Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-02-03

ffI6n saddle into the taidst II az ina l;,,le
asSemblage Of villagers. rs .,'. ' = - : = ' .
LID Heard t Ahe iaewss 5ohnl iaskad, % ca
SSsi SssB b;.ss ssss:sp u II ..s'I i,s'taet Z
John, Hbut not particuIar.' l ses71or
Qh, Hafper!n; exclaimed young far
ooaiss | thefe y fhs biazs 81 Ms fires" ane
hepointed toward white column ofsnoke
as Il curled above the trees in the distance.
"So near!" exclaimed Harper. "And
already at his fendish work?,'
"Ah, yes" said an aged farmer: "and
we know not tat what moment he NAV come
down upon us with his cursed crew to butb.
or us and sack our dwellings"
"And nothing be done?'' asked Hor.
per. "No relief had?" .4
"Hagar and Becker have gone to Albn.
ny, where we hope they will reach by to.
night, and by tomorrow evening we Shall
be enabled to quench those fires, and the
lives of the scoundrels," )" said youth.
"Doubthll, boys" said the old farmer,
"ihe Tories are very strong. they have
quite company at the forks at the north
end OF the Flats; and no doubt thew have
similar stations all around us.'' '-.-''''
John Harper listened to these words Of
the distressed villagers with no mark of
agitation, although he felt deeply interested.
a AS the Old farmer ceased speaking his eye
flashed with sudden emotion, and he felt
the kindling Of a new determination within
his bosom. Turning calmly about he
proceeded to mount his horse.
"Where now, John?' asked q number
Of voices.
81 AM GOING TO ScHENEcrADrp' he
said coolly, and vaulted into his saddle.
'lmpossible!" they all cried, sswithout
q pass, the roads are impassable!-you will
have to trust to the woods to hide YOU from
the Tory bullets % F. ., -.9.. a. ..1.-
"Npt l." said John, curling his lip. 81
don't travel the forest when a fair road lies
in my way!" and giving vent to ringing
laugh, he gave his steed the rein, and was
speedily opt oflsight Of his village. friends.
ough the attempt was conceived to
~ itselG yeta ray of hope was
MIN ~ the conversation of the honest
cgfghers 9, as they watched his lessening
-" .Phe time has gone by," solloquized
the daring man, as he urged on his beast,
.when it is necessary to struggle through
the forest depths, as, to my good knowledge,
was once the case in these parts. Neither
Tory nor British regular will so fence up
this road that VIII not attempt to pass it,
II occasion requires, So enough said.''
7 Then, as he was borne swiftly along,
came floating before him the images of his
father and mother, beseeching him not to
leave them in their Old age, and lovely
sisters arm seemed yet pressing. his, while
her ruby lip entreated his aid. His words
Of cheer and exhortation TO be Of good
heart as he tore himself from those hearts
that looked doatingly upon him, he lisped
once again. He would protect them, with
his life he would do1it.. And he, urged on
his steed. ~ a"t2''. tf@s': -.H''i ,FeS ~
twas dark, and the horizon, where the
sun had sunken in splendor, was spangled
with stars, when he reached the inn where
he would stop for henight. He gave his
beast TO the landlord, and charged him to
have it ready again at early dawn. He
then orderedan upper room with lock and
key, furnished with light and refreshments
upona a table. The host obeyed his iniunc.
ton, and Harper took possession Of the a.
partnlentfor the night Finishing his re.
past, he placed his ear to the KEY hole and
listened long tocatch some, note Of what
was transacting below, but all was still and
hushed. Long the dull hours seemed as
he waited for the approach ofday, and fear
ful some yillainous plot would be laid for
him by the enemies who might have got in
formation Of his mission, he dared not sleep,
and the time hung heavily upon him.. His
rifle, two pistols, and dirk, lay beside him
as he uneasily tossed upon the bed The
twang of,abell 5vibrated through the house,
and he counted its Stroke. II was twelve
o'clock; yet all was still. 'E2N"a@f aH' =
I = 'Hark!" he involuntarily whispered,
fspringing noiselessly to the door. Placing
his ear close to the lock, he listened, and
heard aelight tread Of footsteps in the pass.
age below and u pon the lowernaost stop ol
the stairway. CHANGING with firm eve
towards his tools Of death, yet within his
reach, the hot blood rushed through, his
veins. The voice ofthe landlord in low,
distinct, and expostulating tone, was heard
speaking asit were to several persons: !
ssstor heavens sake, gentlemen, desist!--
you know he is a soldier! i beg of " vou
by alf that islsacred. todecline The III atternpt
Several Of yoat lives will be lost ns ia i,
terribly arlied; and why should th,es ),
1 four be the price Of butsosE9',2 :. 4 ~
p No other voice was heard and he coule
but conjecture it was q scouting party from
4 the fats, onltheir round Of fTecoiinoitrca \
1@ Atllength came the gray dusk of morn
] and hslett nib fortified room with extren,