Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1857-10-29
CHAPTER vi.
THE FINALE.


The noise of barring doors and securing
the first story windows of the dwelling was
heard for few moments after the arrival
of the Americans in front of the house,
and then all relapsed into silence. The
men of Marion had dismounted and sur
rounded the house, but the shade of the
night was so gloomy where Bodman, Steel
and Mary stood, that they remained undis-
covered by either friend or foe.
Ben Brady, the scout, still crouched be-
hind the log, with the muzzle of the gun
directed towards the window out of which
he had escaped, within the room of which
the light was still burning.
Suddenly the moon was covered by
cloud, and darkness rested like pail upon
everything around Then the voice of
Brady rose gradually on the air, as he ex-
claimed:
Hist, Bodman-come this way, and
bring the girl and her father with you
Quick, as the moon will soon be out again
Bodman grasped Mary by the arm, and
gllded from the shade of the house, but
had scarcely proceeded twenty steps when
the muzzles of two carbines were thrust
out of the window and pointed toward them
in the gloom, while the dusky figures of
the troopers who held them were plainly
discernible within the apartment
The rifle of Brady was raised in the
twinkling of an eye, and the three pieces
belched forth their contents together A
wild shrek instantly rang upon the air, and
that voice of agony was recognized by every
rebel soldier as belonging to Mary Steel
There was an instant of death-like silence,
again broken by the walls of the wounded
girl, but this time they were drowned by
the yells of vengeance which burst from
the lips of Marion's men, as, like SO many
bloodhounds, they rushed to the assault.
Spare not man ? shouted well-known
musical voice, rising high above the din
and tumult of the conflict. Death to our
oppressorsp
Down with the British-onp
And the sound of heavy blows falling
upon every door, was mingled with the
sharp crack of rifles and the curses of the
combatants, as the assault progressed.
In the midst Of the conflict. and ere an
entrance had been gained, Harry Bodman,
followed BY Ben Brady, suddenly appear
ed before Marion
A dozen of men" said the youth
hoarsely
For WHAT
There is an unguarded way into the
cellar by the spring-house.'
A shout from Marion brought the reaui-
site number of men around him and they
followed Bodman and Brady to the place of
entrance. A narrow passage led from the
spring-house to the cellar, and in a few
minutes the party stood within the build
ing. 1t was the work of but an instant
for Bodman to find the stairs, up which
they carefully ascended to the cellar; it
was not fastened, and passing through it
they stood in the hall which led to the
outer door of the building. 1t was as
dark as pitch, and they could not discover
man, but could hear the steps of several
besides themselves near the end of the hall.
where crash after crash came against the
door, fairly making every thing creak as
the heavy blows descended to the panels.
Follow me up stairs, muttered Bodman
IN low tone; and silently they groped
their way to the second story.
AS they reached the top of the stairs,
the light shone out from the room where
the carbines had been discharged. and they
hurried to the door Five troopers stood
prepared for conflict within the apartment.
while two dead bodies lay stiff upon the
floor
To discharge volley into the room
which killed every trooper, was the work
OF moment, and then rushing forward,
Brady thrust a candle into the window.
and uttered loud well-known shout. 1t
was answered by twenty men, and in few
moments several of Marion's men had
mounted the ladder into the room.
Inc remainder of the contest was of
snort duration. The British fell to q man.
while scarcely an American suffered n tbe
strife ~ 'ii0
The wound received by Mary Stea,
turned out not to be mortal and shor,I,
after her recovery, which happened snbee.
quent to the attack, she became the Wiz
OF Harry Bodman and for many wears af.
terwards, two old tin panniers, surmounted
by black cap, could be seen upon the
mantel piece Of their front room-being
the same carried on that memorable even.
ing by the REBEL PEDLER.
99-W. n Snyder, formerly of this place,
has been indicted for libel, in furnishing the