Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-03-05

WAS LC HOb
yes, sir, he was
well, we are friends OF his; what
did he say to you when he came alongT
sHe-told me-he was flying Tor his
lile.'
Just so, Hetty; that was very true
I hope he won't have to fly far. Where
was he going to hide? You see, 1 could
helm him if knew his plans
Now Hetty was not whit deceived
bv 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 that her frankness
would serve her kinsman better than
ber silence. So she answered her Ques'
toner candidly:
NV cousin said he was going down
this way to the river, where he had a
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 asked you where he had
oorev tbundered the officer, dercely.
4 could not tell lie, sir was the
fearful answer.
sHetty,' again began the smooth
tongued Tory. you are nice child
Everybody knows you are child oil
truth. What did your cousin say when
YOU told him you couldn't tell a false
hosd?'
.Ue said he didn't think I'd betray
him to his death
And then you told him YOU "oulo
not tell which way he went, if you were
killed FOR it:'
Yes, sir
That was a braye speech. And SO
I suppose he thanked you for it, and
ran down the road as quickly as posi-
ble:'
promised not to tell where he went
sir
sOb. yes. forgot. Well, tell us his
last words. and we won't trouble you
any more
His last words we're: 1t is my only
chance, and I'll get down. as you say :
and overcome my fright and the sense
Of her kinsmaa's danger, should they
rightly interpret the language which she
had reported. she sobbed aloud aud hid
her face from sight.
Her tormcnters did not stay longer to
sootbe or question her. They had got
as they supposed. thc information which
they wanted aud pushed on rapid ly
down the river.
Now the Governor had arranged a
SIGNAL with his boatman, that white
cloth By day Or "a light by night display
cd from the attic window of his hiding
nlace. which was just visible at the
mouth of the river, should inform them
ifhe were in trouble, and put them on
the alert to help him. As soon, tn ere
fore. as he started from his Cousins the
s,unal foated from the window to warn
them. And when they saw the pursu'
,ng party dash madly down to the river
and recognized the British uniform OF
the leader. they pulled swiftly out to
sea.
The horsemen reached the shore only
N season to see the boat, with two men
in it. nearly out ofsight. and supposing
their destined prey had escaped relm'
pushed the pursuit.
Meanwhile the hunted victim lay safe
and ouiet where the simple shrewdness
of the little cousin had hidden him until
the time came for her to return TO sup
per. Then he bade her 90 as usual 10
her home. telling her to ask her mother
to place the signal lamp, as soon as 1t
crew dark, in the window Tor the boat
men. and to send him some supper with
his valise. which in the hurry OF depart
IRE he had left behind him.
The signal recalled the boat which,
after twilight, had vcntured in sight el
tbe shore and the farm house, and the
Governor quietly made his way to the
river in safety.
When he reioined his family in a Sc
cure home, he named his infant daugh
ter which had been born in his absence
sHetty Marvin thathe might be daily
reminded Of the little girl whose truth
and shrewdness saved his life.
%. -
ILL L.