Even at that early day, Hartford and Vernon had established for themselves a wide-spread reputation for expertness in the _forwarding business_. General Bushnell, on account of his age and experience was looked upon as the acknowledged front of affairs, but his work was ably seconded by many others, particularly by two young men, Ralph Plumb, of Burgh Hill, and Levi Sutliff, who still resided with his parents in the north part of Vernon. These young men were ever on the alert for daring enterprise, but just now discretion was considered the better part of valor, for slow as news moved, it was not long before the chase from Youngstown to Warren became known in Hartford, and anti-fugitive eyes became unusually vigilant about town, and it was whispered that the blue suit might come that way and some one might pick up a handsome reward. For some days Uncle Jake was carefully secreted in a hay-barn, together with a young man who had previously reached the General’s. Plumb and Sutliff were so carefully watched, it was thought best to commit the carrying of the twain to other hands—but whose should they be? Young Plumb had a sister Mary, about twenty years of age, the affianced of Sutliff, and the General had a daughter bearing the same name a year or two younger, both spirited, resolute girls, and ready for any good work. When only fourteen, Miss Bushnell, in a case of special emergency, had hitched up the family carriage, (a one-horse wagon,) and conveyed a fleeing family from her father’s to the Sutliff home, a distance of eight miles, encountering a fearful thunderstorm on the way, and returning before the first peep of morning light. One day when conversing on the best way of disposing of the case in hand, Ralph said: “Leve, suppose we commit this mission to the Marys; I believe they will put the stock safely through to the lake.” “Capital,” replied his companion; “have you matured a scheme?” “Partially.” “What is it?” “Well your father is to have a load of hay of the General. Come along with the team and I’ll help you get it. We’ll pack Uncle Jake and the boy into the load, take Mary on with us and bring her down to our house, there take on sister, and when the hay is in the Sutliff barn the rest can be easily arranged.” “But will the girls consent?” “The Bushnell has been tried, and you are the last man that ought to raise a question about the Plumb.” That afternoon the team of the senior Sutliff was driven through the center of Hartford and to the hay-barn of Andrew Bushnell, where it was duly loaded, the two choicest _spires_ being extended longitudinally a short distance from the top. Passing the house, Mary was taken on and a merry trio proceeded northward only to be expanded to a jubilant quartette on arriving at the Hill. No suspicion was aroused, for those were days when a woman’s worth and modesty were not lessened by her being seen in sun-bonnet and shawl upon a load of hay. III.