The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-07-17
enough upon it already"

sisted.
And Tom promised most reluctantly
but he spent all the evening polishing
the ancient blade till it shOne almos
like new one.
Night came, a dark and starless one
which promised to be auspicious to tn,
Adventures. When Tom and his fathe
arrived at the wharf they found Majo
Barton and forty men assembled for tn
enterprise. The major made a shor
,. speech to them, telling them of tn
danger they hazarded, and asking eacl
man to do his duty and obey instructions
Tom felt himself tremble all over, an,
was glad to grasp his fathers hand til
the party was ready TO embark, and tn,
elder individual took hand at the oars
There were five boats, the Chelsey Graf
being in front, with Major Barton him
self on board. At its stern was fixed ;
ten-foot pole, to which a handkerchie
was attached, in order that it might b,
distinguished from the others, and tina
none might go before it, They roweC
Iswiftly with muffled oars, passing 6
British fort, several redoubts and 6
number of the enemy's ships without
Exciting any alarm. The sentinel OF
board one of the vessels cried, "All'i
welll" little dreaming that the enemy
was at that moment in their very
midst.
The voyage was made for the most
part in silence, both officers and men toe
much engrossed with their thoughts tC
indulge in idle chat. AS they approached
the Rhode Islond shore Barton ordered
extra caution to be observed.
''If we are discovered nOw," he said
''all is lost"
Silently the five boats were rOwed uI
to the low, green shore, and the mer
disembarked. Fearing that the enemy
might attempt to cut off their retreat, il
they were discovered, the major ordered
a man to remain in each boat and to be
ready to depart at a moments notice
Then placing hand on Toms shoulder
he said: 'Now, my brave boy, conduct
us by the nearest route to PrescOtt's
quarters; and men, keep silent for youl
lives"
He had already given orders that his
little band should proceed in five
divisions, his own party going in front
The Pering mansion stood at distance
of about three quarters of mile from
the shore, and was entered by three
doors. A party was to advance upon
each door, fourth was to guard the
road and the fifth was to act as a reserve
in emergencies.
Tom, his sword in hand, led the way
with Barton beside him, and the Others
followed, cautiously creeping along the
road, and pausing now and then to listen
Once they heard the sound as of horses
running and the patriots halted in con
sternation; but a moments reflection
satisfied Major Barton of the utter i'm
possibility of his designs being known
to the enemy, and in low, stern whis
per, he uttered the one word, "Ad
vance"
As they approached the enemy's head
quarters they passed an empty guard.
house on the left, while on the right was
small cottage, occupied by a company
of cavalry. All was still in the hush Of
midnight, and the patriots arrived at the
gate of the front yard without dis
covery.
Suddenly a sentinel's challenge rang
out sharp and clear, 'Who goes
there?"
| There was moments hesitation, anC
then followed Bartons answer, loud anC
distinct as the challenge had been
"Friends."
Advance, friends, and give the
countersign," cried the sentinel.
1--WE have no countersign," said Bar
ton, in an angry tone, still advancing
but have you seen any deserters to
night?''
Before the sentinel could reply BartoI
seized him by the throat, and wresteC
his musket from him. mot a word, Of
you are dead man," whispered hi
captor, sternly, ''Is General Prescott il
the house?h
The poor fellow was so frightened tina
for few seconds he could not speak, bu
as soon as he had recovered the us'
of his tongue he answered that III
was.
The little band of Adventures nov
surrounded the house in the name
determined upon, and at word from
Barton the burly negro, whose nam'
was Prince, stove In the front door witt
his head. He butted it once withou
effect, but at the second blow the pane
yielded and the patriots entered in
stantly.
LEAD us to Peripg's roOm," said tn
major to Tom, who started up stairs, fol
lowed by Barton and half dozen Others
Mr.. Pering was aroused, and on bein
interrogated as to the generals room
could only point with his finger to til
room below.
81 know the room,n cried Tom, an
down the stairway the patriots surged I
the apartment at the right of the hallway
The door was locked.
Here's more work for Prince" sal
Barton.
"Golly, massa, guess dis will fotc
, him." and the negro gave a might
lunge, which tore the door from its yer
, hinges. The party instantly entere
the room, where they found an elderly
portly man sitting up on the side of th
bed.
, General Prescott, you are my prii
,, oner," cried Barton, advancing to hi
! side.
The Briton's full ruddy face paled
i, little as he answered, II know it, sir, bJ
will you not give me time to put on m
clOtlies?"
!, "Our time is precious, said the majo
: and allowed him only moment to pI
on his breeches and slippers. Then I'll
, stout old general was started out of ii
y house, with an officer at each elbow, hi
: aide-de-camp being also captured by ii
!, soldiers outside.
"You must run, general" said Ba
a ton, who was impatient Of the lea
delay.
~ am an old man and can't, l
. replied. But he was helped alOr
. pretty rapidly by the two soldiers at h
shoulders, taking the shortest cut TO Il
boats, which led through field Of ba
. ley and across a rough stony pastur
y When they reached the boats the poI
pOus old gentleman was complet
: blOwed, and his naked legs were blee
= ing from the cuts Of briars and barl
o heads.
70 "Do you mean to kill me?' he aske
=, tremulously.
= "No, certainly not, general" 1
" piled Barton. "We mean to exchanl
;s you for General Lee, and after that
e don't care what becomes of you," al
- he helped place the crestfpllen offic
~ ~ in the stern of one of the boats, givil
n him his military cloak 10 keep hi
warm.
At daybreak the whole marty, pr
~ ~ oners and all, landed safely at Warwi
:. Neck, after an absence of about sew
- hours. AS they disembarked Genel
\ Prescott turned towards the island, al
U' observing the ships Of war, remarked
Major Barton: ''Sir, you have mad,
- bold push tonight"
~ 1--WE have been fortunate,r answer
w the brave patriot"
,fl A dispatch was forwarded to Pro
~ dence for vehicle, and that afterno
" Major Barton and some Of his offic'
il drove the British general into that c
81 in four-horse coach; and that event
ho there was a reception at General Sp,
ho GERS headquarters, which was RENE
" bered for long years afterwards by all
~ countryside.
Tom Chesley was among the delight
40 guests, and amid the general rejoici
ho he received his share Of attentiI
,nI Before the close Of the war he enlist
81 and became a real soldier, being pres,
~ y. at the surrender of CORVALLIS 1t Yo