Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-01


er than live for this p
"Ralph, don't-don't. There is no
harm. And Seaton was your own friend,
you know he was. But for you
But for me you would mover have met
this man who Is trying with the rest to
destroy our liberties. Well, what did he
write? You are aware Ralph went on
sarcastically, "that he is lieutenant of
his NTaicsty's marines? Possibly his in:
formation may prove useful. What did
"Only that Sir Georges feet would
soon sail this way-Sir George Collier =
and-nnd-that he might, perhaps. come
ashore and"
ooh, it was this you were afraid Of
then? This was the deadly peril. What
Il loving sister have You were afraid,
forsooth, that he would come to rob and
burn, and murder the rest of the family,
while taking you in his arms.
The girls eyes glowed. She drew her
self up and faced the young Continental
with indignation. "Do you dare to say
that Lieutenant Seaton will permit such
atrocities, or take part in them? He will
come here to see me, and he will let no
harm befall those who are near me. Yes
1 was afraid I might never see him
again"
very well, he said ''your fear shall
be justified. You must leave the place
this afternoon. Black Frank shall take
you across the bay, and ride with you to
Culpepper; 30 get ready at once. Do you
hear me? Do not delay. And mind not
one word of this to Margaret"
Miss Cuttance knew that she should
have to obey. But ut this moment Of
defeat the tender side of her nature sud
denly got the better of her, II will do it, :"
she said, meekly. "But if you send me
away, why not go with me?"
Impossible Margaret cannot move. ~
ooh, true, true" The girl seemed gen.
timely anguished. "But what will be-
come of you all ?" she cried touching her
brothers shoulder with both hands. He
shook her off. "If the enemy should
come, and / not here" she went on.
"Ralph, Ralph. Think of what you are
doing. You an officer. They would have
no mercy. Why should you not fly and
leave us? They could not harm women.
Or, if you wish, go ride somewhere and
get help and return"
81 might ride to the end of Accomac
and it would do no good. Besides, II
to fly? You remind me that am an Off
Ger. That is quite needless, for never
forgot it moment, though you may.
More than that, am n man hope He
was Just twenty, this tall young colonel. !
No madam, l stay here. And if ever you
behold Seaton again it won't be my fault
for if he comes to this place will run my
sword through him"
And the little child whose presence had
made the father think war so hideous n
few minutes before, slept calmly in the
room within which this threat was ut
tered.
Sally started before an hour had pass
ed, Black Frank accompanying her. But
as her horse paced in among the woods
that concealed the road to the Chesapeake,
the poor girl turned on her saddle,
searched the vacant sea with her eyes,
and threw one intangible kiss form her
lips to the hopeless expanse Of waves.
From his position on the veranda
Ralph could see what she on the road had
| had come into sight, making their way
them long and arxiously, until they be-
came 80 distinct that with his glass he
could make out the British ensign, and
distinguish the flag ship from the rest.
They lay for while, then the flag ship
and most of the fleet proceeded on their
way, leaving one sloop of war in the Off
ing, which beat up and down, and appear
ed to be cycling the house as intently as
the colonel was cycling the vessel herself.
There WAS commotion on the platform;
the slaves ran here and there like n flock
of disturbed chickens. But Col. Ralph
quietly summoned to the library his little
brothers, Frank and Reginald, youngsters
respectively of twelve and fourteen, and
there instructed them as to their military
duties in case Of an attack. He had too
much old Virginia pride, and too little
ammunition, to avail himself of any war
like aid from his negroes.
Meanwhile, on board his majesty's
sloop the captain of marines was receiv-
ing his orders.
"You will land with my detachment of
sailors in two hours from this time. By
then the tide will have made that creek
practicable for the boats. Guard against |
surprise, search the house, carry off the |
slaves, and set the buildings all afire."
"All, sir?"
"!All. The mansion along with the
rest"
The captain Of marines retired.
81 would give my commission if were
out of this service" Lieut.. Seaton re-
marked to him. Il presume, sir, that if
you find only helpless women, you will
use your discretion about burning down
their shelter?'
81 have none to use, said the superior
CURLY. "And, for my part, 1 think the
more of these rebel nests we destroy, the
sooner the insurgents will come to their
senses. Our object is to ravage the whole
shore"
Seaton turned sharply, and walked
away to suppress the revolt that was in
him. He stood by the tatfrail staring |
steadily at the distant house, which he
knew so well, where his gallant young |
friend Cuttance," as he called him in his |
silent about it as to suggest hope. of
have taken the alarm and fled, he reflect
ed, and his heart grew lighter.
At dusk Col. Ralph heard the regular
stroke and rattle Of many oars in their
rowlocks on the creek. A little while al
terward the tramp of the hostile force, |
now invisible, made itself felt through the |
darkness, The colonel had quietly warn
ed his wife of the inevitable danger and
two boys.
I'VE claim peaceable entry here in the
kings name" said the leader of the ma
rines knocking
"You shall have it on one condition, F"
said the colonel. My wife is sick, and
has young baby. Promise me that she
shall not be disturbed"
1--WE make no conditions with traitors, +"
was the answer. "Men, club your guns
and break the door,"
Instantly three pistol shots, through
loop holes recently bored in the wood,
sent their shock of fame and sulphurous
puffs of smoke into the faces of the ma
rauders, and two men fell But it was n
brief struggle only. The door was car