Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-16
DEPARTURES.
The Patriots Stratagem.
A LEGEND OF 1776.

Night had set in deep and dark, and Vim a
small log cabin, situated a few miles from
Trenton, n. j., 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 moistened their th.oats
with large draughts from an earthen jug that
stood on the table. They were heavy bea ided,
coarse-looking men, and from their dress,
which somewhat resembled the British uni
form, they were evidently Tories The ether
was stoutly built young man, clad il. the
Continental uniform. He sat in the cornsr 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-for such he evidently was" Tom,
YOU and | were school boys together, asld
like you yet. Now, why can't you givs up
your wild notions and join US? You arc our
prisoner, and if you don't, we shall hand. you
over to headquarters tomorrow; while lfIyou
join Us your fortune Is made; for with your
bravery and talents, YOU would soon distinguish
yourself in the royal cause, and after THIS re-
bellion is crushed out, you would be rewarded
by knighthood and promotion in the army.
Now, there are two alternatives, which dc you
choose 7"
Neither" said the young man. raisint his
head and looking the Tory steadily iI the
eve. 81 am now, as you say, your prisoner
\ but when the clock strikes twalve, shall have
you. | shall disappear in cloud Of fre:and
smoke; and neither you nor your comrides,
nor even myself, can prevent it. You .nay
watch me as close as YOU please; tie my :and
and foot If YOU will; but higher power than
/ YOU at that time"
Poor fellow, his mind wanders." said. the
Tory. Hell talk differently in the morning"
and he turned to his seat at the table, leaving
the youth with his head again resting on his
hands.
When the clock struck eleven, the Young
prisoner drew a pipe from his p~ket, !and
asked the tory leader if he had any objec: :ons
to his smoking.
NO not in the least" said he, adding Nth
laugh, THAT is, if You'll promise not tosdis-
appear in a cloud of tobacco smoke"
The young man made no reply. but il. s.me-
diately filled and lighted his pipe; ha,ing
done which he arose and commenced pa.ing
the floor. He took half a dozen turns up and
down The room, approaching nearer to tn! ia
ble each time, when having exhausted his Iipe,
he turned to his seat and reflled it. He Ton
tinued smoking until the clock struck twt:ve
when he arose from his seat, and SLOWLY
knocked the ashes out of his pipe, Did
There, boys. its twelve o'clock. and Ihust
leave You. Good bye" and imm ediatelv al
around the roo n streaks of fire ran kissing. and
squirming; and the cabin was filled with dtilse,
sulphurous smoke. amidst which was heald a
crash like clap of thunder The Toriel sat
in their chairs paralyzed with fright.
The smoke soon cleared away. but the pri-
soner was nowhere TO be seen, the table was
overturned, the window smashed 10 pieces, md
one chair was lying on the ground outSidef he
building.
The Tory leader. after recovering from, his
stupor gave one glance Of terror aroundihe
room. and sprang out OF the window foosed
by ms comrades. They ran through the for
est az the top of their speed. in the direction
of the British encampment, leaving their IsuS-
kets and other arms to the mercy OF the flaItes,
which had now begun to devour the cabin.
The next day. two Young men, both dressed
IN the Continental uniform. were seen sta.ld-
ing near the ruins OF the old cabin. On: OF
them was no other than our hero of the ntlht
previous.
Lets hear all about it." said the other.
We'll" said our hero. last evening as |
was passing this place, two Tories ran on. OF
the cabin and took possession of me befoee !
could make any resistance. 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 with me and tried to yet
me to Join them; but | told him | couldn't dc
it-that at / ? o'clock was going to escape
disappear in a cloud Of fire and smoke; .ut
he laughed at me, and said mas out of .ny
head. About IL o'clock | asked him Il
could smoke. He said he had no objections
80 | filled my pipe and lighted it, and com
menced walking the floor | had about a
pound of gunpowder in my pocket, and a.