Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1858-08-26

next question was, how to dispose of their
prisoner, whom they had seized in one OF
their affairs and, for want of some means
of securing him, brought with them. Fa-
gan, as the shortest way, proposed, as he
had before, to cut bis throat; but the pro-
posal was overruled as unnecessary. He
was unbound, and, upon his solemn prom
to return without giving the alarm, one of
the band returned him his silver and lit
tie money they had abstracted from his
chest. In consideration whereof he made
to the nearest house and gave the alarm,
impelled BY instinct more than anything
else.
Suddenly, the mans narrative was in
terrupted by an explosion of firearms,
which broke upon the clear, frosty night,
and startled even Nathan. Another and
another followed before word was utter
ed.
"What can that be? 1t must be at
Trenton
"'By jingo,' exclaimed Elnathan, for
getting, in his excitement, that his master
was present, IF don't believe our men
amt giving the Hessians salute this
morning with ball eatridgse-there itgoes
again II say, John, its piert scrilnmage.'
ain bis own anxiety, Nathan forgot to
correct his servants profanity. 1T must
be-but how they got over through the
ice without wings
"No matter 'zackly how, master, it's
them. I'll warrant them's hard pIums for
a Christmas pudding. Ha! ha! they get
it this morning,-them tarnation Hessian
niggersl"
"'Ann, thee'll never forgive the Hes
SLAMS thy sausages and pork."
"'Forgive-not l. All my nice sausa-
ges and buck wheat cakes, ready buttered
and all for them are yaller varments.'
"The firing having continued some min
uies. though less in volleys than at first,
gradually ceased, and all was quiet, as if
nothing had happened to disturb the death
like stiffness of the night. Yet, in that
brief half hour, the fate of continent was
decided-the almost desperate cause Of the
colonies had been retrieved. The victory
of Trenton had been achieved
'sThe attention of Nathan was diverted,
of The night, but was soon recalled to the
pursuit of the robbers, and the relief of their
victims, who, from their late prisoners ac
count, had been left in an unpleasant con-
dition. His men being despatched to col
lect aid, Nathan now remained with old
Ann; the sole efficient defender of the
house. He was not doomed to wait their
return undsturbed-the indistinct sound,
as of many feet, was heard advancing along
the road to Bordentown..
"'IL's them Hessians,' said Anne. But
Nathan thought MOTT was not the tread
of regular troops, but the confused rush of
a multitude. He hastened to an upper
window to reconnoitre. The day had be-
gun to break, and he easily distinguished
large body of men in Hessian uniform,
hurying along the road in broken ranks
AS they came nearer, he perceived many
individuals half clad and imperfecly equip
ped. The whole consisted of about six
hundred men. Before their rear was lost
behind turn in the road another body ap-
peared in rapid pursuit. They marched in
closer order aud more regular array. In
the stiffness of the morning the voice of an
officer could be distinctly heard urging on
the men. They bure the well-known stan
dard of the colonies. 1t all flashed on Ma
than's mind-Washingtou had crossed the
river, and was in pursuit of the routed foe.
The excited old man forgot his years, as he
almost sprang down stairs to the open air,
proclaiming the tidings as he went. Even
the correct Hannah, who had preserved
her faith unbroken, in spite of her husbands
and sons eontumacy, and then, if possible,
still more particular Rachel, were startled
from their usual composure. and gave vent
to their joy.
"'Well, now, does thee say so 2 said the
latter, eagerly following the Others to the
door. Il hope it is not unfriendly to re-
joice for such cause"
"I hope not, cousin Rachel said Amy;
nor to be proud that our boys had share,
in the glorious deed
Amy was left to herself, and broke
loose upon this occasion from the bonds of
Quaker propriety; but no one observed the
transgression-Except old Anne
al hats right, Amy Collins; l like to
hear you say so. How them Hessians can
run-,he 'tarnal niggers: they steal saus-
ages better than they can stand bullets. l.
told 'em it would be so, when they was
here beguzzlen my buckwheat cakes, In
plain English; only the outlandish Injins
could Mt understand their mother tongue.
They're got enough swallowen without
chawen, this morning. wish them moth
en- but Jineral Maxwell at their tails, tick
ling 'em with continental bagonets.'
"'That friend speaks my mind said
Elnathan, with half-sauciimonlou half
wagglsh look, and slight nasal twang.
"'Mine too,' rs devoutlv responded
companion, whom he had just brought to
assist in the pursuit of the robbers.
"The whole family had assembled at
the door TO watch the motions of the
troops. The front ranks had already pass
ed down the road, when horse man, at full
speed, galloped along the line of march to
the extreme right, and commanded halt.
After few minutes delay, two officers,
followed BY party carrying wounded
man, emerged from the ranks and ap-
preached the house. This was too much
for the composure of our late overjoyed
family; all hastened to meet their wound
ed or dead relation, but were disappointed
agreeably-the brothers were indeed Of tho
party, but unhurt.
"'Charles-boys-what means
Nothing, father, except that we paid
the Hesians friendly visit this morning.