Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-01-22

tracing their steps to Johnstown, took up
their quarters at the old hall, which was
the homestead of Sir John.
Here the frc figure and handsome
face Of Thomas Sammons attracted the
attention of Sir Johns daughter, a young
lady so gentle and amiable, that it was a
matter of surprise how she could have
been born of such father. She imme-
d!ately contrived a plan for his escape !;
interceding, with all the eloquence and
persuasion Of which she was mistress, on
behalf of two or three persons to whom
she had formerly been under obligations
for safe conduct, and finally obtaining an
order for their release she managed to
smuggle Thomas Sammons in among
them, and with kind words and look
which stirred new and strange emotions
i'll her heart, he was permitted to return.
The next morning old Mr.. Sammons
requested an interview with the COM
mander, when he reproached him for his
treacherous conduct, briefly reviewed the
various acts of kindness which had been
bestowed in the past, and asked if thi.
was fitting return. His rcmonstrances
produced such an effect that an order foi
his release was signed, but all effort OF
behalf of his sons proved unavailing.
Jacob and Frederick were therefore
taken to the fortress Of Chamblee, jus
within Canada, between Lake ChampL.il
and the St. Lawrence.
At that post there were about sevent,
prisoners, and not very strong garri
son ; so that the first thing to which th'
young Sammons made up their mind
was an escape. Finding, however, thei
fellow-captives indisPosedto to do anythin!
for themselves, Jacob and Frederick de
termined to act without the rest; ant
accordingly, the first time they wer
taken out Of the fort together, to ASST:
in some common service, they sprun
from the ranks, at a concerted sigma
and put" as the phrase is in the Yves
The guards, startled, and less feet
foot, could not catch them and thoug
Jacob fell and spraiEed his aakle, he maj
aged, under cover Of the smoke prod
10y the gunshots made at them, 10 crawl il
to clump Of bushes, which his pursr
ers did not think of searching. 1t La
been agreed previously between Il
brothers, that in case of separation, tkc
were to meet at a known spot at 10 o'clot
. at night.
Jacob, the lame one, mistook the hou
and having gone to the spot and not fin
ing his brother there, he left it, with Il
intention of getting as far from the fc
as possible before daylight, his aceide
making time especially important to Iii
He accordingly pushed up the weste
/ bank of the Sorel river towards La
Champlain, intending to swim it just |
> low the lake, and then find bis way
1t wards the eastern shore. Various even
D however, occurred to prevent his dol
this; but after running great risk
putting himself within the power of
n- Tory, whose chief excellence seems
q have been the possession cf q most Ii
F' and fearless wife, he was so lucky as
: find canoe, of which he took char
T. and in which he made good headway
7p wards home, until, in one of the narr
he passes of Champlain, the British fort
re cations, on both sides, forced him
OF leave his vessel and take TO the wo
again.
I'D At this time he was without sht
Ter food or gun, and to find his way to
bany through an unknown wilderr
Of along the Vermont shore. For four
nd he lived entirely on birch bark he t
5ed managed TO catch a few fish and dl
ly- which he eat raw thus he labored
lad for ten days. His feet, meantime,
elf become terribly cut, and were bleed
Ter at every step, so that he could hal
the crawl, and if he stopped to rest one
ne. ment, swarms Of musquitos settled u
md him and stung him into madness.
OF While thus reduced to the extrer
uld misery, making his way as best he C
ven on his hands and knees, nearly
The from swelling and inflammation, and
the rounded by voracious insects. eager
and their prey, be heard the sharp, his
leir sound which indicated the presence
rer. still more dreaded enemy-a ratilesu
ans, There was no possibility OF escs
Mo- closed in on every side, unable 10 n
tor he saw the gIittering eye of his s
and pursuer fasten itself upon him wit
lere the power to save himself from its f;
ed 4 moment and lis sharp teeth
ap- buried deep in the shuddering flesh
,nds it had coiled its venomous form T
o,1 his lao Auothep aud I;s ;a.I, I.,:F