The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-04-06

in Livingston stable, and intended to descend
the creek in a large boat. There were twenty
Of them, besides their captain. Major Bard
stone, the leader of the band. vas in temper
and heart thorough demon and scrupltd no
in his cruelty to destroy the slumbering infants
of the sickly wife. Not few in that youthful
band of patriots trembled for the safety of 4
widowed mother or defenceess sister. Some
were for departing Immediately, but James
Wilson, still retaining his grasp on the tory's
son, ordered all to be silent. The prisoner was
tied hand and foot, thick handkerchief bound
over his mouth to prevent him from calling fol
assistance. and a stout cord fastened to his
breast and wound about a tree. All hope Of
escape forsook George Livingston Wilson
motioned his little hand to follow him, and in
Il few moments they stood on the summit oil
a high precipice which oyerhung Whiteclsy
creek.
Now, boys" said James Wilson, the mar
rative which we have just heard is true; and
as we have no muskets or ammunition, we
must take the best of the occasion. The Brit
ish band will pass this spot in their boat and
as we have an hour to work, let US busy our
selves in rolling some of these rocks to the
edge of this precipice, and when the red coats
pasg below let US sink them to the bottom"
Each boy set Immediately to work, and in
an incredibly short space of time, nine huge
rocks, each Of half a ton weight, were balanced
upon the edge of the giant precipice. The
creek at this point was not more than twenty
feet wide, and was directly overhung by the
mass of rock on which our heroes stood. If
the British band descended the creek. they
would certainly pass this spot; and if they passed
it, then death was their certain fate. In about
an hour the quick ear of Wilson detected the
measured beat of muff1ed oars.
"They are coming" he whispered; let no
one drop his rock until give the word, and
then all at once
1t was beautiful night to wreak work of
death. The heavens were spanged with innu-
merable stars, and every object which the
moonbeams played upon sparkled with silvery
radiance.
Closer came the doomed loyalists, and the
hearts Of the boy patriots beat wildly in their
bosom. Peering cautiously over the cliffs,
James Wilson saw the Tory boat slowly but
surely approaching. An officer stood on the
bow, guiding the oarsman BY his orders, and
the epaulets on his shoulders told that it was
the identical tiend, Maj Bardstone.
Don't drop till give the order" again
whispered Wilson.
When the boat was about twelve feet from
the rock the boy leader fell securely behind
his stone defence, and shouted, "Who goes
there?"
In a moment the oarsmen ceased rowing and
gazed with amazement above them The i'm
petus which the boat had acquired caused ii to
drift slowly beneath the rock, and just as it
was fairly below, came forth the doomed words:
"Cut loose in the name of lbertyp'
Each boy pushed bis rock at the instant, and
with one impulse the gigantic stones fell A
loud shrek from the dark waters told how well
the plan had succeeded, and when the exultant
bows again looked over the rock, nothing was
seen but few pieces OF floating wood. The
boat had been burst to pieces and the occu-
pants had found a grave at the bottom Of
Whitcclay. A cry of victory burst from the
Joyous lips of the youthful patriots, and it was
echoed along the old creek in solemn gran eur
Now for our prisoner" cried Frank How
ard bounding ahead; but what was the aston
ishment of the boys to find that, in the efforts
to free himself, George Livingston had been
caught by the fatal cord and choked to death.
There was no time for repining: the traitor and
his son had met their deserved doom, and there
was no one TO mourn their loss.
Such be the end of America s foes forever" !"
said James Wilson.
Old Livingston's house was searched and to
the surprise of every one, not merely guns, but
three brass field pieces, several barrels of pow
der, and an abundance Of balls etc, were
found concealed in the tory's cellar. The
military stores found here were given over to
the American troops; and found ioval well
come at their headquarters Had not the Brit
ish party been SO sgnaIly defeated along the
banks of the Whteclay, the town of Newark,
and the whole northern part of the State of
Delaware would have been overun by preda-
tory parties of British soldiers James Wilson
and Frank Howard both joined the army of
Green, and severed with distinction in the south
ern campaigns. Frank fell in the memorable
battle of Eutaw Springs, bewailed by all who
knew him. James Wilson lost leg at the
siege of Yorktown, and retired to his native
village, but modification ensued, and he ex
pired with the ever to be remembered words
on his lips: "Cut loose inShe name of liberly!"
The village of Newark still stands, and has
become town of some celebrity. The scene
Of the defeat of the British BY the band of boy
patriots is still pointed out, and it is a sacred
spot in the annals Of Newark.
Such, readers were the acts of the boys Of
rs, and though they have no monumental pile
% preserve thermemores, they live in legends,
sosg and verse, where they will exist when his
cry has been swept into obscurty.
Let our literary men redeem from darkness
he deeds Of American youths, and while they
the noble achievements of our revou-
ionary patriots, let them not forget the boy
heroes.
The SINGsNe MATcH-You on have, no doubt
oeen to many a ta solia singing school, but as
suppose you have never had the good fortune
0 witness a singing match, +" will first give
,ou an idea of what singing match" is, be-
ore giving you the proceedings Of one wit
lessed, in one Of the counties of south western
Georgia, not a great while ago. You have, no
Ioubt an idea, what is called shooting
match" in Georgia. you have, only few
words, by way of explanation, is necessary to-
xpan what singing match is. At all .shoot- |
ng matches. you know, the prize shot for is
,eef and all who wish to take chances, pay in !
ONE small amount for each shot. The Judges
Il I