Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-03-14
BURNING OFTHE Willows
TALE OF THE REVOL LUTON.
BY H. A. BUCKINGHAM.

Inns must De the mouse; the junction
of two roads and brook in front, th,
banks covered with willows. This plac,
meets the description exactly. Order th'
men to dismount, with the exception of /.
couple of patrols on each road"
The speaker was dressed in the blue anG
scarlet uniform of the British light horse
a corpse that was formed after the landing
of the English troops into New Jersey, a.
soon as the horses could be obtained te
mount the men. He was an officer @
rank, evidently. ard bis carriage and de-
meanor were both naughty and aristocrat
ic in the highest degree. Why not9 He
was the oldest son of British earl.
"The house appears 10 be deserted, Col
Harcourt," said the junior officer, as be
dismounted.
awe will see. This way half dozen
of you" said he to his men. "Try the
door yonder. If it is fastened break it
open, and report if any one is inside; il
there should be, and they attempt to es-
cape, shoot .hem down; but first give
them warning to surrender"
The men advanced to the door, which
they found to be fastened, and after de-
manding admission, to which they received
no answer, tLey proceeded to break it open,
which delayed them some time, for the
door was strong oaken one. This done,
they entered.
"Do you know the man by sight, lieu
tenant?" asked Col. Harcourt, while the
men were ransacking the house.
"No, sir; but there is a fellow l picked
up on the road, now in the rear, that
knows him well. He does not appear to
owe him much favor"
"Order him to the 'front.'"
The countryman had not very prepos.
sessing countenance. There was a bold
surliness and cruel expression of features
extremely displeasing about him.
."What is your name?" said Col Har-
court, in his quick military manner.
'John Classen."
"Do you know Peter Van Dyke9"
every WELL"
as this his dwelling?"
"Yes; though, since his mothers death
and his sisters getting married, it is hard
to say where he keeps himself"
"Does he bear the name of being great
rebel, and dangerous man 10 those who
favor the King in this neighborhood?"
ayes, from the Passaic TO the Hacken-
sack, and thirty miles around. If Id had
my way, he'd been hung long ago, and his
house burned over his head. He is the
leader Of every rebel gang from the army,
and points out the honest farmers homes
who stand by their King, whose barns they
plunder, and carry away their grain and
cattle" .
"Why, you tell bitter tale about him.
Has he ever injured you?"
'Injured me9 He and parcel of rob-
bers like himself, came one afternoon 10
burn my house and hang me before my
door, which they would have done, but for
the arrival of number of friendly neigh
bors well armed, when they went off in
double quick time"
"Does he not venture into New York
sometimes in Disguise inquired the Col.
l have so heard it said. He has been
slippery from a boy up, and can disguise
himself in any way. He's precious
scamp, and you will do favor to this part
of jersey if You lang him as soon as you
catch him.
This conversation had been held near
stone wall, on the side of which was an
old garden; but the troubles of the times
had left it uncoltvated. The gooseberry
and currant bushes bad grown up rank un-
trimmed, while the briars stretched over
the walls, covered the ground from sight.
Under this cover, and within ten feet of
the Colonel and Classen, lay crouched the
very man of whom they were talking. He
had barely time to escape from the house
and conceal himself upon the approach of
the horseman, whom he did not then sus-
pect to be within ten miles of him.
Twice, on hearing the base lies of Clas-
sen, he was on the point of raising up and
confronting him; but little reflection was
left, and he thought that was not the oc-
casion to place his life in jeopardy, which
he certainly would do, since the party of
troops had come expressly to take him.
"Do you know with any certainty, Clas-
sen, how long since Van Dyke was in this
neighborhood
81 heard that he was seen last night,
two miles from this, in by-path through
the woods, coming toward his house"
"This is the information l received, and
l am determined to capture him sooner or
later. If you can point out his where
abouts or arrest him YOURSELF you shall
have reward of fifty guineas."
Classen was averitious and fond of mo-
ey as he was wicked. Fifty guineas was
large sum, indeed, in those days, when gold
was rarely seen.
"I'll catch him, Colonel, before he is
three days older. 1 know one of his
haunts."
"Why not lead US there, then?"
sit would be of no use this time of day. |
Besides he may not be there for day or |
two, and l shall have TO be cautious in
looking out for him."
"Well, secure him, and the fifty guineas
shall be yours.
Several Of the soldiers now came from
the house, and stated that they had search
ed the house from top TO bottom, but could
find no one, although from appearance,
some one had been there lately.
The Colonel, followed by CIassen, passed
on to the house, while the fugitive lay