Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-21
IlisGellaMepns.
Written for The Dslaware Inquirer.
ROLAND WETHERHL,
OR THE PATRIOTS REVENGE,
BY SANFORD ST. CLAIR.
A aEyeauTIeNARY gslgglatffIIssss fIss i,

The devouring element had done its work
The once beautiful and stately mansion, which
had for many years been the home of David
'Wetherill, was reduced by the ravages OF the
merciless flames, to a mass of ruins, and the
place now presented to the eye one vast Scene
of desolation. Mr.. Wetheril was Il South
Carolinian. His residence was beautifully
situated on the banks of the Pedee, where,
with his family, consisting of himself his
wife and two sons, the younger, Henry, being
but about six years of age, and the elder.
Roland, about twenty, he had, until the
breaking out of the war of the Revolution,
dwelt in peace and happiness when having
declared his intention to side with the people
of the colonies, he soon became an object of
hatred to the British and tories, who began
to harass him in every possible manner, and
at length party of the latter set fire TO his
house, whereby everything valuable belong
ing to him was consumed an act, however
for which they subsequently paid dearly
But, we anticipate. Itis'a beautiful MOI ming
near the latter part of May, The sun has
just risen, the birds are singing sweetly, and
nature seems to be clothed in her richest and
most beautiful garb. Standing near the ruins
might be seen young man, hardly out of his
teens. He has fine manly figure a compact
form, and frank, open countenance, which,
together with the handsome black eyes, and
the high, intellectual forehead around which
clusters a profusion of rich brown cirls, rem
der him at once pleasing and attractive.
Such is Roland Wetherill, one of Marion's
small, but fearless and dterror-inspring band
men whose deeds stands high upon the scroll
of fame, and whose names shall long he re-
membered in the annals of our country. The
general, with his men,. was enoamped but u
few miles of, and Roland had obtained leave
to visit his parents.
As he stands gazing pensively upon the
sight before him, let us draw near and hear
what he is saying.
(" All gone. Gone, no one but God knows
whether" he murmured sadly: g Doubles
stricken down by the cruel hand of soine of
those ruthless renegades, who, pieferpng
gold to honor, and being too cowar,lly to
stand by and defend their country, their
homes and their hearth-stones, would rather
live life OF infamy and wickedness, making
war upon those who are unable to defend
themselves from their murderous attacks.
Oh, God can it be possible that to such per-
sons as these, am indebted for this bereave-
ment. Father, mother, BROTHER" he cried
aloud, ''where are you? let me hear your
voices once more, implore you."
Hark who is il that speaksY
Roland, my son." calls some one family,
come here"
The young man looked quickly around,
but he could see nothing. Directly, hearing
the voice again, he started towards the place
from whence it appeared to issue, Ere lie
had walked many steps, he came upon a
scene, at beholding which he stood transfxed
with horror. There lay the dead bodies of
his mother and his brother, scorched and
mangled in such manner as to be scarcely |
recognizable, and, supporting himself against |
a tree AZ well as he was able, was his father,
farr Inv toH,
near his latter end. Roland was completely |
unnamed. Throwing himself on his knees
by the side OF his father, he burstinto tears.
Father, dear, father,'' said he, " tell me,
| pray you, tell me, who has caused this /:
what fend in human shape has found il in /
his heart (ifhe possessed heart) to SO cruel
ly murder those who never did him harm. 1t
is too much, too much my mother and my
brother both dead, and you, my father, in
such pain, whilst am totally unable to rem
der you the least assistance
The father now spoke. "My son." said
he, fear not for me, for, although 1 feel
that my life is fast drawing to close, yet r.
can assure you, that am not without the
hope OF a blessed Immortality. My pain will
soon be over--my time on earth is short, yet,
while have strength, will endeavor to give
you the information you desire in regard to
my being placed in my present position.
Last night we retired to bed as usual
nothing occurring to disturb our slumbers
until about midnight, when we were awaken
sd by q sufiocating sensation, and upon get
ting up we found the room full OF smoke, and
the air so hot and oppressive as to almost
stifle us, the house wds on fire, Without fur
Lher delay, began to look around for some
means of escape. groped my way to the
door Of the room through the smoke, but
npon reaching it; horror of horrors it was
locked; and the key which had been left on
the outside, had been withd,awn Meretfom. 1t
was now evident that some person or persons
had effected forcible entrance into, and set
lire to the house, Failing in my efforts to
batter down the door, ran to the window, to
'ee II II We're possible f)r us to get out that
way; but II was too far from the ground my
sttempt to leap from snch height would
nave been utter Madness The fire was wax
ng hereer and fercer, and the heat becoming so
intense as to be almost insupportable. Again
measured the distance from the window to
'he ground, and, as looked this time, saw,
1y the light OF the blaze, standing a short
distance of, body of men, some forty or
ifty in number, regarding the flames with
ienaish exultation, and as they beheld INV
orrl at the window, they raised shout Of
: There's the did old rebel Give him a
lose OF cold lead, boys. Let him have it.
ion't be afraid" at the same instant several
y the miscreants raised their guns and fired,
oms OF their balls striking within few in i
hes Of my person. Is