Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-07-24


tention, The quick roll OF the enemy's
drum fixed every eye upon their fortress.
A moment more and column of British
infantry made their appearance. There
was an almost breathless silence through
out the little band of adventurers as the
Disciplined enemy bore down upon them
with a movement rapid but regular. Even
old Ethan himself seemed paralyzed for
~ ~. ~ ,r'N-T.n=G g ~
spectacle. and without issuing word of
command, he stood gazing in an attitude
of defiance upon the imposing hostile ar
Ito the boats! to the boats! there is
thousand of 'em!" rang suddenly from
dozen of voices.
"Shut up your mouths, every man of
ye!'' roared Ethan, brandishing a huge
horse pistol. "The man that turns his
back on the red coats shall smell gun
POWDER"
This had the desired effect. Every
one saw the impossibility of crossing the
river; and, therefore, yielding to the
necessity of the case, made preparation
for an immediate encounter. Each rifle
was carefully examined; the rum bottle
was circulated freely, and, after taking a
fresh supply of tobacco guilds, those
onset of the enemy. NOW, stand your
ground boysv' said Ethan, as the party of
British soldiers moved toward them from
the main body, at double-quick time.
sLet 'em come on and be darn'd," said
tall, resolute young fellow at his side.
"Only give us the word, colonel" and
he dropped his rifle to his eye as he
spoke.
'Firep' shouted the British officer.
80 Godp' exclaimed the young man,
as the blaze of musketry flashed in his
face, "pm dead MANI He staggered;
the rifle fell from his hands, and he
dropped dead at the feet of his COM
manded.
The hardy followers of Ethan shrank
back from the CHASTITY spectacle. They
had been sprinkled with the blood of
their comrade. They had seen, for the
first time, the horrid struggles of a life
extinguished by violence, and nothing
short of the powerful example of their
leader could have aroused them to a re-
sistance.
"Fire and brimstone!" he shouted, in
a voice of thunder "Why don't you let
'em have it?'
The fire of the enemy was now re-
turned with considerable effect, for sew
eral of the British soldiers were seen to
stagger and fall AS the number of COM
batants increased the field of action was
enlarged, and every rock and tree and
fence became citadel. But the party OF
Allen rapidly diminished. Several We're
killed on the spot, and others sought
safety in flight.
Old Ethan was left alone. An officer
of the enemy pressed closely upon him.
Both levelled and discharged their weap-
ons at the same moment, without injury
to either, and Ethan, who saw his chance
of escape was hopeless, gave up his
sword to the officer.
"Thuss ended the famous exhibition of
Ethan Allen against Montreal. AS his
companions, who had also yielded them
selves up as prisoners, passed over the
| field of action, many of them paused to
shed a tear over their slaughtered breth-
rem. Even Allen, stern and stoical as he
was, gave tokens of sensibility, and
turned from gazing on the CHASTITY vic
tins of his enterprise to bestow the bit
| terest maledlctions on the enemy"
"There is sometimes curious ming
ling of the numerous with the tragic in
war" said Uncle Dave. cat the naval
action on Lake Erie, the second lieuten-
ant of the Lawrence, standing close by
Commodore Perry, was struck in the
breast BY a chain shot, which, having
passed through the bulwark, was so far
spent as to have no other effect than to
knock him down. The shot lodged in
the bosom of his waistcoat, and he fell,
stunned by the violence of the blow.
Perry. approaching him, and perceiving
no marks of a wound, observed that he
thought he could not be much hurt Up
on this, the lieutenant, having revived,
| took the shot from his honor and ex-
claimed: No, sir; but this is my shot!'
and thrust it, with great sang froid, into
his pocket"
"That reminds me of one," said Old
Bob" A Boston sea captain, who
CHANGED to be in London during the Rev
olutionary war, met several British Off
GERS in tavern, who were busily discus
| sing American affairs.
"'We should have conquered them
long ago. said one, had it not been for
that archrebel, Washington.
"'With all bis skill and man9uvres
they are the same as conquered already,
observed another.
1.-THE American said nothing, but his
countenance bore strong marks of honest
indignation.
"FWhat, Jonathan, are you from the
rebel colonies? asked the officers.
clam from New England, gentlemen,
he replied.
"'Well, what news do you bring? Will
the crops be heavy enough to feed the
regularsP"
"'My countrymen tell me- he replied,
that British blood is the best manure
they ever had. Turnips larger than a
peck measure are raised on Bunker
HILL"
cat the battle of Eutaw Springs, in
South Carolina, in 1701, a" said Uncle j Josh
ua, "after the British lines had been
broken, and the Old Bluffs regiment
that had boasted of the extraordinary
feats they were going to perform, were
running from the field, Lieutenant Man
ming of the American army sprang for
ward in pursuit, directing the platoon
which he commanded to follow him. He
did not cast an eye behind him until he
found himself in the midst of the Brit
ish soldiers, and not an American nearer
than $50 or 200 yards. He did not hest
tate moment, however, but springing at
an officer near him, seized him by the
collar, exclaiming in an emphatic tone,
On you, sir, you are my prisoner!'
wrested the sword from his grasp,
dragged him from the front of the house
into which Cruger and his York volun-
teers had thrown themselves, and keep
ing his body as a shield of defense from
| the heavy fire from the windows carried