The Placer herald., 1874-10-03

'OD, cousin, eai0 tue Ittlo 8TI III au
agony of distress, i cannot tell q lie; indeed
cannot. Why did you tell me which way
you were going 2 M
: Hetty, dear child, surely you would not
betray me to my death. Hsrk, they are
coming-I hear the click Of their horses feet.
Oh, Hetty, tell them have gone up the
resd instead Of down; and heaven viii b)ess
Heaven never blesses those who speak
falsely, cousin. But will not tell them
which way you 60, even if they kill me; 60
run as quickly as possible. .sg
It's Of no use; unless can deceive them
am dead man. f'Q
cousin, cousin, hide under my web Of
cloth; they'd never think Of looking here for
you. Come. get down as swift as you can;
and Ill cover you, and stand sprinkliug my
linen 4n -
It's 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 es-
capped from the house where they hoped to
secure him, six mounted Tories, beaded by
British officer, dashed along the road in
swift pursuit. At sight Of the little girl in
the meadow, the leader Of the party paused.
Child, be said, sternly. have you seen
man running away hereabouts?'
Yes, SIR, replied Hetty, trembling and
flushing.
(which way did be goP'
4 promised not to tell. SIR
But you must, or take the consequent
ces.'
4 said l wouldn't if you killed me,
sobbed the frightened girl.
I'll have It out Of her., exclaimed the
furious officer, with an oath.
Let me speak to her, said bis Tory guide,
4 know that child, believe. Is not your
name Hetty Marvin he asked, pleasantly.
Yes, sir
And this man that ran by you q few
minutes ago, your mothers cousin, wasn't
hep
Yes. sir, he was.'
We'll, we are friends Of his-wbat did
he say to you when he came along?'
'He-he told me-that be was flying for
Just so, Hetty; that was very true.
hope be won't have to fly far. Where was
be going to hide? You see l could help
him if knew his plans.
Now Het.y was not whit deceived by
this smooth speech. But che was willing to
tell as much Of the truth as would consist
with his safety, and she wisely judged that
her frankness would serve her kinsman bet
ter than silence. So she answered her
questions candidly.
MY cousin said 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. l asked where he had gomez tbun-
dered the officer. 6ercely.
4 could not tell lie, SIR was the tear
full answer.
'Hetty, again began the smooth-tongued
Tory, you are a nice child. Everybody
knows you are a 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
were killed for iii?
Yes, sir.
That was brave speech; and so sup
pose he thanked you for it. and ran down
the road as quick as possble?'
4 promised not to tell where be went, sir. ;
'Ob, yes, forgot. Well, tell me his
last words, and we won't trouble you any
more
His last words were, "It's my only
chance, child, and Ill get down as you
say"
And overcome by fright. and the sense Of
her kinsman's danger, should they rightly
interpret the language which che had re-
ported, she sobbed aloud and bid her face
from sight.
Her tormentors did not stay longer to
sootbe 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 bis boatmen, that white cloth by day,
or light in the night, displayed from the
attic window Of bis hiding place, which was
just visible at the mouth Of the creek, should
inform them if be were in trouble, and put
them on the alert to help him. As soon,
therefore, as he started from bis cousins the
signal Aoated from the window to warn
them. And when they saw the pursuing
party dash madly down the road to the
river. and recognized the British uniform Of
the leader. they pulled swiftly out to sea.
The horsemen reached the shore only in sea-
son to sec the boat with two men in it.
nearly out Of sight; and supposing their
destined prey had escaped. relinquished the