The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-10-14


1T were a dirty trick, sir, il it's the
blow you mean"
The captain tore leaf from his
pocket book, and wrote few lines
upon it.
Mrs. Van Buren," he said, can
you ride hoise?"
" Indeed, few better, sir; my own
horse, Black Ned in the stable there y
General Putnam is in Brooklyn;
this slip of paper must be put in his
hands to-nightP'
Lords mercyl" cried the hostess.
" And are we going to have another
battle?"
81 will read il: My Dear Generdl:-
Can you have me exchanged, and at
once? (Signed) MARINER "
The captain bestowed a significant
glance upon the lady, who took the bit
of paper and thrust it into her bosom.
Without the loss of a moment, the
woman assumed her good mans cor
duroy coat and, taking lantern to the
stable, aroused and saddled Black Ned.
The rain began to fall in torrents as she
arose to the saddle and cautiously di-
rected the horse across the turf to the
opening in the woods. Then, tying the
reins 10 tb Re saddle, she "shone the
lantern over the animals lead and
urged him TO a gentle canter in the di-
rection OF Brooklyn.
The sun was up when Van Buren,
(who had prudently passed the night in
the British camp returned to the Cross
Keys, accompanied by an aid-de-c camp
of the British general. On leading the
horses to the stable he was intensely
surprised to find Black Ned stretched
upon the straw, his appearance indi-
eating that he had been ridden in the
storm. Upon asking his wife (who
was already busting about her work.
for an explanation of this phenomenon,
the good lady folded her arms and re-
piled: "Mr. Van Buren,, that's a state
secret"
The officer was discussing a broilC d
steak when Shelton entered the bar
On the table lay an official note, the
contents of which gave the major it
tie surprise. 1t ran as follows: I" We
have acceded to the terms of proposed
exchange of prisoners. just at hand,
and you will at once relesse from GUS
tody jeremiah Mariner. (Signed)
Clinton, Commanding"
Ere the captain quilted the precincts
of Flalbush he contrived to deliver his
thanks to his fair messenger.
''It was a terrible Iide," she said,
L" but l had companion coming back.
And now tell me, clptain, Why you are
so anxious to leave u.s."
Cab, madam" whispered the priva-
teer, your house is excellent, but so is
my song of The Yankee Sword and
I've resov we'd to make the major sing
itr'
One dark night, shortly after the
events described, as tie buXom land
lady of the Cross Keys was industri-
ously biting the edge of suspicious
siXpence preparatory to placing it with
the rest of her honest days takings, !"
she was startled by gentle rap at the
door.
"Who's there?" she asked.
The thirsty crew of the pirate ship
Falcon hailing from New Bruins
wick replied cultural voice.
"Why, if it amt Captain Marriner!'
exclaimed the hostess, flinging open
the door,
"Hush, my lass!" grunted the cap
tain. cod man in his bunk?"
Yes" Him, too % 'Yes.']
"Chairs and tables under the TIRE es?'
ooh, yes"
"Here, boys, 60 out there to the
table. No noise, mindn'
The men did as directed, and Cap
tain Mariner, after a few whispered
words with Mrs. Van Buren, (Which
seemed to afford the lady immense
pleasure) picked up a lantern and went
upstairs. When, after lapse of a few
minutes, he reappeared he was accom-
panied by tall gentleman, clad only in
his night-robe, who carried a boot in
one hand and wig in the o,her.
"This way, major" said the cap
tain, pushing him out Of doors.
"Major Shelton on the table for 6
songl' came in unison from the trees
Now, my dear captain-ha! ha! ha
Good! Very goodp' said the SILVER
ing soldier. But don't sing at all
you know; really, don't!"
"I'm afraid,' whispered the captain
"these men are desperate dogs, sc
you'd bitter mount The table without
more ado, and give them The Yankee
Sword.'"
"Mount the table-like this! | can.
not-I will not do such a thingu'
Click! went the locks of dozer
pistols, and dozen voices shouted, as
before, Major Shelton on the table
for a song!'
"Splendid shots, those fellows y
whispered the captain
Oh, this is dreadful! And such {
barbarous high wind, too! SuppoSing
run upstairs and get my small clothes?'
whined the victim. "I'm afraid yor
haven't forgiven me for"
Oh, they'll excuse your appearance
up with youp' and up the major
scrambled, frightened out OF MS WAS
a most, amid the roars of the privateers
men.
"But l don't know the song" ht
snivelt d.
"You shall sing it after me, line fo
line" replied Mariner, "and dom
you back water at the last line, which
is three cheers for General Washington
or there'll be plenty of crows in thi