Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-24


. thoughts Of the young patriot, for the,
were too deep for expression. He hearc
! it limited that prisoner had escaped; per
} haps it was Miriam; at any rate he saw
that she was not there; but where wa.
she? Would he ever meet her again?-
Alas! no, for what was TO be his fate? A
shameful death on the gallows, with nc
friend to bear testimony to his bravery
and thus he thought till despair and an
guish filled his soul.
Chapter vi.
| Locked in on all sides by clustering
hills, the front protected from view by a
dense mass of trees and underbrush, was
the place where the tories stored their
plumber. Trees were feled in such a
manner as to hide the rude log building.
and in front the only entrance to the en-.
stc!osure was between two large trees
standing close together, gateway oil
brush in the middle; this was removed
when the signal was given, and persons
might wander close to it without mistrust
Ing there was anything uncommon about
it.
Behind the house, between two hills.
ran small ravine, but so completely was
it filled with stones, fallen trees and all
kinds of instructions one would never
take the trouble to follow it. and watch
was also kept; the tories felt perfectly
secure.
| 1t was miserable place where Henry
Starr found himself about daylight; the
place was crowded with boxes and sacks
of various plumber, while the remaining
lspace was strewn with straw. where the
men slept. Men in greasy ragged clothes
lounged about ready to give an insulting
kick to the miserable rebel, while one ap
parently chief cook and bottle washer
sllef.&he establishHsessts4wa slts-tlissg aboui
| the fire preparing the morning meal.
| Reader, we will not attempt to de-
scribe how that day passed to the young
i aAs; ina.si1ed and 10 be..e
IitaIl with patience and dignity, yet with
in his heart was deep uncomfortable ag.
ony. At last night came on, then the to-
ries busted themselves loading their wag,
ons, and he was left to his own refec-
tons. Hour after hour passed, and still
he remained stretched upon the straw,
thinking of the past and the future. The
past how full of brightness, with the love
If the bright beautiful Miriam. and honor
and glory before him. The future, how
dark, how full of anguish, a shameful
death. Not that he dreaded death, but
10 die thus with none to testify to his firm.
ness, unable to leave one message to her
he loved the thought was agony; and
what wonder then the brave and noble
youth bowed his head and wept?
| suppose you don't feel quite so hope
ful as YOU did while ago, do yon?" spoke
Merwick in taunting tone.
Not very pleasant idea Of being
hung as soon you will be, he added Civ
ing the young man violent kick. Come
get up? | want to fix you ready for start
ing"
The young man arose.
+" Guess you wish now We hadn't Joined
the rebel army; didn't think of this when
ye turned against the king, hal hal"
William Merwick." spoke the young
patriot. despise you and your words.
Know sir, when | enlisted my country
service it was not for paltry gold, or my
life. | knew the perils and dangers to
which | should be exposed. / counted
| the cost, and although | would JOY to live
to see miserable craven towards who
have deserted the cause they once es-
/ poused, driven from this land, am ready
TO die as have lived-true to my coun-
try, with an unblemished nameW
" On! there was world Of bitterest
contempt and scorn in his tone, and the
tories who heard him grew pale with an
ger.
Who do you call traitors and cow
ards, miserable dog?" yelled Merwick.
Can you ask that question:"
Answer me!'
j will answer; you are towards, all
Of you. traitors to your country, desert.
ing her now in time of needp
j. "FoolP Kissed Mer wick; "do you
know you have FASTENED your doom!--
You die this hour, this minute"
g care not"
j I" Care not?' yelled the tory" care not?
you shall beg pardon of these brave men
on your knees!"
Brave men! were they such have no
pardon to ask"
SO you will not?"
"Neverp
Then down with himl' shouted the
tories; hang him, hang himl he has in
suited the kings troops"
Down with him, down with the rebel?'
Hang him to the nearest tree!"
i :" He shall not escape us!" shrieked an
other.
They seized the young patriot rudely,
while rope was noosed and thrown over
the limb of tree; the moon shone down
and revealed faces lit up with demoniac
rage, there was no shrinking, no word Of
i fear; his countenance still wore that same
j look of perfect calmness and pride.
So you will not beg the pardon of
these soldiers, sirP spoke Merwick.
You have had your answer
Then attend to your business ex-
claimed the tory to the two who held the