The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-10-30
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 80, 1861

middle OF the room, and when ] give tn
word apply the match"
What are you going to burn the VIII
lows, Colonel 2"
"Yes, will burn down the nest of thi
carrion bird. 1t is well he is not withir
my reach-he should swing for it, Ont
such fellow, with his secret spying, is o.
more injury to US than a regiment Of rebels
in open field"
Little did the British commander ina
gine that the young man was almost within
the very sound of his voice
"To horses, men, all except Hodgeson.'
BY this time, with Classen, the Colonel
had approached within the hearing Of Van
Dyke, when he halted his troops.
Now, Hodgeson, apply the match,
mount and fall in"
1t was with anguish that Van Dyke
heard this order from his hiding place
The Willows, as the faru-h house was called,
had been the birth place of his ancestors,
as it was his own, and there he had passed
his life. But what could he do? Nothing.
Presently n thick bright smoke arose and
burst from each door and window. This
was followed by bright flames that shot far
into the sky, and the cracking of the well.
seasoned timbers, dry with century OF
preparations, could be heard at great dis
tance.
"Thcre will be one rebel shelter less to-
night 1t is pity they We're not all burn
ed down, then the king would have NOR
rebels are like dogs-a good whipping
makes them better na,ured. The house is
nearly consumed, for the crnbers are begin
ming to fly before the evening breeze. BY
file, to the right face, trot ~ and the horse
men wheeled into the ROAD
"Fifty guineaS you say, Colonel, if
take Van Dyke:" asked CfasScn again.
Yes, fifty guineas."
''rhen will leave you here, and keep a
| watch around. He may return here before
great while. Where do halt?
AT the Oaks, five miles off, aud stop for
an hour or two for the forage party. If
anything should occur within the time, you
know where to lind me-"
The officer and troop rode away.
Classen fingered around and gradually
approached the building, which was, with
the exception of the brick walls, heap
of ruins.
$50, John ClaSsen, you have glutt.d
your vengeance upon me, and this is your
work, viper and wretch ~
ClaSsen turned and beheld, within six
feet of him, Van Dyke, leaning on his mus
ket
''No, no, Pvter,' he muttercd, trembling
as he spoke. 1T was the British officer.
You know that would not inlure YOU"
''Speak not another word, liar, or shall
forget myself and blow your brains out.
heard ALL You are to have fifty guneas
for apprehending me. ap everything
that is bad. ! came to burn your house
down, but fled when your friends approach
ed! Wretch it was | who saved your
dwelling and your worthless carcass, and
these ruins are my reward"
Peter, dear Peter
''Scoundrel, not apply that word dear
to mc. 1t sounds worse than the hiss of Il
snake. Listen, John Classen, the chief
reason of your animosity to ME is because
Kate W essels preferred my hand to yours
Thank God. she and her father are both
| safe from your persecution, for they are
now within the American lines Now,
hear mel spare you this time, for you are
unarmcd but when we next meet, be it in
town or village, forest or road, wedding or
funeral. it is your life or mine. Cor
Classen waited for no second bidding,
but disappeared in the direction taken by
the soldiers, in double quick time, his hair
standing on end, for like all other great
rogues, he was as cowardly as he was bad
Van Dyke paused paused moment, and
| thus pondercd in his own mind:
That scoundrel will bring some of those
horsemen back, for he will imagine that I
VIII linger two or three hours around this
old place. Yes, yes, will after some
twenty of our lads and prepare an ambush
tor them. Fifty guineas will draw Classen
anywhere, coward that he is, especially
when backed by the red coats"
1t was not long before Van Dyke return.
| ed with his party, whom he gathered by a
signal, and as night had fallen they took
their station and the willows by the banks
Of the brook, where they could remain un-
perceived. For the space of an hour all
was still, and then the distant tramp of
horses on the road was heard
Here they come," said Van Dyke
Each choose his man, but leave Classen
to me you know him by the cap he wears.
| will give the word when to fire.
tn short time the party of horscmen
| rode up to the willows, and true enough
tiley were rcd coats, headed by lieuten-
ant, with Classen
Fire - shouted Van Dyke
So sudden and leat!i y was the aim that
not more than half dozen remained in
their saddles, who wheeled their horses and
fled as qiuck as possible. Van Dyke had
Intentionally aimed at the horse of Classen,
and he fell with his rider. To secure Clas-
sen was the work of moment.
"Now, lads, bring out the rope and throw
1t over that willow branch. We have
alarmed the enemy and they will be down
upon U.s."
Mercy! mercy ~ cried Classen.
All in vain. The moose was slipped over
his head, they strung him up, and there he
was left until he was corpse The burn