Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-06-06

about 20 relate Mr. Belcher, being at the
village referred to, was accosted by Mason,
who had been drinking freely and was In
quarrelsome mood. An alteration fol-
lowed, Belcher gravely insulted Mason, and
a duel was the inevitable result.
In less than quarter Of an hour each
man had selected his friend, and the pre-
liminaries of the duel were settled The
principals were TO fight up In "A little hollow
Just back of the village, with rifles at 30
PAGES, to fire any time after the signal and
to continue an exchange of shots till either
one or both should be killed or satisfied.
Either you or l have got to die this
timel" said Mason To Belcher. with savage
growl.
Perhaps bothr' returned the other sol
emnly =.
A duel in those days and at that section
was more public affair than in later times.
and a large crowd Immediately repaired to
the ground to witness the bloody contest
In less than an hour the principals stood
face to face, rifles In hand. The signal was
given and both fired together.
Belcher remained firm, the ball of his ad-
versary barely grazing his cheek, but Ma
son fell, shot directly through the brain.
The Tories were for killing Belcher on the
closed In around him and succeeded In es-
corting him away In safety.
The corpse Of Mason was borne home to
his family, and no sooner did his two sons
learn the particulars of his death than they
swore to have dark and bloody revenge.
Belcher knew what he had to expect, even
before being informed Of the threats of the
young men, and lost no time In putting his
house in the best state of defense possible
under the circumstances.
He had two rifles of his own, and he Dor
rowed two more and had heavy fastenings
added to all his doors and windows, besides
which two young men volunteered to come
secretly to his dwelling every night after
dark and remain till morning, and all the
male negroes on the place were required to
sleep under their masters roof.
One dark rainy night, little before ~
O'Clock, Mr.. Belcher heard two horses stop
before his door, and Immediately there fol-
lowed some quick loud raps
"Now for itl' he muttered as he sprung
from his bed, took down his rifle and pro-
ceeded to rouse the two young men sleeping
in the adjoining room, while his wife and
daughter, clinging to each other, were ready
to faint with terror.
"Who Is there, and what Is wantingp at
length demanded Mr.. Belcher when all was
ready-the knocking having continued at
intervals and each successive time growing
louder.
I'VE are your sons, father-George and
Frederick replied voice, which all rec
ognized.
How am to know you are my sons'"
"Why, father, don't you know my voicef"
saic the one who had spoken before in
tone of surprise.
Perhaps do-perhaps don't" returned
Belcher. LET me hear Frederick speak"
well, father, how do you do, and why
do you use these precautionsi" immediate
ly said another voice that certainly sounded
very much like the younger sons.
"Only one proof more, for which will
Immediately give you a good reason. Just
tell me how you both are, and both Of you
Just name your birthdays"
For few moments there was no reply,
and then the voice of the elder said:
Father, this is tri1ing with US after our
long absence and long ride tonight. We are
hungry, wet and weary and pray do open
the door at once or refuse us altogether"
There Is no doubt about them being our
children. David" said his wife.
"Then let them answer my question,
which Is simple enough and would not
have required half as many words as have
been used to get rid Oft" returned Belcher.
IF you refuse after this. shall be quite
as certain you are imposters, and you will
not get into this house with my consent"
'Then we'll get into it without your con-
sent" responded a different voice from any
before heard, and Immediately there was
tremendous rush against the door, as il by
three or four men.
The fastenings had not all been removed,
and the door was not forced In another
moment the bar was in its place, holding 1t
firmly.
Finding themselves foiled in forcing the
door, the assailants resolved to set the
dwelling on fire.
Meantime Mr. Belcher, comprehending
their designs, had with his brave assist
anis repaired to an upper window, where,
AZ soon as the flames should get under way
he hoped to get a sight of the villains, which
he succeeded in doing.
The three brothers were first discovered
standing near together, and giving some
low, rapid orders to his companions Mr..
Belcher and the two others fired together
with such precision of aim that each of the
brothers dropped to the earth.
Seeing this and being terribly surprised
to find three rifles doing their duty where
they had supposed there was only one, the
other three men discharged their pieces at
the window from which the powder smoke
was issuing, and then mounting their
horses I'm terrified haste rode swiftly away.
leaving their companions to their fate.
The people of the house sailed forth, ex-
tinguished the flames and examined the
wounded assailants, only one of whom, the
youngest was found to be alive. He was
taken into the dwelling and cared for, but
his wound was mortal, and he died before
morning
Neither Mr.. Belcher nor his family were
molested again, and he lived to see his sons
return In triumph from a war which laid
the foundation for the final freedom of all
mankind.-Boston Globe.