The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-09-26


the halfstincd growl of furnished peoS',
which gradually .deepened INTO a shou.' anu
then came eXeCrations and cries OF ven
geance. Lo
"Away with her!-she blasphemes the
qods. let her be cast to the hons" roared
the angry multitude again.
"Thou has chosen thy tate," said the
Judge rising. "Away with her to the H.
ons"
The maided turned deadly pale, but
though only a weak woman she enylnced
no other sign of horror or fear, When
the soldiers approached TO seize her, she
shuddered for an instant as II she already
felt the pangs of the licn but Immediately
this trace of emotion vanished, and she
signed for them to lead on, Yet there was
still left one mortal feeling in her bosom
As she stepped from the bar she shrouded
her face in her veil to conceal 1t from the
gaze olthe crowd.
TO the lions with her! Let her be cas-,
to them at once. Ho! tor the amphllhe-
atren shouting the crowd rushing tumuIlu-
onsly after the condemned maiden, s'rug-
ling and fighting with each other to ge'
near that they might spit on the prisoner,
and now and then lashlng themselves into
fury so'great that it was with difficulty
the soldiers could keep the mob from tear
mo her limb from limb. The slight frame
of the maiden now shook pcrceptbly with
terror, for though she had nerved herself to
face the lions, her virgin delicacy shrnnk
from being made the victim of coarse
and british rabblc.
In this manner her conductors struggled
through the streets, until in sight OF the
amphilhealre. Here at the corner OF one
of the ways, they were met by a vast crowd
composed of the lowest mob of the city,
who, hearing of the condemnation Of a
Nazaarene, had gathered together ripe Tor
mischilc. Led on by some of the vlIest OF
their dcmagogues, they had resolved TO as
suit the officers in charge Of the prisoner
that they might sacrifice her more sum
m1riy than by the lions in the arena,
Stand back said the captain OF the
care, unsheathng his sword, as he saw the
threatening aspect of the crowd.
Down with him!'cried one Of the rabble,
hnring a missile at his head. Give US
The prisoner or you die with herr
Close in, men, close in!' shouted the
officer undauntcdIy, 'yo pay with youi
lives for the safety of the prisoncr!'
The little band gathered in compact
circle around the maiden, and prepared
to maintain the unequal contest.
Down with them all, shouted one Of
the most prominent of the rioters, SOL
diers and prisoner-they are all secretly
Nazarenes. Down with them.
With the words he headed rush OF
the crowd that bore back the scanty banc
of the soldiery, as feathers are swept
by the gale. Stones and bricks, mean
while, filled the air and though the guards
were defended by shields, several were
wounded. The prisoner, in this onset,
would have fallen victim to the missiles
of the mob, but for two of the more hui
name of the soldiery who covered hel
with their bucklers. Thus pushed back
by the rabble, the guards retrcated u
ganst a wall of neighboring house, ant
being now covered in the rear, cssaycc
with more hopes of success to make good
their stand until succor should arrive
from the city eglonaries.
But the futility Of this hope was soon
apparent. The mob swclled rapidly, en-
tending far down the thoroughfares OF
either hand. The whole city seemed up
There were doubtless among the crowt
many who were secretly favorable to the
prisoner, and still greater number who
wished not to see her perish except by 1
lawful death, but the more violent, if no
most numerous, had attained the tempo.
rary ascendency, and the others, uncer.
tain fthcir power, were afraid to move
in her behalf.
More than half the guard had now fall
len, the others were worn out and wound
cd The soldiers began to murmur.
why should we die to protect, for al
hour or two, the life of a Nazarenei sale
one of them. 'Comrade, let us surren
der her to the people,
A sullen murmur of assent ran along
the scanly ranks, and the mob, hearing
the mntlnous words detested and broke in
to huzzas. The maiden saw that her hour
had come, and sank shuddering to her knee.
lifting her agonized eyes 20 heaven in I
last appeal. Suddenly, over the deep roal
of huzzas, rose the trumpet of cavalry
and the pavement seemed to the kneeling
girl to rock beneath her, under the tram
of many horscmen. She started TO her feet
with sudden hope. The shouts Of the
populace had ceased simultaneously, anc
now was heard, close at hand the cla,,el
of hools and shriIl sound of the trumpet
Like flock of sheep awaiting the ap
proach of wolves stood the lale riotou.
mob now silent with blank faces, and gaz
ing agape at the sudden apprallon Of the
horsemen. Down they came, and the
solid earth shaking under them; while fan
in vain, on barbed horse, rode their lea.
der
'Disperse ye knavesr he cried, in a
tone used TO command, as he rose Taught.
lily in his s,irrups. 'Disperse or we ride
We down And turning TO his troops, he
| wavpd his sword and shoutpd