The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-04-14


creek, and slowly following the wind
ing path soon came to little low bridge
which crossed shallow rivulet leading
into White Clay, and James ordered
them to halt.
Let Frank Howard and myself re-
connoitre the premises first, to see
whether any danger may be apprehend
ed. All the rest stand here till we re-
turn. Make no noise and keep a con
slant watch
James and Frank silently depart.
ed, and we're soon lost in the thick
woods through which the path ran.
Scarce had they gone from their COM
panions, ere the quick ear OF Wilson
detected a noise, His = said he to
Frank, as he pulled up behind gigan-
tic beech tree. Presently George Liv-
! ingston came in sight. James Wilson
darted from his covert, and tightly
grasped the boy ~ the neck. The cow
ardly boy trembled like reed.
Speak one word, whispered his cap.
to, land I'll 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, and the
vice like grasp Of James and Frank OF
either arm.
Now said James, ANSWER me trul,
and promptly, or I'll make your position
uncomfortable. Do you hear /? Who
are in your fathers house at this mo
ment 2
IL cannot tell stammered the
half dead boy.
You shall tell, Or
Spare me and I'll tell everything. =
When I left the house there was nc
one there but our family and Majo,
Bra1stone.'
sWho is he p asked James.
i don't know-I don't indeed.
Tell threatened Frank.
He is the Captain Of the Yorkshir,
dragoons.'
The blue eyes of James glistenee
with JOY, anc he soon gained from tn,
Tory's son revelation which stamped
his father traitor Of the most appallins
character. He discovered that old Liy
insston not only kept up correspon
dence with the British commander, bu
that he had also plotted in his traitor
Gus design that the little village Of Nes
ark was to be burned to ashes, and IT
women and children left exposed to III,
pi,iless foe. The old Tory was to re
ceive for his compensation the Ian,
whereon the village stood, and an annu
al pension from the British Government
But, stranger than all, the plot wa.
TO be consummated on the very nigh
the Tory's son had been captured, Will,
he was going on an errand to neigh
Dor about two miles .listart. The lit,l,
band Of heroes learned, too, that til,
British troops had secured their horses
in Liyingston's stable, and intended t
descend the creek in q large boat
There were twenty Of them beside.
their Captain.
Major Bradstone the feader Of til,
band, was in temper and heart thor
ough demon, and scrnpled not in his
cruelty to destroy the slumbering infan
or the sick wife. Not few in tna
youthful band trembled for a widowet
mother or o defenceless sister. Som.
were for departing Immediately, bu
James Wilson, still retaining his grasl
on the Tory's son, ordered all to be 81
lent. The prisoner was bound hane
and foot, thick handkerchief bount
over his mouth to prevent him calling
for assistance, and stout cord fasten
ed to his breast, and wound about tree
All hope Of escape forsook Georg'
Livingston. Wilson motioned his littl.
band to follow him, and in few mo
ments they stood on the summit OF ,
high precipioe which overhuns Whit,
Clay Creek.
i Now, boys said Wilson, the nara
tive we have just heard is true, and a
we have no muskets or ammunition, ",
must make the best Of the occasion. :
The British band will pass this spot il
their beat, and as we have an hour t,
work, let us busy ourselves in rolling
some Of those large rocks to the edg'
Of the precipice, and when the red coat
pass below, let US sink them to the bot
TOM
J, Each boy Immediately set to work
and in an incredibly short space Of Tins
nine huge rocks, each half ton il
weight, were balanced upon the edge