Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-08-03

| ever sanction or conform to this ms-named cod
Of honor. If he ever accepted challenge, II
seemed for the purpose of heaping contempt
and ridicule both upon the challenger and the
unrighteous practice. No one for moment
dare impugn his courage, and therefore the cool
contempt he manifested was probably more cut
ting to the challenger than the keenest sabre
more calling than brace of bullets
1t was during the campaign of l779 that the
scene which is here described occurred.
Washington had established his headquarters
at West Point, while General Putnam was
stationed with several bodies Of troops at But
termilk Falls, about two miles below. AT this
period, the fortifcations at West Point were
constructed under the supervision of Putnam,
and to one of the forts the gallant hero also
gave his name. 1t is now but ruin, yet, thank
Heaven, he has built himself Il monument in the
hearts of his countrymen, which shall endure
as long as the mountains in which those stirring
deedswere enacted
1t CHANGED, one day, General Putnam made
some remarks within the hearing of an English
officer, than Il prisoner on parole, in which he
reflected somewhat severely upon the character
of the British. The officer received the remark
as personal insult, and Immediately sent the
General challange.
Fatigued with his arduous duties, Putnam
had retired to his quarters. Removing by
plentiful ablutions the dust andheat of day 8
toll, amid the businesses of West Point and af-
ter partaking of sach simple relreshment as the
times afforded, he had just seated himself at the
door of his tent, and barring his brow to the COOL
delicious breeze sweeping up from the river, was
invigorating his weary frame with the luxury of
pipe. At this moment the challange of the
English officer was handed him. Putnam ganc-
ed his keen eye over the missive, and inpatient
ly throwing it down, exclaimed -
Challenged, by JDdas Challenged, ell |!
Why the fellow is a greater fool than l took
him to be. We'll, we'll Ii humor the pup
Ey!"
Then coolly finishing lis pipe, he called for
pen and ink-accepted the challenge appoint-
ed the place of meeting-time, an early hour
the following morning. After despatching
messenger to the quarters of the Englishman,
he strolled around the barracks, inspecting the
garrison stores, &c. Among these were several
barrels or casts filled with onions, at sight of
ich new idea appeared to strike the humor
GUS General, He Immediately ordered one of
these to be transported to an adjoining field,
and placed in particular spot which he pointed
out to the subaltern.
was an early hour of glorious day, in the
beautiful month of October, that the British
officer took his way over the fields on his mur
derous errand. The dew lay thick and heavy
on the short grass, spangling the bright Autumn
flowers; and the gay foliage of the forest trees
already assuming their Tyrian robes, while from
every branch, from hedge-row and thicket, the
birds sent up their cheerful songs. Far down
below, calm and silvery, threaded the waters of
the Hudson, and the mountain passes echoed
with the notes of the bugle and the esprit
stirring drum" beating the revie. But the
Englishman had no heart for the glorious scene
revenge ate at his core, and to him the blood
of his foe would be sweeter than the breath of
morning.
As he drew near the place of meeting, he
perceived his antagonist already on the ground
and certainly, for one whose moments were per-
haps numbered, he seemed to be taking it very
easy. Seated on a low camp-stool, beneath the
wide-spreading branches Of a large sycamore,
was "Old Put" One elbow resting on the
top of barrel-Lis legs carelessly stretched out,
and with halfclosed eyes, composedly enjoying
his lavorite pipe. The officer advanced some
what hastily, amazed at the Indifference of one
whose life hung on the cast of bullet Not
until with "a few feet of Putnam did the latter
take the least notice of him, and then merely
with slight inclination of the head motioning
him to take the seat on the opposite side of the
barrel In the head of the barrel there was q
small opening, in which match had been in
serted and no sooner was the officer seated,
t,an Putnam proceeded to ignite it with his
pipe, coolly remarking as he did so:-
You see there is the same chance for both
of us 3" resumed his smoking.
The Englishman was Mortified. He could
face danger ON the battle-feld-he could with
out shrinking, bear his breast to the bullet of
the duelist-but to be blowa up-annihilated at
once-to dance in :" thin air. by SO unsoldier-
like and terrible mode of welfare, was more
than his courage could dare. Like Rob Acres,
he felt it rapidly oozing out at his fingers ends
yet honor forbade retreat. According to the
duelists' code, he must abide by the decision of
Putnam, who had his choice of weapons--and,
good heavens, what had the daring, reckless
Yankee chosen--a barrel of gunpolcder for
such was evidently the contents of the cask;
and with feelings indescribable, he watched the
slow ignition of the match, and the gradual
down-creeping of that flame, which in few
moments would probably send him to eternity
As the fire reached the opening, there was a
fzzing, cracking sound--a slight explosion, ac-
complained by strange odor. Brave as he was,
the officer could endure no more.
"By Heavens! Ill not be murdered in this
manner +" precipitately rising to make good bis
retreat.
"Ho! he brave sir" shouted Putnam,
coolly knocking the ashes from his pipe; "you
are just the man took you for--this is but
barrel of onions you mistake for powder, with q
few grains scattered on top to try you by--but
/ see you don't like the SMELL"
SNAKE FASCINATION.
The St. Louis Herald of the 18th inst, .re-
lates case of snake fascination which resulted
mi n