Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1903-11-27
AN INCIDENT OF
THE REVOLUTION
By Mrs. NJ. {. Robinson.

services towards ascertaining the posi-
ton and condition OF the kings troops.
then quartered In Canada. ne was a
bravo and handsome young officer.
warmly attached to the American
cause. and willing TO sacr!fie his life.
II need be. for the good OF his coun-
trymen who were fighting for liberty
and the right.
He was fully aware OF tho risk he IN
curred-nor was he ignorant OF the
rate awaiting him should he bo sus-
pccted and taken. by means Of vari-
Gus disguIses he had accommodated
pretty thoroughly. and had acquired
much Information OF an important ma
! ture. He had about resolved 20 return
TO tho American camp and report him.
self to the commander-ln-chief. when
the following incident strengthened
his determination.
Whilo walking along ono day, mus
Ing upon the exciting events which
were then Transporting. no was met by
ono OF the common soldiery who stop
/ ped to speak. The man looked AMI
matod, and seemed pleased with his
thoughts.
"Halloo. contradict" no cried. you're
going tho wrong way"
II guess not" reJoined Hastings.
carelessly.
"Well. ] s'pose you know best; but
you'd better go back To the camp with
mo. I'm going TO got description OF
the chap that's been playing the spy"
added the man. Familiarity.
What about hlm2 it's all news to
mo-" replied the colonel. unconcerned-
| ly. though his pulse beat little
| quicker Mt the mans language; hut no
had long exercised n severe govern
mont ovor the play OF hls features and
/ not a muscle expressed surprise
You must he deaf. then. for every
body IN talking about him today" con
tinued the other. Ills namc IN Tom
Jones. and he's been skulklng round
| here, Listening 90 what the officers say,
pumping the men. and trying 90 find
| out what the next move Ia 10 be But
they'vc smclt n rat. There's bounty
offered for his head. and hos as good
az dead man"
GOOD enough for himl" exclaimed
tho colonel. who stll maintained tho
same Indifferent dcmcanor. Ills lifc
Isn't worth much. that's n fact. But
| | say. comradc." ne added. slapplng
! the soldier familiarity on the shoulder
isn't hanging n little too good for the
| raRcRl2'
The man replied with coarse laugh
and an oath and then passed on his
way. leaving Hastings IN no cnvinhle
state OF mind. Had tho follow hcen
acquainted with him detection would
have been inevitable. He-IIastings-
Ind left the barracks early that morn
ing. noticing nothing unusual: hut
probably his absence. added TO other
circumstances. had awakened sus-
picion. Not moment was 10 he lost;
his life depended upon instant conceal
ment. as hight at that hour az being
about four in the -Aftcrnoon) would he
attended with exircmc dapgeL The
soldier would hear u description OF nfs
person. tell his story the alarm would
be given. and n scorc Of enemies be
Immediately on his traCN.
Tho young officer hastily entered a
thick growth OF trees near Ivy. and
looked about for some place OF refuge.
He could discover nothing which of
fcrcd tho slightest protection hut n
large brush heap. but as no bettor
refuge could be found. he concealed
himself as we'll az possible beneath Il.
|
and the voices OF men. In n very short
timo. which was a good reason for con
Guiding that he had not secreted him
n minute too soon They passed tho
spot whore hc lay without hating. and
Hastings breathed moro freely whom
the echo OF their shouts was lost in
the distance.
Time dragged on but slowly. Tho
ground was extremely cold and damp
from the effects Of recent rain. and
added TO the unpleasantncss of his
situation. He dare not stir for fear
OF attracting the attention Of somo per-
son who might be lurking In the VI
cinity, and his stifrened limbs began
TO pain him considerably.
For several days he had not been
well and he felt that he was rapidly
becoming worse. Cold chills ran over
him, his hoad was hot and acbed
badly. and q general languor pervaded
his whole system. What should he
do? II was not quite dark. but I'M
fortunately for him tho moon shone
brightly. and he feared being seen II
he attempted leaving his present
position. SO for two more long hours
L
growing so much worse that he feared,
without assistance, ne should die. But
II II was dangerous TO CO.. it was
equally dangerous to remain. To be
hanged for spy was not II pleasant
i Idea to contemplate. and he groaned
at the thought OF dying there alone.
At this moment he remembered hav.
ing seen a small cabin at short dis.
lance. He would seek II. throw him.
self upon the mercy of the inmates
and beg assistance and protection.
He pushed aside the brush cautions
ly. and after glancing from side to
I side hurriedly. crept little way
s upon his feet, and then gradually
8 raised himself to an upright position
4 This was not accomplished without
severe effort: his limbs were weak
! ana cramped. and he tottered as he
walked. Ills head felt so light and
Z dizzy that 1t was some minutes be