Maryland free press., 1867-01-31
VOLUME 7.

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| him. q
well, secure him, and fifty guineas ahall be
| yours
| Several of the soldiers now came from the
house, ard stated that they had searched from
| top TO bottom, but could find no one although
from appearance some person had heen there re-
Gently. The Colonel, followed by Claasen, pas s.
ed on to the house, while the fugitive lay quiet
i n his coneealment.
1t was plain frame house Of mid3ling size
built partly of stone in the old dutch style, and
very comfortable within. There was but little
furniture-a few tables, chairs, and cooking uten-
sls. The better part, Claasen said had been ta-
ken away on the occasion of Van Dykes sister 8
marriage, year before, as her part.
'Herc is great coat sir, said one of the sold
iers, that we found on the floor of the kitchen
near the back door. 1t must have been dropped
In hurry
Feel If there are any papers in the pockets,
said Col. Harcourt.
'Ycs, sir, here is a bundle of thcm' ..
THE colonel took the package, looked at the
superscription, broke the seal; and going TO the
window, commenced reading them to- himself
with countenancc of surprise.
$50, so-here's list of our troops, and the
numbers in and around the city, at Fowls
Hook, $780, 'At Elizahe,htown and Newark
1s0r.' Gen. Clinton leaves soon for Charleston
with 5oo0.' why these documents are indeed Of
importance. Who can PLAY the spy so thorough
ly in our camp? This Van Dyke is a most dan
gerous character to be abroad. MEN,, be said
aloud, 'and yoI, Classen, search every hole,
and see II any more papers can be fouudI
Nothing could give Claasen great er delight
than this order. Curiosity and other reasons had
long urged him TO enter the house during Van
Dskes sence for this very purpose; but the dread
that Van Dyke might return while he was thus
engaged had heretofore prcvcnte ted him underta-
king it. lie was now armed with proper author
ity and protected.
What he found or discovered he did not re-
port TO Col. Harcourt, but made the same reply
as..the soldiers, that nothing more of Importance,
could be found.
very well, we will now leavev the place and
return to quarters at Powls Hook. Hodgeson.
place some dry wood in the middle of this room
and when give the word apply tho match
'Whs'l Are yCu going TO burn the Willows
captn?' said Claasen, his face cleaning with sat-
isfacton.
'Yes, will bnrn down the nest of this rebel
carrcn bird. II ia well he is not within my req ach
-hc should swing for it. One such fellow, with
his secret spying and finding out is of more in
jury to us than q regiment of rebels in open field
| Little did the British commander imagine that
the young man was then almost within sound oil
his voice.
ITO horse, men, all except Holgcson.' BY this
time with CIaasen, the colonel had approached
within hearing of Van DYKE where he halted
with his troopers.
'Now Eodgeson, apply the match, mount and
fall in
II was with anguish Van Dyke heard this o.
der from his hiding-place. The Willows as the
| farmhouse was called, had been the birthplace
of his ancestors as it was his own, and there he
had PASSED all his life But what could he do 2
Nothing. -...
Presently thick, black smeke arose and bur 81
from each door and window. This was followed
by brilliant fame that shot far into the sky,
and Il Q cracking OF the we'll seasoned timhers
dry with a century of preparation, could be
hard at n great distance.
There will be one rebel sheltered less tonight
II is pity they were not all burned down ther
The king would have more friends this side o
the water. These rebels are like dogs, good
whipping makes them better. naturcd. The
house IL nearly consumed, for the embers are be
ginning to fy before the evening breeze. By
files, TO the right face trot = and the horsomer
wheeled into the road.
Fifty guneas, you say, colonel, if take Var
Dyke = asked Caasen again.
'Ycs, fifty guineas.'
Then will leave you here, and keep watcf
around. He may return here before grea'
;, while. Where shall ycu halt p
AT the Oaks five miles off, and stop an houl
or two for the forage party. Ifany thing should
i, occur within that time, you will know where to
find me- The officer and troop rode away.
Claasen fingered around, and gradually APP
preached the building, which was, with the ex
ception of the brick walls, heap of ruins.
80 John Claasen, you have glutted your ven
geance upon me, and this is your work, vipcl
wretch =
Claasen turned and-behed, within six feet o
him, Van Dyke, leaning on musket.
NO, no, Peter the wretch murmured, trem
bling as he spoke, lit was the British officer
You know wouldn't injure you /
Sneak rot another word, liar, or shall for
, get myself and blow your brains out. hear
all. You are to have fifty guineas for apprehend
ing me. am everything that is bad. I cam
, to burn your houses down, but fed when you
ficnds approached Wretch, saved youl
dwelling and your worthless carcass, and thes
9 ruins are my reward
Peter, dear Peter i
'Scoundrel !. do not apply that word dear tc
me- It sounds worse than the hiss Of snake
Listen, John Claascu; the chief reason of you
animosity to me is because Kate Vessels pre-
ferred my hand to yours. Thank God she ant
her father are both safe from persecution, fo
they are now within the American Lines. Nov
hear me: spare you this time for you are un
armed; but when next we meet, be it in town o
v;IIsoe forest or road at wedding or funeral