Maryland free press., 1867-01-31
BURNING OF THE WILLOWS.
4 TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.

This must be the house; the junction Of two
roads, and brook in front, the banks covered
with willows. This place meets the description
exactly. Order the men to dismount with the
exceptions Of acouple Of p,tros on each road
:, The speaker was dressed in the blue and scar
let uniform of the British horse a corps that was
f,r,ned nfer the landing Of tho English troops in
New Jersey, as soon as horses could be obtained
10 mount the men. He was an officer of some
rank evidently, and his carriage aud demeanor
we're both naughty and aristocratic in the high
est degree. Why not? he was the eldest son ofa
British Earl.
a. sThe house appears to be deserted, Col. Tar
cont said his junior officer as be dismounted
8 'We will sec. I bis way, half dozen Of YOU,
he said TO his men. TRY the door yondcr. II
It is fastened break it open, aud report ifany ona
Is inside If there should he, and they attempt
to escape, shoot them down, but give th:m warn.
Ing to surrender
The men advanced 10 the door, which they
found 10 be fastened; and after demanding ad-
mission, to which they received answer they
proceeded to hreak it open, which delayed them
como tms, for the door was strong oaken ona
n This done, they entered.
DO you know the man by sight, Lieu cnant?
asked Col. Ilarcourt, while the mea were busi!y
rsnsacking the house.
NO air; but there is fellow picked up on
the road now in the rear that knows him well.
lie does NOT appear to owe him much favor
Order him to the 'front.'
O. The countryman had not a very progressing
oountenancc. There was bold surliness and
c'usl expression of features extremely displcas-
ing.
What is your panc?' said Col, Harcourt, in
bis ru'ct military manner.
y, John Claasen.'
DO you know Peter Vandyke2'
Very WELL rst
qsahat his dwelling?'
'Yes-though since his pother's death and his
sisters getting married, 1t is hard TO say where
he keeps himself
Does he not bear the name of being a great
rebel, anil dangerous man to tn ,ss who favor
tho king in this ncinhborhoo II?
r'I'Yes, ftsm tho Pacific to the Hsckensack, and
thirty mics around IT'D had my WAY, he'd
been hung long ago AMI his house burned over
his heal. He is tn. lader for every rebel gang
from the army, anil points ont the honest farm
w's homes who stand by their king, whose barns
they p!undcr and carry away the rain and cat
tle.' '5raH .-a..
'tWhy you tell bitter tale about him. Has he
ever injured your
injured me? He. and parcel of robbers like
himself; came one afternoon to burn my house
and hang me before She door, which they would
have done, but for the arrival of number OF
o friendly neighbors well armed when they went OF
Sc In double quick time.' .. ....
~ Does he net venture into New York sometime:
In disguise? inquired the Colonel.
I've heard so. He was slippery from a boy
up, and can disguise himself any way. He's q
precious scamp, and you'll do favor to this part
ofJersey, If you hang him as suoa as you catch
him. 80 .
=. This conversation had been held near stone
s WALL, on the, s'her side Of which was old gar
den; but the troubles of the times had left it un-
cultivated and the gooseberry and currant bush
g had grown up rank and untrmmed, and the
briars stretched over the wis, covering the
ground from sight ....
q, Under this cover, and within ten feet of thu
. Colonel and Caasen, lay crouched the very man
they were talking OF. He had barely time to es
cape from the house and conceal himself upon th'
,l.approaeh of the British horsemen, whom he did
- not suspect to be within ten miles Of him.
ID; Twice or thrice, on hearing the base lies o
Claasen, he was on the point Of rising and con
fronting him; but little reflection was left sant
he thought that was not the occasion to place hi
life in Jeopardy, which he certainly would do,
since the party of troops had come out expressly
:. to take him. ~
,a- Do you know with any certainty, Caascn,
how long since Van Dyke has been seen in thu
:, neighborhoodF
~ ~ ~ heard that he was seen lat night two miles
4 from this, in q bye path through the woods, com
- Ing in the, direction of his house.
'''s This is the information received and am
determined to capture him sooner or lator. II
you can point out his whereabouts, orarrest hin
YOURSELF you shalt have a reward of ffty gum
cas-. -HGN w#... .....
Claassn was as avaricious and fond of money
Ia As he was wicked. Fifty guineas was large sun
indeed, particularly in those days when gold was
rarely seen. .si
4 will catch him, colonel, before he is three
10 days older Iknow one of his hsunts.'
WHY nat lead US there thea"