Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-07-07

was gliding gently down behind appal-
fling masses of thunder clouds, which
were piled up from the horizon high in
the mellow bosom ofthe heavens, and
from the direction Of the wind threaten
ed tempest of no ordinary magnitude.
4 The shadows of approaching night were
already fast changing the green mantle
of the thick forest TO one of funeral
| gloom, aud the startling screech of the
grey owl fell at intervals on the ear of
watchful anxiety.
i At the cottage all was silent-hope
and fear alternately lighted or shaded
each changing brow---as the distant
echoes seemed TO come laden with the
tramp of horsemen, oFthe cool dew Of
the evening fell silent on the bosom of
the dying breeze. At length flash
was seen in the thickness of the forest
and a report of distant rifle pealed a.
long the broken hillocks that bounded
the valley brook. The aged dame with
her young daughter-in-law and two
lovely children crowded the door in an
instant, and old Roger putting his pipe
hastily into his pocket turned to them,
and placed his finger on his lip, as in IA
momentary thought. "There has been
blood spilled in the lowlands to-day"
said he, and God knows which party
is the victor, we must bear our fate
with patient sufference; we have put
up our united prayers for George, and
heaven will do right; it becomes us in
times like these to use all due precau-
ton in wardiDg the blow from our own
heads. The ladies understood him, and
though Eliza wrung her hands and
struggled deeply with her feeling, when
the danger to which her George had
been exposed, was made known TO her,
and when the thought that perhaps he
was now bleeding corps weltering in
his blood rushed across her breast, yet
they went quietly in, and assumed such
employment as was best calculated to
conceal the interest they took in the
passing scenes Of war and bloodshed a.
round them.
Situated as they were, in country
traversed successfully by the British
and Indians and secured by the Ameri-
can Foragers, of a corps of which old
Norton's only son was the commander
they bad hitherto concealed their at
tachment to the revolutionary cause
from the royalists, and passed for loyal
subjects Of the British crown, while the
vigilant but cautious measures ofGeorge
Norton insured them protection from
| the Americans.
The report that had reused them
from their twilight revelry died away,
but the sound Of coming troopers sue
ceeded after short interval, and in
few minutes their tossing plumes were
seen dancing along the white fences, and
approaching the lonely cottage The
old man threw down the bars that led
into the yard, and began to throw wa
ter into the long trough, 10 supply the
horses, trembling all the while in sus-
pense whether he was about 10 receive
his bosom child, CT smooth his brow to
smiling welcome Of men whose hands,
for aught he knew, might be weltering
in his sons blood. The suspense was
of momentary duration; the first who
approached him wore the Uniform of a
Briton, and his heart sunk within him
as he reached out his withered hand 10
welcome him, and assisted him in dis
mounting.
BY this time the whole corps was up,
and Roger recognised several of his old
guests among them. Some wounded
soldiers we're carried to the barn, and
the officers, as soon as their arrange.
ments were completed without, accept
ed the apparently cordial invitation Of
the host 10 share the comforts of thu
house meantime, the table was sprea,
and decorated with the best the humbl,
circumstances ofthe owner could afford
The officers were eight in number, al
hardy, soldierly looking men, and a
they threw off their heavy caps AM
swords, and crowded round the table
they resumed the conversation, it seem
: ed they had left off when they frs
came up. 'Well," said the Major, "
believe we determined upon all hut tn
:, time and place Of execution {" An
y that" replied sturdy fellow on tn
: other side, sis easily arranged; wha
+ say you to farmer Norton's barnyard
I and eight in the morning, just by wa
of desert, and besides, we shall save tn
= id rascal's breakfast for some bette
fellow "Agreed, agreed" said the
all. The arrangements were thu
. made for the execution of the prisone
over hearty meal, and, when finished
messenger was despatched TO inlorl
him of his fate, and bid him prepare fc
il.
However IN tho ,namhers ne The 4;