Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-10-24

effect his purpose. Before his departure, he
saw a few of his old playmates, who promis-
ed TO follow him as soon as possible.
Night found him near lonely farm house
to which he proceeded boldly in pursuit of a
lodging. At first the occupant received him
coldly. but chance expression convincing
David that his host was tory, he affected
the same political creed and was Immediately
warmly welcomed. The royalist produced
his cider after supper, and insisted that David
should join him in his potations this the
young man did, taking care, however, not to
indulge too freely, while the farmer, overjoy-
ed TO find what he supposed new recruit
for his party, drank without siin, and became
more and more communicative. To his
horror, David soon learned that a party OF
royalisis, led by Major Wilson, celebrated
for his toryism and ru,hlcssness, were to start
early the ensuing day, on an expedition TO
seize and hang the two Bunkers, who had
made themselves particularly obnoxious TO
the royalist leaders. David knew enough OF
this partizan warfare TO be assured that no
mercy would be shown his friends he also
knew enough of the character of the MAJOR
to suspect that some strong personal motive
had led to the planning of so distant an ex.
petition, when there we're others as inviting
nearer home. He accordingly set himself
to discover from his half inchriate compan.
ion the truth. Nor was it long before sue
cess crowned his adroit cross.examinaiion.
'Why, you see,' said his host, Il believe
there's little revenge for slight received
from these fellows sister, mixed up with the
Majors desire to catcl, The Bunkcrs. The
girl is very pretty, they say, and the Major,
when she was down here on visit last wear
before the war got 10 be so bloody-want.
ed TO marry her, but she would have nothing
to say TO him. Ever since, he has vowed to
make her rue the day. You may depend on
1t, lie will have her on his own terms now
thank heaven there's no law any longer to
prevent an honest royaist from doing as he
pleases to those rascaly rebels. But yonder
is the Major now suddenly said his host,
starting up, I'll introduce you 10 him at once
IA merry fellow, you'll find him-Lord love
yon he's as brave as lion.'
David, though Mortified at the diaboical
plot he had heard, saw the necessity of dis
sembling in order to learn further of the to.
RES plans. and find means, if possible, to
circumvent them. He arose, therefore, and
shook the Majors hand warmly; pledged
him Immediately in a brimmer and soon
contrived to make the royalists believe tla,
l'c was anxious to join troop and take part
against the rebels. THIS induced the Maior
to be unusually civil, for he wished to secure
so athletic recruit himself 1t was not long
before bargain had heen concluded between
the two. David refused, however, to sign
the agreement that night he pretended that
several others of his friends were disalfecled
and DESTROYS of joining the royaIsts; and his
object, he SAID, was to secure commission
for himself by inducing them to Join. This
tempting bait took ; the Major promised him
command in his troop in case Of success,
and David signifed his intention of setting
forth, after he had taken few hours rest, in
order to loose no time in gathering together
his recruits.
The dread Of discovery had been con.
stantly before our hero during the manage
ment of this negotiation, for his person was
well known TO many of The Majors troop.
and If any OF them had come up, his fpigned
name would not have protected him from
detection. He wished to get of that night,
as he had proposed but to this, neither his
host nor the Major would hear, and was
forced to remain till morning. What was
his anguish to hear, on rising, that the Major
had been gone some hours and was already
on his way to the Bunkcrs, with his ,roops.
Describing his anxiety, David pariook of a
hasly breakfast, and mounting his horse rode
slowly away. But when out of sight of the
house, he struck into a fierce gallon, which
he continued ill he came in sight of cross
road, where was tavern. Hero he stopped
and learning that the royalsts had taken the
high road, he turned aside into more narrow
and circuitous one.
: 1t is my only chance to avoid thcm,' he
SAID, again dashing into a gallon. pray
God, may reach the settlement in time to
collect few of our lads and marcel, to the
Bunkers. There is no other hope now left
Night had fallen, as they expected, before
tho tories were able to reach the vicinity of
the house they were in search of. At length,
however, after silent march through the
lorest 1t broke upon their view. A light was
burning in one Of the windows, and when
they arrived close to the premises the lively
notes OF violin reached their ears, proving
that the brothers were not aware of their
presence, but enjoying themselves in imagin-
ed security.
Now men, whispered the leader of the
tories. when | give the word, fire volley
at the house by way of introducing oursel-
yes; We will then surround the place and en-.
ter it, At that instant the deep bay of a
dog rang in their ears. and large mastifl
sprang from under tho house and rushed at
the Major.
Fire = he cried.
Twenty guns broke upon the stiffness of
the night-ihe dog fell dead-every pane of
glass in the front of the house was shivered,
and the tories yelled like savages. In an in.
slant the light in the house was exlinguished
and the violin as quickly ceased, and noise
was heard at the door. The tories immedi-
a'ely made rush at it. But il was already
barred, and being made of stout oak plank,
resisted all their efforts. A rifle cracked
from rom one of the upper windows, and tory
'e'l desperately wounded. Another report
succeeded, and another tory fell, and Major
wilson was now fully aware that both Bun.
hers were at home and wide awake. A shed
.u'neo the rain from the front of the house.
anu Underneath this, tho tories shielded them.
serves from the fire Of the Bunkers. and wen,
10 work al tho door. Suspectinp such resjs.
'a"'e-Perhaps from the knowledge of their