Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-03-19
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From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier.
CATHARINE ACTON
OR THE RETREAT FROM LEXINGTON
BY J. H. INGRAHAM.
CHAPTER J.


elf thine enemy hunger feed him. If he
thirst, give him drink"
1t was about nine o'clock on the morning of
the nineteenth of April, l77G, when a young
man, mounted on beautifully limbcd chestnut
horse, gaIoped at full speed up to the door of
small farmhouse, situated upon the turnpike
road to Boston. lie threw himself from his
saddle, and clasped the hand of young girl,
who, with pale check, and anxious looks, came
forth to meet him.
what news Of the enemy, George 2 she ask
ed, eagerly and are you hurt?'
/ am safe Catharine but White Star, you
see, is wounded in the shoulder by bullet that
grazed it,
Thank God for your prcscrvaton,' cried the
maiden, with feryor that betrayed her deep in
tercst in the safety of the young man.
He was almost three and twenty, with man
ly figure, and fine, frank expression. He was
plainly dressed in the ordinary lrock of the yeo-
many of the day, but was armed with a broad
sword, sung at the waist and long lowling-
piece, which he held in his hand. Upon his
head he wore low-crowned hat, with broad
brim, butoned boldly up in front.
She was blooming, rustic beauty, with rich
auburn hair and sunny eyes. Her figure was
faultess, though perhaps a thought too FULL
She had sweet look of love and genteness up
on her fair face, and seemed well fitted to be
the mate of the noble youth by her side. Her
age was about nineteen. Her dress was neat
chntz gown made in the simplest fashion, and
her only ornament was a ruby ring upon the
middle finger of her right hand.
Il have ridden here as fast as | could spur,
Catharine, he said, after she had spoken, to
secure your safety, which is dearer to me than
my own. The British troops who marched to
Concord during the night, to destroy the stores
there, have been met and compelled to retreat,
as you have no doubt heard from those who are
flying before them. They were manlully resist
ed at Concord bridge, and unable to affect their
object, and seeing that the country was rising
in arms all around them, they turned to lly.-
They have been retreating now for several miles,
battling as they march with the country people,
who harass them at every step firing upon them
from behind stone walls, houses, hedges and
every covert that commands the road have
joining in the pursuit. until half an hour ago,
when seeing that in their retreat they would take
this road and pass your door. | crossed the fields
and forest to anticipate them, and warn you and
your aged grandparents to escape to place of
safety. They are infatuated by the hot pursuit
of the people, and will doubtless wreak their
vengeance upon the inhabitants they fall in with
Do not delay Listen You can already hear
the firing of musketry They will soon be here!
Do not stop to save anything, but fly to your
uncle's dwelling. 1t is a mile back from the
road, and will be sccure for they will not dare
to 90 far from the highway to do mischief!
The sound of distant firing was now distinct
ly heard The report of the shot guns and RI
files could be distinguished from the deeper
mouthed discharges of the British muskets, as
they returned the fire Of their assaiants. The
road was filed with women and children, flying
before the retroating English; and the shouts
of the Americans, as they rushed towards the
scene of conflict, rung loudly on the air.
Catharine Acton silently pressed the hand OF
her lover and proceeded instantly to comply
with his wishes. She soon had her old grand
father ready, with his hat and stick and her
grandmother with her cloak and bonnet.
Now take the path through the wheat-held
and hasten with all the speed you can,' said
George. Il will support your grandfather while
your grandmother leans on you
Thus speaking. the young man, leading his
foaming horse by the bridIe took the path towards
the uplands, the venerable gradsre leaning on
his arm, and the lovely girl sustaining the aged
form of the venerable mother. AS they reach
ed the edge of the forest, along which their path
led, the sounds of the firing grew louder and
nearer. AT each louder and fercer discharge of