Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-09-05
s ELEC I TALE.
CATHARINE ACTON.
The Retreat from Lexington.
BY J, II, INGRAHAM.

The 10th of April, IT'S, when young man,
mounted on a beautifully limbed chestnut horse,
ralloped at full speed up the door of a small
farmhouse, situated upon the turnpike road to
Boston. He threw himself from his saddle,
and clasped the hand of a young girl, who,
forth to meet him.
"What news of the enemy, Georgel" she
asked eagerly; " and are you hurt, "
al am safe, Catharine, but White Star, you
see, is slightly wounded in the shoulder by a
bullet that grazed it"
"Thank God for your preservation " cried
the maiden, with fervor that betrayed her
deep interest in the safety of the young man.
He was about Internationally, with a man.
" figure, and fine frank expression. He
was plainly dressed in the ordinary frock OF
the yeomanry of the day, but was armed with
a broad sword, slung at the waist, and long
towling piece, which he held in his hand. Up
on his head he were a low-crowned hat, with a
broad brim bu,toned boldly up in front.
She was a blooming rustic beauty, with rich
auburn hair and sunny eyes. Her figure was
faultless, though perhaps thought too full
She had a sweet look of love and gentlcness
upon her fair face, and seemed well fitted to be
the mate of the noble youth by her side. Her
age was about nineteen. Her dress was neat
chintz gown. made in the simplest fashion, and
her only ornament ruby ring upon the middle
finger of her right hand.
SO have ridden here as hard as could spur
Catharine," he said, after she had spoken, 'to
secure yeur safety, which is dearer to me than
my own The British troops, who marched
TO Concord during the night, TO destroy the
stores there, have been compelled to retreat, as
you have no doubt heard from those who were
flying before them. They were manfully re-
sisted at Concord Bridge, and unable to effect
their object, and seeing that the country was
rising in arms all around them, they turned to
fly. They have been retreating now for sever
al miles, battling as they march with the coun-
try people, who harass at every step, firing
upon them from behind stone walls, houses,
hedges, and every covert that commands the
road. | have been joining in the pursuit, until
half an hour ago, when seeing that in their re-
treat they would take this road and pass your
door, | crossed the fields and forest to antici-
pate them, and warn you and your aged grand
parents to escape to place of safety. They
are infuriated by the hot pursuit of the people,
and will doubtless wreak their vengeance upon
the inhabitants they fall in with. Do not de-
law Listen! You can already hear the fir
ing of musketry. They will soon be here
Do not stop to save any thing, but fly to your
uncle's dwelling. 1t is mile back TO the
road, and will be secure ; for they will not
dare to go far from the highway to do mis-
chief.''
The sound of distant firing was now dis
tincty heard. The report Of the short guns
and rifles could be distinguished from the deep
er-mouthed discharges of the British muskets,
as they returned the fire of their assailants. -
The road was filled with women and children,
flying before the retreating English and the
shouts of the Americans, as they rushed to-
wards the scene of conflict, rung loudly in the
air.
Catharine Acton silently pressed the hand of
her lover, and proceeded instantly to comply
with his wishes She soon had her old grand
father ready, with his hat and stick, and her
grandmother, with her cloak and bonnet.
''Now take the path through the wheat
field, and hasten with all the speed you can,"
said George. q will support your grand
father, while your grandmother leans on you"
Thus speaking. the young man, leading his
foaming horse by the bride, took the path to-
wards the uplands, the venerable grandsire
leaning on his arm, and the lovely girl sustain
ing the aged form of the venerable mother
AS they reached the edge of the forest, along
which their path led, sounds of the firing grew
louder and nearer. At each louder and iercer
discharge of firearms, the young mans eye
kindled, and he looked back wistfulv, while
he bit his lip with impatience. But his effec-
ton for Catharine Acton, and for those she
loved, was even stronger than his desire TO
mingle with the strife.
All at once they discovered before them sew
eral persons approaching, who, on arriving
nearer, proved to be the family towards whose
dwelling he was escorting his charge. They
were on their way, two of them sons of the
old man, armed with guns, to harass the re-
treating ioe, and the rest to bring off the old
people from the scene of danger.
81 gladly surrender my charge to vou."
said George to the three or four females and
one or two lads of the party. "Convey them
to your house, and keep safely there yourselves
till the British army have passed Do not re-
main in the fields, even at this distance, and
expose yourself to draw their fire. Catharine,
trust to your discretion to see to this, Now,
one shake of the hand, and / return to my duty
with my fellow-countrymen.
"Oh, George, do not go! 1ou-but vii
not detain you. Twill forget myself, ant
think only of my poor country, which needs
every arm in its defence
g Patriotic as beautiful, my sweet Kate, y
said he, bending from his saddle-for he was al.
ready seated IN it again-and pressing his lips
to her check" I shall return to you bv night
But do not be anxious if you do not see me
then. an resolved to follow the enemy till
we see him fairly and safely shut up in Boston,
again.
Thus speaking, the young man touched his