The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-07-11

~ WV aSobCoS oo tlIV WdtIH SOulu
wind gently stirred the branches Of
the trees. But when Mr.. Mather,
from his high pulpit perched beneath
the great sounding board. began to
read the hymn, suddenly the words
lied away On his lips.
'Surrender or die !" called loud
voice. Escape is impossible. for
both doors are guarded.
Three or four young men climbed.
out of the windows, hut the shots
fired after them warned others of the
dang RS of flight. With cIanking
arms a number of British soldiers,
led ny some of the Mirldlesex Tories,
rudeIy entered the church and pro.
ceeded to plumber the congregation.
Silver watches were taken, silver
buckles were torn from knee breeches
~ chOeR end earrings were roughly
snatched from Women's ears.
Molly started up indignsnt as a
trooper pointed to the golden beads
on her neck.
"I'd thank We for these gewpaws.
ma'nm," said he.
"SoftIy, sCftIy, Mistress Pidgin,"
whispered nnighbor "rcsistance
is of no use," And Molly gaye UP
the necklare.
Then she whispered to Ruth:
keep close to me. little sister! Do
just AS l do-keep getting nearer the
dOor-a step at without at.
tiacting attention. If | can only
save Duke J"
1.-The British tied the men, two by
two. and amid the soldiers jeers and
hooting, the gray haired minister
was dragged lr IN the pulpit.
"Let the rebel rarson lead the
march," cried one; land bark ye,
sirrah, step lively, or you'll feel the
prick Of my bayOnet. We must
make haste. or the whole town will
he after u.s." he added in a lower
tone addressing one of his comrades.
In the meantime, Molly and Ruth
had reached the door without being
seen, and Mistress Pidgin peeked out
cautiously. The guard had left his
post to help lead the horses to the
front of the church. Most of them
had been taken, but Duke was still
standing under the tree.
The two sisters darted down the
steps, climed upon stone fence un-
tied Duke and mounted, but had
gone only few yards when thev en-.
cOuntered two men.
"Stop !" cried one of them. seizing
the bride. Molly bent over duke
and patted him gently on the neck.
Then she raised her whip and brought
it down with all her might on his
flank. He reared wildly, and, with
furious plunge that would have un.
seated less skilful rider than Molly,
he freed himself from his captor,
dashed across the green, and. with
ears laid fiat against his neck and his
tail streaming out like a white BAN
ner. he darted like an arrow up the
road.
Ruth was partly thrown from the
pillion, but Molly's strong arm was
around her, and her calm voice
sounded reassuringly
"PuIl Yourself up to the pilIIon !
Never fear can hold you :" and
even in that mad flight the little girl
was able to draw herself up to a Sc
cure position. AS they reached the
top of long hill Molly drew rein
and looked back. A few mounted
men had started in pursuit. hut Duke
was too fleet for them and they turn
ed hack.
"Oh. my brave Duke" said Molly |;
"mny you always carry your rider
as swiftly from danger as you have
carried us to-day !"
Duke bore them swiftly up the old
road to Caanan parish, and as soon
as they reached home safely tht.
alarm was given by the ringing Of
bells and the firing of guns, and sew
eral of the men started at once for
Middlesex. But they were too late
The prisoners had been carried across
the Sound, and from thence they
were sent to the prison ships in New
York bay, where some of them Ian
guished and died, and others. among
them Parson Mather. after along de.
lay, were returned to their homes.
Meantime Duke was sent to the
headquarters of the Continental
army, and it was the proudest day of
Molly's life when soon after the dec
laratiOn of peace, she stood on a bal
cony with Edward and the children
beside her, and heard the thunder Of
artillery, the ringing of bells and the
wild cheers of the people. For as
she looked up the street, she saw,
amid the waving of the flags and the
f1uttering of .hankerchief5, passing