Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-08-30

| many OF the MAJOR troops; and If any of them
had come up hls ielgned name would not pro-
tect him from detention. He wished 20 eet ofs
that night, as he proposed; but 90 this peithe,
his host nor the Major would hear, and he was
forced TO remain till morning. What was his
anguish TO hear that the Major had been gone
some hours, and was already on his way 70
Bunkers with his troops. Descending his
anxiety, David partook Of q hasty breakfast,
aud mounting his horse rode slowly away.
But when out OF sight Of the house he struck
into fierce gallop, which continued till be
came in sight Of a cross-rosd where was tay
ern. Here he stopped, and learning that the
royalists had taken the high road, he turned
INTO more narrow and circuitous by-road.
Ii Is my only chance to avoid themn he
said, again dashing into n gallop. II pray
God may reach the settlement in time 10
collect Few OF our lads, and march 20 the
Bunkers There Is no other hope now left!p
Night had fallen in, as they had expected,
before the tories were able TO reach the yicini
ty OF the house they were in search Of At
length, however, after q silent march through
the woods, 1t broke upon their view. A
light was burning in one Of the windows
and when they arrived close 20 the premises
the lively notes of violin reached their ears
proving that the brothers were not aware of
their presence, but were enjoying themselves
in imagined security
Now, men" whispered the leader of the
tories, when give the word, fire volIey at
the house by way Of introduction; we will
then surround the house and enter it.''
AT that instant the deep bay Of dog rang on
their ears, and q large mastif sprang from
under the house and rushed at the Major
:. Fire 20 he cried
Twenty guns broke upon the stiffness Of the
night-the dog fell dead-every pane of glass
In the windows were shivered, and the tories
yelled like savages. In an instant. the lights
IN the house were eKtinguished, the violin as
quickly ceased, and noise was heard at the
door. The tories Immediately made a rush at
1T. But it was already barred, and being
made OF stout oak plank, resisted all their ef-
forts. rifle cracked from one of the win
dows, aud tory fell, desperately wounded.
Another report succeeded, and another tory
fell. Major Wilson was now fully aware that
both Bunkers were at home, and wide awake
A shed turned the rain from the front of the
house. and beneath this the tories, shielded
from the fire of the Bunkers went to work AZ
the door. Suspecting resistance, perhaps from
his knowledge Of their character-one Of his
men brought an axe, with which he com
menced hewing at the door. and soon cut IL in
pieces. Here desperate battle ensued The
brothers were powerful and CONTAGIOUS "a
they were strong and now with clubbed rifles
they disputed the whole tory force. The door
being small, they stood their ground for half
those who had the temerity to enter first. but
finally numbersovercome them, and they were
flung upon the floor and bound. The tories.
nfamed to madness at the resistance that had
been made, and at their own losses, now seized
the mother and sister and made preparations
70 hang the two brothers before their ewes
The ropes were already tied around the necks
of their victims, when the Major addressed his
men:
Now, friends, as soon as these villains are
dead, We will set FIRE to the house-the old wo-
man there, said he with brutal laugh, s.may
be left inside, but the young one reserve for
myself
a Hist" cried one of the men in loud
vjlce. The Ma jOr ceased, and they heard a
voice outside Of the house. Although the
words were spoken low, the listeners distinct
y heard
When L say fire, give it to them"
man with blanched cheek rushed ints
the house exclaiming:
The yard is full Of men 90
Fire cried deep voice from the yard
"A general yoliey succeeded, and SO well had
the aim been directed in the door that several
OF the tories fell either dead or desperately
HGnded. In turn then the tories retrea,el
up stairs, when David, our hero, rushed into
the room they had just left, and cut the rores.
of the Bunkers.
May God bless ycu for this, - cried tho
The two men sprung up, seized their rifles,
which had been left in the room. and pro-
pared To retaliate for the treatment they had
just received.
Long and desperate was the battle
The tories fought for life-the whigs for re.
venge But at length the latter triumphed.
though not until their enemies had been al.
most exterminated. The Major fell by the
arm OF our hero, who sought him ont in the
hottest of the 1ght, aad engaged him single
handed.
No language Of ours can express the emo
tlons of David, as he pressed his betrotbed
wife to his bosom. and his heart went I'M In
thanktulness tO Heaven for his timely arrival,
when he thought that delay OF half an hour
would have consigned her TO fate worse than
death.
The gratitude OF her brothers were expressed
Ia many words, but hers was silent aud tear.
.ul, yet now much more gratifying.
: almost called you a coward, son David"
'ald ms father to him when they met .sout YOU
lre chip Of the old block, and did you
wrong. Deborah he is boy 10 be proud Of
5 he not! You may founder one Of my horses
every day that you do such deed-it beats
'Verything L ever saw in the old French war
David's gallantry in this act, drew around
him in a few weeks more than a score of hardy
young fellows. who fought with him to tho
md OF the war, when he returned and was hap-
ply married to the heroine Of our story.