The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-12-27

| flashed like stars. ''Now by the death of Bun
| ker Hill, will search old Llvings!on's resi-
dence, though deathsstands in my patb.''
! With firm tread, and with the utmost si-
! lence, the young heroes took up their march for
old Livngstop's. Livingston had long been
suspected OF haTboring British spies, and some
| OF his former laboreIs bad reported that be kept
| uP regular correspondence with the British
commander. At all events, he was generally
! regarded by the Wings as a dangerous man.
| His house was situated a short distance from
| whit eclay Creek, ON the side Of a steep hill,
surrounded on all sides by tall trees. Il was
Iast such place as one might suppose suitable
! tor the plotting of treason.
At the time James Wilson and his little band
left the deserted store-houSe in the village of
Newark, dusk had given place 10 the darker
shades OF night still it was not dark, the new
moon was shining brightly through the clouds,
and every object was perfectly disliRguishable
The boys walked firmly forward, maintaining
solemn silence. At length they gained the bank
OF the creek and slowly following the winding
Yath, soon came to a little low bridge which
crossed a shallow rIvulet leading intoW Whiteclay,
and James Wilson ordered them TO halt.
"Let Frank Howard and myself reconnoller
the premises first 10 see whether any danger
| may be apprthended. All the rest stand here
until we return. Make no noise and keep
constant watch"
James aud Frank silently departed, and were
soon lost in the thick woods Though which the
path ran. Scarce had they gone from their
companions, ere the quick ear OF Wilson de-
lected a noise. "Hst - said he 10 Frynk, as
he pulled hlm behind gigantic beech tree.
Presently George Livingston came in sight.
James Wilson Carted from his covert and tight
ly gIa8Ped the boy by the neck. The coward
ly youth tremgled like a reed
''SPeak one word,' whispered his captor,
| sand Iii toss yon into the creek
The tory's son struck dumb with fright, found
himself in the midst of the whole group of boy
heroes. with the vice like grasp OF James aud
Frank on either side.
"Now," saId James, ''answer me promptly
and truly, or I'll make your position uncom-
tortabie. DO you hear Wuo a., -. your ~
theirs house al this moment %
"I-I-cannot tell" slammered the half
dead boy.
''You shall tell, or"
'SPare me, and will tell everything. When |
left the house there was no one there but our !
family and Major Bradstone.
"Nho is he 2" asked James.
u don't know Il don't indeed"
"Tel =" threatened Frank.
ale is the Captain of the Yorkshire dra- !
goons."
The blue eyes OF James glstened with Joy
aud he soon gained tlDm the tory's son reve-
lalion which stamped his father traitor of the (
most appalling character. He discovered that
old Livingston not only kept up a correspon-
dence with the British commander, but that he
bad SO plotted in hIs traItorous design that the
lit.le village of Newark was to be burned 10
ashes, and It's women and children lett exposed ,
to the pitlItss foe. The old tory was to receive
as his reward the land whereon the village stood
and an annual pension from the British govern
ment.
But, stranger than all, the plot was 10 be
consummated on the very night the tory'S son
bad been captured, while he was going on an
erIand to ueighbor, about two miles distant.
The ti.lle hand Of heroes learned, too, that the
! British troops mad secured their horses in Llv-
| ingslou'S stable, and intended to descend the
! creek in a large boat. There were twenty OF
| them besides their captain. MAJOR Bradsone,
the leader of the band, was IN temper and heart
thorough demon, aud scrupIed not IN his cru
city 10 destroy The slum5ering infant or the sick
wife Not few in that youthful band trem-
| 5led for a widowed mother or a defenceless SIS
ter. Some were for departing Immediately, but
j
! torv's son, ordered all 10 be silent. The prs
oner was tied hand and foot, thick handkeT-
! chief bound over his mouth, TO prevent him
from calling Tor assistance, and stout cord fas-
| tened to his breast aud wound about a tree. All
hope of escape loIsook George Livingston. VIII
! son molloned his little band 10 follow hun, and
| in few moments they stood on the summit OF
high precipice which overhung Whneclay
| Creek.
"Now, bows" said Wilson, 'fhe Narrative
which we have Just heard Is true, and as we
have no muskes or ammunition, we must make
The best of the occasion. The British band will
pass this spot in their boat, and as we have an
hour 10 work, let US busy ourselves ia rolling
some of these large rocks to the edge OF the
precjpice aud when :he red-coatS pass below,
let US SINK them 10 she bottom"
s.Each bow Immediately set to work, and in
an incredibly short space OF time, nine huge
rocks, each half ton IN weight, were balanced
upon the edge OF the giant PrecipIce. The
creek at this point was not more than twenty
feet wide, and was directly oVe!hung by The
mass of rock on which our heroes stood. Ii the
British descended the creek they would certain
ly pass this spot and if they passed 1t, -hen /
death was their certain late. In about an hour
the quick ear of Wilson detected the measured |
beat OF muflled oars.
.sThey are coming he whispered, "let no
one drop hls rock until give the word, and
then all at once.'
II was beautiful night to wreak The work
of death. The heavens were besPangied with
,nnumeraSle stars, and every object which the
moon beams played upon, sparkled with sli-
yerv radiance. Closer came the doomed royal
lists, and the hearts of the boy patriots beat Wild
S'0' a. - pao,,irr cautiousIV I