shore. Cautiously gliding along between the islands of Prudence and Patience, by which means they were secured from observation from the enemy's shipping that lay off by Hope Island, they advanced rapidly to their destination. While passing the north end of Prudence Island, they could distinctly hear the sentinels from the ships, cry out, "All's well.' The night was one of excessive darkness, and this fortunate circumstance, no doubt, contributed largely to the success of the plan.

In order to secure

The landing was effected without difficulty. a rapid retreat, one man was commanded to remain in each boat, and instructed to be ready for departing at a moment's notice. When all were on shore, the requisite instructions were given, and the party advanced rapidly in the direction of General Prescott's head-quarters. The difficulties of Major Barton's situation will be, readily appreciated. Even should he surprise General Prescott, a very few moments would suffice for an alarm to be carried to the enemy, and if so, the whole British army would be upon them before they could get to their forts, Or even should they reach their boats, if an alarm were conveyed to the enemy's shipping, their retreat would, with certainty, be cut off. It was, therefore, necessary to proceed with the utmost caution and care; and to act with equal daring, prudence, and celerity.

The distance to the residence of the English general, was about a mile. The party was divided into five divisions; one to approach the door on the south side, another one on the east, and a third on the west side, there being three doors to the house, while the fourth division was to guard the road, and the fifth to be ready to act on emergencies. They were obliged in order to reach the house, to pass the guard house of the enemy, on their left, and on the right a house occupied by a company of cavalry.

On arriving at Prescott's head-quarters, they were challenged by a sentinel who was stationed at the gate of the front yard. The darkness of the night prevented him from determining the nature of the party approaching, but, as they continued to advance in silence, he again challenged them, demanding, "Who goes there?" "Friends" said Barton. "Advance and give the countersign," was the rejoinder. "Pho!" replied Barton, as he continued to advance close to the person of the sentinel, we have no countersign-have you seen any rascals to night?" Almost simultaneous with this remark, Barton suddenly seized the musket of the sentinel, and charged him to make no noise on the penalty of instant death. So much had been accomplished in perfect silence. The divisions rapidly advanced to their respective positions, while Barton questioned the bewildered and terrified sentinel, as to whether the General was in the house, who replied that he was. The signal was now given, and in an instant the south door was burst open, and the division there stationed, rushed into the building followed by the Major.

The first person Barton met, was Mr. Perwig, who denied that General Prescott was in the house, and his son also obstinately denied the presence of the English officer. Not being able to find him in their rapid search through the apartments, Barton now had result to stratagem. In a loud voice, he declared his intention of capturing the general dead or alive, and ordered his soldiers immediately to set fire to the house. At this juncture, a a voice which Barton suspected to belong to the General, inquired the cause of the disturbance. Barton rushed to the apartments from which came the voice he heard, and finding there an elderly gentleman, just rising from his bed, he accosted him as General Prescott. To this the gentleman assented, and declared he bore

the name and title. "Then you are my prisoner," replied Barton. "I acknowledge that I am," was the rejoinder. He was only allowed time to partially dress himself, when he was hurried off by his captors.

Meanwhile a singular circumstance had occurred. At the very moment when Barton first gained admission into the house, one of the British soldiers managed to escape, and flew to the quarters of the main guard to give the alarm. This man, in the alarm of the moment, rushed forth with no other clothing than his shirt; and having hastily explained the matter to the sentinel on duty, he passed on to the quarters of the cavalry, which was much more remote from the head-quarters of the General. But when the sentinel came to explain the matter to the officer of the guard, it seemed so incredible, that he was laughed at, and was told that he had seen a ghost. He admitted that the messenger was clothed in white, and after being heartily laughed at for his credulity, was ordered back to his station, and the guard went back to their quarters. This was a most fortunate circumstance, for had the alarm of the soldier been believed, nothing could have preserved the gallant Major and his band from destruction.

The whole party with the English general in their midst, marched rapidly toward the shore. When they arrived at the boat, their prisoner, who had been hurried away half dressed, was permitted to complete his toilet. They re-embarked with all possible haste, and had not got far from the island, when the discharge of cannon and three sky rockets gave the signal for alarm. But, for some cause, the signal was not understood by those on the ships, and, by this fortunate circumstance, the gallant band was preserved, for it would have been easy for their enemy to have cut off their retreat. Although full of anxiety and apprehension,

they bent every nerve to reach their port of destination, and happily succeeded without meeting with any obstacle..

When they had landed, General Prescott said to the Major, "Sir, you have made an amazing bold push to night." "We have been fortunate," was the modest reply. The British commander was conveyed as a prisoner to Providence, while this gallant enterprise soon becoming noised abroad, it was received everywhere with unqualified admiration, and the gallant Major and his party, became the heroes of the campaign. It was not long after the performance of this brilliant exploit, that the prisoner was exchanged for General Lee, to the great joy and satisfaction of the American army.

AN INTERESTING STORY.

ISRAEL Israel, a native of Pennsylvania, after having passed ten years in the island of Barbadoes, and amassed a considerable property, returned to his native land to enjoy his wealth, and to be restored to the society of his family. He married and prepared to pass the remainder of his years in quiet and care, when the war broke out, and his whole fortune became sacrificed. From the commencement of the struggle, he had resolved to take up arms for the cause of freedom, but his unprotected family entreated so urgently not to be left alone, and exposed to a merciless enemy, that he determined to draw lots with his younger brother, Joseph, to decide which should become a soldier. The chance fell upon the younger, and it became Israel's duty to devote himself to the safety and welfare of his family. He took up

his residence on a small farm near Wilmington, in Deleware, while his mother and her family resided at Philadelphia. When this city fell into the hands of the British, the privations and hardships endured by the whig families resident in the town, were all that a rapacious soldiery could inflict. Each household had several soldiers quartered upon it, who took delight in terrifying and plundering its helpless inmates. Such was the condition of Mrs Israel, who was deprived of supplies and in want of the actual necessities. Israel, who watched over them with a continued anxiety, learned of this, and this knowledge determined him to undertake a hazardous journey into the town and to smuggle supplies for his suffering family. A tory neighbor, who professed great sympathy for him, gave him the countersign.

It was towards evening, on a day in the latter part of the year 1777 that darkest era of the American cause that Israel approached the city of Philadelphia, on the road leading from Wilmington. His large and powerful frame was enveloped in a capacious cloak, which not only was a protection against the weather, but which served to conceal sundry parcels of provisions, and a bag of money. It was sometime after dark when he reached the ferry, when he was hailed by the sentinel, with "Who goes there?"

"A friend," was the reply given with an anxious heart. "The countersign!"

He promptly gave the countersign.

"Pass friend!" replied the sentinel; and with a beating heart, the adventurous whig passed quickly on. The main difficulty was now over, and his enterprise promised a successful issue.

A few moments more sufficed to bring him to his mother's residence, which he found in possession of several soldiers, quartered