The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-08-09

Before leaving, Weaver said: eff
you are true to us you will be taken
care of, and if you amt I'll find you if
you're on top of this green earth"
And, with a look that made the Ger
man shiver, the scout left.
AS the days went by Mabel thought
she would go mad. Her father was
fortunately laid up with govt, AID
Charlotte looked with wonder and
alarm at her sisters pale face marked
with frequent tears. She was soon
apprised of the cause but she had too
little force of character to do more
than sympathize with the sufferer.
The latter poor girl, was stricken down
by a note from Joseph Galloway, tell
ing her that on the 18th Captain Camp
bell had been tried by court-martial as
a spy, convicted and sentenced to die,
and they only wanted General Howe's
approval, and beyond all doubt this
would be given after Christmas day
and the sentence carried out at once.
But that night there came tidings
which gave her hope. She tottered
into the garden sustained by Cassie,
and there behind the old box bushes
stood a tall man who introduced him
self as Lieutenant McClain. "We've
no time to waste, Miss Bennett, but I
think beyond doubt our friend Philip
will not spend his Christmas day in
Walnut street Jail. Keep up your
spirits. I'll leave Weaver here to
make all arrangements. Good by and
God bless you.
The scout quickly made his arrange
ments. Cassie's brother "Noke" had
a pass to haul hay from the Point
Meadows, near Bridesburg, and on the
morning of the oath he started off, his
hard hand pressed by his mistress and
with the injunction from Cassie that
shed smash him if he made any
mistake" But Noke was as true as
steel and knew what he had to do.
His big wagon body was covered by
strong oak Stats, and on these the hay
vas to be piled, leaving the wagon bed
empty. He quickly got to themeadow
and began to load, and about 4 o'clock
five men came creeping along the bank.
"AI right, Noke. We're ready" And
they crawled under the hay, the tail
board was put in and Noke started.
The men were Lieutenant McClain and
four soldiers, one of course being
Weaver.
Back of the prison On PrUne street
was a blue frame tavern kept by a
Scotch-Irishma named Bates. He was
a staunch patriot, but kept his own
counsel, and his place was quite a re-
sort for the Irish sol6iery of the British
army. At this time the greatest part
of the English had left the city, intend
ing to surprise Washington at White
Marsh, and those that remained were
enjoying themselves in anticipation of
to morrow's festivities.
Bates knew all about the enterprise,
and when the wagon drove under the
shed unlocked a stable door and the
party stepped in, finding abundant
food awaiting them. It was an ex-
cellent night for the enterprise-warm
and foggy.
The old prison stood on the south
east corner of Sixth and Walnut streets,
and extended back to Prune, where
the wall was twelve feet high. On
the east was a stable belonging to the
mansion on Walnut street, owned by
the Hazelhurst family. Grobe had
been steadfast and Philip awaited
| Christmas eve with feversh eager
ness.
About midnight Bates whispered
"Now, men, the streets are clear and
it's raining" In a moment they were
up, McClain in the lead, carrying a
short ladder. The fog was so thick
that one could scarcely see across the
street. Quickly the stable roof was
gained and then they waited for the
signal.
In the prison the guards were enjoy
ing themselves. Someone had fur
nished plenty of liquor, and the
wretched inmates, starving and de.
spairing, could hear the noise and
revelry as they lay on the stone floors
trying to sleep. Campbell had not
been locked up, but vas slowed away
in a cellar full of firewood. Just as
the State house bell struck n on
Christmas morning a man with a Ian
tern came in. "Now, Captain, quick!'
They stole out into the yard, The
black demons who were the hangmen
of the place were bowling like wild
beasts from their quarters on the Sixth
street side, but not a guard was abroad