The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-05-01
If not paid in advance, $1.25

but our family ana MAYOR Brautones'
"Who is he ?" asked James.
al don't know-I don't indeed"
"Telll" threatened Frank
"He is the captain of the Yorkshire drag
goons."
The blue eyes Of James glistened with
joy, and he soon gained from the Tory's son
revelation which stamped his father a
traitor af the most appalling character.
He discovered that old Livingstone not
only kept up regular correspondence with
the British command, but that he had also
plotted in his traitorous designs that the lit
tie village of Newark was to be burned to
ashes and its women and children exposed
to the pitiless foe. The old Tory was TO re-
ceive as compensation the land on which
the village stood, and an annual pension
from the British Government.
But stranger than all, the plot was to be
consumated on the very night the Tory's
son was captured, while he was going on an
errand to neighbors house, two miles dis
tant. The little band of heroes learned, too,
that the British troops had secured their
horses in Livingstone's stable, and intended
to descend the creek in large boat. There
were twenty of them besides their captain.
Major Bradstone, the leader of the band,
was in temper and heart thorough demon,
and scrupled not in his cruelty to destroy
the slumbering infant or the sick wife,
Not few of those boys trembled for a
widowed mother or q defenceess sister,
Some were for departing immediately but
james Wilson still retained his grasp on the
Tory's son, and ordered all to be silent The
prisoner was bound hand and foot, thick
handkerchief tied over his mouth to prevent
his calling for assistance, and stout cord
fastened HIM to a tree. All hope of escaping
forsook George Livingstone.
Wilson motioned his little band to follow
him, and in few moments they stood on
the top of a high precipice which ovorhung
White Clay creek.
"Now boys" said Wilson, "the narrative
we have just heard is true, and as we have
neither musket or ammunition we must make
the best of the occasion. The British band
will pass this spot in their boats, and as we
have an hour to work, let us busy ourselves
in rolling these large rocks to the edge OF the
precipice,and when the red coats pass below
let us sink them to the bottom"
Each boy set TO work and in an incredible
short space of time nine huge rocks, each
half ton in weight were balanced on the
edge of the precipioe. The creek at this point
was not more than thirty feet wide, and was
directly overhung by the mass Of rock upon
which our heroes stood.
Ifthe British descended the creek, they
must certainly pass this spot, and il they
passed it, then death was their certain fate
In about an hour the quick ear of Wilson
detected the measured beat OF muflled oars.
"They are coming" he whispered, "let no
one drop his rock till I give the word, and
then at once"
Peeping cautiously over the cliff, James
saw the Tory boat slowly but surely ap
preaching. An officer stood on the bow,
guiding the oarsmen by orders,and the epau-
lets on his shoulders told that he was the
identical fend Major Bradstone.
"Don't drop till I give the ORDER" whis-
pered Wilson.
When the boat was about twenty feet
from the rock, the boy leader fell securely
behind his stone defense and shouted:
"Who goes there?"
In moment the oarsman ceased rowing,
and gazed with astonishment above them
The impetus which the boat had acquired
caused it to drift slowly beneath the rock,
and the leader cried:
"Cut loose in the name of liberty !"
Each boy pushed his rock at that instant,
and as if with one impulse the gigantic
stones fell. loud shrek from the dark
waters told how the plan succeeded, and as
the bo, again looked over the rocks moth
ing was to be seen but few pieces of wood
The boat burst in pieces and the occupants
found grave at the bottom of White Clay
creek. A cry of victory burst from the joy
GUS lips of the youthful patriots, and it was
echoed along in solemn grandeur.
"Now for our prisoner p exclaimed Frank
Howard, bounding ahead but what was
the astonishnent of the boys to find that in
his efforts to get free, George Livingstone had
been caught by the fatal cord and enoked to
death. There was no time for repining, the
traitor and his son had met their deserved
doom, and there was no one to mourn their
| loss.
"such be the end of Americas foes for
ever !' said James Wilson,
Old Livingstone's house was searched and
to the surprise of every one, not only guns,
but three brass field pieces, several barrels
o. powder, and an abundance of balls were
found in the Tory's cellar.
The military stores found here were Civ
en- over to the American troops, and found
a joyous welcome at head quarters.
Had not the British party been so signal
! lY defeated along the banks Of White Clay
creek, the town OF Newark, and the whole
Northern part of the State of Delaware,
would have been overrun b. predatory bands
| of British soldiers.
James Wilson and Frank Howard both
Joined the army under Green, and served
with distinction in the Southern campaign.
| Frank fell in the memorable battle Of Eu-
taw Springs, bewailed by all who knew
him. James lost leg at the siege Of York
town, and retired to his native village, but
modification set in, aud he expired with
the ever to be remembered words on his
lips;
"Cut loose in the name Of libertyl"
The village of Newark still stands, and
has become town of celebrity. The scene
of the defeat of the British by the boy pa
triots is still pointed out, and is a sacred
spot in the annals of Newark.
Poverty and Distress.