The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-03

| WILLIAM WRIT INSTITUTE
In thick wood, not more than half mile
from the Schuylkll, there stood, in the lime OF
the Revolution, quaint old fabric, built of min
gled logs and stone, and encirced by DalsaJed
wall. 1t had been erected in the earlier DAYS of
William Penn,-perhaps some years before the
great apostle of peace first trod our shores,-as
block house, intended for defence against the In
dians.
And now it stood with its many roofs its nu
mcrous chimneys, its massive square windows. its
varied front of logs and stone, lis encircling wal.
through which admitiance was gained by LARGE
and sIonily built gate it stood in the midst of the
wood, with age-worn trees enclosing its veteran
outline ON every side.
From It's eastern window you might obtain
glimpse of the Schuyltl waves, while large
easement in the southern front commanded view
OF the winding road, as it sunk out of view, un-
der the shade of thickly clusierd houghs. into
deep hollow, not more than one hundred wards
from the mansion.
Here, from the southern easement, on one of
those baImy summer days which look in upon the
dreary autumn, toward the close of November.
farmers daughter was gazing, with diating ewes
and half claSped hands.
Well might she gaze earnestly to the south.
and listen with painful intensity for the slightest
sound. Her brothers were away with the army
of Washington, and her father, grim old vete-
ran-he stood six feet and three inches in his
stocklngs-who had manifested his love for the
red-c"at INVADERS in many a desperate contest,
had that morning left her alone in the old man
sion, alone in this small chamber, in CHARGE of
some ammunition intended for band of brave far
meIs, about TO join the hosts of freedom. Even
as she stood there gazing out Of the southern win
dow, faint glimpse of sum- light, from the faded
leaves above, pouring over her mild face shaded
by clustering brown hair, there, not ten PAGES
from her side, were seven loaded rifles and kep
of power.
Leaning from tie easement she listened with
every nerve qulverlug with suspense To the shouts
OF cumbaiants, the hurried tread of armed men
echoing from The south.
There was something very beautiful in that
picture! The form of the young girl. framed by
the square massive window, the contrast between
the rough timbers, that enclosed her, and that
rounded lace, the lips parting, the hazel eye dila-
ting, and the cheek warming and flushing, with
hope and fear; there was something very beaui
full in that picture, young girl leaning from the
wiadow of an old mansion, with her brown hair.
waving in glossy masses around her face
Suddenly the shouts to the south grew nearer,
and then, emerging from the deep hollow, there
came an old man, running at full speed, yet, every
few PAGES. turning round to fire the rifle which
he loaded as he He was pursued by parry
Of len more British soldiers. who came rushing
on, their bayones fixed, as if to strike their vic
tim down, ere he advanced ten PAGES nearer the
house.
On and on the old man came, while his dauph
ter, quiverng with suspense, hung leaning from
the window he reaches the block house gate
look! He is surrounded, their muskeis are lev
eled at his head, he is down, down at their feet.
graphing for his life! But look again Hell
dashes his foes aside, with one bold movement he
springs through the gate; an instant, and it is
locked the British soldiers, mad with rage, gaze
upon the high wall of logs and stone and vent
their anger in drunken curses.
Now look to yonder window Where the
young girl stood moment ago, qnivcrng with
suspense, as she behed her father STRUGGLING for
his life, stands that old man himself. his
brow bared his arm grasping the rife, while his
grey hairs wave back from his wrinkled and
blood dabbled face That was fine picture of
an old veteran, nerved for his last fight stout
warrior preparing for his death struggle
Death struggle? Yes for the old man Isaac
Wampoe, had dealt too many hard blows among
the British soldiers, tricled foed, cheated them
too often TO escape now A few moments longer.
and they would be reinforced by a strong party Of,
refugees; the powder, the arms, in the old block
house, perhaps that daughter, herself, was to be
their reward. There was scarce a hope for the
desperate fight.
I'VE must bluff of those rascaIs = he said with
a grim smile, turning 10 his child Now, Bess,
my girl, when ! fire this rife, do you hand me
another, and so on, until the whole eight shots
are fired That will keep them on tho other
side Of the wall, for a few moments at least and
then we will have TO trust to God for the rest =
Look down there, and see a hand stealing
over the edge Of the wall The old man levels
his piece-that British trooper falls back with
crushed hand upon his comrades heads
No longer quiyerlng with suspense, but grown
Suddenly firm, that young girl passes loaded
rifle to the veterans grasp, and silently awaits
the result.
For moment all is silent below; the British
brayocs are somewhat Hath TO try that wall.
when a stout old Rebel, rife in hand. il looking
from yonder window Here is a pauss-low,
deep murmnTs-they are holding couucul
a moment is gone, and nine heads are thrust
above The wall at once-baIkl One--two-
three The old veteran has fired three shots.
there are three dying men, grOvcIIing in The
yard, beneath the shadow Of the wall
Quick, Bess the r6csp
And the brave girl passes the rifles 10 Der
fathers grasp: there arc four sho's one after the
other; three more soldiers fell back, like vsobf
Of lead upon the ground, and a single red coat is
seen, slowly mounting 10 the top Of the wall, bis