Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-04-23
BebcCca, the Drummer-A True story
OF the War OF 1872.

ISebccca, thc Drummer-A True story
OF the War OF 1872.
1t was about nine o'clock in the morn
ing when the ship appeared. AT once there
was the greatest excitement in the village.
1t was British war-ship. What would
she do? Would she tack around in the
bay and pick up stray coasters as prizes, or
would she land soldiers aud ..burn the
| town?
Those were sad days, those old war times
in 1912. The sight of British war-ship in
Boston Bay was not pleasant We were
| poor then and had no monitors TO go out
and sink the enemy or drive them off,
Our navy was small and though we ailer-
wardshad the victory and sent the trouble
some ships away, never TO return, at that
| time they often came near enough, and the
| good people in the little village Of Sciluate
IIarbor were in great distress over the
strange ship that had appeared at the mouth
of the harbor.
1t was a fishing-place in those days, and
the harbor was full of boats and smacks of
all kinds. The soldiers could easily enter
the harbor and burn up everything, and
no one could prevent them. There were
men enough to make good fight, but they
were poorly armed, and had nothing but
fowling pieces and shot-guns, while the
soldiers had muskets and cannon.
The tide was down during the morning,
SO that there was no danger for few hours !;
and all the people were out on the cliffs
and beaches TO watch the ship and see what
would happen next.
On the end Of tho low sand spit that
makes one side of the harbor, stood the lit
| tie white tower known as Scituate Light.
In the house behind the light lived the
keepers family, consisting of himself, wife
and several boys and girls. At the time
the ship appeared, the keeper was away
and there was no one at home save Mrs
Bates, and the eldest daughter. Rebecca,
about fourteen years old, two of the little
boys and young girl named Sarah Win
sor, who was visiting Rebecca.'
Rebecca had been the first to discover the
ship, while she was up in the lighthouse
tower polishing the reflector. She at once
descended the steep stairs and sent Off the
boys to the village to give the alarm.
For an hour or two the ship tackled and
stood Off at sea, then tackled again and
made for the shore. Men, women and
children watched her with anxious interest.
Then the tide turned, and began to flow in
to the harbor. The boats aground on the
flats tioated, and those in deep water swung
around at their moorings. Now the SOL
diers would probably land. If the people
meant 10 save anything it was time to be
stirring. Boats were hastily put out from
the wharf, and such clothing, nets and 9th
er valuables rs could be handled were
Brought ashore, loaded into haycarts, and
carried away.
1t was of no use TO resist. The soldiers
Of course, were well armed, and if the peo-
pie made a stand among the houses that
would not prevent the enemy from the
shipping.
AS the tide spread out over the sandy
flats it filed the harbor so that, instead of
a small channel, II became a wide and beau
tirul bay. The day was fine and there was
a gentle breeze ripping the water and
making it sparkle in the sun. What a
splendid day for fishing or sailing. Not
much use TO think of either while that war
ship crossed and recrossed before the har-
Dor mouth.
About two o'clock the tide reached the
high-water mark, and, to the dismay of the
people, the ship let go her anchor, swung
her yards round and lay about half mile
from the first cliff, They were going tc
land TO burn the town. With their spy
glasses the people could see the boats low
cred 10 take the soldiers ashore.
All ! then there was confusion and up.
roar. Every horse in the village was pu
into some kind of a team, and the womel
and children were hurried off to the woods
behind the town. The men would stay
ard offer as brave a resistance as possible
Tho guns were light and poor, but they
could use the old house as a fort, and
perhaps, make brave fight OF it. If worse
came to worse, they could at least retrea
and take to the shelter of the woods.
1t was a splendid sight. Five large boat
manned by sailors, and filled by soldiers
in gay red coats. How their gun;
glittered in the sun. The oars all moved
in regular order, and the officers, in thei
fine uniform, stood up to direct the eXpe
dition. TWAS courageous company com
with war-ship aud cannon TO fight help
less fishermen.
So Rebecca Bates and Sarah Winsol
thought as they sat up in the lighthouse
looking down on the procession of boat'
as it went past the point and entered thu
harbor.
"Ohl If were only a man ~ cried Re
becca.
"What could you do? See what lot o
them and look at their guns"
~ don't care. I'd fight. I'd use father
old shot-gun-anything. Think of uncle''
new boat and the sloop.
"Yes; and all the boats"
"Irs too bad; isn'tit2"
''Yes; and to think that must sit here
and see it all and not lit a finger to help
"Do you think there will be a fight ?"
81 don't know. Uncle and father are il
the village and they will do all they cam"
"See how still it is in the town. There's
not a man to be seen."
sob, they are hiding till the soldiers arr
nearer. Then well hear shots and the
drum"
"The drum How can they It's here
Father brought it home to mend it las
night"
"Did heP Oh, then let's"-
"See, the first boat has reached the sloop
Oh, oh they are going to burn her."
"Isn't it mean2"
"Ips too bad l-too"-
"Where is that drumP"
ats in the Kitchen"
''Tve great mind TO go down and bea
it,"
"What good would that dor"
L