Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-11-25
Burning of the willows.
A Tale of the Revolution.
by II. A. BUCKINGHAM.

o the description exactly. Order the mel
3 to dlsmount, with the exception of cou
! pie of patrols on each roads
The speaker was dressed in the blue anc
scarlet uniform of the British light horse, 6
corps that was formed after the landing O.
the English troops in New Jersey, as soor
as horses could be obtained to mount the
men. He was an officer of some rank
evidently, and his carriage and demeanor
were both naughty and aristocratic in the
highest degree. Why not he was the
eldest son of British earl.
"The house appears to be deserted, Col
ffarcourt," said his junior officer, as he dis
mounted.
awe will see. This way, half dozen
OF you," he said to his men. "Try the
door yonder. If it 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 warm
ing to surrender"
The men advanced to the door, which
they found to be fastened; and after de-
manding admission, to which they received
no answer, they proceeded to break 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, lieuten-
ant % asked Col. Harcourt, while the men
were busily ransaclllng the house.
"No, sir; but there is fellow / 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 prepos-
! sing countenance. There was bold surl-
ness and cruel expression of features ex-
tremeiy displeasing.
"What is your name ?" said Col. Har-
court, in his quick military manner.
"John Classen."
''Do you know Peter Van Dyke, ?"
every WELL"
s'Is that his dwellings,
"Yes-though since his mothers death
and his sisters getting married, it is hard
to say where he keeps himself"
"Does he not bear the name of being
great rebel, and dangerous man TO those
who favor the king in this neighborhood ?"
eyes, from the Passac to the Hacken-
sack, and thirty miles around. If I'd 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
plunder, and carry away the grain and cat
tle."
"Why, you tell bitter tale about him.
Has he ever injured you?''
"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 neigh
bors, well armed, when they went off in
double quick time"
"Does he not venture into New York
sometimes in disguise ?" inquired the colo
mel.
'I've heard so. He was slippery from a
boy, up, and can disguise himself any way.
He's precious scamp, and you'll do fa-
vor to this part of Jersey if you hang him
as soon as you catch him."
This conversation had been held near a
stone wall, on the other side of which was
an old garden; bu. the troubles of the
times had left it uncultivated, and the COOS
berry and currant bushes had grown up
rank and untrimmed, and the briars Stretch
ed over the walls, covering the ground from
sight.
Under this cover, and within ten feet of
the colonel and Claasen, 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.
Twice or thrice, on hearing the base lies
of Claasen, he was on the point of rising
and confronting him; but little reflection
was left, and he thought that was not the
occasion to place his life in jeopardy, which
he certainly would do, since the party Of
troops had come out expressly ly to take him.
"Do you know with any certainty, Claa-
sen, how long since Van Dyke has been
seen in the neighborhood "
81 heard that he was seen last night two
miles from this, in bye-path through the
woods, coming in the direction of his
houses
"That is the information | received, and
/ am determined to capture him, sooner oil
later. Ifyou can point out his where
abouts, or arrest him yourself, you shall
have a reward of fifty guineas."
Claasen was as avaricious and fond O
money as he was wicked. Fifty guinea,
was large sum, indeed, particularly il
those days, when gold was rarely seen.
81 will catch him, colonel, before he il
three days older. l know one of hi
haunts."
5 "Why not lead us there then :"
sit would be OF no use this time of day
Besides, he may not be there for day O
: two, and / shall have to be cautious il
looking out for him.''
q "Well, secure him, and the fifty guinea
d shall be yours"
: Several of the soldiers now came fron
i. the house, and stated that they had searche
, il from top to bottom, but could find n
J. one, although from appearances some pei
9 son had been there recently. The colone