Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-04-16


were the first supporters of the democratic
principle. The puriians were the frs, and
fast friends of the people
A notable parsonage in our company was
Sergeant John" iull-bloodcd Indian.
He had served as private among tho
" cight-monihs men," but refused 10 enlist
again till the ME of sergeant was given him.
His rank was merely nominal lie received
the title ut roll.call, and was content. lie
was regular in the discharge Of his duties
as u soldier; but held no communion with
soul IN the company. In summer he new
or slept IN tent with his mess, but in tho
open air; and IN winter he chose retired
though cold corner of the barrack. The
tenor OF his thoughts neither or any body
else could ever learn.
On two occasions owed my life 10 Ser
geant John. AT the battle of Long Island,
as we were retreating towards the famou.
Mill Dam, received a shot in my foot that
put an end to my progress. NY fellow
townsmen passed me by, but Sergeant John
placed me on his shoulder and succeeded
IN crossing the dam before the heat Of the
burning mill became so intense as 10 cut off
further passage. The mill had been fired to
prevent the enemy from crossing.
was an inmate of the hospital for some
time, and joined my company Just before
New York was given up. After my rccov-
ely could get no nearer Sergeant John
than before. He continued 10 live in tho
solitude Of his own originality.
When we lay at White Plains, Sergeant
John and myself with about twenty others,
were stationed as guard in clearing,
about three. fourths Of mile in advance OF
the lines. So far as could Judge, we were
placed there for the express purpose of
being shot or captured by the first stray
party of British that might come that way.
The woods we're SO thick on every side that
we could see nothing unless within the linn
its of the clearing. The whole British ar
my might have passed US without our kDowl-
edge.
1t was our fortune TO be captured by
party of Lighthouse, just after sunset. We
were entirely surrounded before we knew
(which looked upon as fortunate, since
il saved n few lvcs-our own included
whose loss would in no way have affected
the fortunes of the war. The capture was
not indeed very glorious one, nor was INV
curiosity TO examine the enemy's camp and,
their accommodations for prisoners, very
"
way to be gratifcd.
AS we were marched off | had instinct
lively placed mysefby the side of Sergeant
John, who took his capture very composed
ly, as though it was matter Of Indifference
to which camp he directed his steps. He
soon managed TO attract my attention, and
enIoned silence by gesture that escaped
the observation Of our captors. AS il be-
gan to grow dark we passed along the ridge
of steep bank or ledge. On the very
brink a thick growth of cedar bushes con-
cealed its depth, or rather its height, from
view. Here John leapcd over the bushes
down the bank, bidding me TO follow him,
which instincrively did, and found myself
about thirty feet nearer the certre Of CRAWL
ty than my captors. Ii was cmphaiically
leap in the dark. As Igathcred myself up
saw my companion standing with drawn
knife in his hand. A few shots were fired
from above but the darkness concealed us
from view and presently two who had dis
mounted sprang down the ledge in pursuit
but both received the Indians knife be-
fore they could regain their feet. We next
heard number set of at full speed, and
concluded their design was to reach us by
some other point Of descent. My compan-
ion seized my arm, and we set off in the
direction Of The coming horsemen. A few
PAGES brought us TO a stream OF water, its
banks closely lined with trees. John pIung-
ed into the water, and cTawled beneath the
projecting roots Of tree. This was way
of concealment not at all coDgenal 10 my
habits, but cold water is preferable TO cold
lead, so ] was fam 10 plunge IN. ! was
soon in the arms Of John, who counteract-
ed the tendency Of my body 10 rise TO the
surface, and gave me n breathing place
amid the roots Of the tree.
SIGNS or THE TinEs.--Thc mind Of man,
The world over, is in state Of rapid prepar-
alton for some great eyent--some mighty
revolution in the political or moral world.
Il requires no prophetic vision TO pierce the
veil Of fuiurity, and there read, that this
generation shall not pass away without be-
holding commissions among the nations OF
The earth, and hcayings ia the elements OF
mind more terrific than any that have ever