The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-08-09
The Governor,s Eseape.

his retreat; and one sunny afternoon Il
May, he was routed from his hiding place
by the tiding that band of helsemc,
were approaching to capture him.
Ills only chance of escape was TO ,reacl
the mouth of little creek, which emptiet
itself into the Connecticut river, Just abov'
the entrance of the latter, into Long Is
land SouLd. There he had boat sta
toned with two faithful attendants hid
den beneath the high banks of the creek
The distance from the farmhouse % tn.
road. But a little sheep path across. thS
farmers orchards would bring him to the
road, only mile from the boat and save
a quarters length of his fearful run fol
his life.
Just where the narrow path from The
orchard opened into the road, Hetty Mar
win sat with her dog Towser, tending the
bleaching of the household linen. The
long web of forty yards, or more, which
was diligently spun and wove during the
long winter months, was whitened IN Nay
and then made ready for use This bust
ness OF bleaching was we'll economised,
being usually done by the younger daugh.
tiers of the family who were not old
enough to spin, or strong enough for the
heavier work of the kitchen or dairy
The roll of linen was taken by the
farmer or his stout "help" to q grassy
plat, beside a spring or meadow brook
| There it was thoroughly wetied and spread
upon .he green turf, to take the heat OF
| the sun by day, and the dew Mt night
| The little maiden who tended it would sit
near it during the day. with her knitting
or her book, and as fast as the sun dried
| its folds, she would sprinkle the water
over it with gourdshell dipper, and make
/ it wet again.
daughter of Gov. Griswolds cousin, when
her hunted friend sprang past her into
the road to escape from his pursuers.
years; yet thoughtful and wise beyond
many of her elders. She was frightened
by the headlong haste with which the
Governor rushed across the meadow. But
she quickly cOmprehelded the scene ; and
instantly quieted her faithful Towser, who,
though friend Of the family guest,
thought it becoming to bark loudly at his
hurried steps.
Her wise torethought arrested the Co.
vernors notice, and suggested scheme
TO delude his pursuers. Hetty," he said,
earnestly, IL am flying for my life; and
unless | can reach my boat before l am
overtaken, | am a lost man. You see the
road forks here. Now ] want to run
down this way to the river. But you must
tell the rascals who are chasing me, that
| have gone up the road to catch the
mail wagon which will soon be along, you
know. Then they will turn of the other
way
"Oh, cousin said the little girl in an
agony of distress, " | cannot tell lie
I 4 II
which way you We're going?
Hetty, dear child, surely you would
not betray me to my death Hark they
are ceming-I hear the click of their
horses feet. Oh, Hetty, tell them have
gone up the road instead Of do,on and
Heaven will bless you"
Heaven never blesses those who speak
falsely, cousin But l will not tell them
which way you go, even if they kill me;
so run as quickly as possible"
Its of no use; unless l can deceive
them, ! am dead man.
Cousin, cousin, hide under my web Of
cloth; they'd never think of looking for
you. Come, get down as quick as you
can; and I'll cover you, and stand spriuk-
ling my linen
Its my only chance, child; III get
down as you say" And suiting the action
to the word, the Governor was soon hidden
under the ample folds of the cloth.
Angry that their expected prey had
escaped from the house where they ex
pected to secure him. the six mounted
Tories, headed by British officer, dashed
along the road in pursuit At sight of
the little girl in the meadow, the leader
of the party paused.
Child" he said, sternly, "have you
seen a man running away hereabouts p
Yes, sir, replied Hefty, trembling and
flushing
. (Which way did he go?'
81 promised not to tell. sir
/" But you must, or take the consequent
ces"
:" 1 said l wouldn't tell if you killed
me" sobbad the frightened girl.
"Ill have it out of her exclaimed the
furious officer, with an oath
Let me speak to her" said his Tory
guide; know the child, / believe. Is
not your name Hetty Marvi?' he asked
pleasantly.
Yes, sir.
"And this man who ran by you a few
minutes ago, was your mothers cousin,
wasn't hs?'
Yes, sir, he was"
Well-we are friends Of his-what did
he say to you when he came along?"
He-told me-that he was flying for
for his life
Just so, Hetty; that was very true
hode he won't have to fly far" Where
was he going to hide? You see could
help him if knew his plans
Now Hetty was not whit deceived by
this smooth speech. But she was willing
to tell as much of the truth as would con.
sist with his safety; and she wisely judged
that her franknesss would serve her kins-
man better than silence She answered
her questoner candidly. My cousin
said that he was going down this way to
the river, where he had boat; and he
wanted me to tell the men that were
chasing him, 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 had gone y
thundered the officer fiercely.
81 could not tell q lie, sir" was the
fearful answer
Hetty," again began the smooth
tongued Tory, "you are a nice child
Everybody knows you are girl OF truth:
What did your cousin say when you told
him you could not tell falsehoodY 2
He shouldn't think I'd betray him to
his death"
"And then you promised him that you
would not tell which way he went, if you
you was killed for it?'
ayes, sir"
"That was a brave speech; and so
suppose he thanked you for it, and ran
down the road as quick as possible"
II 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 p
His last words were, "Its my only
chance, child, and III get down as you
say" And overcome by the fright, and