Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-03-05
An Incident of the Revolution,

able and dangerous, did not deter Colone
Hastings from Offering his services toward
ascertaining the position and condition o
the kings troops, then quartered in Canada
He was brave and handsome young officer
warmly attached to the American cause
and willing to sacrifice his life, if need be
for the good of his countrymen, who wer
fighting for liberty and the right.
lie was fully aware of the risk he in
curred-nor was he ignorant of the fat,
awaiting him should he be suspected anC
taken. BY means of various disguises, h,
had reconnoitered pretty thoroughly, anc
had acquired much information of an i'm
portant nature lie had about resolved u
return to the American camp and report
himself to the commander-in-chief, wher
the following incident strengthened his de
| termination
While walking along one day, musinl
upon the exciting events which were ther
transpiring, he was met by one of the com
mon soldiery, who stopped to speak. The
man looked animated, and seemed pleased
with his thoughts.
"IIalloo, comrade." he cried. "You're
going the wrong way"
81 guess not" rejoined Hastings, care
lessly.
"Well, s'pose you know best; but you'd
better go back to the camp with me- I'm
going to get description of the chap that's
been playing the spy" added the man.
familiarly.
"What about him it's all news to me, y
replied the Colonel, unconcernedly, though
his pulse beat a little quicker at the man S
language; but he had long exercised a Sc.
we're government over the play of his fea-
lures, aud not muscle expressed surprise
"You must be deaf, then, for everybody
is talking about him to-day" continued the
other. =" His name is Tom Jones, and he's
been skulking round here, listening to what
the officers say, pumping the men, and try.
ing to find out what the next move is to be.
But they've smelled rat There's bounty
offered for his head, and he's as good as a
dead man."
"Good enough for him !" exclaimed the
colonel, who still maintained the same in-
different demeanor. His life isn't worth
much, that's fact. But say, comrade," !"
he added, sapping the soldier familiarly on
the shoulder "isn't hanging little too good
for the rascal"
The man replied with coarse laugh and
an oath, and then passed on his way, leaving
Hastings in no enviable state of mind. Had
bht lcllOW Detl dCuudluttu Wllu uluu utltC-
tion would have been inevitable. He
Hastings s-had left the barracks early that
morning, noticing nothing unusual but
probably his absence, added to other circum.
stances, had awakened suspicion. Not a
moment was to be lost his life depended
upon instant concealment, as flight at that
hour (it being about four in the afternoon)
would be attended with extreme danger.
The soldier would hear description of his
person, tell his story, the alarm would be
given, and a score of enemies be Immediately
on his track.
The young officer hastily entered thick
growth of trees near by, and looked about
for some place of refuge. He could discover
nothing which offered the slightest protec.
tion but large brush-heap, but as no better
refuge could be found he concealed himself
as well as possible beneath it.
He heard the tramp of horses feet and
the voices OF men i'll very short time,
which was good reason for concluding that
he had not secreted himself minute too
soon. They passed the spot where he lay
without halting, and Hastings breathed
more freely when the echo of their shouts
was lost in the distance.
Time dragged on but slowly The ground
was extremely cold and damp from the
effects OF "A recent rain, and added to the un-
peasantness of his situation. He dared not
stir for fear of attracting the attention of
some person who might be lurking in the
vicinity, and his stiffened limbs began to
! pain him considerably.
For several days he had not been well
and he felt that he was rapidly becoming
worse Cold chills ran over him, his head
was hot and ached badly, and general
! languor pervaded his whole system. What
should he do ? 1t was now quite dark, but
unfortunately for him the moon shone
brightly, aud he feared being seen if he at
tempted leaving his present position. Sc
for two more long hours he laid there, be
numbed with cold, and growing so much
worse that he feared, without assistance, he
should die. But if it was dangerous to 90
it was equally dangerous to remain. To be
hanged for spy was not pleasant idea to
contemplate, and he groaned at the thought
OF dying there alone.
At this moment he remembered having
seen small cabin at a short distance. He
would seek it, throw himself upon the
mercy of the inmates, and beg assistance
aud protection.
lie pushed aside the brush cautiously and
after gancing from side to side hurriedly
crePt niue nai way upon ms ieet' and ther
! Srauuaiiy Iaiseu hlllseh 10 an upright po
sition. This was not accomplished without
severe eHort nus ilih9s were weak ane
traIpfu' % al'd ne 'ot.ereu as ne walked lie
ileau iei' 50 iisn' anu uiIzy that II was som'
minutes peiore ne cou'd lecoilect IN wha
i uiieJ'iTn 'ne CABIN was situated put hl'
'n'hd peoaiiie solhewnal clearer al length
anu ne lioveu sl1wiy Forward.
a.sH; ou,ieis aiScn saa. oSuny pam, ana wearli.
uurags,ng one loot aiter tne other, ne saw
ngnt 'winhnng WI in .he distance, which indi
Ide'u ne a;a I"e p'JA,n'9 l ~ .ne iomly uweilihs
- ne u,J "o' INV Tno'nei a .ie occuPaht
denc and auf ", o2',es out ne trusted III rro'
Ue snnroschad tha oah;n hn, pa,'na21 e,ua2' =
bearinI the sound of vo;cas ST Tai im~ eT fas %
more noisaless stens be Vas er.b,ad te - 40.
througb rnde utindo," ana naroo;sa ~ ,"nv ,,'.
men and two women s;tt;ne witl,ir Th ~
vonng officer was about tn 49, q, ,h
door when the word " spv reached his ear. r
~ 49, N"'s