Maryland free press., 1866-12-13
REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENT.
By MRS. 81, L. ROBINSON.

The duties of a'spy, though both disagrecable
and dangerous did not deter Col. Hastings from
offering his services towards ascertaining the DO
sition and condition of the kings troops then
quartered in Canada lie was brave and hand
some young officer, warmly attached TO the
American cause, and willing to sacrifice hs life,
ifnsed be, for the good of his countrymen who
we're fighting for liberty and the right
liz. was fully aware of the risk he incurred
nor was he ignorant Of the fate awaiting him
should he be suspected and taken. By means of
various disguises he had rcconnoitered pretty
thoroughly, and had acquired much information
Of an important nature. He had resolved to re-
turn to the American camp and report himself
10 the commander in chief, when the following
incident strengthened his Determination.
While Walking along one day, musing upon
thc exciting events which were then transpiring
he was met by one ofthe common sodisry who
stopped TO speak, The man looked amin ,tet,
and seemed pleased with his thoughts. .....
'llnloo, comrade! he cried, you're going the
the wrong way H s.'.
'T guess not }" replied Hastings, carelsssly.
$50 eetPoSS yNo hioN btSt but yUu u
better 80 back to camp with me. am going to
get description ofthe chap that's been playing
the spy" added the MAN familiarity. tf
'"What about hm2 it's all news 10 me-" re-
piled the Colonel, upconcernedly, though his
pulse beat little quicker at the mans language
hut he had long exercised severe government
over the play Of his features and not a muscle
expressed surprise ." 'i- ~ .."
." You must be deaf, thea, for everybody il
talking about him to day, continued the other.
His name is Tom Jones, and he's been skuking
aronnd here, listening to what the officers say,
pumping the men, and trying TO find out what
the next move is to be. But they've smelt rat
There's bounty offered for his head and he is
as good as a dead. man." 81, .r
'Good enough for him!" exclaimed the Colo
mel, who still maintained the same indifferent
demeanor. "lIis life isn't worth much that's a
fact. But say, comrade," he added, slnppng
the soldier famarl yon the shoulder "isn' t hang
ing a littls toe good for the rascal?''
The man replied with coarse laugh and an
oath, and then passed ON his way; leaving Hast
Tags in no enviable state of mind. Had the fol-
low been acquainted with him the detection
would have been inevitable. lie (Hastings) had
left the barracks early that morning, noticing
nothing unusual; but probably his absence ad-
ded to other circumstances, had awakened sus-
picion. Not moment was to be lost, his life
depended upon instant concealmcnt, as flight at
that hour lit being about four in the afternoon)
would be attended with extreme danger. The
soldier would hear description of his person,
tell his story, the alarm would be gives, and a
score of enemies be on his track.
= The young 1i:er hastily entered thick growth
of trees near BY, and looked about for some
place of refuge He could discover nothing which
offered the slightest protection but large brush
heap, but as no better refuge ceud be found, he
concealed himself rs well as possible beneath
it.
He heard the tramp of horses feet and the vol
ces Of men, in very short time which was a very
good reason for concluding that he had not Sc
creted himself minute too soon. They passed
the spot where be lay without haltng, and Hast
ings breathed more feeely when the echo of theil
shouts was lost ia the distance.
Time dragged on slowly. The ground was
extremely cold and damp from the effects of re.
cent rain and added TO the unpleasantness of his
situation. He dared not stir, for fear of attract.
ing the attention ofsome person who might be
lurking in the vicinity, and his stintncd limbs
bsgan to pain him considerably. .'
sE For severrl days he had not been well, and h,
felt that he was rapidlyl becoming worse Gold
chilsran over him, his head was hot aud ached
badly, aud general languor pervaded his whole
system. What should he do? II was now quite
dark, but unfortunately fo- him the moon shont
outbrigbtly, and he feared heing seen ifhc at
tempted leaving his present position. So for two
more long hours he lay there, .benumbed Will
cold, and growing SO much worse that he feared
without assistance he would die. But ifit wa.
dangerous to go it was equally dangerous to re-
main. To be hanged for q spy was not q very
pleasant idea to contemplate, and he groaned a
the thought of dying there alone.
At this moment he remembered having seen
small cabin at a short distance. lie would seek
it., throw himself upon the mercy Of III, inmates
and beg assistance and protection.
lie pushed aside the brush cautiously and afte
glancing from side to side hurredly crept littl'
way upon his feet, and then gradually RAISED
himself 10 an upright position. This was notac