Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1904-01-29
AN INCIDENT OF
THE REVOLUTION
BY Mrs NJ. &. Robinson.

~AVh anu OOuQkNaOu Oh the king trOODS.
then quartered in Canada. He was
brave and handsome young officer.
warmly attached to the American
cause, and willing TO sacrine bis life.
IL need be. for the good of his coun-
trymen who were fighting for liberty
and the right
He was fully aware OF the risk he In
curred-nor was he ignorant OF the
fate awaiting him should he be sus-
pected and taken. BY means Of ,ari-
Gus DISCUSSES he had reconnoitered
pretty thoroughly. and had acquired
much information Of an important ma.
ture. He had about resolved to return
to the American camp and report him
self to the commander-in-chief, when
the following incident strengthened
his determination.
While walking along one day. mus,
ing upon the exciting even's which
were thsn transporting he was met 10y
one Of the common soldiery who stop.
ped to speak. The man looked AMI
thoughts.
"Halloo, comradev' he cried. You're
going the wrong way"
IT guess not" rejoined Hastings.
carelessly.
'Well. I s'pose you know best: but
you'd better go back to the camp with
me. I'm going TO get n description OF
the chap that's been playing the spy"
added the man. Familiarity.
What about him? it's all news TO
me-" replied the colonel. unconcerned-
ly. though his pulse beat llttlo
quicker at the mans language: but he
had long exercised a severe govern
ment over the play of his features. and
not a muscle expressed surprise.
you must be deaf. then. for every
body Is talking about him to-day" con.
tinued the other. Ills name is Tom
Jones. and he's been slulking round
here, listening to what the officers say,
pumping the men. and trying TO find
out what the next move is to he. But
they've smelt rat. There's a bounty
offered for his head. and he's as good
as dead man.
GOOD enough for him" exclaimed
the colonel. who still maintained the
same Indifferent demeanor. Ellis life
isn't worth much. that's fact. But
l say. comrade." he added. slapping
the soldier Familiarity on the shoulder
isn't hanging a little too good for the
rascal?"
The man replied with n coarse laugh
and an oath. and then passed on his
way. leaving Hastings in no enviahle
state of mind. Had the fellow been
acquainted with him detection would
have been inevitable. IIe-Hastings-
had left the barracks early that morn
Ing, noticing nothing unusual but
probably his absence, added TO other
circumstances, had awakened sus-
picion. Not n moment was to be lost:
his life depended upon instant conceal
mept. as flight at that hour (it being
about four in the afternoon would be
attended with extreme danger. The
soldier would hear q description OF his
person. tell his story. the alarm would
be given, and a score OF enemies be
Immediately on his track.
The young officer hastily entered
thick growth of trees near by, and
looked about for some place OF refuge.
He could discover nothing which Of
fered the slightest protection but
large brush-heap. but as no better
refuge could be found, he concealed
himself as we'll as possible beneath IT,
He heard the tramp Of horses feet
and the voices Of men, In n cry short
time, which was good reason for con
Guiding that he had not secreted him
q minute too soon. They passed the
spot where he lay without hating. and
Hastings breathed moro freely when
the echo Of their shouts was lost IN
the distance.
Time dragged on but slowly. The
ground was extremely cold and damp
from the effects of a recent rain, and
added to the unpleasantness of his
situation. He dare not stir for fear
Of attracting the attention of some per.
son who might be lurking in the vi
entity. and his stiffened limbs began
to pain him considerably.
For several days he had not been
well, and be felt that he was rapidlv
becoming worse. Cold chills ran over
him, his head was hot and ached
badly. and a general languor pervaded
his whole system. What should he
dor 1t was not quite dark, bnt un.
fortunately for him the moon shone
brightly. and he feared being seen II
he attempted leaving his present
position. So for two more long hours
he laid there. benumbed with cold, and
growing so much worse that he feared
without assistance. he should die. But
II It was dangerous to 60. 1t was
equally dangerous to remain. To be
hanged for spy was not q pleasant
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 a short dis
lance. He would seek it, 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
side hnrriedly. crept little way
upon his feet, and then gradually
raised himself to an upright position
This was not accomplished without
severe effort; his linbs were weak
and cramped, and he tottered as he
walked. His head felt SO light and
dizzy that 1t was some minutes be