The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-03-13

That | proposed to do myself
| have feet horse, and 1t will be bes
| should go with the news myself
Besides, | wish to put you, with tn,
| few Others | can raise hereabouts, or
the track at once. You shall lose moth
ing by it: so turn in here. and go with
me.
1 Content with this assurance of ar
/ officer known to be in the confidence
] of the council, and quite willing t.
make one in the expected affray Bar
cheerfully complied. And the two
hurried on to the house the major hac
named where, fortunately, they founc
not only the owner, but another fear
less patriot, by the name of Purdy, IL
both of whom the news just received
was communicated when a hasty plar
was devised among them for the cap.
ture Of Captain Rose and his band Of
recruits, who. it was supposed, had
not yet left the neighborhood, even il
they had started from their place OF
rendezvous.
The dwelling of Asa Rose, which
had been selected by the tory captain
as secluded and safe rallying point
for his band, was situated in the
wood, about three fourths of mile
west of the main road, and the resi-
dence. thereon. of the old widow. who
has been already mentioned, and who
was the mother of a hopeful brood of
either open or secret loyalists, as their
father. an extensive land -owner, who
died about the beginning of the war,
was before them. This old establishment
of the Rose family, well known through
the country as the barboring place of
the disatfected, was a little over a
mile from the bridge over the river, at
the south and about half that distance
from the residence OF Major Ormsbee.
at the north, where our handful of
spirited friends were now rallying :;
while from the road, about half way
between the two, diveiged the path,
which wound round south westerly to
Asa Roses. and from which the tories
We're expected to emerge on their way
out of the neighborhood.
Here comes Jock with my horse, y
said the major. taking the. reins from
the boy, sturdy youth of sixteen who
had not forgotten to bring bis gun
with him. "Well, captain, he contin
ued. leaping into his saddle, "you un
derstand the arrangement: three of
you take the path to their rendezvous,
one to 90 to old mother Roses, aud.
if they are there, give the signal: the
long howl of dog, remember: but if
they re not there, to join the rest, and
scout round. watch and delay them;
while |, go my way. start out Pettibone
and others, and send them directly
through the woods to Asa Roses to
get into the rear Al understand, do
your"
"Ay, ay, major "
Well, then, God prosper you all,
till l car get on with a platoon of
Warren's boys for the rescue"
So saying, the major dashed off at
full speed towards the village: while
Barney and his men, with no less
spirit, hurried on to their respective
destination, in the opposite direction.
The place where the latter were to
being soon reached, appear
ances examined. and no discoveries
made. the captain, with Purdy and
young Ormsbee, struck off from the
road, and proceeded cautiously along
the bushy outskirts of the path before
as leading to the supposed
leaving to Bart the task
of going on and reconoitering the old
on the main road, at
which, it was believed, the tories
would be sure to call, on their way
out, to take last treat from mother
Roses ever-ready bottle, and perhaps
some provisions from her cupboard, to
invigorate them for their long march
to the British camp. A short walk
now brought Bart in close vicinity to
the house he was appointed to recon
noitre: when, gliding silently along
under cover of the fences, tall weeds,
and other screening objects, he quick
" made circuit round the buildings,
as he did so, to peer into
the barns, sheds, and even into most |
IF the rooms of the capacious old |
dwelling. He perceived, however. no
Indications of the presence of any but |
females about the establishment : |
.hough, from the movements of these,
and especially those of the old woman,
Who was busily engaged in cutting up |
arge quantities of bread and cheese,
md in replenishing her junk bottles.
he became satisfied that the company, |
whom he was in search. were short |
tADtCltUs tHtsc ob
ervations, he retired from the house. |
.rossed over the road into the opposite
ield, and was making out course for i
himself through the wood, which
would intersect the path taken by his
and enable him to join
hem somewhere near the tory rendez
Gus, when his ear caught the clatter-
ng of horses hoofs, approaching, at a
urious pace, up the road from the
outh. And so rapid was the advance
f the coming horseman, that Bart had
carcely time to gain the covert of
lump of shrubbery standing by The
ence, over against the house. before
he former made his appearance. and.
urning into the yard, galloped up TO an
pen window, and addressed hasty
INQUIRY to the mistress of the house:
hen, hardly waiting for the negative
4 !