Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-04-03
OVER THE CLIFF.
By WIN. HALL.

The revolution was over, and America
was free. Free? Yes, free from her
foreign foes, out the Indians, under the
will of the Tories, were doing all they
could to harrass the patriots. The Mo-
hawks were the principal enemies of
the Americans, and at the close of the
revolution they commenced the work
of death by burning the settlers houses
and numbering the inmates.
At the time of which | write, there
was a small settlement on the bank of
the Oswego river, in NewYorll. 1t was
conn osed of about 20 houses, and went
by the name of Clintonville.
The male population had but a month
previous returned from the war, and
on their return home, found that their
services would soon be required there,
for one Ralph Burton, n Tory and a for
mcr resident of the village, had been
accused of IA crime, and to escape death
had turned outlaw and joined the In
dians. He had AN organized band of
Tories and Indians, and had his head
quarters somewhere m)ng the high
banks of the river; and many were the
bloody deeds done 10y him and his band
of cut-throatS.
The peaceful people of Clintonville
never felt secure in their beds, expect
ing every moment 70 see house on fire,
and hear the wild shouts of Burton and
his gang. When the men came back, a
com 1any was formed to capture Burton
and Mr.. Smith. the wealthiest man in
the village, offered large sum Of money
foI him "dead or alive.o But the efforts
OF the patriots were unavailing to discov-
er the outlaws.
The sun was gliding the hill tops with
its declining beams, and shedding its
last rays of light on the village, There
was group of villagers standing in
front of the hotel, discus ing the topics
Of the day. They were all dressed in
the common garb of backwOOdsmen {;
their rifles were leaning against the tav-
ern, for they had but few minutes be-
fore return ed from an unsuccessful hunt
after the outlaws cave,
Th ere was one among the settlers who
was looked upon as their leader; he was
fine looking man, about forty years OF
age, and had seen considerable service
among the Indians. He was dressed in
a buckskin suit, and coonskin cap
with the tail hanging down behind was
on his head. lie was q. med with Two
pistols and knife, and his life stood
gainst the tavern; all is now complete
but his name, which was Ned Spen-
Ger.
The young men were talking very
earnestly, and we will listen to what
they were saying.
81 tell YOU" said one, ~ am afraid
that Ralph Burt III and lis gang will
outwit us yet"
81 dot thin so,' responded Harry
Blake, "for we shall never have peace
till we catch him and give him justice !;
and |, for one, will not give up The con-
flict TIL he is caught"
you're right, Harry" cried several
voices from the group, which showed
plainly that they were decided as to
their course Of action.
"What do you say about 1t Ned p"
said one of the men, turning to the
hunter, who had not yet said word,
but stood there listening to the con-
yersaton.
"Weil," said he, sit is my opinion
that, by good manmuvering, Rurton
may be either caught or killed and
think, if we would not go out in so
large n force, but two or three go, we
could Outwit him. Let our main guard
stay to guard the village, and Eagle
Plume and | take the trail. What do
you ay to that arrangement"
ut suits me very we'll" said Harry
Blake.
"And |, and l." responded the rest
Of the settlers.
"Then it is all settled. | will go to
meet Eagle Plume, the Onondaga.
Good bye, friends. | hope to report
success soon" said Ned, rs he took up
his rifle ana walked away in the dlrec-
ton Of the woods.
He soon reached the woods, and seat
ed himself at the foot of a giant oak to
wait the chief The person for whom
he waited, was, as we said before, Eagle
Plume, chief of the Onondaga, Dur
ing the Revolution he was faithful to
the Americans, and WAS, at that time,
on the scout after Burton. lie and Ned
had hunted together, and they promised
to meet at the oak that evening.
Ned sat far an hour waiting anXiously
for the we'll known football Of Eagle
Plume-but it came not Ned was get