The union Democrat., 1869-06-05

to prevent him from calling for assistance;
aud strong cord being fastened round his
breast. ne was firmly bound to tree.
The young patriorts bad learned from Geo.
Livingston, the Tory's son, that the British
troops bad secured their horses in Livingston s
stable. and intended to descetd the creek in a
long boat on theirwsy to the destruction of
Newark; and after having tied the prisoner
to the tree, James Wilson motioned to the
little band to follow him and in few mo-
ments they stood on the summit of high pre-
cipiee which overhung Whteclay creek.
Now, boys" said James Wilson, "ths
narrative which we have just heard is true
and a. we have no muskets or ammunition,
we must make the best of the occasion. The
British band will pass this spot in their boats,
and as we have an hour to work, let us busy
ourselves in rolling some of these large stones
to the edge of this precipice and when the
red coats pass below let US sink them to the
bottom"
The boys set Immediately to work. and in
an incredibly short spsce of time nine large
stones, each nearly quarter of ton weight,
were nicely balanced upon the edge of the
giant precipice. The creek at this point was
not more than twenty feet wide, and WAS d.
rectly overhung by the mass of rocks on
which our heroes stood. If the British band
descended the creek, they would certainly
pass this spot; and if they passed it, then
death was their certain fate. In about an
hour the quick ear of Wilson detected the
measured beat of muffed oars.
"They are coming" he whispered; "let
no man drop his rock until give the word,
and then all at once"
1t was beautiful night for such deed of
patriotism. The heavens were spangled with
innumerahle stars, and every object on which
the moonbeams played, sparkled with silve-
ry radiance.
Closer came the royalsts, and the hearts
of the young patriots beat wildly in their bo-
SONS. Peering cautiously over the cliffs,
James Wilson saw the Tory boat slowly but
surely approaching. An officer stood in the
bow. guiding the osrsmen by his orders, and
the epaulets on his shoulders told that it was
the identical iend. Major Bardstone.
"Don't drop till give the ORDER" again
whispered Wilson.
When the boat was about twelve feet from
the rock, the boy leader fell securely behind
his stone defence, and shouted, "Who goes
there?"
In moment the oarsmen seased rowing,
and gazed with amazement a bove them. The
impetus which the boat acquired caused it to
drift off slowly beneath the rock, and just as
it was fairly below. Wilson cried out LET
loose in the name of Liberty"
The stones were let lose, and fell over the
precipice with tremendous crash. A loud
shrek was heard from the dark water below,
and all was quiet. The boat was smashed to
pieces, and it is believed that not single
one of the red-coats escaped to tell the tale of
the disaster.
The boys then hastered to old Livingstone 8
house and searched the premises; and to the
surprise of every one, not merely guns but
three brass feld-pieces, several barrels of pow
der, and an abundance of balls. &c., were
found concealed in the Tory's cellar. These
various military stores were given over to the
American troops and found jovial welcome
at headquarters. Had not the British party
been 80 signaly defeated along the banks of
the Whiteclay, the town of Newark. and the
whole northern part of the State of Delaware
would have been overrun by the predatory
party of British soldiers. James Wilson and
Frank Howard both Joined the army of
Greene. and served with distinction in the
Southern campaigns. Frank fell in the menu
orable battle of Eutaw Spring. bewaiied by
all who knew him. James Wilson lost his
leg at the siege of Yorktown. and retired to
his native village, but modification ensued,
and he expired with the ever to be remem-
bered words on his lips: Let loose, in the
name of Liberty. Cath. Youth Mag.