FIVE DAYS AT TOLEDO. f*^S 



"so that by its record be may show to the world that 

 he has executed the laws of Ohio over the disputed 

 territory in spite of the vaporing threats of Governor 

 Mason. Be prepared to mount your horses to start for 

 Toledo at precisely one o'clock in the morning. I will 

 be ready with my escort." 



The appointment was met, and Toledo was reached 

 at three o'clock. The party proceeded directly to a 

 school-house, and there court was held in due form of 

 law, its proceedings written out on bits of paper being 

 deposited in the tall crown of the clerk's hat. AYhen 

 business was over, the entire party went to a tavern 

 near by for refreshments. Just as the men were about 

 to indulge in a second cup of cheer, some one called out 

 that General Brown, with a strong force, was on his 

 way to arrest them. Glasses were dropped, the little 

 matter of indebtedness to the saloon-keeper was waived 

 without ceremonv, and a moment later not a sign of the 

 Ohio dignitaries remained. 



When they had placed a sufficient amount of the con- 

 tested soil between themselves and General Brown, they 

 halted upon a hill to fire a salute, but at that time it was 

 learned that the clerk's hat, containing the all-important 

 papers, had been knocked off his head by the limb of a 

 tree during the retreat. To return might mean capture 

 and the failure of their plan. To abaiidon the recovery 

 of the missing hat would be equally deplorable. Van- 

 fleet accordingly sent back a small detachment to search 

 the road ; '^ the lost was found," and, at last triumphant, 

 a loud salute wa3 fired. To say that the men did not 

 then let the grass grow under their feet is but a mild 

 assertion. It has been said by good authorities, that if 



the retreating party had charged General Brown's recri- 

 13 



