The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-10-14

secured the country sometimes; and
knowing the zeal of Its owner, this par
ty of some score or SO Of horses had no
doubt but that there they should receive
help and shelter.
Food and refreshments were literally
enough bestowed upon the faint and
weary soldiers, who had ridden long and
hard and fiercely contested fight, and
their leader having made his acknowl-
edgments for the succor received, they
were about to mount their horses and
take their departure at once, when the
sound of trumpet and the crackle
of dropping shot from musquetoon
and petronel, added to the fierce
cries of men and the clatter of horses
hoofs, told them that they were sur
prised and that the cavaliers, with their
numbers increased on the way, were
upon them.
All was now alarm and confusion
The courtyard becamea scene of slaugh-
ter, for the cavaliers fought with the
rancor of defeated hopes this being
mere temporary success and the Puri-
tans fought with fury as dogged and
decided; and while some few escaped,
the greater part were slain or wounded,
and they were about to fire the house
when a horseman, whose foaming bit
and steed's bleeding sides told of the hot
haste he had made, dashed among the
cavaliers and bade them hold their
hands.
1t was Arthur Drake, who had a
command in the regiment, and who
came up just at the instant when the
few who were being actually massacred
and whose bravery might have won
forbearance-were spared, out of respect
which the men still paid toward their
commanding officer.
But, in the meantime, singular
scene was passing within the hall.
The cavalier party was actually COM
manded by Sylvester King, who, at the
very moment that his men were COM
mitting murderous excesses upon the
surprised Puritans, was actually having
an interview with Henrietta; and for
getful of all the ties whi ch bound him
to respect her, and for her sake those
who dwelt beneath the shadow of the
old Puritan's roof, was proposing to her
the base plan of fight with him.
Miscreant!" exclaimed a deep, harsh
voice emenating from one corner of the
chamber. Despser of that which you
should hold most holy! Traitor to that
trust which you should, in your profes-
sion, hold most sacred Do you show
yourself to this deluded girl in your true
colors And you, tickle and FOOLISH"
turning to his daughter who stood pale
and trembling, " do you listen to the
Establishments of him, who would WOO
you to your dishonor and ruin, and
whose hand is even now lifted against
the life of him to whom you owe your
being l''
Sylvester had recovered from his sur
prise by this time, and believing that
the old Puritan was alone and nnfriend-
ed-for he also seemed to have ridden
hard for his life, and to have entered his
house by secret way--the cavalier with
laugh of irony and bow of mock re-
spect, said:
Save you, good sir, was returning
good for evil, you will perceive, and re-
paying the fathers hate by loving his
daughter. We are the victors to-day,
and you will do well to yield to the
chances of war;"
"Thou liest, man and that will soon
be seen. So, release your hold and quit
the chamber, your presence pollutes;
for even her presence shall not protect
you from my vengeancel"
And as he spoke he drew his sword
and advanced, with a dark brow and a
flashing eye, to part them.
But, as if this had reused up all that
was bad in nature, Sylvester, who had
been irritated by the Puritan's words,
seized pistol in his belt, and pointing it
full at his opponents breast fired, and
the bullet struck him in the shoulder, so
that the sword fell out of his nerveless
hand.
"Spare him In heavens name, do
not lift your hand against my father ~
shrieked Henrietta, as she, in turn, sank
fainting into chair.
What, no, therel' shouted Sylves-
ter, stamping his foot, as two or three
troopers entered. Here, corporal, we
have found prize. Take your belts
and strap up the Old roundhead in one