Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-02-22

crossed s shallow rivulet leading forth
! into NFhitsciay.
! James Wilson ordered them to halt.
"Let Frank and | reconnoiter the
premises first to see if any danger may
be apprchended. All the rest of you
stand here until we return. Make no
noise, and keep constant watch.''
James and Frank silently departed,
and were soon lost in the thick woods
through which the path ran. Scarce
had they gone from their companions
ere the quick ear of Wilson detected
a noise. "Hlst.' he said to Frank, as
he pulled him behind a gigantic tree.
The noise soon resolved itself into 4
human football, and in another moment
George Livingston, the tory's son,
stood opposite the tree. James Will
son darted from his cover, grasping the
boy by the neck.
The cowarlly youth trembled like a
reed.
"Speal one word and I'll toss you
over into the creekn ~ whispered his
captor.
The tory's son was struck dumb
with fright, and soon found himself in
the midst of the whole group of boy
heroes, with the vice like grip of James
and Frank on either arm.
"Now," said james, "answer me tru-
~ and promptly, or I'll make your pris
on uncomfortable. Do you hear p
Who are in your fathers house at this
moment 20
"I-I-cannot tell" answered the
half dead boy.
"You shall tel, or''-
''Spare me, and | will disclose eve
: rything. When | left our house there
was no one there but our awn family
and Ma or Bradston.''
"Who is he ?" asked James.
IL don't know don't indeed"
"Tcll," threatened Frank.
"He is Captain of the Yorkshire
Dragons.
The blue eyes Of Frank glistened
with Joy, and he soon gained from the
tory's son arevelatlon that stamped his
father traitor Of the deepest dye
lie discovered that old Livingston not
only kept up q correspondence with
the British commandant, but he had
also plotted in his traitorous design
that the village of Newark was to be
burned to ashes, and its women and
children left exposed to its pitlless foe.
The old tory was to receive as his re-
ward the land whereon the village
stood, and an annual pension from tie
BRUSH government.
Bat strange that all the plot was to
he consummatsd on that very night,
and the tory's son was going on al er-
rand to y tory neighbor, who lived
about two miles distant.
The little band learned too, that the
British troops had secured their horses
in Livinyston's stable, and intended to
descend the creek in a large boat
There were twenty of them besides
their Captain. Major Bradston, their
leader, was il temper and heart a thor
casA demon, and ScrUpiea not III his
cruelty 70 destroy the slUmberlno i0tant
ana slckiy wife. Not q tew, ii that
youthful band OF patriots Ircmo.et, 1or
a widowed mother or defenceleSs Sis
ter, Some were for departing imme-
diatelv, but our hero still retained his
grasp upon the tory's son, and ordered
all to be silent. The prisoner was to
be bound hand and foot, thick hand
kerchief was tied over his mouth to
prevent his calling for assistance, and
thick, stout cord fastened to Lis
breast and wound around a tree.
All hope Of escape forsook George
Livingston. Wilson motioned his lit
tie band to follow him, and in a few
moments the boys stood on the summit
of precipice which overhung White.
clay Creek.
ssNow, boys" said James Wilson,
= ''the narrative we have heard is true
and as we have no musketS or ammu
milton, we must make the best Of the
, occasion. The British band will pass
! here in their boat, and AS we have al
hour or two to work, let us busy our
t selves in rolling some of these roc Ks t
, the edge of the preciplce, and wher
the redcoats pass below let us sink
; them to the bottom"
Each of the boys set to work, ano
! in an incredibly short space of time
/ nine huge rocks, each half a ton IL
o weight, were balanced upon the gian
precipice. The creek at this place wa
$ not more than twenty feet wide, ant
n was by the mass of rock on which oll1
: heroes stood. If the British band de
scended the creek they would certain
n ly pass this spot, and if they did so
4 certain death was their fate. In abou
an hour the measured beat of mutfiet
J. oars was deteeted by the eager listen
|, crs.