The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-27

BIDDEFoRD, MAINE FRIDAY MORNING

flushing.
which way did he go2'
Il promised not to tell, SIR
But you must or take the consequences.
Il said wouldn't tell If you killed me,
sobbed the frightened girl.
IN have 1t out Of her, exclaimed the fu.
rious officer. with an oath.
Let me speak to her, said the tory guide,
Il know the child, believe. Isn't your
name Hetty Martini he asked pleasantly.
Yes, SIR
And this man who ran by you few min
utes ago was your mothers cousin. wasn't
hep
Yes, sir, he was.'
'Well-wc are friends of his-what did he
say to you when he came alongT
'Ile-he told me-that he was flying for
his life.'
'Just so, Hct.y; that was very true. ]
hope he won't have to fly far. Where was
he going to try to hide? You see could
help him IL knew his plans?'
Now lIetty was not whit deceived by
this smooth speech. But she willing to tell
as much of the truth as would consist with
his safety, and she wisely judged that her
fraukness would serve her kinsman better
than her silence. SO she answered her qucs-
tioner candidly. "My cousin said that he
was going down this way to the river, where
he had boat; and he wanted mo to tell the
men that he had gone the other way. to
catch the mail wagon"
"why didn't you do as he bid you then,
when asked where he was gomez" thunder
ed the officer fercely.
'Hetty, again begun the 'moo,bed tongued
Tory, You are nice child. Everybody
knows you are girl Of truth. What did
your cousin say when you told him you
couldn't tell falsehood?'
He said he shouldn't think I'd betray him
to his DEATH
And then you promised him that you
wouldn't tell which way he went If you was
killed for it,
Yes sir
That was brave speech and so I sup.
pose he thanked you for it. and ran down
the road Us quick as possible
Il promised not to tell where he went sir.
'Oh, yes, forgot. Well tell us his last
words, and we won't trouble you any more.
'His last words were, Its my only chance
child, and I'll get down as you say.' And
overcome by the fright, and the sense Of her
knsman's danger, should they rightly inter-
pref :hc language which she had reported,
she sobbed aloud and hid her face from
sight.
Her tormentors did not stay longer to
soothe or question her. They had got, as
they supposed, the information which they
wanted, and pushed rapidly on down to the
river. Now the Governor had arranged a
signal with his boatmen, that white cloth
by day, or a light in the night displayed
from the attic window Of his hiding place,
which was just visible from the mouth Of
the creek. should inform them If he were in
trouble, and put them upon the alert to help
him. As soon therefore, as he started from
his cousins, the signal aoated from the win
dow to warn them. And when they saw the
pursuing party dash madly down the road to
the river, and recognized the British uniform
If of the leader, they pulled swiftly out to sea.
The horsemcn reached the shore only in sea-
son to see the boat with two men in it, near
ly out Of sight, and supposing their destined
prey had escaped, relinquished the pursuit.
Meanwhile the hunted victim lay safe
and quie, where the simple shrew dncss of his
little cousin had hidden him, until the time
came for her to return to the house for sup
per, Then he bade her 60 Us usual to her
home; telling her to ask her mother to place
the signal lamp, as soon as 1t grew dark, in
the window for the boatmen, and to send
him there some supper, with his valise, which
in the hurry Of his departure he had left be-
hind.
The signal recalled the boat which after
twilight had vcntured in sight OF the shore
and the farm house, and the Governor quiet.
ly made his way to theriver in safety. When
he rejoincd his family in secure home, he
named the infant daughter which had been
born in his absence "llctty Marvin" that he
might be daily reminded of the little cousin
whose truth and shrewdness had saved his
life.-!Nudent and Schooinate.