The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-11-21
he woods, coming in the direction of his

"Fhat is,the information l received,
aud am determined to capture him SOON
er later. fyou can point out his where
abouts, or arrest him yourself, you shall
have reward Of fifty guiueas."
5 Classen was as ayaricious and fond of
money as he was wicked. Fifty guineas
was a large sum indeed, particularly in
those days when gold was. rarely seen.
II will catch him, Colonel, before he is
three days older; l know one of his
haunts." -. -. -. 81. ;. :,
"Why not lead us there, then Z"
ut would be Of no use this,etine Of
day. Besides he MAY not ,bs there for a
day or twb,, and Ishall have to be eau.
tious in looking out for him."
"Well, secure him, and the fifty guineas
shall be yours" "- rs.. -.sa
Sevetal or the. soldiers now came from
the house, aud stated that they had
searched it from top to bottom, but found
no one; although from appearances, some
one had been there recently. The Colo
mel, followed by Classen, passed on to the
house, while the fugitive lay quietly in his
concealmenk .-
1t was plain framed house Of middle
size, built partly Of stone in the old Dutcl,
style, and very comfortably Within
There was but little furniture-a few Ia
bles, cbai.s aud cooking utensils. The
better part Clsssen said, had been taken
away on the occasion of Van, Dykes sis
ter's marriage, year before, as her part.
"Here is great coat, sir" said nne OF
the soldiers, THAT was found on the floor
of the kitchen. near the back door, l,
must have been dropped in hurry"
Feel If there are any papers in the
pockets" said Col. Hulcourt. ..
"Yes, sir, there is bundle of 'em."
TIE Colonel took the package, looked
at the supescription, broke the seal, and
going to the window commenced reading
them to himself with countenance OF
surprise.
$50, so---here ia q lea Of our trvoIss,
and their numbers IN and around the city,
At Elizabethtown and Newark, one thou.
sand. Gen. Clinton leaves soon for Char.
lesion with five, thousand. Why, these
documents are indeed of importanee.rr-
Who can play the spy so thoroughly in
our campl This is the most dangerous
character 10 be. abroad. Men," he said
aloud, "and you, CIassen, search every
hole and see if any m, re papers can be
found"
Nothing could give Classen greater de-
light than this order. Curiosity and 9th
er reasons had LONG urged him to enter
the house during Van Dyk yke's absence for
that very purpose; but the dread that
Van Dyke night return while he was thus
engaged, had heretofore prevented him
from undertaking it. He was now arm
cd With proper authority and protee-
ted. =. =. ...s., -. .
What he found or discovered, he did
not report " Col. Hslcourt, but made the
same reply as the soldiers, that nothing
Of importance could be found. "Very
we'll we will now leave the place and re-
turn to toqusrters at Powle's Hood. Hodge
son, place some dry wood in the middle
Of this room, and when give the word
apply the match"
"What Are you going to burn the
willows, ColonelI" said Classen, his face
gle ,mipg with satisfaction.
ayes, / will burn the nest OF this rebel
carrion bird. II is we'll he is not within
my reach or he would swing for it. One
such fellow, with his secret spying and
finding out, is Of more injury TO Us than
q regiment Of rebels in an open field"
Little did the British com. nander i'm
agipe the young man was then almost
within sound Of his voice. Gs
"To horse, men, all except Hodgeson."
BY this time Classen and the Colonel had
approached within hearing OF Van Dyke
when he halted with his troopers,
"Now, Hodgeson, apply the match
mount and fsll in" =
II was with anguish Van Dyke heard
the order, from his hiding place. The
Willows, as the farm house was called,
had been the birth. place Of his ancestors,
and there he had passed all, his life. But
what could he dot Nothing. -.
Presently q thick black smoke arose
and burst from each door and window
This was followed by brilliant flame,
that shet far into the, ,sky, and the crack
ling Of the well.seasoned timber, dry with
centary's preparation, coad be heard at
q great distance. -
There will be one rebel shelter less to-
night It isa pity they were not all burn
ed down then tho king would hayemore
friends this side Of the water. These re.
bells are like .dogs--a, good whipping
makes them better natured. The house
is nearly consumed, Tor tbs embers are
beginning TO fy before tie eyonlng breeze.
BY files, 10 The right face, tfotn And
ne horse wheeled into the road.
aFifty guineas, you say, Colonel, II I
take Van Dyke I" asked Classen again.
ayes, any Riiipeas.v -, -
'sTbeu / viii leave you here and keep
a watch aroand. He may return here
before 4 great while Where shall you
"Atths Oaks, Eve miles of, snd stop
for an hour of ts1 Coz q afossge paEtysly II
Anything saoald ottar &iIhin that time.
yoa knows shergte ndmap- Thesofii.
cers and troops rode away.
Classeulibgsrsd around, and gradually