Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-27

aud putting it upon hor head. 81 will go
Eden"
mo, no, Mabel" cried the young man
taking hold Of her, "you shall not 60. / Wal
60 myself in few min utes, and Peleg Wmte
| can remain to boast some other day OF wha,
he would have done had he ever been placed
| in a situation of PERIL" And then be added, IN
a lower tone, and one that brought deeper
blush to the cheeks of the brave girl: mabel,
| your life is too precious 10 be risked without
absolute necessity. Hasten to prepare every
! thing for our voyage, for aunt is so nervous
| that we cannot depend upon her forethought.
| L must explain this matter to uncle before
! 60 home, for you know how slow he Is TO act
| till everything is understood
| Saying this, Eden turned from Mabel Dun
can to his kinsman, and resumed
al was about to tell you, uncle, os HULA
disgraceful surrender. On visiting Detroit,
some ten days ago, with Macy and Walbridge,
with the intention, you know, of locating
some lands on branch Of the Huron river, we
| learned with surprise that hostilities had actu
ally commenced between the United States
| and Great Britain, and that Hull had jus. re-
turned from Canada with his army, where he
had thrown away some good opportunities of
conquest; and that it was expected, as he had
not attacked and destroyed Maiden. the Brit
ish would shortly attack Detroit. You know,
uncle, / have always had some strong military
predictions, and tho moment heard there
was likely to be fight within reasonable
time, in which could participate, resolved
to attach myself as a temporary volunteer to
the company of Captain Wilson, with whom l
had some slight acquaintance
"Well, to be brief, the enemy soon ap
peared in force, erected batteries, demanded
the surrender of the fort, and being refused,
began bOmbardment, which they continued
all one night, with little effect. The next day,
through the sheer carelessness and neglect of
Hull they effected landing, and were
marching up 10 attack us-and We, in glorious
anticipation Of victory, were eagerly waiting
the signal 10 begin the work of chastisement-
when, to our utter amazemen., chagrin and
Indignation, we were ordered to stack our
arms, and prepare to surrender ourselves pris-
oners of war"
"What! without firing gun'' cried the
uncle, in astonishment
eyes, uncle, without one single, solitary
discharge Of our rifles and muskets!"
4" The old sc1undrel!" exclaimed the uncle.
"He deserves hanging 10 cried the young
man.
Is he traitor, or coward, Eden p
Both, think! Oh, uncle, just fancy the
feelings of the brave American soldiers at be-
ing thus basely deprived of their arms, by
their own General, and surrendered prisoners
Of war to fee they could easily have con-
quered :"
THE mans mad, or else we've got a sue
cesaful Benedict Arnold among US said the
other. L" How did you get away, Eden ?"
- The British General gave the volunteers
liberty return home, but took old Hull and
tho regulars over to Canada. As soon as got
permission To leave l made z search for my
horse, which found in the possession of an or
derby sergeant, who returned him to me for a
small compensation. 1 then bought back my
rife, mounted my beast, and here am, hap
PLY il timo to give you all warning OF dan
ger"
q This isn't safe place, Just now, that a
fact, said the uncle, with serious shake of
his head.
There is danger, uncle, go which way we
may; but it struck ne We should be safer on
the river ana lake, in our barge, than in jour
neyIDg through the forest, which L have rea-
son TO believe will soon be swarming with In
dians, If indeed il is not al this moment We
will endcavor to reach some American settle
ment, further TO the eastward, along the south
ern shore Of the Iake-but even if compelled
to take refuge under British flag, it will be
far better than falling into the hands Of the
savages."
''And our horses, cattle, hogs and sheep
what Of them ?" queried the uncle seriously
We shall have to leave them to the tender
mercieS of the Wild beasts and savages," an
swered Eden, with sigh; " if we can even
save cur household goods and ourselves it is
all We can hope to DO at present"
/" You're right, Eden" pursued the uncle,
in tone of decision, addressing his young
kinsman; "you' re right and there's no help
for it. It'il certainly be best for US to take to
the barge and drop down into Lake Erie. Now
hasten to get your father, mother and sisters
ready for the voyage. Come, ESther-cOme, Po-
leg come, Mabel-let's set TO work at once"
Il will soon rejoin yOU," said Eden.
And hurryiBg out he mounted his horse,
and rode quickly away.