The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-07-07
SAINT PAUL THURSDAY JULY :, 1859

learned that party Of loyalists, led by Ma.
jor Wilson, celebrated Tor his toryism and
ruthlessness, were TO start early in the cnsu-
ing day On an expedition 10 seize and hang
the two Bunkers. who had made themselves
particularly obnoxious to the royalist lead
ers. David knew enough Of his partisan
warfare 10 be assured that no mercy would
be shown his friends. lie also knew enough
Of the character OF the Major that some
strong personal motive had led 10 the plan
ming Of 80 distant an expedition when there
were others nearer home. lie accordingly
get himself to discover from his half-inebria.
ted companion the truth. Nor was he long
before success crowned his adroit cross.ex-
animation.
Why. you see. said the host, believe
there's little revenge tor tho slight received
from these fellows sister mixed up with the
Majors desirc TO catch the Bunkers, The
girl is very pretty, they say. aud the Major
when she was down here last year before
the wanted TO marry her, but she
would have nothing TO do with him. Ever
since he has vowed to make her rue the
day. You may depend upon il, he will have
her upon his own terms now. Thank heav.
en- there's no law to prevent al honest roy.
ais, from doing rs he pleases with these ras'
cally rebels. Bat yonler is the Major now, -
suddenly said the host starting up. II will
introduce you ut once--a merry little fellow
you'll find him. Lord love you, he's as
brave as lion"
David, though Mortified at the diAbolical
plot be had heard, saw the necessity oi dis.
sembling In order 10 hear more OF the tory's
plans; and find means, II possible, to circum.
vent them he arose, therefore, and shook
the Majors hand warmly, pledged him i'm.
mediateIy In bumper, aud 80 contrived TO
make the loyalist believe that he was anx.
ious 10 Join troop against the rebels. This
induced the Major to Ia unusually civil, for
he wished 10 secure 10 athletic recruit him
self. II was not long before bargain was
concluded between the two. David refused,
however, to sign the agreement that night.
lie pretended that several others OF his
friends were dissatisfied. and desirous Of join.
ing the loyalis,s and his object he said was
to secure commission Tor himself by 10.
ducing them to join. This tempting bait
took the Major promised command in
his troops in case Of success aud David
sgnifed his intention Of setting forth after
he had taken few hours rest, In order 70
lose no time In gathering together his re-
cruits.
The dread Of discovery had been constant.
ly before our hero during the arrangement
Of his negotiation, for bis person was well
known 10 many Of the Majors troops; and,
If any Of them had come up, bis ieigned
name would not protect him from detection
lie wished to get on that night, Us he pro
posed but to this neither his host nor the
Major would hear, and he was forced 10 re-
main ill morning. What was his anguish
to hear that the Major had been gone some
hours, aud was already on hi, way to Bun
ners with his troops. Dissembling his aDxi.
ETY., David partook Of basty breakfast, md
mounting his horse AMI rode slowly away.
But when out OF sight of'he house hc struck
Into fierce gallop, which continued until be
come 10 sigh, Of cross.road where was
tavern. Here he stopped, and learning that
the royalists had taken the high road, he
turned into u narrO. and crcu'ious by
road.
1T /. my only chance 10 avoid them be
said, again da.hing into the gaIop. |
pray God may reach the settlement 10 time
% COLLECT lew of our lads. abd march ~
the IGnkers. There il no other hope now
left"
Nigh, bal fallen 10, NJ they bad expected.
beiDre the t0rie. we're able 10 reach the vi.
entity ofthe house they were in search oi.
A. length. however. after silent march
through the woods. it broke upon their view.
A light was burning in one Of the window,
AMI when they arrived close to the prer0isz
the lively notes Of violin reached their ears,
Of their presence, but we're enjoying them.
'',Yta in imagined security.
NOW, men wbispereI the lea1ers ofihe
tories, when ! give the word FIRE yolIey
a, the house by way Of introduction. We will
then surround the house and enter II.
A, that instant the desp bay Of "a dog
rang o. their carr and large rnastih
.pang from under the Loas and rushed st
,he MAJOR.
fus he cred.
Twenty gan' broke rpoo the stillnes. Of
the nigbt--ths dog tl dead--eyefy pane Of
glass 10 the windows were sbivered, and the
torirs yelled like savage. IN % instant
the ilgtu "a the hoH.e were extinguisbed,
the y,o.in as quickly oe.-eI. and bolse was
heard st ,hs dcor Tie TORIES Immediately
made rs.h OF IT, Bp, IL was already bar.
rcd, and '~ing made of ,'ou, oak plank. r..
ss.el oil their .fSis A rife cracked from
ODt II ibe ~iDiovs. and y tory fell, desy.
rsieiy wOanded. Abo,hsr report soeo,edei,
and aoo'h'r tsy ieli. MAJOR wikoo va.
boz folly aware that both Bankers were q.
home asd wide ssste. A .bsd turned tbs
ram RON toe ifosi of tbe hou-. ard bs.
b.sih ih'- ,hs TOTS shle'dsd from the Gre
4 ,ts Bgnksr.. vrn, " ~ork ., the door