Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-12

Thus speaking, Squire HARDWOOD took Annette
under his arm, and bowling very kindly but firmly,
to the astonished lover, disappeared within the
house.
Edward remained standing moment upon the
spot where they had left him. il trying TO realize
what had passed He then turned away in silence,
his cheek burning with the glow of a mortified aud
sensitive spirit.
The profession which he had in view that Of
a clergyman and although not deficient in courage
and patriotism, be had suffered his brothers to take
the field and the deck. while he remained a, home.
The words Of the Squire sank deep into his spirit.
He walked slowly homeward, very sad, and filed
with painful ideas Of loosing her who was so very
dear TO him As he came upon the bridge he had
made up his mind. He stopped, and speaking
aloud said firmly
If Annette is only TO be won by my taking up
arms will enlist tomorrow II is honorable TO
serve ones country. am not yet a clergyman,
and therefore act freely This is the last day
the reproach shall be thrown upon me, that | re-
main delaying at home while my brothers are abroad
exposing their bosoms to the weapons of their coun-
trys foes
While he was speaking, he saw that the ship,
which he had noticed half an hour before at dis
lance, had drawn close in with the land, and had
dropped anchor about a mile abreast OF the inlet
The sun had already set, yet he could see her dis
timely, and discovered that she was merchant
ship. He remained for some time watching her,
and listening to the distant drum Of detachment
OF the militia of the neighborhood, which was re-
turning homeward from the muster field. The
sound Of the drum died away in the distance be-
yond the MILL and the low dasbng Of the waves
against the bridge fell upon his ear.
Well tomorrow, too shall march TO the meas
ure OF pipe and drum will enlist as private,
and make my way up. Annette shall be won
He paused, thinking he heard the sound Of oars.
He looked seward, but the twilight rendered OBJ
jects too obscure to detect any boat approaching
Yet each moment the fall Of the sweeps came near
er and nearer, and he soon enabled to discover
barge pulling in towards the bridge. Her posi-
ton, in the shadow Of an overhangng limb, shield
ed him from observation. He saw that the boat
contained at least twenty men, II moved slower
as it drew nearer land. and person standing up in
the stern directed lis landing. 1t struck the shore
close by the bridge within the inlet, and almost
beneath where he stood, the party debaTked. lie
now that half of them were seamen and half
marines, and that all were armed They we're com
manded by young midshipman, who, forming them
into column, marched them up the bank and on
the bridge. Edward, as they came near, drew up
into the limb. and was concealed by its foliage
while he observed with surprise their sealthy move
ments.
How far is the grsi mill hence Sambo asked
the young officer, looking about him after all his
party had got on the bridge, save man to guard
the boat.
The first mill am bout third Of mile up de
creek. and the toher one, where the most grlst be-
is a mile. There is a good path along the creek
shore answered man, in the true Yankee negro
introduction, but speaking with manifest reluct-
ance.
If you deceive me, darkee, you dead man
said the MILDLY, very positively.
know dat well huff, so tells you de truth, tho
/ hates too nightly know all bout dis place,
coz used to live here once Ober dar is where
Squire IIarwood live, ober dat way am widdur
OgyIe, an l wish dis niger was safe in dar kitch-
in | nebber go cook agen in Boston ship, nor no
oder one alter bein taken prisner by de Brush, as
l am dis time | wish may never see blue water
agen, if gets my liberty dis time
Hist with your noise each of you march forward
in's silence We are in an enemy's country and
must be cautious.
Yes, guess you better, said the negro sulkily
| If de country people know'd you skulin' here
arter corn and flour. Sheep and oxen, TO keep from
saryin' to DEATH as we have been week past, they
be round as thick as snakes in the grass and deb
Bile one OBJ you get back to your boat SO ] ad-
wise you massa to keep sharp eye to wndward !
Guy how mad all on 'em be in the morn when dey
find out you land here in prize ship wild en'y two
| gun aboard and thirty men, an carry of clear to
Halifax de grst from desc two mills and sheep and
turkeys too, for the Lieutenant's dinner Dey
sware den and expec' de Squire swear enufi for a
whole regiment
Forward, cried the MILDLY. Silence all of you,
and advance swiftly and with caution !
They filed OFF the bridge, and taking the path
along which the negro led the way, they were soon
lost the sight of Edward in the gloom of the
hanging banks Of the creek
These men, then, are English, he reflected as he
let himself down upon the bridge; the vessel is a
| prize, bound to Halifax, with mldshlpman aud
| two aud thirty men-twenty here and ten remain
! ing on board My course is decided onl II will
take them an hour to visit both mills. Half of that
time is enough for me- shall know where to seek
the militia party with the fife and drum; and if |
can find twenty brave men among them TO put
themselves under my orders, will win Annette be-
fore to-morrow's sunrise
As he spoke, he gded noiseessly away from the
bridge, and after getting beyond hearing Of the man
in the boat he fled like the wind across meadow
in the direction Of what was called the Cross Road
cluster of village habitatons the principal OF
which large country tavern where he knew
that he should find assembled many of the militia
men who had borne part in the review in the
neighborlng town, This inn was about half mile
distant from the bridge, on a road in the rear oil
Squire Towards farm, across which, eapng fence
after fence, Edward Ogilvie was now flying with
the speed of deer.
H The tavern as he came near was so quiet that he
feared that the he sought had left for their re-.
/ spectye homes. Seeing light in the tap, howev.
er, he hoped yet to find some persons assembled
there Through the windows, as he approached
the door, he saw that The bar-room was nearly filled
with men The next moment he was in their pres
ence. His manner was Invested of all excitement,
and spirit calm and resolute beamng from his
eyes. There were at least twenty men in the
! apartment most of them with knapsacks and bay-