The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-12-18
A BRAVE JERSEY BOY.

-
the hands of the boastful enemy; he had
taken Forts Lee and Washington and
the ltriots were on the retreat With the
victorious British following in their
wake
1t was during this famous retreat
hat the following incidents occurred:
Some time after dark during one of
those memorable autumn days the
American army began to pass a little
hamlet at crossroads between New
Brunswick and Princeton. in New Jcr-
sey-
The place did not contain more than
~ houses and these were so scattered
that the collection had never been
dignified by a name. The houses were
of the old-fashioned kind. and several
were stone. and to all large gardens
were attached.
The wagon train. which carried much
of the ammunition that belonged to the
army, came strag~iing through the
hamlet guarded } : n detachment of
the most faithful As the last wagon
reached the pla", the hindmost aNei
broke off and the precious contents
were dumped upon the ground.
Instantly all was confusion, and the
soldiers tried to repair the miShap, but
soon discovered that it was irreFarabie-
The other wagons being some dis
tance in advance, and all heavily loaded,
the men decided to bury the powder
somewhere where il would not be found
by the enemy when advancing, flushed
with late Victories
The soldiers were discussing tie
burial of the ammunition when boy of
IL appeared suddenly in their midst.
lie was stout lad. not very well clad.
but bright eyed and eager TO lend a
hand in the time of need.
''if YOU bury the powder here you
must take care that the Tories don't
watch you and turn it over to the Brit
ish when they come along" said he to
the sergeant who had charge of the
wagon guard.
"You've got tories here, have you.
! l,oy?" asked the sergeant.
Three families, sir. You NIGH
throw guard around their houses
lille you bury the powder. and that VIII
keep them from finding out where you
put it,"
THE very thing. You're fit to com
mand regiment" :" cried the soldier. and
then he told the boy to point out the
homes of the three tories, which was
done, and guards were placed AT the
| houses.
It was far into the night when the
| wagon guard moved on without tn"
| powder, and the boy had been cautioned
| 10 keep the secret that had been er
trusted to his care.
| I'll do that, sir said he, his eyes
| flashing You can move on believing
| mat Toby Travers won't tell the enemy
| the hiding place of the ammunition
| It's safe here, and when YOU come lsac',
You'll find it right where you've hid ii
| DAYLIGHT saw the headquarters of
| Lord CORVALLIS established in one of
the tory homes, and Toby SAW more red
coats then he ever expected to see.
| lie WAS standing in the doorway of his
humble home when he espied four Brit
ish soldiers, headed by tall sergeant.
| advancing toward him. and while h"
cazed they halted in front of the house.
You're the Travers boy. aren't you -
the sergeant said. haughtily.
my names Toby Travers."
II thought so. Well, Master Travers,
| we want YOU"
Toby started little, but kept his cOn-
posupe.
Whatever can you want with me? ,"
lac inquired.
Come along and well answer that
question in little while.
| Without a word of further explana-
ton he was marching to the tory's
house and pushed half rudely across the
| threshold.
This is the boy said the sergeant.
.-aIuting his officer. I'VE caught him at
his home and he is the boy who knows
where they buried the powder"
For a moment longer the leader of the
British army looked across the table
and then said gruffly:
"Where IS it, boy?"
All eyes were riveted upon Toby and
the tail sergeant at the door grinned his
delight.
Aren't you going to teil?" demanded
CORVALLIS.
why should 1? If You found the
powder you would use il against Gen
Washington"
"Of course we would, That would
be paying the rebels back in their OWL
! coin
Then" said Toby, resolutely, you
can go ont and find the powder"
The face of CORVALLIS flushed for {
moment-his eyes seemed to flash.
do YOU know who am, boy?" he cX
claimed.
''Yes. sir-you are Gen. Corvallis
II am. / command this army ana
serve the king. | hold your fate in my
hands, young sir, and unless you tel
where the rebels hid their powder las
night you are liable to severe punish
ment."
II cannot do that, general" said Toby
resolved to keep his secret at all haz
ards. II promised"
whats n promise To n rebel?' inter
rupted the British chief. Come. sir
We can't wait all day on you You ar,
DELAYING the advance of my army anC
you must tell
81 refuse to tell you, sir. Therei"
This is treason of the deepest dyei
exclaimed CORVALLIS. Il never saw
anything like il ard from boy. too
This is too much" ventured one oi
the other officers in a lowered voice
''Eou should discipline the young rebel
my lord"
Just what / am going to do. Here
sergeant. Take the prisoner and sec
that he is guarded till night. If he sill
refuses to disclose the hiding place oi
this rebel powder you viii stand him NJ
before six soldiers and sec that the
muskcts are loaded v It'll ball.
Toby was escorted TO the only empty
house in the hamlet, an old stone affair
with clapboard roof aud one little
window which had been boarded up
Nearly all day the British force FOL
lowed through the village on it's marcl