Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-15
VOL. 72.-3657. NO. 5.

Little did the British commander imagine
the young man was then almost within sound
Of his voice.
To horse. men, all except lIodgeson.
BY this time Classen and the Colonel had
approached within bearing Of Van Dyke,
when he halted with his troopers.
Now, Ilodgeson, apply the match
mount and fall in"
u was with anguish Van Dyke heard the
order from his hiding place. The willows,
as the farmhouse was called, bad been the
birthplace Of his ancestors, and there he had
passed all his life. But what could he do 2
Nothing.
Presently thick black smoke arose and
burst from door and window. This was fol-
lowed by a brilliant flame that shot far into
the sky and the cracking Of the well-sea-
soned timber, day with a century's prepare
ton, could be heard at a great distance.
There viii be one rebel shelter less TO-
night. It's a 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 goodnaturcd. The house is nearly
consumed, for the embers are beginning 10
fly before the evening breeze BY files, 30
the right face trot And the horsemen
wheeled into the road"
Fifty guiueas, you say, Colonel, If take
Van Dyke asked Classen again.
Yes, fifty guineas.'
Then | will leave You here and keep a
watch around. lie may return here before
a great while. Where shall You halt ?"
At the Oaks, five miles oft, and stop for
an hour or two for a forage party. II any
thing should occur within that time YOU
know where TO find me- The officers aud
troops rode away.
Classen fingered around, aud gradually
approached the building which, with the ex-
ception OF the walls was a heap Of ruins.
So, John Classen, you have glutted your
vengeance upon me, aud this is your work.
wretch l'
Classen turned and behed, within six feet
OF him, Van Dyke, leaning on his musket
You know, Peter" the wretch muttered,
trembling as he spoke, " it was the British
officer you know that ! wouldn't injure
YOU"
Speak not another word, liar or | shall
forget myself and blow your brains out
heard ALL You are to have fifty guineas for
apprending me- | am everything that is
bad. came to burn your house down, but
fled when your neighbors approached.
Nt'Nh' NdNft loul hNtlllN8 dHu your
worthless carcass, and these ruins are my
reward"
Peter, dear Peter '
"Scoundrel, do not apply the word dear to
met sounds worse than the hiss of
snake Listen, John Classen; the chief
reason of your animosity TO me is because
Kate Vessels preferred my hand to yours.
Thank God She and her father are now
safe from your persecution, for they are now
within the American lines. Now hear me
! spare you this time, for you are unanned,
but when next we meet, be it in town or
village, forest or road, at wedding or funeral.
10 is your life or mine. Go
Classen waited for no second bidding, but
disappeared in the direction taken by the
soldiers in double quick time his hair stand
ing on end, for like all rogues, he was as
cowardly as he was bad.
Van Dyke paused a moment, and thus
pondered in his own mind" that scoundrel
will bring some of those horsemen 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 gum
eas will draw Classen anywhere, coward as
he is, especially when backed 10y the red
coats"
1t was not long before Van Dyke returned
with his party whom he gathered 10y a sig
nal; and as night had fallen, they took their
stations where they could remain unper-
ceived. For the space Of an hour all was
still, when the distant tramp of horses was
heard on the road.
4" Here they come" said Van Dyke.
Each choose his man, but lsave Classen to
me, You will know him by the coat he
wears. ! will give the word when to fire."
In a short time the party of horsemen
rode up 10 the willows aud true enough,
they were red-coats, headed by a lieutenant
and Classen.
Fire. shouted Van Dyke.
So sudden and deadly was the aim that
not more than half dozen remained in
their saddles and they wheeled their horses
and fled as quick as possible. Van Dyke
had Intentionally aimed at the horse of Clas-
sen, and he fell with the rider. 70 secure
Classen was the work of a 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.
All was in vain. The moose was slipped
over his head, they strung him up, aud there
he was left a corpse. The burning of the
willows had been avenged.