Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-29

dizen or fifteen stout, weel armed, resolute
fellows IN my cart, cover them owre WI hav.
and Introduce them into the garrison as a
load o provender. If they we're ance in.
an the chiefs were themselves of the RIGHT
stuff, III wad my head to pease hammock
that the Castles ours in fifteen minutes"
And would you undertake to do this. nv
good friend 2" said Bruce, gravelv, struck
with the idea, and impressed with its prac-
tcability.
Readily, and wi a RIGHT guild will, sir,'
replied Blnnoch, provided We fin me the
men; but they maun be the very vale o
your flock; its no Job for faint hearts or
nerveless arms"
'phe men We shall have, my br-ye fell
low; and if We succeed your country will he
indebted to you. But it is apcrious UNDER
taking; there will be hard fighting, and We
may lose your head by it. Have you thought
Of that 7"
{" have, sin, replied Binnoch firmly
" As to the fechtn', we are like to gle them
as guild as we get And for the hangn', the
Scotsman is no deservin' o. the name that's
no ready to brave death, in any form, for
his country"
Bruce caught the enthusiasm of the speak
err; tear started into his eye, and seizing
the hand of the humble patriot
"My noble fellow" he said, would to
God all Scotsmen were like thee. Beneath
that homely plaid of thine there beats a
heart of which any knight in Christendom
might be proud. Lose or win, this shall not
be forgotten"
Having made the necessary arrangements,
and agreed upon sign for communication
with each other, Binnoch took his departure
from the Castle of Torwood
The next day the men selected by Bruce
were at Binnoch's house, having been adj
mitted through the preconcerted signal
They repaired to the barn, and were snugly
packed away in the hay cart, armed with
steel caps and short swords. Everything
being in readiness, Binnoch hid sword a.
mongst the hay, for his own use, and in such
situation that he could easily seize it when
wanted He also provided himself with
poinard, which he concealed beneath his
waistcoat. Thus prepared at all points, the
intrepid peasant set forward with his load of
daring hearts, and having arrived at the cas-
tie, he and his cart were Immediately adj
mitted. They proceeded onward till they
came to the centre of the courtyard, when
Binnoch gave the preconcerted signal to his
associates, which was conveyed in the words,
spoken in loud voice" Forward, Gray
stall, forward r' as if addressing his horse,
which he at the same time struck with his
whip, to complete the deception.
, These words were no sooner uttered than
the hay with which the daring adventurers
were covered, was seen to move, and the
next instant it was thrown over upon the
pavement, to the inexpressible management
of the iders, who were looking on; AND, to
their still greater surprise, fifteen armedm
leapt, with fearful shouts, into the court
yard, when, being instantly headed by Bin
: noch, the work of death began. Every man
r within their reach at the moment was cut
r down. The guard-room was assailed, and
all in it put to death, and passing from a.
5 partment to apartment, they swept the gar
, rison, and took possession Oft. The attack
: had been so sudden, so unexpected, and 50
: vigorous, that its unfortunate occupants, six
times their number, had no time to rail- or
defend themselves, and thus fell an easy
, prey to the bold Adventures
We have only to add that Binnoch was
rewarded by Bruce for this important service
with valuable lands in the parish of Linlith-
, gov; and that his descendants had for their
f arms a hoy-wain, with the motto oirtute de-
, ioqne.