Year: 1859

where they can be removed in a very short
time and with little or no incumbrance."


"What kind of blow and where do you
think they can strike so suddenly, my good
fellow r.


"I know of no likelier place than the
main body of the army at Germantown"


At this piece of information, the shorter oi
the two gentlemen laughed immoderately.


Turning suddenly in his chair, Joshua OBJ
served that 1t was General Howe who was
party to this conversation. He was well
aware that it would not do for him to be
caught in this kind of fixS-the recollection
of the Quaker who was to conduct Howe 10
the American Camp at Trenton might serve
to embarrass his future operations. The mere
thought of being made a prisoner by the Brit
sh, made the blood tingle in his veins. The
tall soldier continued:


"From all the information could derive
from our Spy it was his opinion that the rebel
forces were making preparations to attack the
main body of our army encamped at German
town."


Howe replied that he did not think it hard
ly D ossible for the rebels to be so foolhardy
as to undertake such a project.


"But, General, you know an ''ounce OF pre-
vention is worth pound of cure" | think
that we ought to be prepared for the worst
let it come wheni it may"


'1'hat is true," replied Howe, 1--WE might
be caught mapping some Of these times and
that would not prove so interestingly our de-
spatches to government, We will be upon
the alert and if the rebels should come down
upon us we will give them warm time of it.
Let us repair to the camp and make prepara'
tions to give his Excellency the rebel Chief
warm reception if lie should take it into his
head to pay us an early visit"


The soldiers arose to their feet, and started
towards the door. Joshua drew back little
to keep from being observed, and to his salts
faction he heard the heavy tread of their feet
upon the porch an instant more and the re-
ceeding sound of their horses hoofs were heard
driving away in the distance. There was nc
time to be lost From this visit, ofthe officers,
he had learned enough to know that it would
not be prudent for the American forces to at
tack the British in their strong hold, and he
had learned, from the tories lodging in the
next room, that an attempt was to be made
the next night to plumber his home, and
above all it occurred to him that some of his
relatives might fall by the assassin's hand
His mind was worked up to the highest state
Of excitement.


With steady step he retraoed his way tc
the chamber where he had left his companion,
whom he found awake waiting his RETURN
They consulted together to know what would
be the best course to- pursue. They had
learned enough since they came to the Hotel
to warrant their return with their information.
It was now drawing towards morning and il
they were to visit the American camp before
they made their way to Wilmington, it would
make a long journey of it. Their neighbors
of the next room were snoring away at brisk
rate. How could they leave the house with
out being detected, by the wide-awake land
lord, who, might probably raise the house
without being detected, and place them in
an awkward predicament.


The young quaker examined the premises as
we'll as he could in the dark, to see ii any
opportunity offered through which they might
descend to the ground. On raising window
and peering forth into the night he observed
that the porch came very near up to the win
dow. He impaired this information to his
companion, and they proceeded out the win
dow to try their fortunes by that mode
of exit. Gliding along the slanting roof, in
their stocking feet, they came to the caves
but they projected too far over for them to
get hold of any of the posts. This mode of
escape was impossible. At length Joshua's
foot struck against beam; he carefully reach
ed down and examined 1t it proved to be
piece of scantling from which the sign was
suspended he knew that to the other end Of
the timber was attached the post that was
well inserted in the ground. Along this
beam our adventures crawled until they ariv-
ed at the post which they glided down with
out much difficulty. Arriving at the barnyard,
they found their horses leisurely enjoying the
hay that had been placed before them. With
as much expedition as possible the brides
were placed upon the animals and without
waiting for saddles they mounted and left the
Inn at full run. That the landlord heard
the fast flight of horses, was beyond doubt,
but he never took the trouble to follow or
make any inquirey concerning the occurrence.
The sleeping tories were unconcious that any
one, except themselves, had ever spent the
night there, let alone made hasty retreat.