Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-02-16

Beccy blushing briGe, Martin started
to leave Philadelphia and work his
way through the Br.t.sh and American
lines again. Well enough he knew
that his absence had been discovered
before that time, and we'll enough he
knew that a period in the guard-house
was in store for him. But he had
| BeCcy safe and what cared he for such
trifles as the guard-house.
Martin had slipped by the outer line
of British sentries safely, and though
| he did not now expect to encounter
any trouble with the British, he was
| too good a soldier not to keep a sharp
eye for possible trouble. When he left
camp he brought h's gun away with
| him and secreted it in a hollow log
! before he reached the British lines.
1t was a relief to find the gun still in
the log when he returned for 1t, and
with it over his shoulder he felt more
secure as he trudged cempward through
timber.
He wcs within two miles Of the Con-
tinental lines when he detected the
figures of men moving through the
timber some distance ahead OF MIN
Secreting himself in the brush he
awaited developments and was re-
warded by seeing tive British soldiers
approaching directly towards him, one
of whom carried an enormous turkey
He had faced greater odds than two to
one on many battlefield, and hesitated
not a moment when they were within
few feet OF him, end WITH his gun
at the ready" commanded them to
surrender.
Now" said Marin. when he had
the two soldiers at his mercy, Il Will
make a bargain with you, Tomorrow
is our generals birthday and he needs
the very bird you carry for a dinner
party. In fact, it was to secure it that
| have been in these woods If YOU
will deliver the bird to me you can
return to your well provided kitchens
in the city If you will not you can
about face and march before me into
camp"
1t was more than a fair bargain that
Martin offered and ire British did not
! hesitate in taking advantage of II
With many promises Of no attempt at
| retaliation they placed the bird in the
snow and marched away toward the city,
Martin watching them until they were
we'll out of sight in the timber. Then,
taking the turkey under his arm, he
again set out for the Continental camp,
which he soon reached,
Who comes there?' hailed the SEN
try.
"a friend with birthday dinner for
the general" replied Martin; but the
| turkey would not serve as a counter
| sign and the officer OF the guard was
called. To him Martin insisted upon
being taken to the generals headquar-
ters that he might present his prize in
| person.
"A birthday dinnGr to Gen. Wash
ington with the compliments of Beccv
Roherback and the Third New York
| foot" said Martin, when ushered into
| the presence of the commanding Off
Ger, "and with the hope that he will
! invite Capt, RosterhoLse, of that regi
ment to eat a birthday dinner with
| him."
| Then Martin explained Beccy's con-
nection with the presentation and his
own dereiction from duty, not for
getting a description of Beccy's bright
eyes and rosy cheeks 1t is needless
| to say that Martin did not go to the
| guard-house, and HAT the wrath oY
Capt. Rosterhouse was appeased when
he was invited to 0iAe with the gen
eral the next day, which, being Feb
ruary %, all the army knew was the
great mans birthday.