The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-03

not much, fer thy voice is as clear as
a silver bell, and can be heard a long
ways. Tryon is comlng!"
Mercy gave a start Of alarm. Her
lover continued "As thou knowest 1
left Washington's army to be a spy on
Tryon's movements, and L remained
undiscovered on board his shin until
even last night. We touched at Fair
field herbor and on board came John
White, a tory, our former nelghbor,
as you know. He recognized me at
once, and spoke to General Tryone He.
the general, came forward at once and
said: "A traitor, a spyl and thou shalt
die the death. Seize on him, men, and
we will hang him in his own dooryard
on the morrow But ere the men could
seize me sprang overheard and as it
was dark l escaped their shots, / made
for the shore and started for here;
and have been since noon in this tree
waiting fer a sight of you, lass"
But, Nathan, thou shouldst not have
come here where thy life is in danger.
Why dld'st rot hide with friends till
thou couldst make for the patriot
army?"
'Ay, lass, but must first warn thee,
and know how my parents are. But
canst thou not hide me somewhere for
the night? For Tryon will leave no
stone unturned to find me-"
The old elm, Nathan, that thy faith
or prizes so highly was struck by light
ming and broken off about Is feet from
the ground not lorg ago. Uncle Isaac
examined it aud found it hollow. Me-
thinks you could hide in that with
security, no ore knows of it, and our
plate has been hidden there for weeks.
But art sure thou canst get into it?"
Sure! of course, lass. Have l not
climbed the masts of many a ship. and
as soon as 1t is dark l will hide there,
but tell no one of my whereabouts,
for these are troublous times: and
thou must warn the patriots of Tryons
approach"
i will. Nathan, at once, but must
leave thee. The good dame, thy moth
er, Will wonder at my long absence
Thy father was saying today that were
Tryon to come he would fight with the
rest; but take good care of thyself,
Nathan, and l will pray that the God
who helped Israel will fight with us
on the morrow if Tryon comes; for
fear me greatly that his track will
be marked with blood and ashes, as at
Danbury, ere the morrow's sun sets"
fear so, too, lass, but l will make
for the patriot army soon, so tremble
not for me, but delay not in warming
the patriots. ! will not enter my faith.
er's house for fear of being seen, but
will make for the tree. Farewell, and
God bless you"
Farewell, Nathan, and may God
protect you! I may not see you again
until after the dreaded morrow" she
answered sorrowfully.
And perchance not then, lass, for if
the opportunity offers l must escape to
the patriot army; but / must rest this
night, as ! am far too spent for farther
travel"
y few more farewells between the
lovers then in the gathering dusk Mer-
cy slipped home. Her heart was very
sad, for she feared the worst on the
morrow; and her heart misgave her
for mentioning the tree as q secure hid
ing place for Nathan, but when she
conftded her fears to the old man he
reassured her that as the enemy would
not suspect of it's being hollow he
would be more secure there than else
where. The old man was greatly ex-
cited over the approaching invasion,
for well he knew the merciless ways
in which Tryon carried on his warfare.
Our coast in unprotected" he said
sadly. THE armies are away and moth
ing but our own valor can protect us
on the morrow: and well know that
they will not find man prepared un-
less warning Is given then tonight and
l am too old to go among the people
myself tonight, as l must fight on the
morrow"
But 1 can go, Uncle Isaac" said
Mercy eagerly; las soon as the night
has darkened ] will mount my Gray
Bess and at thy bidding / will ride to
West Haven and also to Black Rock,
and notify all the patriots that they
must be prepared"
Thou art true patriot, lass Mercy"
said the old man approvingly, "and we'll
l Wot that thou canst do this as well
as Paul Revere did some time ago. But
| think it would be we'll for you to go
down the Derby road piece and warn
the men there. and you might ride
toward Milford as we'll; and it would
do no hurt If the good people in Monto-
wese were notified too. Art thou good
for an all-night's ride, lass? 1t may be
the last thou or any of us can ever do
for our country, for ere to-morrow's S
sun sets we may all be dead, for Tryon
has no sparing hand"
Il am ready. Uncle Isaac" she an
swered proudly, these are not the
times when a woman should sit idly
by; but do you and the good dame care
for yourselves while ! am gone"
"Ay! and we will, lass; but quietly
you must go, and notify the loyal peo-
pie; tell them not where you heard it
for it might become known to the to-
ries and they would join in the search
for Nathan on the morrow. Tell the
captain of the militia to come for me,
for will march with them on the NOR
row if Trvon comes"
The night was dark and sultry, but
1t brought no terrors to MercyWeather-
bee as she rode on her royal errand.
quiet call in the dark at the houses;
a few words of earnest conversation at
the door, and silently as they had come
the gray mare sped down the road bear
ing the young girl with the warning
word. Midnight came and went and
still she rode. The fort at Black Rock
had been notified the hamlets lead
ing to Montowese received their word,
and through the silent streets the gray
mare galloped over the bridge leading
to West Haven, where on the morrow
the militia would make gallant stand.
The gray light of early morning dawn
ed, and Mercy had ridden her rounds,
and in the last hour before sunrise she
rested near West Haven. Wrapping
herself we'll In her mantle she sat be-
side her weary horse which cropped
hungrily the green grass by the way
side. All West Haven seemed to be
sleeping at her feet; but no slumber
came to her eyes. She eagerly scanned