The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-11-21
SELECT TALES.
THE BURNING OF THE VII
~, E LOWS.
A TALEOF THE REVOLUTION.


banks covered With willows. This place
asnteets the description exactly. Order the
:. men to dismount with the, exception of
p couple Of patrols on each road.
The British were dressed in the blue
Q and scarlet uniform Of the British light
horse, q corps that was formed after the
! landing Of the English troops in New Jer
sey, as soon as horses could be had to
mount the men. He was an officer Of
some rank evidently, who spoke tie above
words, and his carriage and demeanor
! was both naughty and aristocratic in the
. highest degree. Why not---he WAS the
eldest son of q British earl.
The house appears to be. deserted, Col.
Halcoutt,r said his junior eficer as he dis.
mounted. - s.
ave will'see. This way dozen Of
you," he said to his men. "Try the door
yopder, II il is fastened break il open, and
report Il any one is inside. Ifthere should
be and they attempt to escape, shoot
them down, but give them warning 10
surrender"
- The men advanced to the door, which
they found to be fastened;, and after de.
manding admission, to which they receiv-
ed no answer the proceeded to break it
open, which delayed them some time, for
the door was strong oakep one. This
done, they entered.
ADO you know the man by sight. lieu
tenant 7" asked Col. Halcourt, while the
men we're busy ransacking the house.
p mo air but there is a fellow | picked
up on the road now in the rear that knows
him WELL"
"Ordcr him TO the 'front.'"
The couptrynan had not very pre-
possessing counienance. There WAS
bold surliness and cruel expression Of fea-
tures extremely displeasing.
"What is your da,nel Z" said Col. Ii i.
court, in, his quick military manner.
- s"John Clsssen."
edo you know Peter Van Dy Ike Z"
"Very. WELL"
a., "Is that his dwellingr
aYes--,hough since his mothers death
and his, sisters getting married, Il is hard
to say where he keeps himself"
"Does he bear the name OF being
great rebel, and q dangerous man to those
who favor the king in this neighbor-
hood n - s--.,. -
eyes, from the Passaic TO the Hscken-
sack and thirty miles around. II 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 .barps,
they. pluuder, aud carry away the grain
"Wby, you tell bitter story about
him; has he ever injured youi"
:. "InjuIed mel lie and q. parcel Of rob
bars like himself, came one afternoon to
burn N house, and hang me before the
door, which they would have done but
for. the timely arrival Of number OF
,fEjendly neigbbors, well armed. when they
went OF in double quick time.n -
-Does he not venture into New York,
some,imes In disgaiscr inquired the col.
saf'vs heard 80. He was slippery from
q boy up, and disguiscs himself any way.
Hesa precioas scamp, and you'll do a
favor tolthis part Of Jersey, il you hang
him The minute you catch him.
\ This conysrsssion bad been held near
a stone wall, on che other side Of which
'w'-Sst.- Wy. oestDt W. satC bouoiSot tttp
times had ieit un ultiyated, and the goos.
,beFyies and epFract bushes hal grown up
Fsnk apd nntrimnmed and the briars
stretched over. tho walls, lowering III
ground from sight,
Undefthis, and within ten re. Of tic
Col. and CIasseu, IA crouched the very
man they were talking Of. He bad bare
y tune escape frotn the house and conceal
himself upon the approach Of The horse
men, whom he did not then suspect to be
within ten miles Of him. Twice, or thrice
anhssribs fha hsssslies Of Clsssep, he
Bas pn thepoint Of risiag and confront
, ips him.; but little refeciion. WAS >left
and he thought that Vas not. tbe occasion
70 put his I''e IA jeopardy, which he Ger
tailIIy would do. Since the pasty Of troops
had come expressly % take him. = r.
HtDo you know witb aas csptsirty.
0iAssth. he7 long ninces Van 1syke has
been seen In he neighboshools" q
81, have heard he was seen last night
vo rniies from this, ia Q By path tlfOskk