Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-03-19

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cr than his desire to minglc with the strife.
All at once they discovered before them sew
cra persons approaching, who, on arriving near
er, proved to be the family towards whose dwell
ing he was cseorting his charge They were
on their way, two of them sons of the old man,
armed with guns to harass the retreating foe,
and the rest to bring off the old people from the
scene of danger.
j gladly surrender my charge to you, said
George to three or four females, and one or two
lads of the party. Convey them two your house,
and keep safely there yourselves till the British
army have passed. DO not remain in the fields
even at this distance, and expose yourself to
draw their fire. Catharine, trust to your dis
cretion to see to this Now, one shake of the
hand, and return to my duty with my fellow
countrymen 7
'Oh, George, do not gol YOU But
will not detain you will not be selfish
I will forget myself, and think only Of my poor
country, which needs every arm in IFS defence =
Patriotism is beautiful, my sweet Kate, he
said bending from his sadde-ior he was already
seated in it again-and pressing his lips to her
cheek. shall return to you by night. But
do not be anxious if you do not see me then.
am resolved to follow the enemy till we see
him fairly and safely shut up in Boston again
Thus speaking the young man touched his
horse with his spur and in moment afterwards
he was hidden from the fearful gaze Of the young
girl by clump Of trees.
The young patriot had Just time to regain the
house, aud throw himself from his horse, when
the van of the rctreating column came in sight
quarter of mile distant 1t was moving on
in great confusion, several Of the platoons brok-
en- and running, each man by himself, in adj
vance Of the main body, while the officers both
on horseback and on foot, were trying to rally
them. As they came on, young Munroe could
see them occasionally wheel and fire in platoons
at either oide of the highway, wherever the flash
of gun showed them that an enemy was con-
ceaed Those who ran in advance, before pass
ing barn, or a tree, or any object that would
afford shelter t. their enemies, would rush up
on it with shout, dischargng their muskets, to
dive at distance any lying in ambush The
firing from the fields was inccssant and George
. could see the British soldiers dropping in their
ranks in great numbers.
As he took his position at an upper window
Of the house, he felt that to fire upon an enemy
so harrasscd and driven was almost unmany
! but moments reflection upon the character OF
that enemy, confirmed him in the fearless dis
t charge of his duty. AS the column came near,
) those in the van fired upon the house, but did
> not stop, for at this moment they were more
closely pressed by the Americans than they had
been since the commencement of their retreat
They went by at long heavy trot, evidently
greatly fatigued The faces of the soldiers
u looked stern and haggard, and many an eye was
II turped wariIy from side to side of the periIous
road for from unexpected quarters the death
{ shot had often fallen INTO their ranks and lessen
/ ed their number
Poor fellows, said George, as he observed
/ through creyice in the window, will not fire
IS upon them but opon their chiefs. These men
J. are but hirengs Their leaders most merit tc
become the targets of our rifles
+ Secure in his position, which concealed him
S from view, while he could see clearly the dlsor.
dered march of the scarlet columns of the
flying enemy, he waited until he should discov.
Il er an officer of rank.
S The whole body of the enemy had nearly
= passed. no one of them stopping near the house
: save a single wounded soldier, who seated him
selfupon the curbstone of the well, and, wstluI-
Iy looking down, called painfully for water =
His comrades we're in too great peril themselves
to heed him The whole body of British to a
man felt that unless relief came from Boston, not
one of them would ever reach the city. One
, third of their number was already killed or
o wounded, and while they were diminishing,
Il their American assallants were increasing. The
whole country was pouring from its bosom its
S strong men, who were rushing to the scene OF
!, battle and death with whatever weapons they
could lay hands on. Each instant the situation
: of the foe became more desperate; and from a
march the retreat was fast taking the character
of fight No man therefore could give heed
to his fellow.
+, The rear of the column which was most ex-
=, posed to the terrible fire of the ambuscaded A.
? mercans, Just as it came in sight of the position
which George had taken up, wheeled and pour
ed in by pIatoons fierce and destructive fire
> upon :heir foes The Americans drew back for
c a few minutes, and the British soldiers, encoul-
S aged gave loud huzza and pressed on past the
4 house. Nearly in the rear rode British Colo
mel, whose voice and courage had contributed
mainly to keep the column in marching order,
and save it from general rout. lie was galIop-
l. ing at one moment from the head ofthe column
+ to the rear, and the next moment he was IN the
> centre, and then in the van, encouraging com
handing, manGuyeling, entreatlng his men to
G take courage and hope for succor,
6 "A little longer hold out, my brave fellows,
he cried, and we shall meet Lord Percy with
: artillery and cavalry to succor u.s. Expresses
! have been three hours gone ahead to inform him
+ of our condition. Keep up heart'
Is As he spoke these words, George raised his
{ rifle to his shoulder, and covered the officers
g heart with the Darrell. A nash-a report and