, and then find a safe place Of
concealment His friend consented
| with rn1uetancn INIT thnro Voc M