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Page 125
He was soon concealed under the heavy folds of the long cloth. A few
minutes afterward, a party of cavalry dashed along the road. An officer
saw the girl and called out to her in a loud voice--
"Have you seen a man run this way?"
"Yes, sir," replied Hetty.
"Which way did he go?"
"I promised not to tell, sir."
"But you must tell me this instant; or it will be worse for you."
"I will not tell, for I must keep my word."
"Let me question her, for I think I know the child," said a man who was
guide to the party. "Is your name Hetty Marvin?"
"Yes, sir."
"Perhaps the man who ran past you was your cousin?"
"Yes, sir, he was."
"Well, we wish to speak with him. What did he say to you when, he came
by?"
"He told me that he had to run to save his life."
"Just so--that was quite true. I hope he will not have far to run. Where
was he going to hide himself?"
"My cousin said that he would go to the river to find a boat, and he
wanted me to tell the men in search of him that he had gone the other
way to meet the mail-cart."
"You are a good girl, Hetty, and we know you speak the truth. What did
your cousin say when he heard that you could not tell a lie to save his
life?"
"He asked, would I betray him and see him put to death?"
"And you said you would not tell, if you were killed for it."
Poor Hetty's tears fell fast as she responded, "Yes, sir."
"Those were brave words, and I suppose he thanked you and ran down the
road as fast as he could?"
"I promised not to tell which way he went, sir."
"O yes, I forgot; but tell me his last words, and I will not trouble you
any more."
"He said, 'I will do it, for it is my last chance.'"
Hetty was now oppressed with great fear; she sobbed aloud, and hid her
face in her apron. The soldiers thought they had obtained all the
information they could, and rode off toward the river-side.
While Griswold lay hidden at the farm, he had agreed upon a signal with
his boatmen, that if in trouble he would put a white cloth by day, or a
light at night, in the attic window of his place of concealment. When
either signal was seen, the men were to be on the watch, ready to render
him assistance in case of need.
No sooner had the soldiers ridden away, than Griswold's friends in the
house hung out a white cloth from the window, to warn the boatmen, who
then pulled out to sea.
The boat, with two men in it, was nearly out of sight by the time the
soldiers reached the shore, and this caused them to conclude that
Griswold had effected his escape.
Meantime he lay safe and quiet until the time came for Hetty to go home
to supper. Then he requested her to go and ask her mother to put the
signal-lamp in the window as it grew dark, and send him clothes and
food. The signal was seen, the boat returned, and Griswold made his way
to it in safety.
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