The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-05-09
muttoring Oft storm; ignorant Of the fate of
| those dearest TO her

Concord road
Alas even then the serpent was entering
his paradise. Unfortunately for Col. Down
er,his friends after partaling of some refresh
ments, had been gone long enough 10 reach
the village, and he had but just time 10 hurry
the tainting Isabella to an upper chamber,and
TO plant himself at the head Of the stairs with
loaded pistol in each hand, when the band
of ruflians burst into the hall. ...
God save king George shouted Egles-
tone.
God save king Cupid cried Gordon.
'ViVe J. AMOUR shouted two or three at once
springing to the stairs; but ut sight of the
menacing figure of the Colonel they recoil-
ed.
what is your pleasure? the old gentleman
calmly demanded.
% we have only a curiosity to inspect your
Chambers said Gordon, with affected nom
chalance Of a bully.
Afne house you have here, old gentle
man; and he again put his foot on the stair,
but the click of the pistol, us the Col. cooked
it made him spring several PAGES backyard
'Ifbooty is your object said the Colonel
you will find enough to satisfy you below:take
it and depart in Gods name; but on your lives
attempt not to mount these stairs
And have you no choice jewel slowed a
way above SAID Egelstone.
None, upon my honor;' said the Colonel,
interpreting him literally.
your houor' said Gordon with a sneer
honor on this side the watern and a brutal
peal of derision rang through the hall.
Eglestone,' cried Gordon, con! on! by ST.
George, the prize shall be mine
'Hoidn shouted Downer desperately, he
that first plants foot on the step dies
The men again hesitated, but from their in
telligent looks it was evidently not now alto
gether from fear. The Col. suspected nc
knew not what, and looked behind him. A
few PAGES in his rear was door,and n soldier
who had slyly assembled the back stairs was
cautiously opening it. With n shout that
shook the house, the whole band sprung for
ward. Rendered desperate, the Colonel dis
charged pistol TO the right and left, and the
body of Eglestone rolled down the stairs
A shrek burst from an adjoining apartment;
but before he could reach it, n dozen muskets
cracked after him, and he fell dead before the
door.
just as Edward Downer and Joab Fisher
were passing from the fields into the road,
Gordon and his men came in sight round an
angle in the highway, made by the projection
of hill. There they are dozen of them,'
said Joab in alarm-whisper, instinctively
fenced the road, and pulling Edward down
beside him.
oh muttered Downer, between his teeth
they have been on some foul GRAND, for they
come like fellows just broke from the scat
fold; but there's justice in store yet As he
spoke, he cooked his piece and applied the
muzzle to IL hole in the wall.
What would you do? asked Joab in the
greatest alarm; (for Edward was already TAX
ing deliberate aim at face that blaZed before
these men of war like fiery rneteor)-'what
would you do master Edward? why they are
more than six to one ofus.
you are right said Downer, slowly rein-
gushing his purpose, 'butI would have given
a triAe to have taken the color out of that fell
lows face; fol. depend upon it there is some
thing wrong done down in the valley
BY this time Gordon and his company, who
really travelled att prodigious rate, had van
ished round another corner, when the heav-
hand of Joab was again laid on his shout
der.
Down again for your life!-there are two
moren said Joab, pulling him into their for
mer position.
'Hnly two? exclaimed Edward, then, by
Heaven, they are ours, and vengeance is not
too late.'
Joab deliberately took off his hat, dropped
venient loop-hole in the wall.
what are you at? said Edward-'you
don't think am going to lay an ambuscade
for two men"
'They are just fit to be shot down like crows
in q cernfield,' said Joab, bringing his piece
up again, and squirting along the barrel while
he cooked it with his his left hand, you take
offthe one, L
lam not thinking what is fit for them, but
what is fitting for Edward Downer,' replied
the youth in low but peremptory tone. up,
and hold your own, Joab; Tor we must face
them like men,
The mighty Joab made some grumbiing re-
menstrance, but held himselfin readiaess to
obey the word ofcommand. The stragglers,
who were no other than sergeants Flint and
Grimes, were marching at sharp pace,When
two bristling bayonets, attached to as many
gun barrels, and followed by the heads, arms
and shoulders that governed them, rose from
behind wall lust three rods in front of them,
accompanied by stern summons TO surron-
der. Our heroes, as may well be imagined,
were taken all abacll, as they say at sea; but
one ofthem, Flint, who when hardly rubbed,
would show sparks ofmettlc found his tongue
very quick to give stern refusal; ana level
ling their pieces, both parties fired. Grimes
and Joab Fisher fell There was monlenta-
ry and gloomy pause, but the instant ai'er
Downer leaped the wall with the agility and
ferceness of panther, and charged bayonet
on the Englishman. His superior strength
and the impetus with which he came, for "a
time, gave him the advantage. But the bay
onet has ever been the favorite weapon ofthe
British soldier, and with all his impetuosIty,
Edward was not able to inflict serious
wound upon his adversary. The latter cool
ly and warily trode hack his ground, keeping
his bayoneta at his antagonists face Till the
hard breathing and painting of'the young "a
Il II his TO be-