Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-04-25
VOL. Xiv.
TEE PArRTor,S srRAFAGEm.

THE PATREoT'S STRATAGEM-
Night bad set in deep and dark, and in a
small log cabin, situated few miles from Tren-
ton, New Jersey, sat five men, four Of whom
were seated around an old oaken table in the
centre Of the room, engaged in playing cards,
while they frequently moisteped their threats
with large draughts from an carthen jug that
stood on the table. They were heavily beard
ed, coarse looking men, and from their dress,
which somewhat Iesemblcd the British uni
form, they were evidently tories. The other
was stoutly built young man, clad in, a Con-
finental uniform. he sat in corner Of tie
room with his face buried in bis hands,
'.Tom," said one the tories, rising from the
table and seating himself near The prisoner
for such be evidently was,-''Fom, you and
we're school boys together, and like you yet.
Now why cau't you give up your wild no
tions and join Us? You are our prisoner, and
if you dou't, we shall hand you over to head
quarters tomorrow; while if you join US, your
fortune is made; for, with your bravery and
talents you would soon distinguish yourself in
the royal cause, and after this rebellion IS
crushed out, you would be rewarded by knight
hood and promotion in the army. Now. there
are two alternatives; which do you choose ?"
aNeither," said the young man, as he rais-
ed his head and looked the tory steadily in the
eye; Il am now, as you say your prisoner, but
when that clock strikes twelve 1 shall leave
you shall disappear in a cloud Of fire and
smoke, and neither you, nor your comrades,
nor even myself can prevent it.. You may
watch me as close as you please tie me hand
and foot, if you will, but higher power than
yours or mine has ordained that should leave
YOU at that time.'
"Poor fellow, his mind wanders," said the
tory;iahe will talk differently in tho morning,
aud be returned to his seat at the table. leav-
ing the youth with his head resting on his
bands.
When the clock strnck eleven, the young
man took pipe and some tobacco from his
pocket, and asked the tory leader if he had
any objections TO his smoking.
NO, none in the least, said he, adding. with
a laugh, THAT is, if you'll promise not to go
of in a cloud of smoke"
The young man made no reply, but imme-
diaiely filed and lighted his pipe having done
which he arose and commenced pacing the
floor. He took half DOZEN turus up and
er TO the table each time, when having exhaus
ted bis pipe, he returned to his seat aud reflled
it. lie continued smoking untiIl the clock
struck Twelve when he arose from his seat, and
slowly knocking the ashes from his pipe, said,
There, boys, it is twelve O'Clock. and l must
leave you-g good-by." Immediately, all around
the room streaks of fire went Kissing and
squirming, and The cabin was filled with
sulphurous smoke amidst which was heard
crash like a clap of thunder The Tories sat
in th,ir chairs paralizcd with fright.
The smoke soUn cleared away, but the pris-
oner was no where TO be seen, The table was
overturned, the window smashed TO pieces, ard
cne chair was lying on the ground outside OF
the building. The Tory leader, after recov-
ering from his siupor, gave one glance Of ter
ror around the room, and sprung out of the
window followed by his comrades. They ran
through the forest at the top of their speed,
in the direction of the Brli,h cncampmeEt,
leaving their muskets and other arms TO the
mercy of the flames which had now com-
menccd TO deyour the cabin.
The next day, two ycung men, both dressed
in the Continental uniform where standing
near the ruins of the old cabin. One of thcm
was no other than our hero Of the night pre-
vious
Lets hear all about it, Tom" said the other
~Wcll," said cur lero last evening as ]
was passing this place two Tories ran out and
took me prisoner before t could nuke any re-
sistance. They took me and who do you sup
pose saw as the leader Of the party, but
John Barton, our schoolnlate. He talked with
me, and tried to get me to join them, but /
told them l could not do it,-that at t@elve
o'clock was going to escape,-disappcar I'M
cloud of fire aud smoke, but be laughed al
me, and said was out Of my head. Alb out
eleven O'Clock, asked If might smoke
He had no objections. so filled my pipe and
lighting it commenced walking the -four.
had about pound Of gun-powder in my pock
ct, and as walked strewed it all over the
| room. When the clock struck twelve, 1 bid
them good by, and told them had TO go, and
then knocked the ashes from my pipe. The
powder ignited and dzzliug blaze of fire shot
across, around and all over the room, filling it
with sufocating smoke. Before it cleared
away, hurled chair through the window,
sprang out and departed. You know the rest