Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-05-08

!
Thus saying, Capt Hart conducted the fu-
gtive to his tent, and called in the surgeon
| 10 attend to his injuries, and provide refresh.
| ments. Mr. Boyd was now able TO master
his emotion, but no one but the Judge of all
hearts knew what bitter sorrow ragged in his
breast To lose his beloved wife and only son
at one blow, was indeed terrible bereave-
ment
| During all the remainder Of the day the fu-
! gitiVe remained ia the Captain's tent, waiting
for the night TO come to lend her mantle to
aid the plan Of vengeance he had formed. -
When all was still in the Union camp, save
the watchful sentinels, platoon Of picket
men, with Capt. Hart and Mr.. Boyd at their
head, silently descended to the bank, aud
crossed the river in boat which was in wait
! Ing not sound louder than the rippIing of
! the current being heard until a landing was
effected on the Virginia shore. Here brief
/ halt was ordered
/ It's lucky that the moon is obscured at
I this moment" whispered Mr.. Boyd do
/ net believe onr movements has been seen, al
! though & sentry or two are probably on the
watch hereabout There is a little dell up
! here, hundred rods or so distant, where you
can remain concealed in safety, while / recon
notre a little, seeking where they are encrmp-
/ ed or quartered."
He led the way to the spot mentioned, the
entire body moved as noiseleSsly as possible
| aud then Mr.. Boyd arranged signal with
/ Captain Hart, and set out on his scout. He
/ was gone longer than he eXpected-nearly two
! hours which seemed an age to the impatient
soldiers; bat he Gualy returned, with sup
pressed qualification in bis tones, and al eager
step.
d" | have found them he exclaimed aloud
They are qnartcred at the Widow CroSby'S
farm, not u quarter of mile from my late
home
The particulars of the assault was arranged,
the main point being that the soldiers should
! leave Mr.. Boyd to deal with the ener9y until
/ he Shonld demand assistance, he having ex-
pressed the opinion that he could cut them off
one by Que, in their sleep.
! do not want them to waken this side of
/ hell" he said, with sternneSs, as the form Of
his murdered wife seemed 10 appear before bis
excited vision. Death TO every Que of fthem!
She shall be terribly avenged"
lie led the way down 10 the baBk Of the
creek, aud along the road which led TO the
Little village, Of which he had 80 long been one
cf the principal citizens. Not word was
spoken, except an occasional whispered COM.
munication between Captain Heart and the
aFeuger, or q brief intimaton from the com
manCer to his men respecting the route. The
darkness of the night was fag0.ay.e te the eX-
pedition. Thus moving with the profOundest
. secrecy, the party was soon 10 the immediate
vicinity of the farm house where the murdeC
ous troopers had quartered themselves for the
night.
a Are We most there p finally asked Capt.
Hart, III a whisper.
Within twenty rods remain where you
are for moment, until give the signal"
And at the same instant the rattle of mus.
ket was heard, aud sharp voice shouted -
" Who goes there I"
The seatry," mutIered Capt. Hart.
The fugitive p;ytriot bounded away like an
arrow in the direction of the challenger, draw
ing heavy knife from his bosom. 4 moment
of anxious suspense followed next a single
groan was heard, and then all was still.
Mr. Boyd soon came back
" \ soldier coming to relieve the other SEN
tinel. I've fixed him"
"And the other one"
" | fixed him when was recOnnotering an
hour ago Wait still another moment, until
you hear my signals" And again he was gone
Captain Hart and his men remained perfect
iy motiOnleSS fe, moments listening for any
sound which might indicate the movement Of
the avenger. a light was soon seen flicker ug
in the direction where the house occupied by
the troopers was supposed to be situated a0d
1 the next instant huge flame shot suddenly
into the sky, while the signal OF Mr.. Boyd was
heard
" Take them, boys, on the wing as they
. come out of the house." commanded Captain
Hart, as the building was brought in bold re-
lief to their view by the flames from the huge
pile of brushwood gathered in the neighbor-
ing swamp COR summer fuel and which the
avenger had set on fire. There, now is your
time Fire !"
A half 1 dozen troopers fell dead at the dis
charge following the command, Gs they rushed
ont from the piazza in the full glare of the
flames. Mr. Boyd re-appeared from the house,
falling upon the two survivors, and stretching
them both dead on the grovnd with few ra-
p!d blows.
:" The work is accomplished" be exclaimed,
as the soldiers advanced towards him . The
last OF them is here-lhe very fellow" he ad-
ded, glanciug at the dead man, who shot NY
wife We are terribly avenged"
A window in lhe cottage was raised at this
juncture, and an elderly lady, the Widow Cros
by looked forth upon the scene.
You have shocked nae sufficiently, you
wicked men, she said in a mild tone of salts
faction, aud / trust no dsagreeable sight
will meet my eyes in the morning"
Captain Hart and Mr. Boyd understood her,
aod at once proceeded to remove the bodies of
the troopers to the shore of the creek, where
they we're Immediately buried. All traces Of
bIoodshed were removed from the premises, as
! far as possible, and the widow was left to re-