The Placer herald., 1857-01-17

command Of Col Vrooman-a man who
although an earnest patriot was certainly an
inefficient officer. The enemy, probably aware
of the smallness of the garrison, scattered bis
forcd into small parties, each of which attack
ed and plundered the houses Of the settlers
within sight and almost within range of the
fortress--killing and making prisoners of
such of the inmates as had not precipitatelv
fed at the first alarm. Harper endeavored
to Get Col. Nrooman to sally out, make a
dash. and cut off some of the parties who
were nearest the garrison, but in vain The
officers prudence overbaanced his energy,
and Harper determined to 60 TO Albany for
aid and assistance. For this purpose he
watched his opportunity, stole through and
beyond the enemy, mounted his hor and
started upon his perilous journey Uncon-
scious that his movement was discovered, he
rode till he came late in the evening at an
inn at Fox's Creek, where he determined
to stop and rest till morning, notwithstand
ING the landlord was tory or suspicioned
Of being that way inclined, although profess
sing whig principles. After taking some
refreshments and seeing that his horse was
room. which was iu the second story, imme-
dately over the bar-room in theinn. While
pre- pairing for bed, he reflected that danger
might lurk under the guise Of friendship as
sumed by the landlord, and he determined
to be prepared for an emergency. lie there
fore only removed his coat vest and boots
and LAYING his sword and pistols upon a table
near to his hand, threw himself upon the
bed to get what rest he might. Sleep was
gently wooing him to her embrace when he
thought he heard voices below. In Il mo-
ment he was fully awake, listening to a con
versation going on between the landlord and
new arrival. From the faint and broken
sentences he was enabled to catch, he gather
ed the information that his fight had been
discovered, and his pursucrs-now in the
house---bent upon his capture or destruction.
With as little noise as possible he arose from
his bed, grasped his pistols and awaited the
current of events. In few moments he
heard the steallhy steps Of several individu-
ais coming up the stairs and approaching
his chamber.
Arrived at the door, whispered consulta-
tion was held, the pulport of which he could
not catch, but the result Of which was made
evident by three or four rapid and heavy
blows on the door, which burst it open, and
shovel him the persons Of his enemies in
two white men and an Indian, besides the
landlord who brought up the rear of the
party with light in bis hand, which, held
aloft. exhibited sight they were not pre-
pared to behold. This was nothing less than
tne Colonel standing in the middle Of the
floor with pistol in each hand the muzzIes
Of which were presented at their heads, in
rather too close proximity thereto to be
agreeable. In 4 commanding voice he de-
manded to know their ewand, which not
being answered, he informed them that the
first person who stepped his foot over the
threshold was 4 dead man. Overawed by
his GOODNESS and courage, and not prepared
to meet resistance where they had expected
an easy conquest, they hesilated; and the
leading tory, who had advanced one step in
the room, drew back in dismay, which the
Colonel took ADVANTAGE of to close the door
in his face and tasten it by placing a chair
under the latch The landlord, taking coun-
sci of his fears, urged a renquishment of
the design aAd the others, not over anxious
to encounter a man so well armed as their
opponent-whose capture would have cost
at least two Of them their lives-coincided
with his views, and the whole party withdrew
to the bar room and left Harper to his rest.
Throwing himself into the chair Which was
braced against the door, he dozed in tiful
maps until the first tinge of the coming day
showed itself in the east, when ne dressed
himself, resumed his arms and marched bold
" down stairs, went out to the stable, sad
died his horse, and took his departure, all Of
which he was permitted to do without moles
tation. He had not ridden far on his Jour
ney, however, before he was conscious of
being followed and he reined up his steed to
meet bis pulsucr. In moment or two after
he did so, he discovered an Indian. mounted
like himself, in the road he had passed over,
who as soon as he saw lie was discovered;
turned back and disappeared. This occurred
several times before he reached Albany;
but his determined and fearless demeanor
deferred the savage from attempting any
thing, and he reached the city in safety.
The state of affairs was communicated to
Col Gansevoort, who despatched squadron
of cavalry to the assistance Of the inhabi
tants of the devoted settlements. At the
head of the detachment, Col. Harper started
on his return. BY riding hard all night they
reached the settlements early the next morn
ing, and were in time to make a spirited
charge upon the enemy, which had the effect
to cut them up and di-perse them, with the
loss OF several of their number killed and
wounded
Cpo ra. Catcher