West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-08-01
Aud that much amuses the Britisi,

calculated the pastor, ia fcrvent quota
ton Of the psalmist.
"Amen ~ responded Jameson between
his clinched teeth, continuing his narra-
tive. ut is common sport with them
TO cast apples among tho prisoners
to set them lighting. The wresched mon,
whose minds are weakened by their suf-
fcrings, seem maddened, at sight of the
tempting fruit, and will beat and tear
each other, with claws and teeth. like
| starving, ravenous beasts, to get posses
sion of it-whereat the British officers
laugh heartily and enjoy themselves
nightly
Lord, let burning Goals fall upon
them; let them be cast into the FIRE. into
deep pits, that they rise not up again, -
broke forth tho parson,
"Men are shot down like dogs by the
sentries, who act under orders, excuse
therefor being found in the slightest
breach Of discipline"
"Woe unto the wickedl 1t shall be
i'll with him, for the reward Of his hands
shall be given him.
'Again and again a cartel hath come
for an exchange of prisoners, aud those
upon whom Deaths hand Is already laid
, have been sorted out to send away, while
those with moro life in them were put
back with the cruel jibe: 'You have
not been here long enough; you are too
well to exchange"
Lord, how long shall tho wicked
triumphl"
Mistress Suydam's cheeks were very
pale, and her eyes blazed with indipna-
ton. Each of the excited parsons
scriptural quotations were expressive OF
her sentiments, but she did not open her
lips until he uttered, as prayer:
"Lord, root them out OF the land OF
Of the living; pity them not, nor
spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them
utterly"
Then she earnestly calculated: "Amen ~
All that day Robert jameson lay in
hiding among the bushes back of Mistress
Suydam's house, resting, sleeping and
rapidly regaining his strength, while she
watched over his safety and fed him.
Parson Ellis went away. Before TAX
ing his departure, he told the fugitive:
81 am over here on mission in which
it may be Gods will that shall Law
down my life, and, indeed, the chance
II
the boat that is moored in the bay near
the mouth of this creek. IL / come off
alive, l shall easily find another boat.
This one you had better take, and, as
soon as the moon hath set tonight, sail
for New London, where you will be safe.
Go not before, lest you be overhauled on
the sound and recaptured.
81 will never be taken aliye,n an
swered Robert, firmly.
"You are n brave man, and I do not
doubt your intent, but we are all in the
hand of God. II you reach New London
safely, give the boat in charge OF Ebcne-
zer Holden, whom you will easily find.
And now, farewell"
Robert feared to remain in the house
lest he might be surprised by party of
the British dragons, who as he was in
formed, were continually securing the
island. Near nightfall Mistress suydam
came rushing down TO him from the up-
per window where she had long been sit
ting, watching that she might note the
approach of an enemy far off.
'The dragons arc comingp she cried
to him.
A dozen Of them were coming down
the road at an easy, swinging trot, with
Captain Tileston at their head. OF course
the fugitive imagined that they were in
pursuit of him, but they were not. lie
was supposed TO have been drowned and
eaten by the sharks, numbers of which
savage creatures were attracted to the
vicinity Of the prison-ship by the prey
that was either tossed TO them or that
voluntarily leaped overheard. The dra-
goons had quite another object than his
capture in their coming. But he thought
only Of flight.
He ran swiftly down the brook crouch
ing below the line OF rank grass that
margined its banks, until he reached the
bay, where he plunged on and disap-
peared. Day was ended by this time, but
the early-rising moon gave so clear a light
that he did not dare TO attempt reaching
the parsons boat, though it was only four
or five rods from where he took to the
water. A couple of the dragoons rode
leisurely down TO the bay, and there sat
upon their horses, chatting. They were
discussing the catching Of spies who
were supposed TO land there from the
Connecticut or New York shore
Presently Captain Tileson, with four
more men, joined them They had
stopped TO search for rebels in Mistress
Suydam's house. Tho Captain had a
plan.
''It is useless, he said, "for us to at
tempt the capture, upon the water, Of
those Yankee spies, who have eyes like
hawks by day aud owls by night, and
could see us long before we could sec
them. We must let them land. As 7
have sharper sight than any Of you at
night, ! will conceal myself in the boat
and watch for them. You will hide in
yonder clump Of woods When they
land ] viii signal to you, by initiating
the piover's cry, which way 70 dash 70
iall upon them-once for this way, twice
for that-aud at the same moment win
seize their boat 70 cut oil their retreat "
SO Il was arranged. One Of the dra-
goons wadcd out to the parsons little
sail-boat and drew her in so that the
Captain could step aboard dry-shod.
after which he moored her out again.
Then the dragons went away into the
woods, and the Captain lay down IN the
boat 70 watch and wait for events.
g. 4