Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-10-16

mander, but that he had so plotted in his
tratorous design that the little village OF
Newark was to be burned to ashes, and Its
women and children exposed to the pitiless
foe. The old Tory was to receive as his
compensation the land whereon the village
stood, and an annual pension from the
British government.
But, stranger than all, the plot was to be
consummated on the very night the Tory's
son had been captured, while he was going
on an errand to neighbor about two miles
distant. The little band of heroes learned,
too, that the British troops had secured their
horses in Livingston'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 demon,
and scrupled not in his cruelty to destroy
the sumbering infant or the sick wife. Not
a few in that youthful band trembled for a
widowed mother, or defenceless sister.
Some were for departing Immediately, but
James Wilson, still retaining his grasp on
the Tory's son, ordered all to be silent.
The prisoner was bound hand and foot,
thick, handkerchief bound over his mouth,
and stout cord fastened to his breast and
wound about a tree. All hope of escape
forsook George Livingston. Wilson mo-
toned his little band to follow him, and in
a few poments they stood on the summit
of high precipice which overhung White
Clay Greek.
g Now, boys said Wilson, the nara
tive which we have just heard is true, and
as we have no muskets or ammunition, we
must make the best of the occasion. The
British land will pass this spot in their
boat, and as we have an hour to work, let
us busy ourselves in rolling some of those
large rocks to the edge Of the precipice,
and when the red-coats pass below, let us
sink them to the bottom
Each boy Immediately set TO work, and
in an incredible short space OF time, nine
huge rocks, each half tun in weight, were
balanced upon the edge of the giant preci-
pice. The creek at this point was not more
than twenty feet wide, and was directly
overhuns by the mass of rock on which
our heroes Stood If the British descended
the creek, they would certainly pass this
spot and if they passed it, then death was
| their certain fate. In about an hour the
Quick ear of Wilson detected the measured
beat of mufled oars.
| They are coming he whispered, let
no one drop his rock till / give the word,
| and then all at once"
Peeping cautiously over the cliffs, James
Wilson saw the Tory boat slowly, but sure
| ly approaching. An officer stood on the
bows, guiding the oarsmen by his orders
and the epaulets on his shoulders told that
he was the identical fiend, Maj. Bradstone
Don't drop till / give the ORDER agar
whispered Wilson.
/ When the boat was about twelve fee
from The rock. the boy leader fell securely
behind his stout defeuce and shouted:
8" Who goes there?"
II In moment the oarsmen ceased rowing
and eazed with astonshment about them
!, The impetus which the boat had acquired
caused it to drift slowly beneath the rock
and just as it was fairly below came eortf
the loud doomed words,
g Cut loose in the name of Liberty
Each boy pushed his rock at that instant
and as if with one impulse the gigantic
5 stones fell. A loud shrek from the darl
waters told how well the plan had succeed
) ed. and as the exuliant boys again locke,
over the rocks, nothing was seen but few
. pieces of wood. The boat was burst il
pieces. and the occupants found grave a
: the bottom of White Clay. A cry of vic
tory burst from the joyous lips of the youth
g ful patriots, and it was echoed along in sol
emn grandeur.
"Now for our prisoner !" cried Fran
Howard. bounding ahead; but what wa
the astonishnent of the boys to find that i
. his efforts to get free, George Livingsto
had been caught by the fatal cord an
choked to death There was no time 70
repining the traitor and his son had me
their deserved doom, and there was no en-
u TO mourn their loss.
- "Such be the end of Americas fees fol
ever /" said James Wilson.
n Old Livingston's house was searched, an
' to the surprise Of every one, not merel
d guns, bu, three brass field-piecrs, severs
barrels of powder. and an abundance {
r. balls, were concealed in the Tory's celia
The military stores found here we're give
over 10 the American troops, and found
: Joyous welcome at their headquarters. Ha
e not the British party been so signally d.
feated along the banks of the White Cla,
+ the town of Newark, and the whole nortf
! ern part of the State of Delaware woul
n cave been oyerrun by predatory bands I
British soldiers.
lfI James Wilson and Frank Howard bo,
joined the army of Green, and served wit
distinction in the Southern campaign
:. Frank fell in the memorable battle of FL
e taw Springs, bewailed by all who knew bin
- James lost leg at the siege of yorktown