Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-03-04

ltS peak proclaimed t0aC Nlcnm0O0 0aO
fallen, and we, their desccndeuts, had de.
Tended with our lives, and preserved with
our blood, the sacred legacy which they
had left us-the American Union.
Captain William Stuart, who was at
that time in command of Block House
Island, was Informed by a scout and
hunter, whose name was Perkins, that
General Frazer, with one thousand British
troops had attacked Colonel Warner at
Hubbarton, and the colonists after a sc.
we're fight, became demoralizcd, and fed in
all directions. lie also stated that Eve
hundred Indians aud Tories were coming
by way of East Bay to Skeensboro, with a
view Of its destruction.
Scarcely had the commandant gather.
ed in the women aud children Of the set.
Element, and made his arrangements to re.
pei the attack, when night set in, clear and
cloudless.
At about eleven o'clock the enemy was
reported in sight. They we're coming
from the direction of East Bay, in large
number Of canoes and batteaux, while
Upon the land some of the forces was de.
ployed as scotts. The whole force of the
Americans was about three hundred, one
half of whom were on the island, and the
rest ambushed in the woods on the noun.
tain side, just below Ke-hosh .quanua Falls.
No sound either at tho fort or on the shore,
indicated that the settlers we're aware Of
the approach Of the enemy.
On came the feet of boats, silently dip.
ping their oars, hopeful of surprising the
settlers, and clated at the thought of the
easy victory and rich spoil that awaited
them; for this was depot of supplies for
large exent Of country.
Our scout, Thomas Perkins, was look.
ing through loop hole in the fort, watch.
ing the movements Of the feet, until, as
the enemy drew near, he turned to his
commander with flashing eye, and Kissed
through his clcnc he'd teeth
81 say, Captain Stuart, do you sec that
boat ahead thar?"
"Ycs, Tom," he replied. What of it ?"
"This of it" said the scout "If Jim
Pierce amt in that boat. hang me for q
concarned flabcrgasted Tory -
"Jim Pierce !" said the Captain, "he
is one of our friends, and l believe lie has
\ good heart, Notwithstanding his rough
! nature. He was here yesterday and dincd
with me. think you arc mistaken"
Dined with you Captain, did he ?
Did you warm that rattlesnake that's now
ready to strike yc? He's Tory! spy
one Of Burgoyne's most valuable scouts"
~ harbored Pierce, certainly" said the
Captain. 81 thought him friend to our
cause and he was recommended to me as
a faithful scout, by my superior, Colonel
Warner.
Captain" said Tom, "I don't swear,
cos Lucy Morgan axed me not to; but
Jcrewsalem ! wouldn't like ter rip out
now ? 'twuld dew me good. Has that
darucd skunk imposed on the Kernel tew
l must put an end to your desait, Jim
Pierce for I have got the pill in old
Thuudcrcr's belly what was casted for ye,"
patting his long rife as he spoke. "Now
say yer prayers, for am goin' to sponge
yc out"
As he said this he brought the rife to
his shoulder. but the Captain laying his
hand on the scouts arm, said:
"Wat until give tho order to CON-
mence the battle, then you may turn your
attention to Pierce"
"That's allus the way" said Perkins,
"when = feller has clear sight, and
good shot, but kin wait"
It is true that Pierce had dined with the
Captain the day before, and had been
shown all of the defences Of the place, and
Pierce had noticed with keen eyes, the
small garrison, and showing the creden-
tials given him by Colonel Warner, gained
all the knowledge Of the place he desired,
and after having lulled the Captain into
security, by telling him that there was no
enemy in the country; and large sup.
ply we're coming up the lake in charge Of
Ethan Allen, the Captain made him the
bearer Of dispatches to General Schuyler,
at Port Edward, aud he departed ostensi-
bly, on his mission but in reality, to in
form Frazer of their almost defensless con.
dition.
At Fairhaven, Pierce meeting with
"Red Deer" chief of the Mohawks, a
band of Tories under one Remington, he
reconsidered this motion, rs the politicians
say, and uufolded to them q plan for the
sackiug Of Skeensboro. For his share in
the spoils, oil he asked was what he should
take from the bodies of those whom he
should slay with his own hand. and that
the girl Lucy Morgan should be given him
as his prisoner. This was quickly agreed
to aud thus, as We have seen, he led on
the attack.
During the dialogue just mentioned, the
boats had all huddled together, as if their
occupants we're deciding upon the mode
of attack, they being about forty rods from
the island. Soon the word to be in readi.
ness was passed from man to man, aud
turning to Tom be said i: Now send your
regards to Pierce, FIRE r
Upon the instant, the east side Of the
Block House belched forth one broad
sheet of fame, as the six Founders, which
hoI hnnn 1oodo1 9TH ,nuekok halls and