The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-06-09
MI is @ ella n 9 O II 8.
A Legend of 177G.

Night had set in deep, and in small
hut, situated few miles from Trenton, N
D., sat five men, four of whom were seated
at an old oaken table, in the centre of the
room, engaged in playing cards, while they
frequently moistened their Threats with
large draughts from an earthen Jug that
stood on the table.
They were heavily bearded, coarse look
ing men, and from their dress, which some
what rcsembled the British uniform, they
were evidently Tories. The other was u
stout-built young man, clad in the CONT
mental uniform. He sat in one corner of
the room, with his face buried in his
hands.
"Tom," said one of the Tories. rising
from the table, and seating himself near
the young prisoner-ior such he evidently
was-"Tom, you and l were school boys
together, and love you yet Now, why
can't you give up your wild notions and
join us You're our prisoner ; and if you
don't we shall hand you over to the head
quarters, tomorrow while, if you join US,
your fortune is made, for with your brave
ry and talents you will distinguish your
self in the Royal army, and after the rebel
| lion is crushed out you shall be rewarded
by knighthood and promotion in the army.
Now, there are two alternatives; which do
you choose z"
"Neither," said the young man, raising
his head and looking the Tory straight in
the eyes 81 am now as you say, your
prisoner, but when the clock strikes twelve
l shall disappear in Il cloud of fire and
| smoke, and neither you nor your comrades,
~
may watch me as closely MS you please, tie
me hand and foot. ifyou will, but high
er power than yours has ordained that
shall leave you at that time"
"Poor fellow his mind wanders," said
the Tory. "He'll talk differently in the
morning" And lie 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 pipe and some tobacco
from his pocket, and asked the Tory leader
if he had any objections to his smoking.
"None in the least" he replied, adding
with laugh, "that is, if you'll promise
ME not to disappear in a cloud ofsmoke.
The young man made no reply, but inn
mediately filled his pipe, having Zone
which he arose and commenced pacing the
| floor. He took half q 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:
"Tbere, boys it's twelve o'clock, and
must leave. Goodbye!
Immediately all around the room were
seen streaks of fire, Kissing and squirm
ing. The cabin was filled with dense sui
phurous smoke, amidst which was a clal
Of thunder.
The Tories sat in their chairs paralyzet
with fright.
The smoke cleared away, but the pris
oner was nowhere to be seen. The tabl
was overturned, the window was smashed
to pieces, and one chair was lying on tn
ground, outside of the building. Th,
Tory leader, after recovering from hi
stupor, gave one glance around the room
and sprang out the window, followed b,
his comrades. They ran through the iores
at the top of their speed, in the direction
of the British encampment, leaving thci
muskets and other arms to the mercy o
the flames, which had now begun to de
your the cabin.
The next day two young men, dressed il
the Continental uniform, were seen stand
ing near the ruins Of the old cabin. On
was our prisoner of the night previous
"Let us hear all about it, Tom," said til
other.
"Well,n said he, "last evening, rs wa
passing this place, two Tories ran out @
| the cabin and took possession of me. BE