Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-07-23

waldo and Montague, sprlnging to their feet.
= But the other men--you have not called
them out"
/" know it, and cannot do it. They are
needed here. Lead the way, and if we cannot
drive off the cursed demons it 'sl be time
enough to call upon the men in the house "
With quickened steps, Waldo and Montague
followed heir guide to the scene of action. but
when they reached it, they found it occupied by
friends instead of foes
You ale here before US, said Waldo, as he
approached man who was the commander of
some fifteen mounted men.
Yes, and just in time to save our friend and
his son here, from being massacred."
"Do you think there will be an attack to-
night! ="
IL am unable to say. However, think it is
a return home. We are going into Easton, and
if you like, you can keep us company.
Acting upon this advice, the men determined
to remain with the company until they reached
EastoE, and in few moments they were in mo-
,ion. They had proceeded but a short distance,
when, upon slight eminence before them, "a COM
pany of some thirty men came in sight
"Halt!" was the peremptory order of the
leader as he neared them What Company is
that!"
Having no particular name for it, am un-
able to say"
Your own name then
4 "Brown."
care you Flee-State MANI"
81 am"
Then command you to surrender
by what authority
NJ inc, as Captain of the Kicapoo Rangers. +"
"You have no power to arrest me, and re-
fuse to surrender" said Captain Brown.
take that, them" exclaimed the Captain
of The Rangers, ordering his men TO fire.
A voley whisiled past the little band Of
Free-State men, but fortunately did no harm.
Fire " said Captain Brown, turning to his
men.
>
whether with effect, they were unable to tell
Several vo leys we're now in,erchaEeed, when
the Rangers, operated upon by fear, or some
other emotion equally potent, showed theil
prowess by precipitalely retrea,ing into the ten
antless houses near by. Once with the walls
J.. of bu ildng between them and danger, sho
+, a fter shot was fred from the windows upon tht
company of Captain Brown. A board partition
seemed to endow the Kicapoo Rangers with in
!, domini,able courage, and they kept up an inces
o sant firing.
. "My men are too much exposed to stand
. here, said Captain Brown, turning to v aldo
> who was standing near him.
= That is my opinion. If the contemplate
towards would only give US fair chance,
" won d not ask for any thing 10 shelter me. A
it is, had you not better order your men int
/, some of these deserted houses here!"
"Thank you for the suggestion. will d
70 so at once though it looks very much lik
m showing the white feather"
6 81 know it; but when we are among Roman,
~ we mus. do as Romans do. and as our enemie
III have seen fit to protect themselves, il does NJ
become our duty to stand hcN as target fo
H. their guns
Certainly not wonder they have nj
killed some of us ere this"
" The darkness prevents their taking aim."
nd Captain Brown ordered his men into hous
No near them, and as they entered shower of bal
be whislled around their heads bury ing ,hemselvs
in the logs.
so '.Are any of your men hit'" asked Waldo
r u. "One only. He has been wounded ,wic
mr. though not dangerously"
hit The ballot box at this period had been +
ok moved TO place of safety. Captain Brow
,,e knowing that it would be comparatively usele
in for him. to remain longer, accompanied by seve
of his men, started for home. Thus, for Tim
on ended the contest.
nix They had proceeded some distance from Ea
cir ton when ahead Of them IN the road they we
pursuing, they saw wagon loaded with m,
approaching. The first thought that crossed II
ate mind of Captain Brown was, that they were
es party of Pro-Slavety men who were on tn,
way TO Easion, ba, as the wagon passed
inc eav ing them unmoested, he said nothing of /
. suspicious TO the rest of the company. Hard
however, had they passed, when sudden be
, of n the road revealed TO their gaze two me
,al wagons loaded with men, while in their r,
in was body OF horsemen, The eye of Capts
,ers Brown Immediately detected among these ,
men Kicapoo Rangers who had attacked him sh
time previous
lin "Now,' said Captain Brown, speaking to
viii men in a low tone. IL is life or death with
They outH lumber US three to one, but let US
like men, rather than to fall into their clu,che.
ody "Captain Brown.' said one of The men -
en- long as there was the possibility Of victo
,uld we fought at Easlon but it is madness
B.- seven of us to oppose the body before US.
1 on my own part, prefer to surrender and trus
r ri their clemency"
the !" We have killed one of their men, and Il
fact will hang us like Dogs
eed. /" Our chances OF life, if we surrender,
ly better than they would be if taken while fig
9 an ing them said another Of the men.
rec 81 Be il so then would not draw you
with needless danger, but it seems 10 me that thi