Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1905-04-01

squads, marched down to the
FS%zsSa bOatS-large, unWieldy scoWS,
$500 which had been hauled up
against the shore-and each boat was
speedily filled to it's utmost capacity.
The most experienced seized the oars,
three or four Marblehead fishermen
armed with long poles took their sta
tons forward and aft along the upper
side Of the boat with one TO steer and
one to command, and then, Selling a
favorable opportunity, the boat was
pushed of from the shore and, thread
ing its way in and out between the
enormous ice cakes grinding down
upon her, the difficult and dangerous
passage began. Should the heavily
laden boat be overturned very few Of
it's OCCUPANTS would be able to reach
the shore Once on the other side the
fishermen took the boat back, and the
weary process was gone over again.
Fortunately it was yet bright moon
light. though OminouS clouds were
banking up in the northeast and ey-
erything could be plainly seen. Each
boat was perfectly visible ali the way
across to the eager watchers on the
shore, and a sigh of relief went up
after each fortunate passage. In this
labor Seymour and Bentley, and in a
less degree Philip Wilton, aided Colo
mel Gloyer's men; Seymour having the
helm of one boat continuously, Bentley
that of another.
About half past it was reported to
General Washington that all of the
first division had crossed, and the boat
was now ready for him according to
his orders The largest and best boat
had been selected for the commander
I'm chief. one sufficiently capacious to
receive his horses and those of his
staff who accompanied him. Seymour
was to steer the boat, Bentley stood in
the bow, Colonel Glover stationed him
self amidships, with three or four of
his trustiest men, to superintend the
crossing, and ali the oars We're manned
by the hardy fishermen instead of the
soldiers. The general dismounted and
walked toward the boat, leading his
horse. Just as he was about to enter
rapidly and saluted.
General Washington"
''Yes, SIR
'sA letter, sir"
"What time is this to hand me let
fersr'
Your excellency, have been charg,
ed to do so by General Gates"
sBy General Gates! Where is hep
''sI left him this morning in Philadel, |
phia, sir"
what was he doing there?"
81 understood him that he was on
his way to congress-"
"'On his way to congressp' said the |
general earnestly, with much surprise !
and disgust in his tome And then
after @ pause, he broke the seal and |
read the letter, frowning, after which !
he crumpled the paper up in his hand
and then turned again to the officer
allow did you find us, sir?"
81 followed the bloody footprints OF
the men on the snow, sir"
''Poor fellows! Did you learn any
thing of General Ewing or General
A'No, sir"
sand General Putnam?'
ale babe me say that there were
symptoms of an instruction in the
city, and he felt obliged to stay there
He has detached 600 of the Pehnsyl,
Vania militia, however, under Colonel
Griffin, to advance toward Borden
town
"'Tis well, sir. Do you remain to
participate in our attack"
eyes, sir. I belong to General St
Clair's brigade
''You will find it over there. 1t has
not yet crossed. Now, gentlemen, let
us get aboard"
The general stepped forward in the
boat, where Bentley, an enormous pole
In his hands, was stationed, and the re
mainder of the party soon embarked
The order was given to shove off. The
attended the passage of the boat with
It's precious freight until it neared the
east bank; when one of the largest
cakes that had passed swiftly aoated
down upon it.
"Pull, nsan; nGli hard cried Colonel
Hover as he say it's huge bulk along
Idle. "Head the boat up the stream,
If. Seymour. Forward, there, be
eady to push off with your poles" AS
be result Of these prompt maneuvers
he oncoming mass of ice, which was !
DO large to be avoided, instead of
rashing into them amidships and
mixing the boat, struck them quar-
sFdng blow on the bow and commenced
D grind along the sides of the boat
hitch heeled so far over that the wa
II began to trickle in through the
arIocks on the other side
STEADY, men," said Glover calmly.
BIT still for your lives.''
Bentley had thrown his pole over ON
be ice cake promptly and was now
caring down upon it with all the
rength Of his powerful arms. But