The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-02-24

the edge of the giant precipice. The creek at
this point was not more than twenty feet wide,
and was directly oyerhung by the mass of rocks
on which our heroes stood. Ifthe British band
descended the creek they would certainly pass
this spot !; and if they passed in then death was
certain fate. In about an hour the quick ear of
Wilson detected the measured stroke of the
mufled oars
''They are coming he whispered "let no
man drop his rock until I give the word, and
all at once"
1t was a beautiful night to wreak work of
death. The heavens were spangled with innum-
cradle stars, and every object upon which the
moonbeams played, sparkled with silvery radi-
ance.
Closer came the doomed Royalst and the
hearts ofthe boy patriots beat wildly in their bo-
sons Peering cautiously over the cliff, James
Wilson saw the Tory boat slowly but surely
approaching. An officer stood at the bows,
guiding the oarsmen by his orders, and the
epaulets on his shoulders told that it was the
identical fend, Major Bardston.
When the boat was about twenty feet from
the rock, the boy-1eader fell securely behind his
stone defence, and shouted "Who goes there 2"
In moment the oarsmen ceased rowing, and
gazed with amazement above them. The i'm
petus which the boat had acquired caused it to
drift slowly under the rock and just as it fairly
below, forth came the doomed words Cut
loose in the name of Liberty !"
Each boy pushed his rock at that instant,
and with one impulse the gigantic stones fell.
A loud shrek from the dark waters below told
how well the plan had succeeded, and when the
exulting boys again looked over the rock nothing
was seen but few peces of floating wood. The
boat had been bursted open, and the occupants
had grave at the bottom of the White Clay
A cry of victory burst from the joyous lips of
the youthful patriots, and it was echoed along
the old creek In solemn grandeur.
CHOW for our prisoner ?, cried Frank How
ard, bounding ahead but what was the aston
ishment Of the boys to find that in his effort 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 fate and there was
no one to mourn their loss.
May such be the end of Americas foes for
ever !" said James Wilson,
Old Liyingston's house was searched, and to.
the surprise of every one, not only guns, but
three brass field pieces several barrels of powder
and an abundance of balls, etc, were found con-
cealed in the old Tory's cellar. The military
stores found here were given over to the Ameri-
can troops, and found ajovial welcome at their
head quarters. Had not the British party been
so signally defeated along the banks of the
White Clay, the town Of Newark and the whole
northern part of the State of Delaware, would
have been overrun by predatory parties Of
British soldiers.
James Wilson and Frank Howard both Joined
the army Of Green, and served with distinction
in the Southern 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 ma
tive village !; but modification ensued, and he
expired with the ver-to-be-remembered words
on his lips, Cut loos in the name of Liberty p
The village of Newark still stands, and has
become town Of some celebrity. The scene
of the defeat of the British at the hands of the
patriot-boys is still pointed out, and it is sa-
cred spot in the annals of Newark.
Such, reader, were the acts of the boys of '76
and though they have no monument pile to pre-
serve their memories they live in legend, song
and verse, where they will exist when history
has been swept into obscurity.