The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-03-13
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 10, 1878.
A Legend of l776.

hut, situated a few miles from Trenton, y.
J., were five men. four of whom wore
seated ut an old oaken table in the center
of the room, engaged in playing cards.
while they frequently moistenei thsir
threats with large draughts from an car'hcn
jug that stood on the table.
They were heavily bearded, coarse.lo"!;-
ing men, and from their dress, which some
what resembled the British uniform, they
were evidently Tories. Tho other wne a
stout-built young man. clad IN the Cont.
mental uniform. He sat in one corner
of the rooIa with his face buried in his
hands.
"Tom,' aid one of the Toric-. rising
from the table. and seating himself near
the young prisoner-for such he evidently
was-"Tom, you and 1 were schcol-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 headquarters
tomorrow, while. II you join us. your for.
tune Is made for with your bravery and
talents, you will distinguish yourself in the
Royal army and after the rebellion is
crushed out your case shall be rewarded by
knighthood and promotion in the army.
Now, there are two alternatives which do
you choosef"
"Neithcr," said the young mnn, raising
his head and looking the Tory straight in
the eyes; al Am now, as you say. your
prisoner. but when the clock strikes twelve
; shall disappear in u cloud of fire and
smoke. and neither You nor your comrades,
not sven myself. can prevent it. You may
watch me as closely as you please, tic me
hand and foot if you will, but q higher
power than yours has ordained that ] shall
leave you at that time
Poor fellow his mind wanders,'' said
the Tory. Hell talk differently in the
morning And he returned TO his scat 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. ard asked the Tory leader
il he had any objections to his smoking.
None in the least" he said. adding with
y hugh, " that is, if you'll promise not to
disappear in II cloud Of tobacco smoke"
The young man mado no reply. but i'm.
mcdiatoly filled his pipe, having dono
which he arose and commenced pacing the
hoyr.
He took half a dozen turns up and down
each side of tho room. approaching nearer
the table each time. when. having e&-
hausted his pipe. he returned TO his seat.
and reflled it.
Ho continued to smoke until tho clock
struck twelve. when he rose from his SCAT,
and, slowly knocking the ashes out Of his
;:pe, said:
There. boys. it's twelve O'Clock. r'td l
must leave you. Goodbye"
Immediately all around the room wore
seen streaks OF fire kissing and squiraning.
,he cabin was filed with dense sulphurous
.mok., amidst which was a clap Of thunder.
Tt. Tories SIT in their chairs pcralyzed
18th fright.
In smok, cleared away, but the pris
sner was nowhere to be seen. The table
,es overturned. the window was smashed
:, pieces. AMI one cLair was lying on the
= found oatside of the building.
The Tory loadcs, after recovering .,So
"a .tupor, gave one glance around the loon
.rd 5rrang out of the window followed l.,
S:9 comr4de1. They ran through the fot-s
a. the top of THEN speed, in the direction II
the British cncamp!nent, leaving their mus
Lets and other arms to tho mercy Of tn.
L.n.os. which had now began 10 dcyour the
cabin.
Tho mex: day two young men. dressed In
tao Continental uniform, were seen stand.
lag Tear the ruins o: the old cabin. One
-as our prisoner 9, the night previous.
lie. Us hear all about it, Tom" said The
o.her.
well" he said, "ln.t evening. as / was
passing this place. two T'ories ran out Of
the cabin and took possession Of me. Ds.
fore ! could make any resistance they tool
ne I'M and who do you suppose l saw a. C
leader of their party but John Barton, our
old school-mato. Ito talked with me. and
sized to induce me to join them but l told
sem I couldn't do it; that at twelve
o'clock / was going TO escape-disappear ir
a cloud Of smoke. But he laughed at ME.
and said / was out Of my head. About
eleven o'clock l asked him i'll might smoke
He said he had no objections; go l fllco
my pipe and commenced walking the fooc.
had about a pound of ~gunpowdeE in my
pocket, and, as l walked, strewed i. all over
the floor. When tho clock struck twelve
babe them goodbye. and told them 1 had
20 go. then knocked the ashes ont of my
pipe, the powder ignited. and n dazzling
came of fire shot across, around, and all
over the room, filling it with suffocating
smoke. Before it cleared away l hurled a
hair through tho window, sprang out and
departed. leaving them to their own rc4ec-
riols. yoa know the rest"