Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-12-22

American ontposts.
Thank Heaven!' he exclaimed. that those
weary limbs are near home. But thrice the dis
tance would walk, and, ay even let myself
'e hanged at the door of an inn. to further
WashlRgtons glory and save the lives of nv
countrymen. Cody he CRIED looking upward,
Thou who watchest this struggle for Liberty,
smile on our last effort! Save from tyranny thy
true believers
But the sun will be up. anon must quick
en- my gait; already these troopers may have
discovered my deceit, and are following me.
Fearful is the apprehenIon. But never finch,
John Putnam, this stick shall not let thee die
without an effort
All! did hear football? Hist. Nay, it
was the fin,ter Of some bird, or the dawn awak :
ening some beast. Stay, an I'm captured or
killed, who will-oh the torture INV wife and
child. But have it. Gen. Washington promis.
ed to act fathers part towards my children, il
! should fall doing my duty It's all right old
fellow. Halloa! this is llickery Hill, and I'm
not far off the lines. Now feet Of mine, WALK
In this solioquisng manner he muttered, until
suddenly the Gathering of horses feet became
too distinct to escape his notice.
Thunder can thoy be so close? And yet
| cannot hide in the brushwood. Washington
must have the papers by - O'clock this day; |
hav'nt time 10 hide. But hang me if | do hide.
like cowaidy red coat I'm no coward, thou ID
a dozen Hessans be on my trail, like blood
bounds, III go on, and if my tongue can save
me not. by the mighty Hercules, this club shalI
So ne continued his journey, anl came in
view OF The beautiful Hudson that in the distance
was dotted by white canvass of several fisher.
men, but these hoaled on their way unnoticod
by him, who strained every nerve. short of run
ming, to gain the Continental head quarters
But nearer and closer came tbe horsemen, and
he could recognize the gruff voices in boisterous
converse. Putnam TUNED curve IN the road
that ran up the hill side, surrounded by huge
trees and massive rocks, everything to render
the spot romantic. While climbing this EN-.
lnence, and for the hundredlb time resolving not
to secret himself, he heard with an emotion of
excitement, the Dragons within fifty yards Of
him; and having just rounded the blnf,,hey dis
covered him. Both shouted with joy. Ha &!
thou cursed rebel, we haye got thee Mt last .
cried the rufn wolf Halloa, there-stop, or
BY St. Gearge, wen make mince meat of thee
tlaloa.'
la the Kings name, halt, commanded Capt.
Dick, or rather Capt. Richard Moles, man
superior in some respects to his companion.
shall deaf, or stupid, OF dutch?' que
ried the pedlar to himself Open defiance is
last resource BIT he qaickly decided as Wolf
called cut, Halt, thou base, low, peding cow
ard or I'll crop thine ears with my sabre Nerv-
ing his arm, he suddenly stopped and turned to
meet them.
The same, by the gods exclaimed Dick on
observing the ptdlar's brave 'HuzzA G500,
down on thy marrow bones and beg thy life?
What want ye with me'' demanded the
American.
Want? Ask our colonel-ask the gibbet on
ts morrow's dawn! Want? Why, down, spy,
on thy knees and surrender
That will NoT!' shouted the other, with a
sndden energy, that startled both the soldiers.
Flinging off his burden, by quick notion he
caught up his club, and with the first blow
shlvered to pieces the sword uplilted by the cap
tain to arrest him.
Thy steel, Wolf! he's broken mine: Ttai-
tor by Heaven thou shalt die
May, nay, it taketh two to make a bargain,
coolly said Putnam, and while the captain was
grasping his pistols, another blow from the staff
discharged one of them into the air, and so DIS
comiorted him, that fnr moment he renamed
inactive.
Wolf struck the spy's shoulder with his weap-
on, but made no dangerous wound and boldly
seizing him, the latter, by main strength drag
grd the burly fellow from his saddle.
"A thousand furies shrieked he, Il believe
thou art Satan
Let this convince thee = cried the factious
pedlsr graspug the rasca's sword and by a
powerful exertlou, wrenched it from him and
dropped bis stick But by this time, Dick had
recovered and firing his pistol, lis ball entered
the pedal's leg, causing him for an instant to
tremble with pain.
4 Help! screamed the conquered bully as he
fell under severe blow from his own sword
and then, as the captain lenped from his horse ,c
assist the scene became thrilling almost to ex
cess.
The sword proving useless in this close con
flict Putnam dextrously broke it in pieces witt
his foot, aud kicking the prostrate soldier at tbt
same time, grappled with Dick, who was al
most equal to him in strength and courage.
St.. George for me = cried Dick.
God and liberty Tor me shouted the Cont
mental
Dog! | have thee now! muttered Dick
clutching the others throat. Up, Wolf, VI
and aid me am checking him.
Boast not YET gasped the other, recovering
his hold.
Take that said Wolf, picking up the spy
stick and striking him with it.
And take thou this and my God pardon m'
for it thundered the pedar as he lifted hi
) right arm, and drove his heavy fist against tb'
, soldiers head, reddening it with blood AM
brains. The unfortunate man fell down dead
: like an OK before the butchers axe.
AT this awful sight, the lieutenant was ap
palled, but, by strong efforts maintained his po
8 siton. The pair fought athlet@, struggling
, striking and groaning in the 6erceness of the'
: combat. At length the spy fell on the grass
araluuai h, tho rninht Of hs nnWerLnl antag