Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-11-12

window which had been boarded up.
Nearly al day the British force fol-
lowed through the village on its march
after Washington's retreating army.
All day tall, gruff sentry paced up and
down in front of Toby's prison. Every
now and then he looked in to see that
~rebel brat" was safe and each time he
caught the resolute look of the boy still
confined between the four walls.
why don't you make clean breast
of it, boy?" said the guard toward evcn-
ing.
II am not a tory, sir" came the quick
answer.
TORY or not, II behooves you to tell
where the rebel powder is. You know
the orders"
Toby turned away and went over to
the other side of the old house, where
he remained, looking defiantly at the
guard, who thought him one of the
"stubbornest rebels" he had ever seen.
Night came at last, throwing her
sable pail over the memorable little
place.
The last detachment of the British
army had vanished, but 20 men re-
manned behind to take care of the boy,
safe in their clutches. More than once
since shutdown Toby was visited and
urged to betray the hiding place of Gen.
Washington's ammunition; but to all
the pleadings and threats he turned q
deaf ear, and was heartily cursed for
his refusal
1--WE will quit here at nine o'clock"
said the sergeant, at last. 1T is the
last moment of grace you have, boy"
It was seven, then.
Toby listened to the retreating foot"
steps of the sergeant, and then the
guard resumed his tramp in front OF the
old stone pile.
This is Abner Bryant's work." said
the little prisoner to himself. ''He is
mad because they watched his house,
and did not give him a chance to tell
CORVALLIS where the powder was
buried He takes this plan to become
n hero in Corvallis eye and to show
this British commander that he is loyal
to the king. Never mind, Abner. We
may be quits one of these days, and you
may not stand quite so high in the es-
timation of King Georges general"
1t was almost nine O'Clock when the
sergeant drew up his squad and saw
that their muskets were loaded with
ball.
Abner Bryant and the other torres
Of the crossroads stood off a little dis
lance and witnessed this ceremony.
He'll tell" said the head tory. "The
boy will weaken at the last moment, and
when the rear-guard leaves us they'll
take the rebel powder along"
Certainly. His mother understands
this, for she won't shed a tenr, you
know"
"There they go now. The sergeant is
going to carry out his orders if the little
rebel still remains defiant"
"ln front of the stone house the de-
tachment halted and the sentry saluted.
"It is nine o'clock" said the sergeant.
The sergeant unlocked the door, tie
key grating harshly in the rusty pad
lock, and the next moment he looked in
and called for Toby.
There was no reply, and the soldier
went inside.
A moments glance seemed sufficient.
There's hole in the roof" cried he.
"a hole in the roof?" echoed half O.
dozen voices.
Bring a light. Quick! The little
scamp has escaped"
The utmost confusion reigned.
A light was brought and revealed the
interior of the stone pile; loose clap
board in the roof told that the little
rebel had actually taken fight, md the
white-faced sentry seemed ready to fall
on his knees with fear.
"He was here ten minutes ago.
heard him." he managed to say.
"And ten minutes to him meant a
great deal. He can run like a deer"
put in Abner Bryant. ....
"It seems to me l heard horse cross
the bridge little while ago." remarked
another and then the soldiers separated.
The sergeant and one other FASTENED
to Toby's home and searched it, Abner
Bryant ran home to get out his best
horse, but startling discovery awaited
him.
The "best horse" was gone.
The excitement that followed Toby's
escape was intense. The patriots of the
hamlet secretly rejoiced, while the three
tories bit their lips with chagrin.
Some months later Abner Bryant re-
ceived a letter exploiting the good
qualities of his missing horse and thank
ing him for the use of it.
The letter was signed "Toby Travers,"
and the enraged tory tore it up and
threw it into the fire.
What became of the little rebel of the
crossroads?
The day after the surrender at York
town he was the bearer of message
from Washington to Corn,sallis and the
defeated general looked at him with
great deal of curiosity.
1--WE have met before, my lord" said
Capt. Toby, with bow.
"I've been thinking as much" an
swered CORVALLIS, "but just now can
not place you"
"I'm the Jersey boy who wouldn't be-
froy tho biIspu rIooa ~ tho nafriOt