The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-02
AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLT
TION

In the summer of 1879, during one of the
darkest periods ofour revolutionary struggle,
in the then small village of $, Though
it now bears more dignifed title) in this
State, lived Judge V, one of the finest and
truest patriots within the limits of the "Old
Thirteen" and deep in the confidence of Wash
ington. Like most men OF his times and sub
stance, he had furnished himself with arms
and ammunition, sufficient TO the males of his
household. They consisted of himself three
sons, and about twenty-five negroes, The
female part Of his family consisted of his wife
and daughter, Catharine, about Is years of age,
the heroine of our tale, and several slaves
In the second story of his dwelling house,
Immediately over the front door, was a
small room called the ''armory'' in which the
arms were deposited, and always kept ready for
immediate use. About the time at which we
introduce Our story, the neighbourhood was
much annoyed by the nocturnal prowling and
depredations of numerous Tories.
1t was on calm bright Sabbath afternoon oil
the said summer, when Judge V.-and his fam
lily, with the exception of his daughter Cath
srine and an old indisposed slave, were attend
ing service in village church. Not breath
disturbed the serenity of the atmosphere-no
sound profaned the sacredness of the day; the
times were dangerous; and Catharine had
locked herself and the old slave in the house,
until the return of the family from church. A
rap was heard at the front door. 'sSErely,"
said Catharine TO the slave, ''the family have
not come home; church cannot be dismissed"
The rap wss repeated. q will see what it is"
said Catharine, as she ran up stairs into the ar
mory. On opening the window and looking
down, she saw six men standing at the front
door and on the opposite side of the street, three
~ ..-hsN ,arit- l,A
in that village. There names were Van
were strangers but she had reason to believe
them ofthe same political stamp, from the COM
pany in which she found them.
Van Zandt was a notorious character, and
the number and enornity of his crimes had
rendered his name infamous in that vicinity
Not murder OF robbery was committed with
in miles OF S, that he did no get credit Ell
ther of planning or executing. The characters
of Finley and Sheldon were also deeply stained
with crime, but Van Zandt was master spir
iii iniquity. The appearance ofsuch chaIac-
tiers under such circumstances, must have been
truly alarming.to young lady of Catharine's
age; if not TO any lady young or old. But
Catha inc V. possessed her fathers spirit
the spirit of the times. Van Zandt was stand
ing on the step, rapping at the door, while his
companions were talking in whisper on the
sidewalk on the opposite side of the street.
'sIs Judge vat home" asked Van Zandt,
when he saw Catharine at the window above.
SHE is not, said she
'We have business of pressing importance
with him, and if you will open the door," said
Van Zandt, eve will walk in and remain until
he returns"
''No,n said Catharine, ''when he went TO
church he left particular directions not to have
The doors opened until he and his family re.
turned. You had better call when the church
is dismissed"
emo, retorted the william, "we will enter
now or never,
"Impossible, ;" replied she, e'you cannot en-
Ter until he returns"
ssOpen the door, cried he, <sor We'll break it
down, and burn you and the house up together"
So saving, he threw himselfwiih all the force he
possessed, against the door, at the same time
calling upon his companions to assist him The
door however, resisted his efforts.
800 not attempt that again. said Catherine,
ssor you are dead man;''> at the same time
presenting from the window heavy horseman's
pistol, ready cooked.
At the sight Of this formidable weapon, the
companions of Van Zandt, who had crossed
the street at his CALL retreated.
"What!" cried their leader, ''you towards,
are you frightened at the threat OF girl!' And
again he threw himself against the door, the
weapon was discharged and Van Zandt fell.
The report was heard at the church, and
males and females at once rushed out to as
certain the cause On looking towards the
residence of Judge v they perceived
five men running at full speed, to whom the
Judges negroes and several others gave chase;
and from an upper window of his residence, a
white handkerchief was waving as if bsckon-
ing for aid.
All rushed towards the place, and upon their
arrival, Van Zandt was in the agonies ofdeath
He still retained strength to acknowledge that
they had frequently been concealed in the neigh
bourhood for that purpose, but no oPportuni-
Y had offered until that day, when, lying con