Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1848-07-25
BURNING OF THE WILLOWS.
ATalC Of the Revolution.
BY H. A. BUCKINGHAM.

This must be the house: the junction
of two ads, and a brook in front the
banks covered with willows. This place
meets the description exactly. Order
the men to dismount, with the exception
of couple ofpatrols on each road
The speaker was dressed in the blue
and scarlet uniform of the British light
horse, corps that was formed after the
landing Of the English troops in New
Jersey, as soon rs horses could be OBJ
tanned 20 mount the men. He was an
officer of some rank, evidently, and his
Garage and demeanor were both haugh.
ty and aristocratic in the highest degree.
Why not? he was the eldest son Of a
British Earl.
'The house appears to be deserted.
Col. Harcourt, said his junior officer, as
he dismounted.
We will see. This way. half dozen
Of you,' he said to his men. FRY the
door yonder. lift is fastened, break it
open, and report if any one is inside. If
there should be, and they attempt to es.
cape. shoot them down, but give them
warning to surrender
The men advanced to the door, which
they found to be fastened /; and after de-
handing admission, to which they receiv-
ed no answer, they proceeded to brake it
open, which delayed them some time, for
the door was strong oaken one. This
done, they entered.
DO you know the man by sight, Lieu
tenant?' asked Col. Harcourt, while the
men were busily ransacking the house.
No, sir; but there is fellowI picked
up on the road, now in the rear, that
knows him well. He does not appear to
owe him much favor.
Order him to the 'front.'
The countryman had not very pre-
possessing cOuntenence. There was
bold surliness and cruel expression of
features, extremely displeasing.
What is your namel' said Col. Har~
court. in his quick military manner.
John Claasen.'
DO you know Peter Van Dyke!'
Very well.
is that his dwelling?'
Yes; though since his mothers death
and bis sisters getting married, it is hard
10 say where he keeps himself
Does he not bear the pane of being a
great rebel, and dangerous man to those
who favor the king in this neighborhood?'
Yes, from the Passaic to the Hacken~
sack, and thirty miles around. IfIdh had
my way, he'd been hung long ago, and
his house burned over his head. He is
the leader of every rebel gang from the
army, and points out the honest farmers
homes who stand by their king, whose
barns they plumber, and carry away their
gain and cattle. !. .-,,e-s.r ~.
'Why, you tell a bitter tale about him.
Has he ever inquired your
Injured me! He and parcel of rob
bers like himself, came one afternoon to
burn my house and hang me before the
door, which they would have done. but
for the arrival OF number Of friendly
neighbors, we'll armed, when they went
off in double quick time.'
Does he not venture into New York
sometimes in disguised inquired the Col
onel.
I've Leard go. He was slippery from
boy up, and can disguise himself any
way. He'sa precious scamp. and you'll
do q favor to this part Of Jersey if you
hang him as soon as you catch him.
This conversation had been held near
stone wall, on the other side of which
WAS an ola garden; but the troubles of
the times bad left il uncultivated. and the
gooseberry and currant bushes had grown
up rank and untrimmed,, and the briers
stretched over the walls, covering the
ground from sight. '@f22s tsF7 s9-l
Under this cover, andawithintena feet
OF the Colonel and Claasens lay crouched
the very man they were talking of. He
had barely time to escape from the house
and CONCEAL himself upon the approach of
the British horsemen, whom he did not
then Suspect to be within ten miles of
him.aisE ed no atsjiza rs sasa9si5 ,lsx3
to Twice or thrice, on, hearing the base
liesofa Claasen, she was on the point of
rising aDdncOnfronting him; but q little
reflections was lsff,' and he Thought that
was notthe occasion to place, hislIifesin
jeopardy, whiCh be certainly would do,
eInce shs party of troops had come out
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