The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-02-06


they came to halt, IN a dark and almost
impenetrable ravine, about half mile
below the summit Of the hill, upon which
the gallows was erected. And the wings
were cautiously secreted, and Jacob i'm
mediately despatched some ofthe Scho-
harie settlers, who Invested themselves Of
their arms for that purpose, to visit the
Station, in order to ascertain the fate OF
Reginald. Jacob himself dared not ven
ture, for he well knew that some few oil
the settlers, more especially those who
attended Van Loans feast, were person.
ally acquainted with him. The spies ac-
cordiingly departed and mingled with the
settlers, without creating suspicion In
deed they were all too much absorbed in
the scenes enacting around them to heed
aught, else, ifthe strangers were regard
ec at all they were taken for inhabitants
ofthe neighboring country, who had been
drawn to the Station to witness the trial
and execution ofMerval. They soon gain
ed all the intelligence desirable, and care
lessly one by one they departed in the d.
rectlon oftheir ambush.
Jacob rejoiced exceedingly when he
learned that Mervale was yet unframed.
He had no fears ofthe rest; 'for, said he,
the tories are good for nothin 'cept steal
in and man that II steal amt no fight
IN character any way The wing band
retired for repose, as anxious for the hour
for execution to arrive, as Van Loan
himself could possibly be.
The spies were again sent out early on
the morning of the day on which the cx-
ecution was to take place. They ming
led again with the crowd, and saw Mer-
vale, when he was led out from the inn,
yet they took care to keep themselves
from his observation, lest look, or an
exclamation of surprise from him, should
destroy their calculations. When the cav
alcade started for the gallows, they eau
tiously detached themselves from the null
titude, and once again sought their COM
rades. No time was to be lost, moment
might be sufficicn to thwart their lnten-
tlons, and Jacob formed his men in order
and marched from the ravine towards the
little hill. Just as Mervalc mounted the
scatiold, they came into view of the ma
chine of death, and halted, in such posi-
ton as would, in all probability, owing to
the intent interest in the execution, shell
ter them from observation. After his
men were covered, Jacob marched bold
ly up to the crowd, pushed his way
through the guard, and mounting the
steps, stood in the next moment upon the
scatiold in front of Van Loan. Mcrvalo
uttered an exclamation of surprise, but if
an appaliton from the world of spirits,
had stared him full in his face, Van Loan
could not have been more completely
thunderstruck. Many of the tories knew
Jacob Dash, some of them materially to
their cost, and a suppressed whisper of
his name soon ran round the crowd
The tories looked fierce and awaited or
ders from Van Loan, whilst look of
satisfaction was plain to be seen upon the
countenances of the wings, who crowded
as near to the scafiold as they? possibly
could. What are you goin to do. rep
robatc' said Jacob, bringing his heavy
rifle down upon the scaffold with force
that caused Van Loan TO start, and turn
pale; what do you mean to do have you
forgotten Jacob Dash so soon'
have not forgotten you, as YOU i'll find
to your cost, said Van Loan, after he had
in measure recovered from the shock he
had received from the unlocked for pres
ence of Jacob. at present we are going
to administer justice to condemned GRIM
inal and after thar we will attend TO your
case
You administer justicer cried Jacob
(uriously, shaking his fist in Van Loans
face; you talk about justice, you skimmins
of the devils wickedness! D-n me il l
haint mind to string you upon this very
frame, You miserable devil that you are
A loud shout from the wings in the
crowd attested their satisfaction, at seeing
the naughty Van Loan was enraged beyond
bounds and he shouted,
Seize ,he villain
so | will, interrupted Jacob, at the
same depositlng his rifle on the scaffold,
and sezing Van Loan by the throat. so
will seize the villain, for may be cass-
ed if you amt the man if lhey's any such'a
one present. At the same time Jacob in
hicted several severe blows upon his face
then taking him with one hand by the leg,
and with the other remaining upon his
throat, he heayed him from the scatfold in
to the crowd below, Drawing his knife
from his belt, he cut the cords which
bound Mervale, and handing him the weap-
on, he said,
Defend yourself my lad; d--n ME bu,
we'll expalily the whole biIin' on emf
Seeing their leader assaulted IN this un-
ceremonious manner. several of the Torys
Guard rushed toward the scaffold, but they
were intercepted by the little knot of
wings, who had taken post Immediately in
front of it. A warm scufile here ensued,
but the wings few in number, were COM
PEELED to give way, aud about dozen rush.
ed up the steps 20 secure Jacob. The
fral platform could not sustain the accu-
mula,ed weight of ALL, and with loud
crash it came to the grond. In moment
after, Jacob uttered loud yell, and the
wings came pouring down the hill from the