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

HAN ALLEN In
Among the episodes of the Revolutionary
war none is more strange than that Of the
queer genius, Ethan Allen. In England, the
event and the man being equally uncommon,
Allen seemed to have been a curious combi-
nation of Hercules, Joe Miller, Bayard,
and a Tom Hycr. He had person like the
Belgian giant, mountain music like Swiss,
aud heart plump as Ceur de Lions
Though born in New England, he exhibited
no traces of her character, except that his
heart beat wildly for his country's freedom
lie was frank, bluff, companionable as har-
vest.
For the most part, Aliens manner while in
England was scornful and ferocious in the last
degree, although qualified at times by heroic
sort of leyity. Aside from the inevitable eg-
otism relatively pertaining to pinetrees, spires
and giants, there were, perhaps, two special,
Incidental reasons for the Titanic Vcrmonter's
singular demeanor abroad. Taken captive
while heading forlorn hope before Montreal,
he was treated with ineycusable cruelty and
indignity. Immediately upon his capture, he
would have been deliberately suffered to have
been butchered by the Indian allies in cold
blood upon the spot had he not with desperate
intrepidity availed himself of his enormous
physical strength by twitching British officer
and using him for target, whirling him
round and round against the murderous toma-
hawks of the savages. Shortly afterwards,
led into the town fenced about with bayonets
of fhe guard, the commander of the enemy,
one Col. McCloud, flourished his cane over
4 ,r;tI
ing him rebels halter at Tyburn. During
his passage to England in the same ship wher-
in went passenger Col Guy Johnson, the i'm
placable Tory, he was kept heavily ironed in
the hold, and in all respects was treated like
q mutineer; or it may be, rather as lion of
Asia, which, though Gagged, was too dreadful to
behold without fear and trembling, and conse
quent cruelty. And, no wonder, at least, for
on one occasion, when chained hand and foot,
he was insulted by officer, with his teeth
he twisted off the nail that went through the
mortise of his hand-cuffs, and having his
arms at liberty, challenged the insulter to NOR
tai combat. Often when at Pendennis Castle,
when no other revengement was at hand, he
would hurl on his foes such bowling tempest
ofanathemas as fairly shook them into retreat.
Prompted by somewhat similar motives both
on shipboard and in England, he would often
make the most rociferous illusions to Ticon-
derago, and the part he played in its capture,
well knowing that of all the American names
Ticonderoga was, at that period, by far the
most famous and CALLING to Englishmen.
Israel Potter, an exile American, while
strolling around Pcndennis Castle, where Allen
was confined, chanced to hear him in one of
his out bursts of indignation and madness, of
which the following is specimen:
'sBrag no more, old England consider that
you are only an island Order back your
broken battalions, and repent in ashes. Long
enough have you hired tories across the sea,
forgotten the Lord their God, and bowed
down to Howe and Kniphausen-the Hessian!
Hands off, redskinned jackalli Wearing the
Kings plate, as do, (Ineaning, probably,
certain manacles,) have treasures of wrath
against you British.'
Then came clanking, as Of chains; many
vengefui sounds, all confusediy together
Then again the voice.
"fe brought me out here, from my dun
geon, to this green, affrsnting yon Sabbath
Soh3 w oN~ h-O" d IeOGl looks. Dut III SHOW
you how true gentleman and christian can
conduct in adversely. Back, dogs respect a
gentleman and christian, though he be in
rags and smell of bilgewater, Yes, shine on,
glorious sun! ssTis the same that warns the
hearts Ofmy Green Mountain boys, and lights
up with its rays the golden hills of Vermont y,
Filled with astonishment at these words
which came from over massive wall, inclu-
ding what seemed an open parade space, Isra-
el pressed forward, and soon came to black
archway leading far within, underneath, to
grassy tract, through O tower. Like two
boar's tusks two sentries stood on guard at
either side of the open jaws of the arch
Scrutinizing our adventurer moment, they
signed him to enter.
Arriving at the end OF the arched way