The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-03-20

Waru WITHOUT moments S heSltatlOn.--
james eyes flashed fire.
''Now by the death Of Bunker Hill, [
viii search old Livingston's house, though
death stands in my path.
With firm tread, and with the utmost
silence, the young heroes took up their
march for cid Livingston's. Livingston
had long been suspected of harboring
British spies, and some Of his former Ia
borcrs had reported that he kept up a
regular correspondence with. the British
commander. At all events, he was gen
orally regarded by the Wings as dan
gerous man. His house was situated on
all sides by tall trees. 1t was just such
place as one might suppose suitable for
the purpose Of plotting treason.
At the time James Wilson and his lit
tie band left the deserted storehouse in
the village of Newark, dusk had given
place to the dark shades OF night; still it
was not dark, the new moon was shining
brightly through the clouds, and every
object was perfectly discernible. The
boys walked firmly, maintaining a solemn
silence. At length they gained the bank
Of the creek and slowly following the
winding path, soon came to little bridge
which crossed shallow riyulet, leading
into Whiteclay, and james ordered them
to halt.
'Let Frank Howard and myself recon
noiter the premises first, to see whether
any danger may be apprehended. All
the rest stand here until we return. Make
10 noise and keep q constant watch"
James and Frank silently departed, and
were soon lost III the thick woods through
which the path ran. Scarcely had they
gone from their companions, when the
quick ear Of Wilson detected noise.
'.Hist.'' said he to Frank, as he pulled
him behind gigantic beach tree, Pres
emily George Livingston came in sight
James Wilson darted from his covert and
tightly grasped the boy by the neck
The cowardly youth trembled like Il reed,
"Speak ore word" whispered his cap
tor, ''and III toss you 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 and Frank on either
arm.
"Now," said James, "answer me truly
and promptly, or I'll make your position
Do you hear? Who are
in your fathers house at this moment"
"I-I-cannot tell ~ stammercd the /
half dead boy. .
''You shall tell, Or"
"Spare me, and will tel, everything. |
When | left the house there was DO one
there but cur family and Major Brad
stone"
"Who is he ?" said James.
II 4 I ! /
George
Tell ~ threatened Frank
Gle is the captain CT the Yorkshire I
dragons"
The blue eyes of James glistened with
JOY, and he soon gained from the tory's |
sou a revelation which stamped his faith
er a traitor Of the most appalling charac-
te-.
He soon discovered that old Livings-
ton not only kept up correspondence |
with the British commander, but that he !
had so plotted in his traitorous design !
that the little village of Newark was to |
be burned to ashes, and women and chill !
dren left exposed to the pitiless foe. The |
old tory was to receive, as his reward, the /
land whereon the village stood, and an
annual pension from the British Govern
Inent.
But stranger than all, the plot was to
be consummated on the very night the /
torys son had been captured, while he /
was going on an errahd to 4 neighbor,
about two miles distant. The little band |
of heroes learned, too, that the British t
troops had secured their horses in Liv-
ingston's stable, and intended to descend
the creek in large boat. There were
twenty of them besides their captain
Major Bradstone, the leader of the band,
was in temper and heart, thorough de-
mon, and scrupled not in his cruelty to
destroy the slumbering infant OF the sick
wife Not few in that youthful band
trembled for u widowed mother or de-
fenceless sister. Some were for departing
but James Wilson, still re-
taining his grasp on the tory's son, order
ed all to be silent. The prisoner was tied
hand TO foot, thick handkerc hief bound
over his mouth to prevent him from cal
ing for assistance, and stout cord fast
ened to his breast and wound about tree
All hope of escape forsook George Liy-
ngston. Wilson motioned his little band
o follow him, and in few minutes they
stood on the summit of a high precipice
shich overhung Whiteclay Greek.
"Now boys" said Wilson, "the nara
i've which we have just heard is tue, and
.s we have no nu5ketS or ammunition, we