Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-10-30

to the royalists. leaders. David knew enough
of this partizan warfare to be assured that no
mercy would be shown his friends be knew
enough of the character of the Major, to sus-
pect that some strong personal motive had led
to the planning OF so distant an expedition,
when there were others as inviting nearer
home. He accordingly set himself at work to
discover from his nebriated companion the
truth. 1t was not long before success crowned
adroit cross examination.
<'Why you see," said the host, ssI believe
there's little revenge for slight received
from these fellows sister, mixed up with the
Majors desire to catch the Bunker's. The
girl is very pretty they say, and the Major
when he was down there awhile on a visit last
year-before the war get to be so bloody
wanted to marry her, but she would have
nothing to say to him. Ever since he has
vowed TO make her rue the day. You may
! depend upon it, be will have her on his own
! terms now-thank heaven! there is no longer
| any law to prevent an honest loyalist from do
| ing as he pleases to those rascally rebels.
| But yonder is the Major, now 20 suddenly said
| his host, starting up, s'I'll introduced you to
him at once--a merry fellow you'll find him
Lord love you he's as brave as lion.
David, though Mortified at the diabolical plot
he had heard, saw the necessity of diSsemb-
ling, in order to learn further of the tory's
plan and find means if possible, to crcumvent
them He arose, therefore, and shook the
ately in a brimmer and soon contrived to
make the loyalist believe that he was anxious
TO Join troop and take part against the rebels.
This induced the Major to be unusually civil,
for he wished te secure so athletic recruit
himself 1t was not long before bargain had
been concluded between the two. David re-
fused, however, to sign the agreement that
night he pretended that several others of his
friends were disaffected, and desirous of join
ing the loyaiists, and his object he said, was to
secure commission for himself by inducing
them to join. This tempting bait took. The
Major promised him command in his troops
in case of success, and David signifed his in
tentou of setting forth after he had taken
few hours rest, in order to lose no time in
gathering together bis recruits.
The dread of discovery had been before our
hero during the management OF his negotiation
for his person well Known to many of the
Majors troop, and if any of them had come up,
his feigned name would not have protected
him from detection. He wished to get off
that night he had proposed, but to this
neither the host nor the Major would consent,
and he forced to remain till morning.
What was his anguish to hear on rising, that
the Major had been gone some hours, and was
already on his way to the Bunkers, with his
troops. Descending his anxiety, David par
took of a hasty breakfast, and mounting his
horse rode sowly away. But when out of sight
of the house, he struck into fierce gallop, |
cross road, where was tavern. Here he stop
ped, and learning that the royalsts had taken
the high road, he tnrned into a narrow and
more circuitous one.
sIt's my only chance to avoid them,'' he
said, again dashiug into galop. sPray God |
/ may reach the settlement in time to collect |
a few of lads and march to Bunker's.
There is other hope now lcft.''
Night had fallen as they had expected be- |
fore the tories were able to reach the vicinity
of the house they were in search OF. AT
length, however, after silent march through |
the woods, ii broke upon their view. Il light |
was burning one of the windows, and when
they arrived close to the premises the lively |
notes of violin reached their ears, proving |
that the brothers were not aware OF their pres
ence, but enjoying themselves in imagined Sc
curty.
ssNow men," whispered the leader of the |
tories, "when l give the word. fire volley at |
the house by way of introducing ourselves /; |
we will then surround the house and enter it," |
At this instant the deep bay of dog rang in |
their ears, and large mastif sprang from un-
der the house and rushed a the Major.
Fire. he cried.
Twenty guns broke the stiffness of the night |
the dog fell dead-every pane of glass in
the house was shivered, and the tories yell |
ed like savageS. In an instant the light in the |
house was extinguished, the violin quickly /
ceased, and noise was heard at the door, |
The tories immediately maue q ruSn IOf IL ; |
but it already barred, and being made of |
stout oak plank, resisted all their efforts. a |
rifle crack from one of the upper windows and |
one of the tories fell desperately wounded |
another report succeeded and another tory |
FELL and Major Wilson was fully aware that |
both Bunkers were at home aud wide awake.
A shed turned the rain from the front of the |
house and underneath this the tories shielded |
themselves from the fire of the Bunkers, and |
went to work at the door. Expecting such |
resistence-p perhaps from knowledge of their |
character-one of the men had brought an |
axe, with which he commenced hewing at the |
door, and soon cut it TO pieces. Here des- !
perate battle ensued. The two brothers were |
powerful men, and courageous as they were !
stl ong and now, with dubbed rifles, they |
disputed the passage of the whole force. The |
door being small they stood their ground for |
half an hour, telling some of those who had |
the tremerity to enter first, but finally num- |
bers overcome them aud they were flung upon |
the ground and bound. The tories, inhaDled |
to madness at the great resistance that had /
been made and at their own loss. seized the |
mother and sister, and made preparations to |
hang the two brothers before their eyes. The |
ropes were already around the necks of the I
victims, when the Major addressed the men.
sNow friends, as soon as these villains are |
dead, we will set fire to the house-the old |
woman there,'' he said with scornfni laugh, |
ssmay be left inside, but the young one re-
serve for my self.''
ssHist'' cried one of the men in loud |
voice. Tie Major ceased, and they heard /
voice outside the house. Although the |
words were spoken low, the listeners distinctly |
heard, ssWhenI say fire, give it to them !" A
man with blanched cheeks now rushed among
them, exclaiming, ssThe yard is full of men!''
ssFire 20 cried deep voice from the yard;
a general volley succeeded, and SO we'll had
= bnor fnI AZ tha hat Qpv