West-Jersey pioneer., 1868-06-26
A LEGEND OF l77s.

I'D ~ -S~ WV - NO0p1 ouN AL cmdll
log-cabin situated a few miles from Tren-
ton, New Jersey, sat FIVE men, four of
whom were seated around an old oaken-
table in the center Of the room, engaged
in playing cards, while they frequently
moistened their throats with large
draughts from an earthen jug that stood
on the table.
They were heavily-bearded, coarse
looking men; and, from their dress, which
somewhat resembled the British uniform,
they were evidently Tories. The other
was stout-built young man, clad in the
Continental uniform. He sat in one cor
ner of the room with his face buried in
his hands.
sTom," said one of the Tories, rising
from the table and seating himself near
the young prisoner, for such he evidently
was, "Tom, you and I were school bows
together, and ! like you yet. Now, why
can't you give up your wild notions and
join US. You are our prisoner, and if
you don't, we shall hand you over to
headquarters tomorrow, while if you Join
us your fortune is made; for with your
bravery and talents, you will soon dis
tinguish yourself in the royal army, and
after this rebellion is crushed out, your
cause would be rewarded by a knight
hood and promotion in the army. Now.
there are two alternatives-which do YOU
choose?" : bi''"e f ''ii4g@ hai
Neither" said the young man, raising
his head and looking the Tory steadily
in the eye, 81 am now,' as you say, your
prisoner; but when the clock strikes
twelve, shall leave you'll shall disap.
pear in cloud Of fire and smoke, and
neither you nor your comrades-not even
myself-can prevent it. You may watch
me as closely as you please, tie me hand
and foot If yUu will, but higher powur
than yours or mine, has ordained that /
shall leave you at that time" l es
"Poor fellow, his mind wanders," said
the Tory; she'll talk differently in the
morning He then returned to his seat
at the table, leaving the youth with his
head again resting in his hands.
When the clock struck eleven, the
young prisoner drew a pipe and some
tobacco from his pocket, and asked the
Tory leader if he had any objection to his
smoking.
"None in the least" he said, adding,
with laugh, -"that is, if you'll promise
not to disappear in cloud of tobacco
smoke"
The young man made no reply, but
Immediately filed and lighted his pipe,
having done which, he arose and com
menced pacing the floor. He took half
dozen turns up and down each side Of
the room, approaching nearer the table
each time, when, having exhausted his
pipe, he returned to his seat and refilled
it. He continued to smoke until the
clock struck twelve, when he arose from
his seat, and slowly knocking the ashes
out Of his pipe said: -
."There, boys, it's twelve o'clock, and
I must leave you; good bye p' '''-''''ii- y
Immediately, all around the room,
streaks Of fire ran kissing and squirming;
the cabin was filed with dense sulphur
GUS smoke, amidst which was heard a clap
of thunder. The Tories sat in their
chairs paralyzed with fright The smoke
cleared away, but the prisoner was no
where to be seen. The table was over
turned, the window was smashed to pieces,
and one chair was lying on the ground
outside of the building.
The Tory leader, after recovering from
his stupor, gave one glance around the
room, and sprang out of the window, fol-
lowed by his comrades. They ran through
the forest at the top of their speed, in the
direction of the British encampment,
leaving their muskets and other arms to
the mercy of the flames, which had now
began to deyour the cabin.
The next day.. two young men, dressed
in the Continental uniform, were seen
standing near the ruins of the old cabin.
One was of the night previous. 'Let us
hear all about it, Tom," said the other.
"Well," said he, "last evening, as I
was passing this place, two Tories ran
out of the cabin and took possession of
me. Before could make any resistance,
they took me in; and who do you suppose
| saw as leader Of their party but John
Barton, our old school,mate. He talked
with me, and tried to induce me to Join
them; but I told them couldn't do it.
that at twelve O'clock I was going to es-
cape-disappear in cloud Of fire and
smoke; but he laughed at me, and said
was out Of my head.
"About eleven O'clock, I asked him if
I might smoke. He said he had no OBJ
lection; so / filed my pipe and lighted
it, and commenced walking the floor. I
had about pound of gunpowder in my
pocket, and as | walked, I strewed it all
over the floor. When the clock struck
twelve, bade them good bye, and told
them had to go; and then knocking the
ashes out Of my pipe, the powder ignited,
and dazzling fame of fire shot across,
around, and all over the room filling it
with sufocating smoke. Before it cleared
away, | hurled chair through the win
dow, sprang out and departed, leaving
themselves to their own reflections. You
know the rest" "ss g