St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-11-24

more ueISnt tnan tnlS Oruer. CuIlOsl-
ty and other reasons had long urged
him to enter the house during Van
Dykes absence for the very purpose
but the dread that Van Dyke might re-
turn while he was thus engaged, had
heretofore prevented him from under
taking it. He was now armed with
proper authority, and proceeded.
What he found or discovered he did
not report to Colonel Harcourt, but
made the same reply us the soldiers,
that nothing could be found.
every we'll, we will now leave the
place and return to Powers Hook.
Hodgeson, place some dry wood i'll the
middle of this room, and when give
the word apply the match
What. are you going to burn the
willows, Colonel p said Classon, his face
cleaning with satisfaction. .............
"Yes, | will burn the nest of this
rebel carrion bird. 1t is well be Is not
within reach, or he would swing for; it,
One such fellow, with his secret, ,spyiAg
and finding out, is of more injury to us
than regiment of rebels in an open
field"
Little did the British commander i'm
"SiHN wv y was thSh ''iiii''''
within sound of the his voice.
TO horse, men, all except HOdgeson.
BY this time Classen and the Colonel
had approached within hearing of Van
Dyke, when he halted with his troopers.
"Now, Hodgeson, apply the match
mount and fall in
1t was with anguish Van Dyke heard
the order from his hiding place. The
Willows, us the farm house was called,
had been the birthplace of his ancestors,
and there he had passed all his life.
But what could he do? Nothing.
Presently ii thick black smoke arose
and burst from door and window. This
WAS followed by brilliant flame that
shot far into the sky. aud the cracking
OF the well-scasoued timber, dry with il
centuIy's preparation, could he heard
ut Il great distance.
There will be one rebel shelter less
tonight. It's Il pity that they were not
all burned down, then the king would
have more friends this side of the water.
These rebels are like dogs-a good
whipping makes them goodnatured.
The house is nearly consumed, for the
emhers are beginning to fly before the
evening breeze. BY files. to the right
face. trot - And the horSemen wheeled
into the road"
Fifty guiueas. you say, Colonel. il
| take Van Dyke" asked Classen,
again.
"Ies, fifty guineaS."
Then | will leave YOU here and keep
before Il great while. Where shall YOU
halt ?"
AT the Oaks, five miles Oft, and stop
for an hour or two for Il forage party.
If anything should occur within that
time you know where to find me-" The
officers and troops rode away.
Classrn fingered around, and gradu-
ally approached the building, which,
with the exception of the walls, was Il
heap of Iuius.
80, John Classen, you have glutted
your vengeance upon me, and this Is
Your work, wretch -
ClasScn turned and bcheld. within
six feet of him, Van Dyke. leaning on
his muSkct.
"l"u know. Peter" the wretch NUT
tered. trembling is he spoke. lit was
the British officer; You know that |
wouldn't iniure YOU"
"Sprak not another word. liar. OF
shall forge my self and blow your brains
out. | heard all. lou are to have fifty
guincaS toI experimenting me. | am
everything that is bad. came to bum
your house down, but fled when youl
neighborS approached. Wretch, saved
your dwelling and your worthless car
cs>S. and these ruins are my reward"
Peter. dear Peter
"Scoumdrcl. do not apply the word
dedr To met sounds worse than the
hiss of Il snake. Listen. John ClaSscn
the chief reason of YOUR animoSitN to
me is because Kate Vessels preferred
my hand to yours. Thank God, She
and her father are now safe from youl
persecution. for they are now within
the American lines. Now, heal me
spare You this time, for You are un
armed, but when next we meet. he it
in town or village. forest or road. at
wedding or funeral. it is your life ol
mine. Coz
Clissen waited for no second bidding.
but disappeared i'll the direction taken
10y the soldiers, in double quick time.
his hair standing on end, for like all
rogucS. he was as cowaldly as he was
bad.
Van Dyke paused Il moment, and
thus poudercd in his own mind that
scoundIel will bring some of those horse
men back. for he will imagine that |
may linger two or three hours around
this old place. Yes. yes. will, after
some twenty of our lads have prepared
an ambush for them. Fifty guinea>
will draw Classen anywhere. coward as
he is, especially when backed by the
red-coatS.'
1t WAS not long before Van Dyke re-
turned with his party, whom he gath
cred 10y Il signal and AS night had
fallen, they took their stations where
they could remain unperceived. For
the space of an hour all WAS still, when
the distant tramp of horses was heard
on the road.
Here they come," said Van Dyke
each choose his man, but leave Clas-
sen to me. Yen will know him by the
coat he wears. | will give the word
when to fire"
In short time the party of horsemcn
rode up to the Willows; and true
enough, they were red-coats. headed by
Il lieutenant and Classen.
Fire :" shouted Van Dyke.
So sudden and deadly was the aim
that not more than half dozen re-
mained in their saddles, and they
wheeled their horses and fled aS quick
as possible. Van Dyke had intention
ally aimed at the horse of Classen, and
he fell with the rider. To secure Clas-
sen was the work of moment.
'Now, lads, bring out the rope and
throw it over that willow branch we
have alarmed the enemy, and he will
be down upon us
"Mercy, mercy :" cried Classen.