OF LANCASTER COUNTY. 305 



to give him a stunuiug blow. He immediately threw himself upon the 

 assassin, and a long and bloody struggle began; they were so nearly 

 matched in strength and advantage, that neither dared unclench his hold 

 for the sake of grasping the knife; the blood gushed from their mouths, 

 and the combat would have probably ended in favor of the assassin 

 when steps and voices were heard advancing, and they found themselves 

 in the hands of a party of countrymen, who were armed for the occa- 

 sion, and were scouring the banks of the river. They were forcibly torn 

 apart, but so exhausted and breathless, that neither could make any ex- 

 planation, and they submitted quietly to their captors. 



"The party of armed countrymen, though they had succeeded in 

 their attempt, and were sufficiently triumphant on the occasion, were 

 sorely perplexed how to dispose of their prisoners. After some dis- 

 cussion, one of them proposed to throw the decision upon the wisdom 

 of the nearest magistrate. They accordingly proceeded with their pri- 

 soners to his mansion, about two miles distant, and called upon him to 

 arise and attend to business. A window was hastily thrown up, and the 

 justice put forth his night-capped head, and with more wrath than be- 

 came his dignity, ordered them off; and, in requital for their calling 

 him out of bed in the cold, generously wished them in the warmest place. 

 However, resistance was vain ; he was compelled to rise ; and, as soon 

 as the prisoners were brought before him, he ordered them to be taken 

 in irons to the prison at Philadelphia. Lee improved the opportunity 

 to take the old gentleman aside, and told him who he was, and why he 

 was thus disguised; the justice only interrupted him with the occasional 

 inquiry, 'Most done?' When he had finished, the magistrate told him 

 that his story was very well made, and told in a manner very creditable 

 to his address, and that he should give it all the weight it seemed to re- 

 quire. And Lee's remonstrances were unavailing. 



"As soon as they were fairly lodged in prison, Lee prevailed on the 

 jailor to carry a note to Gen. Lincoln, informing him of his condition. 

 The General received it as he was dressing in the morning, and immedi- 

 ately sent one of his aids to the jail. That officer could not believe his 

 eyes that he saw Capt. Lee. His uniform, worn out when he assumed it, 

 was now hanging in rags about him, and he had not been shaved for a 

 fortnight; he wished, very naturally, to improve his appearance before 

 presenting himself before the Secretary of War ; but the orders were 

 peremptory to bring him as he was. The General loved a joke full 

 well ; his laughter was hardly exceeded by the report of his own cannon ; 

 and long and loud did he laugh that day. 



" When Capt. Lee returned to Lancaster, he immediately attempted to 

 retrace the ground ; and so accurate, under all the unfavorable circum- 

 stances, had been his investigation, that he brought to justice fifteen 

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