The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1847-11-20

shelter the men from the intense cold of the
winter nights.
Previous to starting, John had extorted
promise from Nick that he would remain, the
whole of the night in question, in conceal
ment at the lake without entering che hut, in
his turn pledging his word to bring the foe to
that spot i'll such manner that they would
prove an easy conquest.
"Well, by Cain - cried Nick, as he blew
his fingers to quicken the circulation, " a body
must endure great deal for the sake of his
country. It's rough job, John, but we'll do
it-only do you keep your share of the prom
ise.''
Never fear me-" replied John "Pn
bring EN- down to the spot, and then you'll
consider EN- in your hands. Be about where
you can hear me, and when say, Hurrah for
Gin-ral Washington and down with the red
GOATS ! then is your time.'
Having reached the lake at nine o'clock in
the evening, Nick proceeded to devise his
plan of concealment. The cold was intense.
1t was what the inhabitants of that part Of the
country called astiUcold-for, although every
thing was hard frozen, and the breath con-
gealed as fast as emitted, not the slightest
show of air was to be experienced. 1t was
dead land calm. No plan could be devised
with satisfaction to the majority. To go away
victims were not sure before two or three
hours after midnight, yet they might arrive
much sooner and BESIDES Nick had given
his word not to leave the place. Like all the
servants of Congress here, Nick and his men
were poor. Each had a miserable ragged
blanket, but nothing else, as protection from
the bitter assaults of Jack Frost.
I'll tell you what" growled the old fellow,
" we shall be frozen without doubt. Ny adj
vice is to fix slow match to key of powder
there in the hovel. and blow 'em all to the
devil. Meanwhile, we can find accommoda-
tons among the neighbors.'
This novel suggestion was received, much
to the establishment of its author, with general
laugh. The debate proceeded 1t was still
in progress when heavy fakes of snow began
to descend brisklv
"Good" said Nick, half in soliloquy, as
he scanned the heavens with the air of an
astrologer; "this will come down at least
twelve hours. have it at last. Boys, no
skulking or grumbling now, for won't have
it; you must do as l am going to order; if
you don't we part company"
"Speak out, Nick, we'll stick to you while
you've flint to your gun"
Nick did speak out. Behind the shanty was
a swamp meadow. The weather had made it
hard and porous. To this spot the whole
body were directed to move there to spread
their blankets, and lie down upon them with
the locks of their muskets between their knees,
and the muzzles protected by wooden stop
per kept for the purpose. Nick enforced this
command by logical explanation of the adj
vantages of compliance with it. He con-
tended that the snow being dry, and not SUBJ
ject to drift, would cover them as satisfactory
ly as tick of feathers, and keep them quite
as warm and comfortable. 1t would also eff
fectually conceal them at their ease. The po-
rous quality of the ground would. he also in
formed them, enable them to distinguish the
approach of any marching party at distance,
and therefore they could snatch few mo-
ments of rest. Without more ado the ar
rangement was made, Nick lying down near
est the hut.
Four long hours elapsed, by which time the
hardy patriots were completely showed under,
being covered with eight inches or therea-
bouts, of the elemental emblem of purity
The sleep induced by snow has been too often
described to be unknown to our readers. To
prevent it from being fatal or injurious, Nick
had made each man. previous to retiring, drink
freely of rye whiskey.
The keenest eye or acutest cunning, could
not have detected in those undulating hilocks
aught but the natural irregularities OF swampy
ground. At about two O'Clock in the morning
John arrived, as he had said he would, with
his devoted followers. They were right thank
full for the shelter of the shanty, and MPher-
son swore that when they reached the city he
would report Johns generous conduct to Howe
of Knyphausen and procure him deserved
reward.
"Well," said John, 81 have not done the
half that intend to do for YOU"
Nick now arose and placed himself against
the howell so as to be able to hear the signal.
In the meantime he had awakened his men,
without permitting them to rise, by process
as summary as it was novel. He had felt for
the softest part of each carcass with the point
of very sharp bayonet.
The tories. slowed like sheep in the small