The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-02-06
Miscellaneous.
THE RISING OF THE TIDE.
4 TALE OF THE SCOTTISH COVE
NANTERS.
BY CLAY CLAYTON.

NANTERS.
BY CLAY CLAYTON.
hthe old days of Scottish persecution,
N bon the CoVenanters were hunted like the
Is,upon their native hills by the myrlni-
in,ofa despotic and cruel king, lived u min
.,, nv the name of Cameron. Ever since
NJ i:hoyhood Robert Cameron had dwelt in
" ,bo same vicinity, and in the same little but
III ,idv cottage, prettily situated upon one of
"A those freauent iriths or eStuares which put
mn from the German Ocean and indent the
eastern shore of Scotland. There, man and
how he had resided for forty years, always
beloved and respected, and for the last fifteen
wears ofthat period, revered and almost wor-
shipped as the spiritual guide and adviser of
the surrounding community. Married in
early manhood to lovely and serious-mnd-
ed woman, and blessed in the course of time
with sweet and healthy daughter, Mr.
n Cameron considered he had good reason to
rejoice aud be thankful that the lines had
fallen 30 him in such pleasant places But as
\ Years rolled on, his shrewd mind began to
\ perceive the clouds that were gathering a.
"A round the scrupuous and unbending sect to
n which lie belonged. But though he endeav-
4 Ored in the limited circle of his influence to
n produce feeling OH the part ofhis brethren
less tenacious of points really not essential to
n their faith, and in this manner to call forth
4 gtbe force of sympathy, n more tolerant
spirit in their opposers, yet all that any one
mncould do, however influential, would
M have only served to mitigate not avert the ap-
NJ WONling storm.
"A Ellie Cameron, at the period our tale o.
pAShad almost reached her eighteenth year.
~ Se was not beuuriful-eXcept to those who
" bed her, though they were all who knew
her. Slight and graceful in her form as the
NY, and we had ealmost said, as fair, though
not us tragie-she was the idol, but perhaps
mat is too strong an expression, other fathers
heart And Etfie on her part, loved her faith
er as only daughter can love, with love
winch seemed equally blended of affection
and reverence. She would no more have
thought of disputing an opinion or sentiment
uttered 10y him, than ofcaViling at the words
other well COINED Bible.
The days of persecution had commenced
and Robert Cameron had become in many
respects n changed man. So long as he
thought there was any possibility ofthe storm
Y blowing over, he had counseled gentleness,
moderation, aud as far as possible obedience
# Olhe powers that be'-but, when once the
N hIood-hounds of persecution were Embossed,
II he saw the day for mild counsels was past
Every feeling then became merged in one
that none ofhis flock should abandon their
N faith
The head and front the persecution in the
section of country where Mr. Cameron lived.
N was very wealthy farmer by the name of
Johnston. Descending from an old covenant
hs Mhily lie had always, until the tempest
NJ Nesah to threaten, attended regularly upon
ia MCamerOn's preaching. He was the veal
NeS, and ofcOurSe one ofthe most infiuen-
tal members of his church, and the first to
la!I away. Not only did he renounce the
N faith in which he had been educated, but, in
accordance with the old maxim, thar, zone a.
n poState is worse than ten infdels,' he became
NJ very open and bitter in his denunciation of
those who still adhered to it. Mr. Cameron
could not, even if he felt the disposition, al
n low such garing apostacy TO pass over in
silence. He held him up to the adherence
oihs hearers the next Sabbath, as a traitor to
us name his conscience, and his God.
Inc effect of such u sermon, the purport
Of which was soon conveyed TO Johnstons
ears, was as might have been supposed. In
N proportion rs he felt that his old associates
mated and despsed him. became his hatred
\ othem, and his desire TO grow in the favor
ofhis new friends And though he had not ia
Aeh at first an active part with the persectI-
and unrelenting ofthem. In an especial
manner his hatred ragged against Mr. Cameron
wv, VINO IN short time was obliged to leave
Ills nome, visiting his family only by stealth,
anu %, 'aKe refuge in the hiding places among
~ " was sweet morning in summer, and Mr.
cameron, who had stolen into his house Just
pclore .he break of day, was sitting between
ms wlie and daughter, narrating in q light
f'uylui zone, what it was evident from their
,"Ies they thought was no light matter, his ad-
t ,InsO since he had last departed from
wo.', wheh lad who had been deputed to
s "a,on ana announce the approach of any
Smansers burst into the room with the infor-
,io "' '': 'nat party of soldiers had reached
wary mU ''c,nlty OF the cottage unperceived, and
l;, tLo already on the point of entering the
t I,.'e enclosure in front oft. Guessing at
Mr. i m word the purport ofthe boys story,
tb III, cameron sprung to his feet, and fled
s mIIJTush The back door just as couple of
tage. '' VI ''io wv
stop, or we will fire." cried the foremost
'eVelllng his musket.
H. nut the fugitive knew too well the tortures
"'a. awaited hun, worse than death, if he was
"IG", ana therefore slackened not his pace.
,oa III heafu report-then the bullet wills
"eu oy mm-another and he felt it had
S S,uzed his shoulder, and that the blood was
moving freely, but he halted not. In the
l,I. otlife, and possessed of a slight but
S a, frame, he feared no longer, with the
s s ne had acquired, either the bullets or the
speed ofms pursuers.
n, nut they had not pursued him. After fir
h %s tae tive soldiers had started in pursuit,
o os; mad been recalled by the voice of their
SS"cer' who with the rest of the party had
tage. put "a 'no COL
No. =, cannet catch him now, and / care
hOt that he should he nharnI a.. nfn;L. e