The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1878-04-12

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means of escape from his prison. Blu
the voice of the sentry without fell OF
his ear, and in despair he flung him
self again on his rude couch. SleeI
had fled from his eyes, and the cold
and damp of the floor, chilled him tC
the marrow. He could hear the loud
beating of his heart, and this and the
tramp and cries of the patrol OH the
streets were the only sounds that b-oke
the stiffness of the night. Weighed
down with sorrow and pain he at last
became insensible to all around him.
| Whether he slept or swOOned he new
er knew, but when he opened his eyes
| daylight was streaming in through the
bars, and he could hear the shouts of
the Hessian sOldiery, and the clank of
| their sabres as they mustered on the
| streets. Believing that his last hour
had come, and that they were assem-
| bling to witness his execution he COM
mended his soul to God, and stood
ready for the sacrifice.
But suddenly the booming of dis
tant cannon was heard. Nearer and
nearer it came, then sharp and
quick Volley of muSketry ratified an
other and another followed, while
wild shouts in German and English
mingled with the din, and penetra-
ted to the prisoners cell.
In mute suspense he listened to the
uproar without, and straining his
acute ear to catch the faintest sound.
But gradually the tsmult ceased, and
for moment all became painfully
still. Then suddenly the sound of APP
preaching feet was heard. They
stopped at the prison door, and acheer,
wild and high, burst from thousand
throats and echoed through Trenton
and far across the Delaware. Ere the
last echo had died away the prison was
burst violently open, and Walter Tyr
rell was soon in the arms of his cousin
William, and surrounded by the sol
diers of Washington.
''Thank God! you are safe and well,
Walter" exclaimed his cousin. ~
was afraid the Tories had murdered
you"
"Oh, William, how can l thank
you :" began Walter.
But his cousin cut him short by eX-
claiming:
Don't thank me. Thank WASH
ingtOn and the brave fellows here who |
crossed the frozen Delaware and cap !
tured Trenton and ], 800 of the enemy. |
| conducted General Greene into the |
very heart of the town before Hes |
sian picket discovered our presence,
for which | have received the thanks |
of the COmmander-in-C Chief But |
come with me and witness the fate or |
the traitor who betrayed you"
Taking him by the arm he led him !
past the soldiers until they arrived at |
the end Of the street, where a little |
cottage stood, surrounded by tall clmS. |
Here q detachment was formed i'll a |
hollow square, and in the center, |
kneeling in the snow with his elbows |
resting on n drum and his face COW
cred with his hands, was seen the rem |
egade and traitor, young Dalzel.
"Time's up, yOungster," said the |
officer i'll command, looking at his |
watch. 'Do your duty, soldiers"
One of the men approached the cul-
prit, and pulling his hands from his
face ordered him to stand up. Trem-
blingIy he obeyed. His face was ashy
pale, and his eyes were protUding in |
fear and terror. He gazed around,
but no look of sympathy could he dis
Germ in their faces. His eye at length
rested OH Walter, who stood between
two soldiers, and for u moment their
gaze was TiVeted upon one another
At that instant, the halter was flung
round his neck, and a large placard,
on which was writ EN- the single word
'fTraitnr,n WAs pinned to his breast.
A shrek burst from the unfortunate
wretch as he was dragged TO the near
est tree. The rope was thrown across
a limb, and soon the soul of the false
friend and betrayer was III eternity.
As the soldiers left the place of eXecu-
ton a scream rose OH tie air, and
looking behind they beheld the moth
er of the renegade sobbing over the
corpse.
Walter and William enlisted in
Greene's brigade, served under Wash
ington until the surrender of York
town, and both rose to the rank of Col
Onel. Col. Bradford died one year
after the battle of Trenton, leaving
his estate TO his only child Marian =
After Independence was secured Wal
Ter was rewarded with her hand, and
both lived to see Il numerous progeny
around them, Some of their descen-
dants still live in Pennsylvania.