Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-21
VOLUME I.---No. 4.

cared nothing, but to see one so dearl
loved lie thus before my eyes, was more thai
could bear, and again | made desperat
attempt to break open the door. AT last
succeeded. The fire was now blazing ant
cracking all around us, and the whole hous
was one sheet of flame. Your brother wa
now heard screaming piteously for help. Witt
the madness of desperation, rushed TO th'
door of his room, which had also been locked
ON the outside, but it had burned until it wa
almost ready to fall. With one blow tor
il from its hinges, when out ran poor Henry
his clothes all on fire and himself dreadfully
burned. seized piece of carpet and threw
it around him, for the purpose OF smotherint
the fire, with which he was enveloped ther
grasped him around the waist, and lifting
| your mother from the floor, ran along the
passage with them, but upon reaching the
landing, found the staircase entirely burnt
away. now despaired of ever getting out o.
the place alive. The building began to totter
| turned back and gave myself up for lost
Your mother as yet showed no sign of ami
nation whatever, indeed, I-had come to the
conclusion that she was dead. Henry's
screams grew fainter and fewer, and entirely
overcome by my exertions, and the pain oi
my burns which was excreciating, | sank
down by their side. At that instant the floor
gave way, and we were all precipitated to the
room below, amid mass of fire, by which
the skin was entirely burnt from my hands,
face and limbs. saw that the front door
was gone, whether burnt or torn away knew
not. Nerved at the sight, and knowing, that
although the instant we reach the open air,
we were liable to- be murdered by the blood
thirsty beings outside. felt that it was cer-
tain death to remain within any longer, but
my strength is failing. must be brief. In
stantly Twas surrounded by the whole party,
which now proved to be none other than a
band of tories led on by the notorious Burt
Gillingham. They rushed upon us in body,
and your mother, who was beginning to re-
vive. somewhat, was instantly shot dead.
Your poor brother, Dlo had already ceased 10
breathe was caught up by Gillingham himself,
who DASHED OUT HIS BRAINS AGAINST A TREE.
He then turned, and struck me heavy blow
over the head with the butt of his musket,
and laid me senseless. knew nothing for
several hours, but, at length | revived, and
saw your mother and brotherlying dead beside
me, which brought last nights scene of
butchery vividly before my sight Presently,
| heard your voice, upon which called you.
You know the rest. And now that have
seen your face once more, can die content.
| shall say but little more, for the blow from
the outlaws musket, together with the in
juries have sustained from the fire is fast
telling upon me. Put your arm about me
Roland, for am getting weak" The young
mar complied with his request and essayed to
speak but sobs choked his utterance.
Bury us all together, my son; we We're
dear to one another in life, let us not be sepa-
rated in death. | am going where the wicked
cease from troubling, and the weary are at
rest, and fear not to die. Do not forget the
counsels of your parents :. do your duty to
your country like man serve God, and
meet me in that blissful abode where sin and
suffering are unknown
81 will, will,n groaned Roland.
g II is enough, said his father. "Give
me your hnnd. My sight grows dim, farewell,
Suddenly the jaw fell, the eyes became fixed
and CLASSY, the face assumed pale and ghast-
" appearance, the head fell heavily to our
side, the hearts pulsation ceased, and the
soul of the patriot was with its maker.
For several moments the son remained as
motionless as his lifeless burden, but after a
time he arose, laid the body down carefully,
md kneeling by its side, he offered up n
prayer for the welfare of the spirit that had
Just fled.
At length he arose, and having dug grave
rs well as he was able, he placed the bodies
n it and covered them up, his tears flowing
hick and fast all the while. Having compile
ed his task, he stopped to take silent fare
veil of the loved ones upon whom lie had
ooked for the last time, and, as he turned
With heavy heart to leave the spot, he said
o himself, HWo be to Burt Gillingham, if
,ver get within reach of him, and it will not
,e my fault If | don't and that before long
90. For the hellish doings of last night |
will have deep and deadly revenge.n
+ Perhaps il would be as we'll to remark here
hat Burton, or, as he was more commonly
snown Burt Gillingham, was the leader of
ory gang, consisting of about fifty as vii
famous desperadoes as ever dangIed at the
nd of a rope. Plunder, murder, and afro
tiles of all sorts, seemed to be their only oc- |
upation or delight. They gave no quarter
o any who We're so unfortunate as to fall into
heir hands, and as we have seen, Mr.. Weth- |
rill and his family were no exception. We
zill now proceed with our story.
Roland mounted his horse, and Immediately |
ct out to return to the camp, which he reach |
d in the course of an hour or so. The gem
raj was surprised to see him back so soon, |
nd expressed himself to that effect, obser-
ing that he had made short visit, and in
uired after the health Of his parents, with |
HON he was well acquainted.
Alas, general" replied the young man
iournfully "since last saw you, parents,
ome, everything which | held dear upon
arth have been swept away, sacrificed to the
ill of the inhuman tories.', He then went
II to inform his commander how Gillingham
nd his horde of assassins had fired his
lther's house and murdered the family with
ne particulars of which the reader has already
cen made acquainted.
During the recital Marion wept like child,
ut when Roland concluded by saying that he
lOught ii probable the tories We're encamped
ear by, his demeanor changed. lie brushed
way his tears, and the sOrrowful look upon
is face gave way to one OF sterp. determine
on. He called his men, some thirty in all,
round him, and in few words, told them
] that transpired, adding that as there was
good camping ground within q mile or so
MIR. WetherilPs house, he II ad reason to
slieve that the tories would encamp there,
1d it was his intention, moreover, to set out
ter night fall, and if such should prove to
} the case, to give them BATTLE by which
cans he would probably be enabled to cap
Ire the whole of them. Ae then desired to
now if there were any that objected to the
IAN he had proposed.
" None, nOne' they answered, one and all.
Their commander then gave orders as to
hat should be done, ana the men separated
make preparations for The expe dition.
In short time all was ready a.ud nothing
ow remained but to sleep quiet till night,
hen they would set out for tine tory en-
lmpment.
As soon as it was fairly dark, they noun
d their horses and started. Tn ey rode
iietly along for some time, when Ma rion or
,red halt, saying he wished some one to
} ahead and reconnoitre, as the CT ,mping
'ound was but a short distance off. Roland
quested permission to go upon the errand.
L.. Il