Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-12-29
cHAFTERL.


not find. Then he looked up and down the dark
stream, over which the shadows of night were fast
settling, and remounting bis horse, rode him into
! the water, and SWAN him across to the opposltc
shore. On reaching the right bank of the river, he
! again urged his weary beast forward through a
! gloomy wood-where night had already spread her
Plutonian pail, and solemn, awful silence brood'
ed, disturbed only by the dsmalhowl Of the prowl-
! ing wolf, or the hideous screech of the ominou-
! owl-and in fifteen minutes more he gained an
! opening, and drew rein at the door of an humble
log hut, through whose crevices a faint light gim-
| mered Throwing the reins upon the neck of his
dropping beast, and tightly grasping tis rifle, be
dismounted quickly, and tapped lightly on the slab
door.
Who's there?' demanded a voice from within,
with the information peculiar to the natives of New
England
Eden stanforth,' was the reply of the horses
man.
Almost instantly the door was thrown open, and
EXPLANATIONS OF pleasure broke from TWO of the four
! persons present.
These four persons consisted of a tall, large,
strong, bard featured, muscular man. of middle age
! "a small, pale, sharp featured thin Tipped woman
! OF forty-a long, lank, awkward youth of twenty,
with pocked face, haxen hair, light blue eyes, and
ireckled skin-and a plCmp, fair, brown haired,
! hazel eyed, cOmely maiden of nineteen.
Why, Eden Staniorth, be you back Already
WHO on earth thought of seeing you here TO uight?
said the elderly female who had opened the door,
! which she stil held with one hand while with the
! other she took the hand of the young horseman.
For young he was and handsome, possessing a
fine manly form, in the full flush and vigor of early
manhood, with an open, frank, honest, intelligent
countenance, eve clear, bright and expressive,
and with waving locks rolling back from broad,
| high, smooth forehead, aud clustering around
! heathy-hued cheeks and temple.
Il hoped to surprise you, aunt he said quickly,
as he pushed in and closed the door; for had
failed ia doing so, fear you would soon have res
ceved a surprise Of more terrible nature
Mercy on us, what's bappened?' cried the aunt
in alarm, while the others held their breaths TO lis
ten to the reply.
First, said Eden Stanforth, 30 you know that
war has been declared between our country and
Great Britailg
MOP exclaimed the uncle Of the Young messan-
ger, starting up from his seat Is such the iaci?'
Such is the fact pursued Eden hurriedly: war
was formally proclaimed by our government against
Great Britain on the eighteenth of last June
though it is said that when the imbece, treacher-
Gus, and cowardly old Hull marched through here,
on the last OF the same month, he did not know
it,
Eden, what do you mean, by speaking in such
disrespectfu terms of General Hull!' inquired the
brother of the young mans father.
Would that my words were daggers, to let out
HIS hearts blood cried len, fercely 'Oil woe
the day that such man was appointed to CON.
maud such gallant band as be has basely betrayed
aud sacriicedP
Eden, speak, expain!' demanded the uncle, who
was a of few words.
He has surrendered Detroit, his army, and ell
the forts garrisons, and military stores within his
jurisdiction, into the hands of the British, without
so much as permitting single blow to be struck
in deiencel'
You don't tell me sor exclaimed the elder Stan
forth, turning slightly pale, aud invOlunIarily
clenching his hand.
Mercy on us!' cried Mrs Sanlorth, clasping her
hands in alarm, 'whatl this 90 to US, Eieng'
Put US TO fight, aunt, to save our livesi' cried
the young man, excitedly. The horde Of Indians
collected under the leadership OF Tecumseh, hav-
ing nov no check at the North, will soon be upon
these defenceless borders to slaughter pillage snd
burn, and lay waste the cOuntry-even now | fear
they on their way hther'
This lie, indeed, startling news!' said the uncle
musingy: war declared aud Hull.srrendered!-
Eden, you hav'nt made any mistaken
NO, uncle-no mistake-ioT even | was one Of
the parties surrendered
You, Eden-you?'
yes, uncle
Tell me all about it as quick as you cant said
the uncle.
4 must be very brief. then, uncle, replied + Zen,
for have not yet been home Here, Peleg,' be
continued, turning to the young man before men
toned, who, with blanehed featHFes, open mouth
dated eyes, and trembling limbs, stood listening
TO every word, and looking from ore to the other,
in terror: here run over to our house. aud tell the
news and set them at making preparations to leave
at Once-say viii be with them in a few minutes
'I-I-don't want to-, said Peleg shrinking back
aud looking fearfully around him. ia rather not
Are you afraid TO go?' said Eden
No, amt replied PeIeg, but don, see no
use in going, when you're going right along your,
self
You are afraid, Peleg, so do not deay H. ex
claimed Mabel, catching up Sun bonnet, and putt
ting il upon her head. Il will go, Eden
No, no. Mabel cried the young man, taking
hold Of her. you shall not 20. will 90 myself in
few minutes, and Peieg White can remain, to
boast some other day what be would have done
had be ever been placed in situation Of peril -
And then he added in a lower tone, and one that
brought deeper blush 10 the cheeks OF the brave
girl: Mabel, your life is TOO precious 10 be ri,ked
without absolute necessity. Hasten TO prepare ev
erythng for our voyage TOE aunt Is so nervous that
We cannot depend upon her forsthought l must
explain this matter to uncle before 90 home for
you know how slow he is TO act until ythng is
understood
Saying this, Z len turned from Mabel Duncan to
his kinsmsn and resumed.
i was about to tell you, uncle, Of Tuii's dis
graceful surrender. On visiting nstroii, soaIe ten
days ago, with Macy and walofidge With the in-
teniiou, ss you know Of locating some lands on
branch OF the Huron River. we learned with sur.
prise that hostilitiss had actually commenced be.
the United States and Great Britain: snd that
Hull had just returned from canada with his army
where he had thrown away some coed opportunities
OF conquest; and that il was expected as be had
not attacked and destroyed Maiden, the British
would shortly attack Detroit You know, uncle,
have always had some strong military predilec,ons
a=d the moment heard there was ikely 70 be
fight within a reasonable time. in which could
participate, resolved % attach myself as tempo
rary volunteer TO the company Of Capt Wilson,
with whom had some slight acquaintance
Well, to be brief ths.snemy sooa appeared in
force, erected batteries. demanded the surrender
OF the tort and being refused. began bombsrd
ment, which they confaned ~ oae night with
little effect The next day, thfcngh The sheer care
lessRess and neglect Of nBlE tbey elEeesed land
ing. add we're marching up 70 attack us-abd We.
10 glorious anticipation Of victory. we're esgerly
waiting the signal 10 segln sas work Of chastise-
meBs--Wheu, 20 our utter anabemeni. ehagrin snd
Indignation. We we're oFdfrca to stack our sFms
spd prepare 20 Surrender oafselsss psiaOners Of
war
What without aslHg suas' erisa shs uncle in
astouishment
Yes, snels. wilhoui ere sinsis solitary discharge
Of eur rifles and Inaakefs
sThe 90 scouadfsW esciaimed he saois.
he deserves Aangingr cfisa ths yoane nan.
Is be traitor oF coward. E3fnF
'Both. thint' Oh. nncie, isst lsneg sha isei-
inss of ne brave Afnesisan soifsra a being lhas
bsselg deprived o. shs uss q EhsiF arms. 81 their
oan 6enerGl, aud sgsfen1sr4d 1sss6ffe4 IL ar 70
=. e. 81 - A.. 49,
The fnan's mad. e. sssa us'rs esa : sacssssfsi
Benedict Arnold asnonn as ..,1f "a. askSg tfIau