American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-03-25

was shining brightly in the clouds, and
every object was perfectly distinguisha-
BILE. The boys walked firmly forward
maintaining a solemn silence. At last
they gained the bank of the creek, and
slowly following the winding path,
soon came in sight of the place of their
destination. AS they came to little
I log, bridge, which crossed a shallow ri
4 vulet leading into Whiteclay James or.
dered theYsto halt.
"Let Frank Howard and myself re-
connoitro the premises first, to see whe.
ther any danger may be apprehended.
u All the rest stand here until we return.
Make no noise, and keep constant
watch"
James and Frank silently departed,
4 and were soon lost to the eye in the,
thick woods through which the path
! ran. Scarce had they gone from the
view of their companions, ere the quick
ear of Wilson detected noise.
/ "Ilist J" said he to Frank, as he pull
ed him behind gigantic beech tree.
i The noise soon resolved itself into hu-
man football, and in another moment
George Livingston, the tory's son,
stood opposite the tree. James Wilson
darted from his covert, and tightly
! gripped the boy by the neck. The
cowardly youth trcmbled like reed.
"Spcak one single word," whispered
his captor, "and | will toss you into the
creek 2"
The tory's son was struck dumb with
fright, and found himself in the midst
! OF the whole group of boy.heroes, with
the vice like grip of James and Frank
on either arm.
'sNow," said James, 'answer me-
promptly and truly, or l will make
your position uncomfortable. Do you
hear 2"
eyes" gasped George.
"Who are in your fathers house at
this moment 2"
I-I-cannot tell! !" stammered the
half-doad boy.
"You shall tell, or--'
"Spare me, and will disclose every-
thing. When l left the house there
vas no one there but our own family
and Major Bardstone.
"Who is he?" asked James.
81 don't know don't indeed !"
"Tell!' threatened Frank.
"lle is the captain of tho Yorkshire
dragons.
The blue eyes of James glstened with
joy and he soon gained from the tory's
son revelation which stamped his Ia
ther traitor of the most appalling char
acter. lie discovered that old Livings-
ton not only kept up a correspondence
with the British commander, but that
: he had so plotted in his traitorous de.
signs that the little village of Newark
was to be burned to ashes, and its wo-
men exposed to the mercy Of their pitt
less foes. The old tory was to receive
as his reward tho land whereon the VIII
lage stood, and an annual pension from
the British government.
But stranger than all, the plot was
to be consummated on the very night
the torys son was captured, while he
was going on an errand to q tory neigh.
Dor about two miles distant. The lit
tie band of heroes learned, too, that
the British troops had secured their
horses in Livingston's stable, and in.
tended to descend the creek in large
boat. There were twenty of them be-
sides their captain. Major Rradstone,
the leader Of their band, was in tenn
per and heart thorough demon, and
scrupled not in his cruelty to destroy
the slumbering infant or tho sickly
wife. Not a few in that youthful band
trembled for n widowed mother or de-
fencelcss sister. Some were for de-
parting Immediately, but James Will.
son, still retaining his grasp on the to-
rvs son, ordered all to be silent. The
prisoner was tied hand and foot, a
thick handkerchief bound over his
mouth to prevent him from calling for
assistance, and stout cord fastened to
his breast and wound about tree.--
. All hope of escape forsook George
, Livingston. Wilson motioned his lit.
tie band to follow him, and in few
moments they stood on the summit of
a high precipice which overhungWhite-
clay creek.
'Now boys" said James, "the mar
rative which VIC have just heard is
true, ,and as We have no muskets or
ammunition, we must make the best of
the occasion. The British 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 large
rocks to the edge of the precipicc, and
when The red'coats pass below lot us
sink them to the bottom"