Year: 1859

CHAPTER IV.--CoNTINuED.


At length night drew its sable curtains a
round as our friends were ferried over the
SchuylkilI, and wound their way towards the
City. Every now and then they passed pick
cts upon duty and soldiers relieving guard
but none seemed disposed to molest or inte-
rupt them. Doubtless their plain dress
and the company of lady saved William
Way from many inquisitive questions. 1t
was night yet the travellers, by the light OF
the lamps, could distinguish the soldiers from
the citizens as they passed along the streets
towards the place of their destination. Anx-
iously did they scrutini2e every passer-by to
see if William was among the throng that
glided to and fro doubtless about their re-
spectve avocations. But nothing could be
seen to indicate any information concerning
his whereabouts. Guided by the directions
Of the young girl William drove up to the
door of the house in Third Street whore JOS
hua had been confined but a short time before.
A stout hurley soldier marched backwards aud
forwards before the door. Fanny inquired if
Ephraim Yarnell resided there The soldier
answered in a very gruf tone: +" 1t is none
of my business, and l never inquired who
lived here but there is one thing certain, no
body can enter or come out of this house while
stand here. There ale spys about, and an
enemy close by, and can assure you that
straight coat and broad brimmed hat are no
recommendations in this quarter"


"Cannot you inquire ii our kinsman lives
here / know that this is his house, but things
have changed so that there is no knowing
who lives here and who does not. Please be
kind enough to inquire if our relative lives
h6rel'i


The soldier replied; "my orders are positive;
no one can enter this house, you can remain
here until the Sergeant of the guard relieves
me and hear what he has to say"


/. How long will that be2" Inquired Fanny.
'tNot more than fifteen or twenty minutes, !"
replied the Guard.


Our travellers sat in their vehicle to await
the arrival of the only person who could give
them any information upon subject of the
gravest Importance to them. The cold winds
of December were blowing fercely around
them they had travelled what-to them was a
very long journey and they felt chilly and
dispirited. The Guard marched his weary
journey-to and fro. Small squads of men
hurried by and every few minutes a pedes
trian, little more inquisitive than the rest,
would stop and peer into the faces of William
and Fany, and then with acontemptious sneer
pass on. They however did not have to sit
long in this situation before the Sergeant of
the Guard and number of men, with guns
upon their shoulders, came up. The Guard
did not attempt to make any explanation con-
cerning our friends in the vehicle. The Ser
geant with an inquisitive air scanned William,
for minute or two, and then inquired who
he was and what his business could be.
William answered the questions with so much
eandor that the generous soldier seemed to
appreciate the situation of the travellers and
told them that he did not know who lived i'll
the house himself but he would make the
requisite inquiring. He told them a part of
the house was used by the army but the fami-
ly resided still in o portion of it, He dis
appeared for moment and then returned
with the answer that Ephraim Yarnell resided
there. This information delighted Fanny no
little, and she asked permission, of the soldier
to enter the house. After scrutinizing the
travellers closely he permitted William and
Fanny to enter the house. They were re-
ceived cordially by Ephraim and his good lady
who were very much surprised at their unex-
pected visit. The Sergeant gave them to
understand that the guard would not let any
one leave the house during the night. Will
liam asked permission to put away his horse
but the officer told him that proper care had
been taken Of the animal; that under no circuni-
stance could any one leave the premises.


Weary and tired our friends, sat around
the fire that evening, and talked over the af-
fairs of the nation inquiry was made after
the condition of things in Delaware, by the
Philadelphians, and properly answered by the
Wilmingtonians. Fanny was afraid to breath
single word about the stand that her friends