Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-06-18

where the sun shone, Israel stood transfxed
at the scene.
Like some baited bull in the ring, crouched
! the gigantic captive, handcuffcd as before
the grass of the green trampled and gored up
all about him, both by his own movements
and those of the people around. Except some
soldiers and sailors, these seemed mostly
towns people, collected here out of curiosity
The stranger was outlandishly arrayed in the
sorry remains of q half-Indian, half-C canadian
sort of dress, consisting of a fawn skin jacket
| the fur out side and hanging in rugged tufts
| "A half rotten bark like belt Of wampum !;
| aged breeches of sagathy the darned worsted
stockings reaching to the knee; old mocca-
sins, riddled with holes, their metal tags yell
low with salt water rust faded red woollen
bonnet, not unlike Russian night cap, or a
portentous ensanguined full moon, all soiled
and stuck about with half rotten straw un-
shaven beard, matted and profuse as q corn
field beaten down by hail-stones. His whole
marred aspect was that of a wild beast, but
royal sort, and unsubdued by the cage.
HAye, stare stare thou but last night
dragged me out Of ships hold like smut
ty tierce, and this morning out of your litter
ed barracks there like a murderer for all that
you may we'll stare at Ethan Ticonderoga Al
len, the conquered soldier by, You Turks
never saw o christian before. Stare on! /
am he who, wheE your Lord Howe wanted to
bribe patriot to fall down and worship him
by an offer of a major generalship, and five
thousand acres of choice land in old Vermont
-ha three times three for glorious Vermont
and the Green Mountain boys hurrah hurrah!
hurrah IL he, say, who answered your
Lord Howe: You, you offer our land 'You
like the devil in Scripture, offering all
the kingdoms in the world, when the cursed
soul had not corner lot on earthi' Stare on,
I say -
"Look, you rebel you, you had best heed
how you talk against General Lord Howe,
here - said q thin, wasp wasted, epauletted
officer Of the castle, coming near and flourish
ing his sword about him hke schoolmaster's
ferruie.
ssGeneral Lord Howe Heed how 1 talk of
that toad hearted kings lick-spittle Of pol
troon the viiest wriggler IN Gods worm home
below. tell YOU the hordes of rcd-haired
devils impatiently shouting to ladle Lord
Howe with his gang-you included-into the
scethingest syrups of Tophet's hottest fames.''
At this blast the wasp-waisted officer was
blown backwards as from the suddenly burst
head of q steam boiler. Staggering away with
snapped spine, he muttered something about
its being beneath his dignity TO handy forth
words with low lived rebel.
"Come, come, Colonel Allen" here said
mild looking man, in a sort of clerical undress,
''respect the day better than to talk thus of
what lies beyond. Were You to die this hour,
what is most probable, be hung next week
at Tower wharf, you know not what IN ight be-
come of yourself.''
ssReverend sir,'' said Allen, with a mocking
bow, s'when no better employed than braiding
my beard, 1 have dabbled little in your the
ologies. And let me tell you, reverend sIr,''
lowering and intensifying his voice, ssthat as
to the world of spirits of which you hint, tho
l know nothing of the mode or manner of that
world, no more than you do, yet l expect,
when / arrive there, to be treated any other
gentleman of my merit. This is to say, far
better than you British know how 20 treat an
tured in honorable war, by Every one
tells me, as yourself just told me, as crossing
the sea, every billow dinned in my ear-that 1
Ethan Allen, am to be hung like thief. If
am, the Great Jehovah and the Continental
Congress shall ayenge me, while 1, for my part,
will show you, even on the tree, how q chris
tian gentleman can die. Meantime, sir, if you
are the clergyman you look, act your consoli-
itary function by getting an unfortunate Chris
tian gentleman, about to die,a glass of punch.'
The good natured stranger, not to have his
religious courtesy appealed to in vain, imme-
diately dispatched his servant, who stood by,
to procure the beverage.
At this juncture feint rustling sound, as if
the advancing of an army with banners, was
heard. Silks, scarfs, and ribbons fluttered in
the background. Presently a bright squad
ron of bright ladies drew nigh, escorted by
certain out-riding gallants Of Falmouth.
'sAh,' said strange voice, "what a strange
sash, and furred vest, and what leopard-like
teeth, and what flaxened hair, but all mildew-
ed is that he 20
eyes, it is, lovely charmer," said Allen, like
an Ottoman, bowling over his broad bovine and
breathing the words out like a lutte ssit is he
Ethan Allen, the soldiers now, since ladies'
eyes visit him, made trebly captive.''
ssWhy, he talks like beau in the parlor-
this wild-mossed American from the wood"
sighed another fair lady to her mate 'sbut
can this be he we came to sec? l must have
lock of his hair"
nit ia he adorable Delilah. and fear not
though excited by the foe, by clipping my lock