“FATHER’S escaped! Moses has just brought me word,� said John Russell, as he ran to the steps of the broad veranda. His mother quickly rose from her chair and looked down at the eager boy on the steps below her. Her slight figure was trembling, and a bright red spot had appeared on each cheek.
“Are you sure, John?� she asked, in a low tone.
“Yes, sure! It seems that the British escort had gone but halfway to Charleston when a band of five Whigs met them. They had a bit of an argument, and the upshot of it was that father made off. Strange about these Whigs happening to meet them, wasn’t it?�
John, unable to restrain his feelings longer, threw his hat high in the air, and rushing up the steps, seized his “little mother� in his arms and began to dance with her about the porch.
“What’s that you say? Your father’s escaped?�
John quickly released his mother and turned to face the gruff-voiced Captain Heald of the British service, who had just come out of the open door. The boy’s manner instantly changed, although he could not conceal his exultation as he replied: “Yes, sir; he’s escaped! He had no fancy to spend any more time in the ‘provost’ at Charleston. It isn’t a fit place for vermin, to say nothing of human beings.�
“I ought to have hanged him, and you, too!� replied the captain. “It’s the only way to deal with such rebels!�
“Hanging, sir,� said John, “seems the thing your party do best; unless you have a still stronger fancy for quartering yourselves on your betters.�
“Fine parole you’ve kept!� sneered the captain. “I’ll warrant, if the truth were known, you yourself had a share in this escape of your father.�
“I’m under no parole not to help my father to freedom,� said John.