Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-02-05

ana remained present during their interview,
'ii' requested by the brother of Captain Vim
cent TO bring him something 10 treat the
prisoners In compliance with his request,
ana the pernicious custom of those times.
the girl repaired to the bar and procured
the destructive beverage, received her paw
ana closed the doors safely, after the brother
had hidden Captain Vincent farewell, assur.
ing him that he could not call on his return,
and exhortlng him 10 receive the punish
ment due to his crimes with patience and
submission. 1t was toward evening; the
Jallor had not returned when the wife of the
Jailor, who was confined to her bed by sick.
ness, inquired Of the girl above mentioned,
what noise it was she heard in the passage
that separated the house from the prison.
Run said she, and see if my husband
has returned fbechid obeyed. On reach.
ing the passage, she was surprised to see
the outside door Open the inner door un-
locked, the prisoners with all chains off.
hats on, and every man with his bundle and
cudgel IN his hand. and the brother of Capt
vincent standing before the door There
was no male attendant on whom she could
CALL and no person about the premises who
could render the least aid. excep, a faithful
negro woman in the kitchen. She had the
presence OF mind to fly TO the kitchen, and
request her TO come TO her aid; and then, for
fear Of alarming the sick, she FASTENED back
another way 10 the passage On her arri-
val there. she found the brother Of Captain
Vincent making Intellectual efforts to open
the inner door, which was held by two small
bolts, which the brother was loo much fright
ened to observe From some cause. the ne
gro woman did not understand the request
made her, and did no, go to the assistance
OF the girl. What was now to be done :
Two small bolts, which could be removed
in an instant, were the only impeachment 10
the liberty OF ten prisoners, some OF whom
were OF the most abandoned character. one
or two of whom had sworn that they would
kill the jailor or some of his family, could
they get an opportunity. That family was
now left without any earthly protector, some
Of them too sick 10 escape or make resis.
lance Even knowledge Of the situation
of things might prove fatal 10 the wife Of the
jaifor. in her present state OF weakness The
ruth that the iaior had been hired TO 90 on
business for the sake Of having him on, oil
the way. and that Vincenl's brother had
been TO Hudson to procure false keys, now
flashed on the mind of the child every
thing depended on her fortilude aud contriv
anes
'r~Sll DO what can though, ssc, s.sA
stepped between the prison door and the
brother of Vincent SO as to hide the bolts
from his notice. A clamor was now raised
in the prison
why don, you open the doorq was the
general cry
4 can't open it, was the reply.
There are two bolts just behind that girl.
said Vincent Pull them back, and we are
out His brother put his shoulder to the
door, and gave violent push
Fool said the prisoners, you will never
get us out So
Just knock that girl down. said one, and
then pull those bolts
There is no use in hurting the child
said another; she has been kind to us cam
you put her awayl The man trembled like
an aspen--lhc child took courage,
Come, little girl said he, kindly, go anc
get me some grog for the prisoners and
will give you shilling She did not move
"A few moments more, said Captain Vim
cent to his brother, and the whole schenI,
is lost Let us out, if you have to kill tn,
whole family, fer Hearen's sake His bro
ther pulled pistol from his coat pocket; h,
was deadly pale; he raised the pistol slow
lly in his trembling hand, and pointing it a
the childs head said, Go away, or III shoe
you + His arm fell powerless by his side
He has not courage to kill me, said the
child to herself looking him steadily in tn,
face, but il he kills me, will do my duty
He again raised the pistol and repeated, &c
away or I'll shoot you Again his arm
fell The prisoners grew frantic they
raved, swore, and begged him to be quick
or all was lost Ho seomed 10 gather
: fresh resolution-raised his arm and pisto
the third time, and with a terrible oath tina
made the childs blood creep cold through
her veins, said, Go or'-at that moment a
cry was heard from within, 'Tis over Ia
man coming r-at the same time, the family
physician planted his foot on the door-sill
The brother Of Vincent darted past him like
an arrow; the girl seized the outside door
aud pulled it too; the physician exclaimed
Whats the matter here2' putting his cant
through the staple
Thank God they are safe said the child
in feeble voice and fell senseess into the
arms of the kind physician. The jailor soon
returned-the prisoners were again put in
irons-and no injury was done, except-as
the doctor used to laughingly say-'PooI
p. was frightened out ofthree years growth
1t was but a few weeks after the discharge
of Vincent and his men, that the great fire
at Albany occurred. The circumstances
of that fire were such altogether as to prove
it 10 have been the work of an incendiary
or rather a horde of Wanderers The pub.