Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-04-24


with your babies" A groan was her
only answer. The ruffian was about de-
parting when the former messenger ap-
peared-his whole dcmeanor was chang
cd; humble simplicity marked his gait
he approached the guard with seeming
fearfulness, and begged him in suppi-
ant voice, to give the poor woman her
flour. "Ft oil idiot p exclaimed the
guard, "who are you? sec yonder guard
house; if you interfere here, that shall be
your quarters" "May be- SO, sir but
won't you give the poor woman the
means of supporting her litte.family one
week longer? recollect the distance she
has walked; the weight Of the bag, and
recollect--"
"H--l and fury, sirrah! Why bid
me recollect; you plead in vain--begone,
or I'll sieze you as a spy"
"You won't give the poor woman her
nour?"
"No?"
"rhen by my country's faith, and
hopes Of freedom, you shall?" and with
a powerful arm, he seized the guard by
the throat and hurled him to the ground
"Run, madam run-see the guard house
is alive-securc your flour, pass Vine
street and you are safe" Twas done
The guard made an attempt to raise,
when the stranger drew pistol and shot
him dead. The unfortunate man gazed
around him with fearful intrepidity.
There was but one way to escape, and
that through the woods. Selling the
dead mans musket, he started like q
deer pursued by the hounds. "Shoot
him down! shoot him down." was ech.
oed from one line to another. The des
porado was lost in the woods, and Q
general search commenced; the obiec,
Of their pursuit, in the meantime, flew
like tightening; the main guard was left
behind, but the whole picket line woult
soon be alarmed-one course alone pre-
sented itself, and that one was to mount
his horse, which was concealed among
the bushes, and gallop down to the Del
eware; boat was already there for him
The thought was no sooner suggested
than it was put into execution: He
mounted his horse, and, eluding the
alarmed guards, had nearly reached the
Delewars.
Here he found himself headed and
hcmmcd in by at least fifty exasperated
soldiers. One sprang from behind a tree
and demanded immediate surrender
"'Tis useless to prevaricate---you are
now in our possession" ""Son of slavep
slave Of king! how dare you to address
a freeman! Surrender yoursclf-a Doal
never surrendered himself to any man
far less to blinded poltroon-away, o
die;" and attempted to pass. The guar
levelled his gun; but himself was levele'
in the dust; the ball of Doale's pistol, hat
been swilter than his own. His case wa
now truly desperate; behind him was th'
whole line of guards-on the north o
him, the Frankford pickets, and on the
left of him, the city of Philadelphia, fill.
cd with British troops.
One way, and only one presented it.
self, and that was to cross the river
He knew his horse; he plunged in-t
shout succeeded and ere he reached hal
the distance, twenty armcd d boats were il
swift pursuit. His noble horse dashed
through the Deleware, his master spur
red him with double interest, while the
balls whistled around him. The tide was
running down, and when he reached the
Jersey shore, he found himself immedi,
ately opposite the old slip, at Marke,
street. On reaching the shore, he turned
round, took out pistol, and with steady
aim, ired at the first boat; man fel
over the side to rise no more. He thel
disappeared in the wood. The angry
harrassed, and disappointed pursuers CAV
one look, one curse, and returned to tn
Pennsylvania shore, fully believing, that
if he was not the devil, he was at leas
one of his principal agents.