Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary TimesEllis, Edward Sylvester
History
Tales, Traditions and Romance of Border and Revolutionary Times
Ellis, Edward Sylvester
Frontier and pioneer life -- United States -- Anecdotes; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Anecdotes
Stationed at different points, and protected by rocky battlements, the
little band quietly awaited the coming of their enemy. At last they
appeared, approaching carelessly, and with an utter want of military
prudence. Not a sound, nor breath betrayed to them the presence of a
foe. The rocks, and laurel bushes, gave forth no sign of the deadly
messengers to be launched from their bosoms. Part of the Hessians had
already passed the turn of the road, when suddenly, like a clap of
thunder from an azure sky, an explosion burst from the flinty rocks that
surrounded them, and several of their number, pitched headlong to the
earth. Those in front, panic struck, fell back upon those in the rear,
while those in the rear pressed forward, uncertain of the danger, and
discharged their muskets into the thickets, but the bullets rebounded
harmlessly from the rocky walls, that inclosed their enemy. Another
volley completed their panic. Terrified at the presence of an enemy,
that seemed to fight from the bowels of the earth, and unable to
estimate the full extent of their danger, which their imagination
greatly magnified, they gave a wild cry, and fled precipitately.
This event afforded the Whigs for a long time much merriment,
particularly as it was accompanied with no loss to the little party, who
had given the Hessians their terrible flight. Mrs. Fisher was accustomed
to give an amusing relation of the manner they appeared, as they flew by
her house, each running at his utmost speed, with the tin cannisters and
other numerous accouterments with which the Hessian soldiers were always
so plentifully provided—flying out in a straight line behind them.
The following incident, admirably illustrates the presence of mind, and
the many resources of this courageous lady. One day, a Whig neighbor
burst hastily into her presence, saying, that he was pursued by a body
of Tories, and if not concealed immediately, he was lost. It did not
take a moment for Mrs. Fisher to decide upon her course. There was a
large ash heap just out of the back door, some four or five feet in
hight, and as many long. Seizing a shovel, in a moment she made an
excavation, into which the fugitive crept, and the lady covered him with
ashes, having first taken the precaution to procure some _quills_, which
she placed one in another, and thus formed him a breathing-hole, by
which he sustained life, while the Tories sought in vain for his hiding
place.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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