Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-01-01
CHAPTER Ill.

lnat same evening party of five met
at the house of Captain Lambert, consist
ing of the two O'Briens, Colonel Foster
Mr.. Wheaton, and the gentleman at whose
house they met.
We'll gentlemen, said the elder O'Brien
MIR. Homes informs me that unless the
tree is taken down on Monday, the town
i, to be fired upon.
so we were threatened yesterday"
rejoined Captain Lambert significantly.
land vet the tree stands"
Yes" added Colonel Foster. "and will
stand in spite of the kings authority"
Have you heard from the messengers
sent to Pleasant River and the other set
tcments:' inquired Wheaton of O'Bricn
"Oue of them returned this afternoon"
And what word does he bring"
Every man who can possibly leave will
be here tomorrow. or early Monday
morning"
Il hope they will come well provided
with ammunition" remarked Cot. Foster.
Il am afraid not" said O'Brien; 1.-THE
messenger says there is a great scarcity Of
powder at Pleasant River. However, they
are coming. and those who can't obtain
mu>kets viii come armed with pitch-fork-
and scythts. They are all fired with the
true spirit, and swear the pole shall not be
taken down.
You said you had a proposition 10
make, remarked Captain Lambert, ad
dressing John O'Brien, who a> yet had
kept silent.
Mr. Jones informs me" said the per
son addressed, THAT it Is the Intention of
Captain Moore TO attend religious worship
on shore tomorrow. Abont that time our
friends from abroad will have arrived and
my proposition is that number of u
carry concealed arms to meeting and when
services are over seize upon the captain,
and after that capture his vessel
1t will be bold measure, an open act
of rebellion" remarked Mr.. Wheaton.
Il am aware Of that" continued O'Brien
'but have the example of the old
colony people to back us The king and
parliament may call it rebellion If they
please, but we who are engaged in it know
but one name for it, and that is-E,roiu-
ti0H
'W ell, gentlemen, what do you say to
my project, said the same speaker break
inc the silence which followed his bold
declaration.
Il say aye to it with all my heart" said
Colonel Foster, in which assent all the rest
joined.
But who will be the one to seize the
captain:' asked Lambert.
II claim that privilege" said John
O'Brien. II will have an eye on him, and
place myself in his near neighborhood.
You. gentlemen, will stand ready to aid
! me"
4 We must make the people acquainted
with onr design said Lambert, so that
we may act in concert"
And propose y said Mr. Wheaton. .as
we compose majority of the Committee
Sof. tlnt 81.
| we ascertain what quantity of powder and
/ balls we may rely on
\ "You need not trouble yourself about
| the balls said jeremiah OBrien. "All
the women in the village have been the
whole afternoon melting lead to cast them.
/ My mother, | know. in her zeal, melted up
an old pewter teapot for that purpose, in
! spite of our remonstrances, for it was a
| sort of heirloom. The women. If possi-
BILE, are more crazy about keeping the pole
erect than the men,
A long conversation followed these re-
marks, having reference to their future
| proceedings, after which the company
separated.
The next morning, before the usual hour
for religious worship, here and there men
could be seen straying along singly, and
in pairs toward the church, each bearing a
| musket, So CdTTIeu dS ltdSl W tApOSt III 10
view, for the church stood a short dis
tance from the shore, and directly oppo-
site the church the Margaretta lay at an
chor. As the men reached the church,
they Immediately concealed their weapons
in various parts of the house, ready for
use, and then disposed of themselves in
such manner as not to excite suspicion.
At the appointed hour Captain Moore
came ashore and entered the church. John
OBrien was on the lookout for him, and
entered the house soon after, taking a seat
directly behind him. There were no pews
in the church, the house being unfurnisli-
ed, but temporary seats had been fitted
up. without backs, for present accommo-
dation. The weather being somewhat sui
try. the windows of the church were
thrown open, and from where the English
captain sat he commanded an extensive
view of the river. The services COM
menced. The prayers and the singing
were gone through with, and the sermon
commenced which. like majority of the
sermons of those stirring times, resembled
more political harangue than discourse
on ethics,-a mistake sometimes made by
ministers in modern times, although in
those days it was expected, and chimed in
with the views of the people. In the course
of the sermon, happening to glance his
eyes through the window, Captain Moore
was surprised to see, at the distance of
half or three-quarters of a mile up the riv-
er, men crossing the river on logs, with
guns in their hands. These were the men
the people of Machias had sent for coming
to take part in the affray. Realizing at
once the peril of his situation, but without
betraying alarm, or appearing to notice
the strange sight, the young captain again
turned his eyes upon the speaker, appar-
emily deeply engrossed in the sermon.
Little did he heed, however, the impas.
stoned words of the speaker. His mind
was fully intent on escaping the snare
which he felt was set for him; for now
that his suspicious were aroused, he could
see furtiye glances bent upon him in ali
directions Near where he sat was an