Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-04-24

angle in the highway mode by the projection
of hill. There they are ! dozen Of them,
said Joab in alarm whisper, ns,inc,ivcly
squatling behind the high stone wall that
fenced the road, and pulling Edward down
beside him.
'Ay,' muttcred d )wner between his teeth
they have been on some foul errand for they
come like fellows just broke from The scat
fold; hut there's justice in store yet As
he spoke, he cooked his piece and applied
the mnzxle to "A hole in the wall.
What world Won DO! asked Joab in the
greatest alarm; Qor Edward was already Ia
king deliberate aim al IA face that hazed be-
fore these men of war like a fiery mcrror)-
wha, would you do master, Edward why
they are more than six TO one of u.s.
'You are right said Downcr. slowly re-
linquishing his purpose, . but ! would have
given "a ,rile to have taken the color out of
that fellows face for, depend upon 1t there
is something wrong done down in the val
ley
By this time Gordon and his company,
who really travelled al prodIgous rate, had
vanished rlund another corner, when the
heavy hand of Joab was again laid on his
shoulder.
Down again for your life!-iherc are two
more y said Joab, pulling him into their for
mcr position.
Only two?' exclaimed Edward, then,
by heaven, they are ours, and vengeance is
no. too late
Joab deliberately took OF his hat, drop
ped on one knee, and brough his piece to IA
convenient loop-hoc in the wall.
'Whn are you at p said Elward-' you
don't think am going to lay an ambuscadc
| for two men
They are just fit to be shot down like
crows in corntield,' said Joah bringing his
piece up again, and squirting along the bar
, rel while he cooked it with his left hand, 'you
, take of the one. l.
' am not thinking what is Git for them,
but hat is fitting for Edward Downer,' re-
3, piled the youth in low but pr,emp,ory
f tone. up. and hold your own, Joab; for
we must face them like men,
n The mighty Joab made some grumbling
remonsrance. but held himself in readiness
. to obey the word of command. The strag.
glcrs, who were no other than sergeant,
i Flint and Grimes, were marching AT SHARP
i pace, when two bristling bayoncts, ATTACHED
r to as many gun barrels, and followed by the
: heads, arms, and shoulders that governed
1 them rose from behind wall just three rod
&. in front of them, accompanied by IA sterI
/. summons to surrender. Our heroes, as ma,
n well imagined, we're taken all aback, as the,
Il say at sea but one of them, Flint, who wheI
n hardly rubbed, would show sparks of meltlt
G 4 4.
v refusal and dwelling their pieces, both par
!, ties fired. Grimes and Joab Fisher fell
= There was "A momcniary and eloomy pause
d but the instant after Downer leaped the wal
S with the agility and ferceness of "a panther
: and charged bnyonet on the Ensliilnan.-
d his superior strength and the impetus will
e which he came, for time, gave him the all
e vantage. But the bayonet has ever beef
If the favorile weapon of the British soldier
v and with all his nlpc,uosily, Edward vas no
0 able TO inflict serious wound upon his ad
versary. The latter coolIy and wariy rod,
|, back his ground, keeping his bayonet al hi
antagonists face, till the hard breathing ant
s painting Of the young American warned hin
,, it was his tnrntO become the ass,ilant Ther
q il was that his thrus,s were quick, rapid, AM
If successful; till, at length, as Downer tOun'
himself witt, his back to the very wall from
winch he had begun the attack, he was con
4 WINGED that nothing hut s'ratagem could sav'
his life. Wound after wound he received
r aud al length the British bayonet entered hi
breast near the left arm-pit. andt he muzzl
q came with violence against his breast. Ell
!. ward threw down his gun, and capping boil
J. hands "pon the wound uttered 'on1 scream
% The Baton, surprised at the act or suppoSn
% hin morlay wounded, dropped the point o
l. his weapon. Qnck as lightning, Downe
Re sprang over his guard, and lighting on hin
~ with the force of IA cannon ball hurled him Il
the earth. There was feariu! struggle o
5. few seconds. but at length, Downer APP
pcared with one hand on the Brilon's throa
and his knees planted in his breast. Nov
At surrender said Downer, almost breathless
nj Never said the Briton, in voice sli
= more inarliculatc.
Surrender cried Downer again, reach
IN ing forth one hand and drawing to HIN tn
Brlon'S own gun.
Ct Then j, was that the Never! of the Brit
t.. on came clear and steady. Never, 10 reb
el and, in a twinkling, the bayonel de
% sccnded.
r, Quarter cried gnrgline voice. 10
ID late !! said Dpwner, as he arose from lh
d. body now at its last gasp; 'too lale!' an
4, us he drew ont the bayonei, the spirit of III
Briron took its flight, leaving his body grin
N and senseless clod,
J. - the Enclosed eve
.dl Sui lowering on his enemy"
When Edward had collected his scattere
4 faculties, he found himself surrounded wit
the snffocaling smoke, which strong win
r; was bearing. in heavy volumes, from III
Al westward. The tones Of an alarm bell wer
also swinging heavily by on the night vino
4. and millions of sparks aud burning fragment
we're rising and falling in the west. The dl
,e reclon of these fiery signs gave rise TO III
worst suspicious, and rushing up the inter
yan;n, h.;,ht which forned the eastern lin