Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-05-06
THE RESCUE.
An Incident of the Rerolution.
BY L. HAMILTON.

1t was an autumnal evening-the for
ests had begun TO dof their nantes of cor-
geous colors. The fields of their haryes,
treasures, lay like golden lakelets in rich
and mellow sunset. The noble highlands,
like giant warriors clothed in their panopIy
Of rock and foliage, threw their sullen shad-
ows far out upon the bosom of the glorious
Hudson, who rolling on his path in beauty,
cleaned like fallen rainbow in innumera-
bic tInts of accidental glory. For in the
distance toward the Cro'nest, begirt with a
diadem of purple and gold. The first was
twinklIng on the brow of twilight; deep,
dark clouds were encircling the zore Of Gre
alton, rock and mountains, tree and shrub,
hill, dale, and rivule,, all commingled in one
heavy sottness, rendering it a scene of in
dcscriballe loveliness, beautiful as in those
days Of primitive innocence, ere sin was
known, or desolation and decay had fallen
upon the blossoms of our earthly Eden.
Such was the evening when barge was
seen to leave the promontory of West Point,
in the neighborhood of which we locate our
narrative, in the year 1882. In It we're sew
eral persons attired in the military costume
of the period, who, with the well measured
stroke of their oars made it to dart over the
golden water like ray of light. In the
stern was seated a man of about fiftv wears
of age, his head was uncovered, and reveal
ed to view wide and capacious brow; his
features were marked and masculine his
mouth which was peculiarly characterised
by closeness of the lips, gave him look of
determination, yet which in no way impair
ID In, mild nd p,orc;rI -
reigned over his general aspect. Like the
others in the boat, he wore dark blue coat
with broad huff facings, closely buttoned to
the throat, heavy golden epaulettes, buck
skin small clothes, high military boots, with
spurs of steel, while belt of buff encircled
his waist in which was fixed straight
sword. Such was the costume of the per.
sonage who was destined to achieve the lib
erty of his country, and burst the letters of
oppression. Need we say who il was? In
your minds eye, does he not stand before
you! Ii is not his name the watchword of
our independence: and his memory en-.
slrined in the heart of every son of free
DON'T |, was George Washington!
AS the barge gained the opposite bank
one Of the rowcrs leapcd ashore, and made
it fast 10 the root of the willow which hung
its broad thick branches over the river
The rest Of the party then landed, and I'M
covering, salutcd their commander, who re-
turned the courtesy.
by ten O'Clock you may expect me,
said Washington. Be cautious look well
that you are not surprised. These are no
times for triling,'
depend upon U.S. replied one of the
party.
do, he responded, and bidding them
farewell departed along the bank Of the
river.
That evening, party was to be given a,
the house of one Of his old and valued friends,
TO which he, and several other American
officers had been invited. 1t was seldom he
had participated in feslivity, more especial.
ly at that period when every moment was
fraught with danger. Nevertheless, in res
pect to an old acquaintance backed by the
solicitations of Ruby Rugsdale, the daugI,.
ter of the host, he had consented to relax
from the toll of military duty, and honor the
party for few hours with his presence.
After continuing his path for some dis.
lance along the rivers side, he struck off into
narrow road, bordered thickly with brush.
wood, Hinged with thousand dyes ofdepart-
ed summer; here and there crag peeped
out from the foliage, over which the green
IVY and the scarlet woodbine hung in wreathy
dalliance /; at other places the arms of the
chesnut and mountain ash met in lofty fond.
ness, and cas-, gloom deep almost as night.
Sudd"" q crashing among the trees was
d ike deer, an Indian girl boun-
Sspath, and stood full in his pres
started back with surprise laid
u his sword-but the Indian pirl
her knee, placed her finger
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