Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-10-19
The Patriots Stratagem.

Ill deeD ana dark, and II = small log
cabin, situated 4 few miles from Tren,
ton, \. j., sat five men; four Of whom
were seated around an old oaken table
III the center OF the room, engaged in
playing cards; while they frequently
moistened their thrOatS with large
draughts from an earthen iUg that stood
on the table. They were heavy-bearl-
ed, parse looking men, and from their
dress, which somewhat resembled Brit
ish uniform, they were evidently Tories
| The other was st0utlY built Young
man, clad III the continental uniform.
lie sat i'll a corner Of the room, with
his face in his hands,
''Tom," said one Of the Tories, rising
from the table and seating himself near
the young prisoner-"Tom, You and [
We're school boys together, and like
you yet. Now why, can't YOU rive up
your wild notions and Join US? You are
our prisoner, and if you don't we shall
hand you over to head quarters to NOR
row; while if you join US your fortune
IS made; for with your bravery and tai
ents you would soon distinguish your
self in the royal cause, and after this
rebellion is crushed out, you Will be rc-
ward ed by knighthood and promotion
Ill the army, Now, there are two aIterna-
tiyes, which do you choose ?"
"Neither," SAID the young man rails
ing bis head and looking the Tory stead
lily III the eye, Il am now, as you say,
Your prisoner; butwhen the clock strikes
twelve, [ shall leave YOU. l shall dis
appear in a cloud Of fire and smoke
and neither you nor your comrades, nor
even myself can prevent it. Ioumay
watch nae as close as You please; tie
me hand and foot if you viii, but high
er power than yours Or mine has ordain-
ed that [ should leave You at that time"
''Poor fellow, his mind wanders," SAID
the Tory, " he'll talk differently in the
morning: - and he returned to his seat
at the table, leaving the youth with his
head still resting on his hands.
When the clock struck eleven, the
young prisoner drew pipe and some
tobacco from his pocket, and asked the
tory leader if he had any objection to
his smoking.
''No, none in the least" said he, ad-
ding with d laugh, . that is if you will
promise not to disappear III a cloud Of
tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
Immediately filed and lighted his pipe;
having done which he arose and com
moNced pacing the floor. lie took half
q dozen turns up and down each side Of
the room, approaching nearer 10 the
table each time, when having exhausted
his pipe, he returned to his seat and re-
filled it, lie continued smoking until
the clock struck twelve when he arose
from his seat and slowly knocking the
ashes out Of his pipe, said 'SThere boys, !
it's twelve o'clock, and [ must leave |
you, good by :" and immediately, all
around the room streaks Of fire ran hiss
ing and squirming and the cabin was
filed with deuse, suIphurous smoke, ,
amidst which was heard . crash like a
clap Of thunder. The Tories sat in their
chairs paralyzed with fright.
The smoke soon cleared away, bat
the prisoner was nowhere to be seen.
The table was overturned, the window
was smashed to pieces, and one chair
was lying on the ground outside Of the
building. The Tory leader, after recov-
cring from his stupor, gave one glance
Of terror around the room, and sprang
out Of the window, followed hv his com
rades They ran tLro' the forest at the
top Of their speed in the direction of the
British encanlpment, leaving their mus
lets and other arms to the mercy of the |
flames which had now begun to devour
the cabin.
The next day two young men, both
dressed in continental uniform, were
seen standing near the ruins Of the old
cabin. One Of them was no other than
our hero Of the night previous.
F'Let's hear all about it, Tom, " said
the other
ss]Ven, said our hero, slast evening,
as I was passing this place, two Tories !
ran out Of the cabin and took possession t
Of me before I could make any resis-
tance. They took me in, and who do
you suppose | saw as the leader Of the
party but John Barton, our old school .
mate He talked to me and tried to
get me to Join them; but I told him l
wouldn't do it-that at II o'clock | W as
going to escape-disappear in cloud
Of smoke; but he laughed at me, and
said was out of my head. About IL
o'clock | asked him if I could smoke.
He said he had no objection; 50 filed
my pipe and lighted II, and commenced
walking the floor [ had about q pound
Of gunpowder in my pocket, and as I
walked | strewed it all over the room.
When the clock struck =, I bid them