Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-03-14
sTAUNToN, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY, MARCH IA, 1879

SfSee1-
falsely, cousin. But will not tell them
which way you GO, even if they kill me; sc
run as qui ky as possible
lit no use; unless l can deceive them
I am dead mani
ssCousin, cousin, hide under my web oil
cloth; they'd never think of looking here
for you. Come, get down as quick as yet
can, and I'll cover you, and stand sprink
ling my linen"
s'It's my only chance, my child; Iii get
down as you say
And suiting the action to the word, the
Governor was seen hidden under the folds
of the cloth.
Angry that their expected prize had es-
j capped from the house where they had
hoped to secure him, the six mounted
Tories, headed by a British officer. dashed
along the road in swift pursuit. At sight
Of the girl III the meadow, the leader OF the
4 party paused.
''Chlld.' ne said sternly, "have you seen
a man running hereabouts."
eyes sir" replied Hetty, trembling and
flushing.
(which way did he go?''
Il promised not to tell, SIR"
''But you must, OF take the con-
sequences.
II said I wouldn't tell if you killed me, =
sobbed the frightened girl.''
sI'll have it out of her," exclaimed the
furious officer with an oath.
ssLet me speak to her," said the Tory
guide; ~ know the child, l believe. Is
your name Hetty Marvin?" he asked
pleasantly.
| .sYes, sir"
"And this man that ran by you mo-
ment ago is your mothers cousin, is
he not?"
eyes, sir, he isl
"Well, we are friends of his; what did
he. say to you when he came along?"
"He-told me-he was flying for his
life.''
Just so, Hetty; that was very true. I
hope he won't have to fly far. Where was
he going to hide? You see, I could help
him if l knew his plans"
Now Hetty was not whit deceived by
this smooth speech. But she was willing
to tell as much of the truth as would be
consistent with his safety, and she wisely
Judged her frankness would seryeher kins-
man better than her silence. So she an
swered his question candidly:
envy cousin said he was going down this
Way to the river, where he had boat, and
he wanted me to tell the men who 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 you where he had gomez
thundered the officer, fiercely.
II could not tell lie, sir" was the tear
full answer.
''Hetty,n again began the smooth
tongued Tory, ''you are "a nice child
Everybody knows you are a.child Of truth
What did your cousin say when you tolt
him you couldn tell q falsehood?"
"He said he didn't think I'd betray hin
to his death.''
aud then you told hiu you would no
tell which way he went, If you were killed
for it?''
"Yes, sir.'
s'That was a brave speech. And SO
suppose he thanked you for it, and raj
! down the road as quickly as possible?"
! Il promised Tot to tell where he went
sir;
sob, yes, 1 forgot Well, tell us his las
words. and we won't trouble you an
more.'
6 ellis last words were 1t is my onl
9 chance, and I'll get down, as you say" ant
F., overcome by fright and the sense of he
= kinsman's danger, should they rightly in
q terpret the language which she had repor
+ ted, she sobbed aloud and hid her fac
i from sight.
Her tormentors did not stay longer t
soothe or question her. They had got, a
! they supposed, the information which the
wanted and pushed on rapidly down til
. river
q Now, the Governor had arranged sig
a nal with his boatman, that a white clot
4 by day Or light by night displayed iron
q the attic window of his hiding place
which was just visible at the mouth Of tn
! river, should inform them il he were il
:. trouble, and put them on the alert to hel
- him. AS soon, therefore, as he starte
y from his cousin S the signal fioated fron
n the window to warn them. And Whe
. they saw the pursuing party dash madl
" down to the river, and recognized th
: | Rrjti cb ,f no ao6 In
swiftly out TO sea.
y The horselnen reached the shore only Il
o. season to see the boat, with two men in it
n nearly out of sight, and supposing thei
destined Prey had escaped, relinquished til
: pursniJ.
= Meanwhile the hunted victim lay SAT
q and quiet where the simple shrewdness O
;, the little cousin had hidden him until tn
q time came for her return to supper. The
. he babe her go as usual to her home, tell
ing her to ask her mother to place the sig
nal lamp. as soon as it grew daIk, in til
. window for the boatmen, and to send hin
L some supper, with his valise, which in th
y hurry of departure he had left behind him
" The signal recalled the boat, which, at
ter twilight, had ventured in sight Of tn
shore and the farm house, and the Cover
u nor quietly made his way to the river il
: safety.
When he rejoined his family in a secur
home, he named his infant daughter
3 which had been born in his absence, 'tlet
ty Marvin" that he might be daily re
$ minded of the little girl whose truth AM
t shrewdness saved bis life,
= IT should cheer the steps Of the servant
! of Jesus Christ as he jou rneys to know
: that even in darkness his guide is still witt