Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-09-12

istance destroyed. But here (thanks
to the veneration Of its present pro-
prietor, for every landmark Of that
time when the young American Eagle,
plumed its wings, and wet its beak and
claws for its great struggle with the
British Lion,) no hand has dared to
deface or destroy those old remains,
which point with silent though elo-
quent finger to the daring deeds Of the
past. And who knows but the spirits
of those patriots who died upon that
island in defence of colonial liberty,
joined their spirit hands and danced
around the flagstaff which was raised
in the centre of those old works dur
ing the late rebellion, when our starry
banner proclaimed that Richmond had
fallen, and we, their descendants, had
defended with our lives, and preserved
with our blood, the sacred legacy
which they had left us-the American
Union.
Capt. William Stuart, who was at
that time in command of Block House
Island, was informed by scout and
hunter, whose name was Pekins, that
General Frazer, with one thousand
British troops, had attacked Col. War
ner at Hubbardton, and the colonists,
after severe fight, become demoral-
lied, and fed in all directions. He
also stated that five hundred Indians
and Tories were coming by way Of
East Bay to Skeensboro, with view
to its destruction. ~ h- .4..I'.r
Scarcely had the commander gath
cred in the women and children of the
settlement, and made his arrangements
to repel the attack, when night set in,
clear and cloudless.
About eleven o'clock the enemy
were reported in sight They were
coming from the direction of East Bay,
in large number of cannons and bat
teaux, while upon the land some of
the force was employed as scouts
The whole force of the Americans was
about three hundred, one-half of whom
were on the island, and the rest am
bushed in the woods on the mountain
side, just below Kehoshaquanna Falls.
No sound, either at the fort or on
shose, indicated that the settlers were
aware of the approach of the enemy
On came the feet of boats silently
dipping their oars, hopeful of surpris-
ing the settlers, and elated at the
thought of the easy victory and the
rich spoil that awaited them; for this
was depot for supplies for large ex-
tent of country.
Our scout, Tom Perkins, was look
! ing through a loophole in the fort,
watching the movements of the feet,
until, as the enemy drew near, he
turned to his commander with fash
ing eye, and Kissed through his clench-
cd teeth t
81 say, Captain Stuart, do you see
that boat ahead thar ?" .' '.i =
"Yes, Tom," he replied. "What of
itT' @ 9at
"This of it," said the scout. aft
Jim Pierce amt in that boat, hang me
for a consarned flabergasted Toryl"
"Jim Pierce ?" said the Captain,
"he's one of our friends, and l believe
he has our good at heart, notwithstand-
ing his rough nature He was here
yesterday, and dined with me. Think
you are mistaken"
"Dined with you, Captain, did he ?
Did you harbor that are skunkiferous
Tory? Did ye warm that rattlesnake
that's now ready to bite YEP He's a
Tory spy-one Of Burgoyne's most
valuable scouts" h1'1 bae WoI
az harbored Pierce, certainly said
the Captain. al thought him friend
to our cause; and he was recommend
ed to me as a faithful scout by my
superior, Colonel Wariicrn sf'I
"Captain," said Tom, II don't swar.
cos Lucy Morgan axed me not to but
Jerewsalem wouldn't / like to rip out
now P 'Twould dew me good. Has
that darned skunk imposed on the
Kernel tew ? I must put an end tew
your desait, Jim Pearce; for I've apill
in old Thundcr's belly what was cast
ed for YER" patting his long rife as he
spoke. "Now say yer prayers, for I'm
going to sponge yeriout" hadsHIs Hap
As he said this, he brought his rife
to his shoulder, but the Captain laying
his hand upon the scouts arm, said:
await until I give the order to
commence the battle, then you may
turn your attention 10 PIERCE" cot
"Thafs allus the way" said Per.
kins, "when a feller has clear sight,
and good shot, but l kin wait" uaH
IT is true that Pierce had dined