The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-02-22
FEBRUARY 22. le27

the vlgilant but cautious measures of George
Norton insured them protection from the A.
mercans.
The report that had reused them from their
twilight revery, died away, but the sound
of coming troopers succeeded after a short
interval, and in a 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 water in
to the long trough to supply their horses,
trembling all the while in suspense, whether
he was about to receive his bosom child, or
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 Briton, and his heart sunk within him
as he reached out his withered hand to
welcome him and assisted him in dismount-
ing.
! BY this time the whole corps was up, and
Roger recognized several of his old guests
among .hem. Some wounded soldiers were
carried to the barn, aud the officers, as soon
as their arrangements were completed with
out, accepted the apparently cordial invita-
! ton of the host to share the comforts of the
house; meantime, the table was spread and
decorated with the best the humble circum-
stances of the owner could afford. The Of
/ hcers were eight in number, all hardy, SOL
1 derly looking men, and, as they threw off
their heavy swords and caps, and crowded
round the hospitabe table, they resumed
the conversation it seemed they had lett Oft
when they first came up. "Well,' said the
Major, Il believe we determined upon all
| but the time and place of execution. -
"And that" replied sturdy fellow, on the
| other side, "s easily arranged; what say YOU
to farmer Norton's barn yard, and eight in
the morning. just by way of desert, besides,
| we shall save the rascal's break fast for some
better fellow" agreed. agreed, +" said they
all. The arrangements were thus made for
| the execution Of the prisoner, over hearty
meal and, when finished. a messenger was
despatched to inform him of his fate and bid
him prepare for it.
However i'll the members Of this little
family concealed their anxiety, in the mean
time, their agitation was not discovcred.--
The old man pretended to busy himself to
such degree as not to take notice of any
thing that passed, and Eliza left the room
determined to ascertain the worst, as the
suspense in which these proceedings involv-
cd her, was more cruel than the bitterest
reality could be. She soon found her saddest
fears were realized. Her husband was the
prisoner in whose blood they were to riot on
the morrow He was already wounded,
and was lying on some straw in bar
rack near the house, guarded by file OF
solders.
10 accomplish his rescue was now the de-
termined purpose OF her soul, though she
should sell her life in the attempt. She to K
her measures accordingly. She observed
the officer, who most resembled her in size,
and whose voice and manner she could easily
initiate and took measures to have him 'odg-
ed apart from his companions in little cor
ner room to which she could gain ready ac-
cess. She ascertained what was the coun-
tersgn, and having matured her design, re-
tired unsupported
At the dead hour OF the night, when all
was silent AS the grave, save now and then
the dull tramp of the sentinels was heard,
she stole into the young officers room and
carried off his clothes and sword Appar
elled i'll these, she passed the guard unsus-
pected, and penetrated into the prison of
her beloved and suffering husband. To ban
ish every shade of suspicion from the guard,
which walked around the barrack, assuming
the tone Of the officer she initiated, she ac-
costed the PROSTATE victim of revenge with
opprobious epi,hets, and asked him if his
neck was ready for the haltar-at the same
time endeavoring to make him understand
who she was. This unexpected intrusion
reused up the heroic American; he had re-
ceived his sentence, and had resolved to
bear it as soldier ought, for his wounds for
bid the hope of escape. But when he heard
the voice which too exactly initiated that of
his bitterest foe, his soul kindled to fame.
and sprnging from the ground he seized the
hilt of the sword which faint CLEAN of
moonlight revealed before him, drew it like
lightning from its scabbard, and plunged it
through Eiza's heart. She shrieked and
feil--while he, with one stroke, severing the
cords that bound him, leaped into the midst
of the guard, and three of them fell before
him ere his arm was paralyzed by death.
shot in the head killed him on the spot.
The camp was all alarm. A general rush
to the scene of blood succeeded, and the
cause was revealed. Even the wretches
who prosecuted theire discriminating warfare
with SO little mercy, wept over the heart
rending scene, and the aged parents were
left unmoested. The corpses were inferred
beneath green tree in the border of the
forest together, and the willow tree which
was planted by the grave, now spreads its
broad top wide over the unlettcred tomb
stone.
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