The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-04-16
TIEnfACK uoi,sEANDIIs RIDER

lLppard.
It was the seventh of October,
l777.
Horato Gates stood before his
tent, gazing steadfastly upon the two
armies, now arraycd in order Of bat
tie. 1t was a clear bracing day,
mellow with the richness of Au-
tumn; the sky was cloudless, the
foliage of the woods scarce tinged
with purple and gold; the buck
wheat on yonder fields, frosted into
snowy ripeness.
1t was a calm clear day, but the
tread of legions shook the ground.
From every bush shot the Glimmer
of the rifle barrel, on every hill side
blazed the sharpened bayonet. Flags
were there, too, tossing in the
breeze; here the Banner Of the
Stars-yonder the Red Cross gonfa-
lon.
Here in solid lines were arrayed
the Continental soldiers, pausing on
their arms, this homely- costume
looking but poor and humble, when
compared with the blaze of scarlet
uniforms, reddening along yonder
hills and over the distant fields. All,
that hunting shirt of blue was but a
rude dress, yet on the 10th of Sep
TENDER, scarce two weeks ago, on
these very hills, it taught the scar
let coated Briton severe lesson OF
repentance and humility.
Here, then, on the morning Of this
eyentful day, which was to decide
the fate Of America, whether Gates
should flee before Burgoyne, or Bur,
goyne lay down his arms at the feet
OF Gates, here at the door of his tent
stood the American General, his
countenance monifesting a deep anX-
ietv.
Now he gazed upon the glittering
array of Burgoyne, as it shone over
yonder fields, and now his eye rovcd
over those hardy men in hunting
shirts, with rifles in their hands. He
remembered the contest Of the 10th,
when Benedict Arnold, at the head
of certain bold rlemen, carried the
day, before all the glitter of British
arms; and now-perchance-a fear
seized him, that this 7th of October
might be a dark day, for Arnold was
not there. They had quarrelled,
Arnold and Gates, about some mat
ter OF military courtesy the former
was now without a commission the
latter commander, alone, and now
would have to win glory for himself
with his own hands.
Gates was sad and thoughtful, as
IN all the array Of his uniform he
stood before his tent, watching the
evolutions of the armies, but all at
once smoke arose, a thunder shook
the ground, a chorus Of shouts and
groans, yelled along the darkened
air. The play of death was begun.
The two tlags-thiS of Stars, that OF
the Red cross-tossed amid the
smoke of battle, while the sky was
clouded in leaden folds, and the
earth throbbed as with the pulsation
OF mighty heart.
Suddenly Gates and his officers
started with surprise. Along the
gentle height on which they stood,
there came a Warrior on a Black
Horse, rushing toward the distant
battle. There was something in the
appearance of this Horse and Rider,
to strike them with surprise. The
Horse was noble animal; do you
mark that expanse of chest, those
slender yet sinewy limbs, that wav-
ing name and tail? Do you mark
the head erect, those nostrils quiv-
ering, that eye glazing with terrible
light? Then his color-the raven is
not darker than his skin, or maiden's
cheek more glossy than his spotless
hide.
Look upon that gallant steed, ant
remember the words of job
Hast thou given the horse strength has, tho,
clothed his neck with thundcrl
Canst thou make him afraid as srasshopptY
The glory Of his nostrls is terrible
lie plweih in tho valley, and reiniceth in hi
strength; he gocth on to meet the armed men.
lie mockcth at fear and is not allfiah,cd
neither turneth he back from the sword.
The culver ,O,Ieth against him, the e,,,rir,
, spear and the shield.
lie swallowcth the ground with fcrccncss an,
rage; neither beli,v,ih he that it is the sound o
the trumpet.
lilo saith among the ,rumpc,', Ha! ha! ant
he smc'cih the battle ofar off, the thunder OF til,
captains and the shouting.
But the Rider presents also a sight
of strange and peculiar interest
lie is a man Of muscular form, will
a dark brow gathered in frown, O
darker eye, shooting its glance from
beneath the projecting forehead
His lips is compresscd--his cravat,
unloosened, exposes the veins of his
throat now writing like serpents
1t is plain that his spirit is with the
distant battle, for neither looking to
the right or left. nor even CASTING q