Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-09-24
A WARTIME
ADVENTURE


Theodore Pearson. escaped prisoner
| Of war bad been hiding all day In the
| woods beside the James river. but now
| test the dusk Of evening was coming
on he left bis hole under a log and
/ nade bis way along the bank In
southeasfcrly direction lie had left
Libby prison by means Of tunnel In
company with number Of others. q
| fes days before and was aiming 20
reach the Union feet IN Hampton
Roads. Coming 10 a fence inclosing
/ plantation. he made q careful survey
| Of the premises and vss about to pro-
ceed by the river margin when young
girl left the house, hurried down 20
boat. unsrtherrd II and. seixing pal.
/ OF cars rowcd away from the shore.
The current being very strong, she
pulled diagonaIly against II she had
not given a dozen strokes before her
boat was carried against sunken leg.
and the full force OF the water. strik-
Ing II sidcwisc. turned II bottom up
ward. The girl was whiricd rapidly
away.
Although Lieutenant Pearson was a
good swimmer. having been on prison
diet for months he would no; have
had the strength even to attempt a
rescue had he not received In the last
few days good supply Of salt pork
aud corn pone from some negroes
However this may be. he ran swiftly
down to q point below the xiri where
be would have bat a short distance tn
swim to reach Der rs she aoated by
and plunged IN. she had gone under
on leaving the boat and had come mp
Just a. Pearson left the paint. Before
be reached her she sank again. Pear
son dlved. made fortunate clutch, for
be could not easily ace through the yel.
low clay mingled with the water. and
caught her skirt. Then he struck out
fov shore, which he reached safely.
He had scarcely done 20 before he
heard the sound Of cars. and In few
minutes boat came from cut tho
gioamlnx. Its single occupant. seeing
Pearson standing over the unconscious
girl. pulled toward him. When the
Union Officer saw that he was In Goa
federais uniform. be made up his mind
TO a return to Libby.
A few snatches % words explained
the situation TO the Confederate and
to Pearson that the others we're TO
have met In the middle Of the river.
The girl being late. the man had come
house for assistance. Pearson started
and for moment was tempted 70
take 20 the woods, but was Incapable
Of gaining bis freedom by des.rtinz
Girl whose life was attn In Jeopardy.
| In few minutes the household was
aroused, and the girl was revived. car
ried to her home aud soon recovered.
When the excitement had subsidized,
the Confederate looked about him for
/ the stranger. He had disappeared,
Every negro on the place was started
10 search for him and to sas that Cap
tain Pembcrton deSired to thank him
for saving Miss Blair. hls betrathssi.
/ and to entertain him for the night.
An hour later all the negroes had re.
/ turned and reported that the maa
could not be- found
Captain Pembcrton remained at the
/ plantation. During the evening be
4 &fGfA Alt AszaN SAA< va y Af&fA*s1&&tAAs
Some poor devii L. tn bard lucl."
be said That dos has caught the
scent"
About 10 O'Clock. Miss Blair having
entirely recovered. her lover started
on his return TO his command. The
I girl insisted On saying adleu AZ the
door and came downstairs with him
| into the hall At the same moment
the front door was thrown open. aud
q; the entrance, surrounded by guard
| Of Confederates, stood the man who
had saved Miss BIalr's life
MAY we keep this man here over
nightY" asked the leader. "He Is an
escaped Libby prisoner"
Miss Blair was about 10 enter a
protest when her lover stopped her.
Certainly" he said. then TO Pear
son. Il assure you. sir. after what we
owe you. this Is very painful meet.
ing"
Pearson was taken 10 one OF the out
houses. and the plantation gradually
quleted down
At midnight Pearson heard a voice
say to his guard: Take your blanket
TO that gallery and go 20 sleep. III
stand watch for you awhile" A few
minutes later Captain pemberton
through a window beckoned to the
prisoner to follow him. Taking Pear
son by circuitous route. ia order to
avoid the guard. he led him 10 the mar
gin OF the river.
There IS my boat" he said "ln Il
1
Here II my uniform coat With these
you ought TO be able 10 make your way
10 the Federal feet below. IL you are
taken. send for me az once. prefer
to be shot for this rather than that you
should so back to Libby.
Pearson tried to speak. but could
only mntter incoherent thanks.
And here Is note OF thanks from