Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1900-10-05
PURSUED BY REDG0ITS
Brave Jane'sThriiling Escape From
British Omccrs-How She out
wittcd Thzm.

e witted Tlsm. g
%S&sS%&a$54As3S 400
purlDg the Revolutionary war many
deeds Of vator were performed by pco
pie whose namcs have never been
heard OF by tie present generation,
but whose daring acts did much TO
foster the cause Of liberty. The Hi
lards were n well known family In
the vicinity 81 Philadelphia. and while
they had never been discovered I'll dt
rect communication with the Cont
mental array Il was fairly understood
among the British troops that they
were usihg their influence 10 aid tls
c~olc1ista.
u should IKE rothing Better an
English officer was saying. than to
ca3turc ef That family. march him
90 headquarters AID make him give IN
Account g himsclf.
"FcThsr.~ a fellow officer returned,
~ycu wCU.I not enjoy the capture Of
tLc ycu-r daughter CT tie household,
who. Il Is said. IS afraid OF nothing
this SIDE o. the SEA. II Is said that she
IS cnc Ct TIE RIOS; expert hOrsewomen
Ia the oo,on.us and is out securing the
country over At daybreak and does not
return til dark"
rs Il neither prudent nor wcmnnly,"
replied another. ard II ! can once get
sight Of hes III give the damsel such
q Scare that she'll be glad TO stay at
home with her spinning"
Jane Hil.ayd. q beautiful girl Of 10,
was standing at her horses side, pat
ffFfsr fNs rHrcsrr fgrfr .rfsgl. f.. ,,..4t.
was auying;
Il IKE not the thought OF your going
80 far from home alone when the coun-
uy road is infested with British sol.
diers."
why, mother" laughed the girl as
she sprang into the saddle, Il know
every inch Of the ground as well as /
Know ovr own %doorynrd. And what
can happen to me? There is no horse
20 fleet rs mine, ana | promise to take
good Gaze OF myself" And, giving the
mare 4 touch with her whip, she went
flying down the driveway toward the
public road.
jane rode along the smooth highway,
every now ana then looking over her
shoulder TO see whether any had no.
ticed her during her swift trip. And
at last, when she came to n large
clump OF elder bushes, she refined In
the mare, raised herself In the saddle
ana gazed In all directions. Seeing no
one, she gave three short whistles,
which were at once answered. She
then started the horse and in a moment
Lad reached n thick underbrush a few
rods OF the public road. A young
alan came forward, raised his cap re-
specially and said:
Good day. Mistress Hillard. You
are prompt in keeping an appoint
mcnt."
Good day, sir" she answered quick
~. Il am glad l have not kept you
waiting. though" she added, Il came
near not being here at all. This day
Of all Others my mother objected to
my riding. The country is filed with
soldiers, and she was afraid harm
might come 10 me-"
Does she know Of this meetlngT" p.
the man asked quickly.
"NO one knows Of It," the girl re-
piled, 'and 1 am sure l have not been
noticed on my way here"
THAT Ia we'll" her companion an
swered. IL am trusting you with a
most important message which must
be ia the hands of General Washington
within II hours. If II Is discovered. II
means death TO me and confusion to
our troops. You are In great danger
carrying IT," And he hesltated a mo-
ment before placing In her hands,
which We're outstretched eagerly, o
neatly corded packet. But | see nc
other way" he added. and. handing II
to the girl. he was soon out of sight.
Jerc placed the precious message
within her riding cap and had gon'
but a short distance when, OF looking
over her shoulder. great was her con
s~ternatlon to discover IN the dlstanc'
a party OF English officers.
Jane Billiard was a brave girl, buI
her heart sank as she thought Of tbs
important letter l~ntrusted TO her, al
that Il meant 10 tie Continental army
II It were discovered and what would
be her probable fate II she were made
a prisoner Of war. She put the spur
to her horse, and then began a ride
which was an important II for th'
cause Of liberty. on they went, thu
girl urging the mare over the unevei
road. well knowing that one missteI
meant certain capture and probabl'
death. while tho redcoats followed witt
wonderful speed.
1--WE are gginingg" cried one. "Pl
wager that at the next turn Of the roa'
we shall catch her,
The ncn fairly tcy' over the read I
che point hcyone re bend where the.
expecfcd r. ea0turc Mistress Hilisrt
and greafyvas tAcs surprise 70 dseo'
or that she uac net only beyond thei
reach. but that she had completely di'