Nebraska advertiser., 1864-03-10

their march Tor old Livingston s. LiF'
ingston had long been suspected Of har'
boring Brtzsh spies, and oome of his
former laborers had reported that he kept
up a regular correspondence with the
British commander. At all events, ne
was generally regarded by the Wings as
a dangerous man. His house was stu
ated short distance from White Clay
Creek, on the side of steep hill sur
rounded on all sides by the trees. Ii was
just such a place as one might suppose
suitable for the plotting of treason.
At the time James Wilson and bis lii-
tie band left the deserted store house in
The village of Newark, dusk had given
place 10 the dark shades of night. Still
! ii was not dark: the new moon was shin
ing brightly through the clouds, and ev-
cry object was perfectly dislinguishable.
The toys walked firmly forward, main
tanning solemn silence. At length they
gained the bend of the creek, and Slow
ly followed the winding path, soon came
to little low bridge which crossed a
a shallow rivulet leading into Whi,y Clay
and James ordered them to halt.
Let Frank Howard and myself rec
onnoiler the premises first, to see wheth-
er any danger may be apprehended.-
All the rest stand here till we return
Make no noise, and keep a constant
watch"
James and Frank silently departed,
and were soon lost in the thick woods
through which the path run. Scarce had
they gone from their compaions, ere the
quick ear of Wilson detected noise
Hist" said he to Frank, as he pulled
up behind a gigantic beech tree. Pres
emily George Livingston came in sight.
James Wilson darted from his cover, and
tightly grasped the boy by the neck. The
cowardly youth tremble like reed.
Speak one word, y whispered his cap
tor, sand I'll toss you into the creek"
The Tory's son, struck dumb with
fright, found himself in the midst of the
boy heroes, with the vice-like grasp of
of James and Frank on either arm,
Now said James answer me prompt
ly and truly, or I'll make your position
uncomfortable. Who are in your faith
er's house at this house at this moment?
"I-I-cannot tell" stammered the
half dead boy"
"You shall, Or"
Spare me, and I'll tell everything
When left the house there was no one
there but our family and Major Bard
stone"
"Who is he?" asked James.
81 doa't know--I don't indeed"
"TeIl!'' threatened Frank.
He is Captain of the Yorkshire dra-
goons."
The blue eyes of James glistened with
Joy, and he soon gained from the Tory'sI
son a revelation which stamped his faith
er traitor of the most appalling charac-
ter. He discovered that old Livingston
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 its women and chill
dren left exposed TO the pitlless foe
The old Tory was to receive as his con-
Densation 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 a neighbcr
about twp miles distant The little
band of heroes learned, too, that the
British troops had secured their horses
in Livinnston's stable, and intended to
descend the creek in large boat. There
were twenty of them besides their Cap
tain.
Major Bradslone, the leader of the
band, was, in temper and heart, very
demon, and scrupled not in bis cruelty
TO destroy the slumbering infant or the
sick W ife. Not a few in that youthful
band trembled for a widowed mother or
defenceless sister. Some .were for de-
parting Immediately but James Wilson,
still retaining the grasp on the Tory's
son, ordered them to be quiet. The pris-
oner was bound hand and foot, and
thick handkerchief bound over his mouth
to prevent him from calling for assistance
and a stout cord fastened to his breast,
and wound about tree. All hope of
escape forsoOk GeorgeLivingstOne. Will
son motioned 10 his little band to follow
him, and in few moments they stood on
the summit of a high preciPice which
overhung White Clay Greek.
"Now boys said Wilson, "the nara.
tive which we have just heard is true,