Litchfield enquirer., 1829-02-19

ana tue town. WILL OrQeFS 10 iuterCept ait who attempted to pass or repass them. By this time tho sun was just rising. fm- patience and anxiety became visible on the, cOMnienance of Ethan. He strode rapidly backwards and forwards, now eursing such of his party as happened to cross his way, and then starting wildly as the morning breeze brought 10 his ear the murmur of the distant town, where as yet, no sign of alarm was visible.
 A solitary individual was seen stealing round tue eminence behind which the par-' Ity was stationed. He proved to be one of their companions who had just returned from the other side of the island. The long strides of Allen were at once checked. q What news from Brown2" he demanded. He ha' it come yet 2 returned the mes- sengcr.
 Not yeti" repeated Allen in tone, sin which disappointment and fear were blended.
 No Curnell, ,and we've got into darn | putty kittle of fish, returned the other,- 2" them plaguyt M Montreaiers will drive US { clean into the river.''
 Co to the devil, you accursed scare crow ," roared Ethan. "l could handle regiment of lem myself"
 '' Yes, you could l'spose, said the mes- sengcr, but I've heard it said that Brag was good dog, but Holdfast was better.' IL was wellfor the speaker that the rc- mark was unhearl by Allen who had now other objects to engage his attention. The 1 quick roll of the enemy's drum fixed every eye upon the fortress. A moment more and a column of British infantry made their appearance whore the Lion of St. George swayed heavily to the breeze.
 There was an almost breathless silence throughout tho little band of adsentarers, as the firm and disciplined enemy bore down upon them with movement rapid but regular. Even old Ethan himself seemed paralized by the suddenness of the spectacle, and without issuing word of command, stood gazing in an attitude of de- fance upon the imposing array before him.
 '' Tothe boats to the boats there is a thousand of 'cm!" rang from dozen of voices.
 ]" Shut your clam-shells every man of ye!" roared Ethan, brandishing huge horse pistol. !" The man that turns his back on the red coats shall smell gunpow- der.
 This had the desired effect. Every one saw the impossibility of crossing the river; and yielding to the necessity made prepare ation for an immediate encounter. Each rife was carefully examined the rum bot tle circulated freely; and affer taking \ fresh supply of tobacco qaids those hardy hunters awaited the onset of the enemy.
 "Now stand your ground boys, 1" said AL 1 len as a party of British soldiers moved to- wards them, from the main body, at double quick time.
 Let lem come on and be darned, said [ a tall, resolnte young man at his side. On y give us the word, Curnell, - and he drop- ! ped his rife to his eye as he spoke.
 Eire!" shouted the British officer.
 70 God m exclaimed the young man, ,as | the blaze of musketry flashed full in his face, "I am dead man." He staggered -the rife fell from his hands; he dropped dead ut the feet of his commander.
 The hardy followers of Ethan shrunk back from the ghastly spectacle. They udu ucctI SpINnNicu WILL tuO UsUOO OA uSH had seen, for the first time, the horrid struggles of life extinguished by violence, and nothing short of the pow erful example of their leader could have a. reused them to resistance.
 ssFire and birthstone :" he exclaimed in voice that sounded in their ears like the coming of an earthquake, "why don't you let lem have 1t"
 The fire ofthe enemy was now returned with considerable effect, for several were seen to stagger and fall. As the number of conbatants increased, ,the field of action was enlarged, and every rock and tree and fence became citadel. But the party of Allen rapidly diminished--several were killed on the spot, and others sought safe- ty in flight.
 Old Ethan was left alone. An officer of the enemy pressed closely upon him.--| Both levelled and discharged their muskets at the same moment, without injury to ei- ther, and Ethan who saw his chance of escape was hopeless, gave up his sword to the officer.
 Thus ended the famous expedition of E. than Allen against Montreal. As his com panions who had yielded themselves up as prisoners, passed over the field of action, many rough settler paused to weep over his slaughtered brethren. There they lay the young and strong limbed hunters, who but an hour before had stood up with the