Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-04-17

iel nevertheless, II you wish IL, will take
them home and let my sister, Ruth, play
with them"
He was about 10 give them to her, when
there came q sound that caused him to step
back and look upon her with such agitation
that she, too, became alarmed
"What is IL, Nathaniel2" she said in low.
cred tones.
"Quick, Rose, quick 10 your home. Tell
your father that will come ss soon as l can
get my musket. Be prudent, Mistress for
trouble is upon u.s."
"What is II, Nathaniel7 Is there danger p
"Did you not hear that gun? That means
death TO many whom You and know before
the night has come. That, Rose, that was
the alarm gun, and It means the red-coats are
upon us. Quick, hasten to your home. II
you hurry you'll be there in Ave minutes"
She said no more but went her way with
such speed a. she was able He, turning
back, hs9tened to his cabin with a shufiiug
gait that carried him over the ground with
far less rapidty than his movements seemed
TO indicate.
He entered his cabin, loaded his musket
ramming home the mighty charge with Wig.
or then, adjusting his powder horn and bull
tet pouch, he was about TO hasten up the
| path, when there came a sound that stayed
him. He listened, with an anxious, strained
expression, peering through the boughs and
and twigs that hid the path. The crashing
Of broken bushes and the quick-ringing olat
ter Of horses boots on the rocky bed Of the
| path was proof enough that some one was
riding toward him with the speed and energy
Of desperation. He stepped quickly within
his cabin, brought the flint to a full cock
and stood with his musket ready for attack or
defence. Then he saw the blood-red nos.
trils and the seemingly frightened eyes Of
horse that was thrusting his head through
the brrmbles and then a coatless rider, heed
less Of the blood trickling down his cheeks,
where the thorne had scratched him, and urg-
ing with vigorous thrusts of the spur, the an.
imal to greater speed
In an instant Nathaniel stood in the path,
musket up, his pale face set and hard. But
II was not at the horseman that the musket
was pointed, but behind him, as though to
to cover whoever it was in pursuit The rid.
er saw him, and refined in the horse 90 sud.
denly that be was brought upon bis launches,
almost unseating the rider.
who are you 2" the horseman asked, In
the tones Of one used to command.
Nathaniel Townsend, General"
you know me 2"
Eyes. What patriot hereabouts does not
| know General Putnam 2"
'Oan you guide me out OF this path upon
the Stamford pike 2"
81 can"
do 80 at once-not a moments delay.
| We have been surprised, and Tryon's advance
is now at the top Of the hill"
But, General, l cannot go quickly enough"
why not |" asked Putnam, impatiently.
The young man pointed to his feet, and
the General saw that by reason Of the de.
| formity Of them no speed was In them faster
than a shamblng walk.
But for that, General" he said, lyon
would not find me here, but with your sol.
diers."
Take the horse by the bridle, then, and
lead him as rapidly 80 you can 10 such point
as will quickest bring me to the Stamford
road"
den- Not word more did the General say
to him. Instead he frequently rose in the
saddle that he might get better look behind,
still apprehending thAt he was pursued.
At length they reached the spot where the
path broadened into the highway, and here
Nathaniel loosened his hold Of the bride,
stepped aside, and, with the salute of respect,
prepared to let the General pass.
"Yonder is the Stamford road 2" asked the
General
1T is, without turn or crook, except around
the hills TO Stamford five miles away. You
have saved 30 much by the short cut Gen
eral, that you are now beyond the reach of
the enemy"
do you know of the great powder house ?"
asked Putnam.
II pass it every day as 1 go through the
woods to my fish nets"
''Return at once to Esquire Bush. Bid
him, II 1t be possible, take measures TO guard
that until he is relieved. Say to him that
shall be back with a detachment from StAm-
ford this evening :" and 30 saying, Putnam
drOVa the nj he nl -,
moment was rushing like the wind along
the Stamford turnpike.
An hour later there came a mighty cloud
OF dust from down the highway-so thick,
indeed, that Esquire Bush was unable to pen.
citrate it, though the bright eyes of Mistress
Rose, who stood by Aer fathers side, saw,
now and then, the red uniforms of the Brit
ish soldiers
''It is the army, father" said she. They
will not hurt you, will they ?"
II trow not, my child, for l sm old and
feeble. Nor do think they will annoy you.
for, If my eyes see Alright, there is an officer
of high rank at their head. 1t is Tryon him
self, doubt not"
The troops were now in the highway, di-
rectly before the farm house in which Es-
quire Bush dwelt, and where the road SEEM
ed to take an abrupt end at the brink of the
preoipice. Here they were halted.
The commanding officer sent an aide to the
aged farmer, with the request that he give
opportunity for some inquiries.
''Is it So" asked the commander, 'that
that zebel Putnam went over this preeipice,
horse and all, this morning?"
''In truth, ! did not see it, sir but 30
have been told"
''Well, they either lie who say so, or else
he's at the bottom with a broken neck.
Where's his army" ?"
II know not"
''If thought you did. and we're giving
me lie, I'd send you to the prison ship
Colonel, he added TO a handsome young Of
hcer who at that moment rode up, "its use
less to pursue further. II Putnam returns
i with any force, he'll not attack US on this
eminence. Let the business for which we
came be done at once, and see to 1t that some
one is found TO guide some troops to the
powder house TO blow II ap"
With gracious salute the young colonel
retired to carry out the command, and soon
the troops were hurrying to and fro In squads,
making speedy destruction of cattle and such
other neoessaries OF life as were found. Now
and then the flashes Of light told Of the hAv-
oc Of ire, and once in a while the report of
musketry was heard.
Meanwhile the spirited young colonel and
the commander, having ridden leisurely along
the edge Of the preoipioe, bethought them
selves that it was many hours since they had
eaten.
This old rebel shall give us dinner"
said the commander, pointing in the direc-
tion Of Esquire Bush's house. "Oblige me,
Delaney, by ordering it,"
In . moment Colonel Delaney was within
the best room, where he amused himself with
loud and frequent knocks. Irritated that no
one answered, he strobe through the great
entry into the kitchen, and was prepared to
make himself terrible to whomsoever he
found there. But when he saw the slender
figure and the brave and handsome eyes Of
Mistress Rose, he became q. once q suppliant
rather than tyrant
81 beg your pardon, Mistress" said he
with gentle courtesy. "But did you not hear
my knockl"
SIN truth, who but a deaf man could fail
to hear IL ?" she said.
1t pleased him that the girl was brave, and
that her bravery was tempered by her beau
ty. Said he; 'My knocking was, 1t may be,
unseemly, but the truth is General Tryon
and are very hungry"
Had you stayed below at your homes you
need not have suffered"
"Yet that recollection will not relieve our
hunger now. We would like a bit of din
ner"
The maid did not move, and the young
Colonel being still amused and pleased, and