had been driven on shore by the violence of the wind, and the crew had dispersed themselves over the island in search of assistance. They were hospitably received, and provided with such necessaries as they most stood in need of. When the strangers were made acquainted with the quality of their host, and his political principles, they made themselves and the object of their voyage known to him. The one was the Marquis de la Fayette, then about eighteen, and the other an elderly gentleman, a Chevalier de St Louis, who, like another Mentor, had followed the fortunes of the young Telemachus. "They beheld," they said, "with indignation, the tyranny the inhabitants of North America laboured under from the mother country; and, animated with the true spirit of liberty, they were resolved to espouse the cause of the Congress, and either partake with them the happiness of emancipation, or perish with them in the glorious effort." Colonel Huger quitted the island with his guests, and, repairing to head quarters, introduced them to General Washington, who gave each of them a command in the continental army. Francis Huger was only four years old when this happened, but the adventure remained deeply impressed on his memory; and though he had never seen Fayette since, yet he felt the greatest attachment to his person, and the highest admiration of his actions; with ardour, therefore, he participated in Balman's scheme for the release of his favourite hero. of the best means to execute the purpose he had in view, to assist Fayette in making his escape from the power of Austria. He soon found that, without an able coadjutor, the difficulties which presented themselves were insurmountable. He was forced, therefore, for the present to abandon his design until he should be so fortunate as to find a man equally zealous with himself, and with ability sufficient to execute the hazardous plan he had formed. Accident threw in his way the person in the world best suited to the enterprize by nature and education. At Vienna, he entered into the society of young Americans, whom he thought most likely, from their veneration for the character of Fayette, to dare such an undertaking. He soon singled out one, to whom, after proper precautions, he imparted his secret. Huger entered into and adopted his schemes with all the keenness of youth, and that enthusiastic enterprize peculiar to the inhabitants of the new world. Francis Huger was the son of Colonel Huger of Charlestown, South Carolina, who lost his life in the ser. vice of his country against the British troops on the walls of the town, when besieged by General Prevost. The year before his death, he had retired to a small island off the Charlestown bar, with his family, for the benefit of sea-bathing. There happened one evening a violent storm, the report of cannon was heard at a distance; concluding the firing came from British ships, then cruising in those seas, it was necessary to avoid giving suspicion that the island was inhabit ed. About midnight a knocking at the door of the cottage obliged Colonel Huger to open it. Two perappeared, who, in a foreign ac cent, informed him that their ship Thus agreed, they began their operations. It was necessary to conduct themselves with caution, for the Austrian police was vigilant, and particu larly jealons of strangers. Huger pretended ill health, and Balman gave himself out for a physician, who on that account travelled with him. They bought three of the best horses they could find, and with one servant set forwards on a tour. After travelling many weeks, staying some time at different places, the better to conceal their purpose, and to confirm the idea that curiosity was the motive of their journey, they at length reached Olmutz. After viewing every thing in the town, they walked into the castle to see the fortifications, made themselves acquainted with the jailor, and having desired permission to walk within the castle the next day, they returned to their lodging. They repeated their visits frequently, each time conversing familiarly with the jailor, and sometimes making him little presents. By degrees they gained his confidence, and one day, as if by accident, asked him what prisoners he had under his care. He mentioned the name of Fayette; without discovering any surprise, they expressed a curiosity to know how he passed his time, and what indulgences he enjoyed: They were informed that he was strictly confined, but was permitted to take exercise without the walls with proper attendants, and, besides, was allowed the use of books, and pen, ink, and paper. They said, that, as they had some new publications with them, it might add to his amusement if they were to lend them to him, and desired to know if they might make the offer. The jailor said he thought there could be no objection, provided the books were delivered open to him (the jailor,) so that he might see there was nothing improper in their contents. With this caution they complied, and the same evening sent a book and a note to the jailor, addressed to Fayette, written in French; who, though he did not understand that language (as it afterwards appeared,) yet did not suspect any treachery where every thing was conducted so openly. The note contained apologies for the liberty they had taken; but, as they wished in any way to contribute to his happiness, they hoped he would attentively read the book they had sent, and if any passages in it particularly engaged his notice, they begged he would let them know his opinion. He received the note, and finding it was not expressed in the usual mode of complimentary letters, conceived that more was meant than met the eye. He therefore carefully perused the book, and found in certain places words written with a pencil, which, being put together, acquainted him with the names, qualities, and designs of the writers, and requiring his sen timents before they should proceed any further. He returned the book, and with it an open note, thanking them, and adding, that he highly ap proved of, and was much charmed with, its contents. Having thus begun a correspon dence, seldom a day passed but open notes passed between them, some of which the jailor shewed to persons who could read them; but, as nothing appeared that could create any suspicion, the correspondence was per mitted. Their plan being at length arran ged, the particulars were written with lemon juice, and on the other side of the paper a letter of inquiries after Fay ette's health, concluding with these words: Quand vous aurez lu ce billet, mettez le au feu (instead of dans le feu.) By holding the paper to the fire, the letters appeared, and he was made acquainted with every arrange ment they had made. The day fol lowing was fixed upon to put the plan in execution. The city of Olmutz is situated about 30 miles from the frontiers of Silesia, in the midst of a plain, which, taking the town as its centre, extends three miles each way. The plain is bounded by rising ground, covered with bushes and broken rocks; so that a man standing on the walls might distinctly see every thing that passed on the plain. Sentinels were placed for the purpose of giving an alarm when any prisoner was attempting to escape, and all people were ordered to assist in retaking him: great rewards were likewise due to the person who arrested a prisoner. It seemed therefore scarcely possible to succeed in such an attempt. Aware of these difficulties, Balman and Huger were not intimidated, but took their measures with the greater caution. Under pretence that his health required air and exercise, Fayette had obtained permission to ride out upon the plain every day in an open cabriolet, accompanied by an officer, and attended by an armed soldier, who mounted behind by way of guard. During these excursions he had gain ed the confidence of the officer so far, that when the carriage was at a distance from the walls they used to quit it, and walk together. The plan determined upon was this; Balman and Huger were to ride out of town on horseback, the latter leading a third horse; as neither of them knew Fayette, a signal was agreed upon at their meeting. Fayette was to endeavour to gain as great a distance as possible from the town, and, as usual, to quit the carriage with the officer, and draw him imperceptibly as far from it as he could without exciting his suspicions. The two friends were then to approach, and, if necessary, to overpower the officer, mount Fayette upon the horse Huger led, and ride away full speed to Bautropp, 15 miles distant, where a chaise and horses awaited to convey them to Trappaw, the nearest town within the Prussian dominions, about 30 miles from Olmutz, where they would be safe from pursuit. In the morning Huger sent his trusty servant to endeavour to learn the precise time that Fayette left the castle. After a tedious delay, he returned, and told them that the carriage had just past the gates. With agitated hearts they set out; having gained the plain, they could perceive no carriage; they rode slowly on till they had nearly reached the woody country, but still no carriage appeared. Alarmed lest some unforeseen accident should have led to a discovery, they hesitated; but, recollecting that their motions might be distinctly seen from the walls, they retraced their steps, and had arrived at a short distance from the town when they beheld the long-wishedfor cabriolet pass through the gates, with two persons in it, one in the Austrian uniform, and a musqueteer mounted behind. On passing, they gave the preconcerted signal, which was returned, and the carriage moved on. They continued their ride towards the town, then turned, and slowly followed the carriage. They loitered, in order to give Fayette time to execute his part of the agreement. They observed the two gentlemen descend from the carriage, and walk from it arm in arm. They approached gradually, and perceiving that Fayette and the officer appeared to be engaged in earnest conversation about the officer's sword, which Fayette had at the time in his hand, they thought this the favorable moment, and put spurs to their horses. The noise of their approach alarmed the officer, who, turning round, and seeing two horsemen coming up full gallop, he hastened to join the cabriolet, pulling Fayette with him; finding resistance, he endeavoured to get possession of his sword, and a struggle ensued. Huger arrived at this moment; "You are free, said he; seize this horse, and fortune be our guide." He had scarce spoken when the gleam of the sun upon the blade of the sword startled the horse, he broke his bridle, and fled precipitately over the plain. Balman rode after to endeavour to take him. Meantime Huger, with a gallantry and generosity seldom equalled, but never excelled, insisted on Fayette's mounting his horse, and making all speed to the place of rendezvous: "Lose no time, the alarm is given, the peasants are assembling, save yourself." Fayette mounted his horse, left Huger on foot, and was soon out of sight. Balman had in vain pursued the frightened horse, and perceiving he had taken the road to the town, gave up the chase, and returned to Huger, who got up behind him, and they gallopped away together. They had not gone far when the horse, unequal to such a burthen, stumbled and fell, and Balman was so bruised with the fall, that with difficulty he could rise from the ground. The gallant Huger assisted his friend upon the horse, and agam for getting all selfish considerations, desired him to follow and assist Fayette, and leave him to make his escape on foot, which he said he could easily do, as he was a good runner, and the woody country was close at hand. Balman with reluctance consented. Upon the approach of the horsemen, the soldier who had remained with the cabriolet, instead of coming to the assistance of the officer, ran back to the town; but long before he arrived the alarm was gi ven; for the whole of the transaction had been observed from the walls,the cannon fired, and the country was raised. Balman easily evaded his pursuers, by telling them he was himself in pursuit. Huger was not so for tunate; he had been marked by a party, who never lost sight of him; yet his hunters being on foot like himself, he might have reached his covert, had they not been joined by others who were fresh in the chase: they gained ground upon him, and at the moment he had reached a place where he hoped he might rest awhile, quite exhausted with fatigue and breathless he sunk to the earth, and a peasant came up he offered him his purse to assist his escape; the Austrian snatched the money with one hand, and seized him with the other, calling to his companions to come to his help. Resistance was vain, and the intrepid Huger was conveyed back to Olmutz in triumph, inwardly consoling himself with the glorious idea, that he had been the cause of rescuing from tyranny and misery a man he esteemed one of the first characters upon earth.He was shut up in a dungeon of the castle as a state prisoner. Meanwhile Fayette took the road he was directed, and arrived without any obstacle at a small town about 10 miles from Olmutz: here the road divided; that leading to Trappaw lay to the right, unfortunately he took the left. He had scarce left the town, when perceiving the road turning too much to the left, he suspected he had mistaken his way, and inquired of a person he met the way to Bautropp The man, eyeing him with a look of curiosity, at length told him he had missed his way, but directed him to take another, which he said would soon lead him right. This man, from Fayette's appearance, his horse in a foam, his foreign accent, and the inquiries he made, suspected him to be a prisoner making his escape; he therefore directed him a road which by a circuit led him back to the town, ran himself to the magistrate, and told him his suspicions; so that when Fayette thought himself upon the point of regaining the road which would soon secure his retreat, he found himself surrounded by a guard of armed men, who, regardless of his protestations, conveyed him to the magistrate. He was however so collected, that he gave the most plausible answers to the interrogations that were put to him: he said he was an officer of excise belonging to Trappaw, and that having friends at Olmutz, he had been there upon a visit; had been detained there by indisposition longer than he intended, and, as his time of leave of absence was expired, he was hastening back, and begged he might not be detained, for if he did not reach Trappaw that day, he was afraid his absence might be noticed, and he should lose his office. The magistrate was so much prepossessed in his favour by this account, and by the readiness of his answers to every question, that he expressed himself perfectly satisfied, and was going to dismiss him, when the door of an inner room opened, and a young man entered with papers for the ma gistrate to sign. While this was doing the young man fixed his eyes upon Fayette, and immediately whispered the magistrate: "Who do you say he is?" The General la Fayette." "How do you know him?” "I was present when the General was delivered up by the Prussians to the Austrians at - -; this is the man, I cannot be mistaken." Fayette entreated to be heard. The magistrate told him it was useless for him to speak; he must consent immediately to be conveyed to Olmutz, and his identity would then be ascertained. Dismayed and confounded, he submitted to his hard fate, was carried back to Olmutz, and the same day which rose to him with the fairest prospects of happiness and liberty, beheld him at the close of it plunged in stili deeper misery and imprisonment. Balman, having eluded the search of his pursuers, arrived at the place where the chaise had been ordered to wait their coming. Finding it still there, and yet no appearance of Fayette, he foreboded mischief. With as much patience as he could command, he remained till evening, not yet giving up all hopes of a fortunate issue to their adventure. He dismissed the chaise, however, and made a circuitous journey, in hopes his friends might have escaped by a different route; but could gain no information whatever, till, on the third day, a rumour of Fayette having been retaken in attempting his escape, dissipated his hopes; and, anxious to learn the truth, he took the road to Olmutz. He soon was told the melancholy tale, with the addition, that his friend Huger had shared a similar fate. In despair at having been the primary cause of his misfortune, and determining to share it with him, he voluntarily surrendered himself, and was committed a prisoner to the castle. Thus, by a train of most untoward accidents, which no prudence could foresee or guard against, failed a plan so long meditated, and so skilfully projected. The reader's attention must now be confined chiefly to Huger, the detail of whose sufferings the writer is better acquainted with than those of Balman, having been inform |