The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-06-12
THE REFoRMER: BRArrLEBoRo VT. Friday JUNE IT, 1896.

last went off like the terminating clar
OF rafting thunder peal, as he anc
his two associates leaped, coatless,
from the ground, to be prepared fol
the instant execution of the expected
order.
"On, then, and suffer not wretch
of them to escape you alive" eX-
claimed their impatient leader in re-
ply. dashing forward himself, and
leading in the headlong onset which
they all now made on the foe.
Taken by complete surprise by this
rapid and unexpected movement of the
assailants, now bursting upon them
with cooked and levelled rifles, the
dismayed tories, at first, made no at
tempt at escape or resistance while
part of them threw down their half
loaded guns, and stepped out from
their coverts.
Surrender at discretion, or take the
consequences ~ sterDly cried Wood
burn. pausing when twenty yards OF the
tory leader.
1--WE are in your power, sir. sup
pose, replied Peters, evasively, and
IN a tone of affected submission as
avoiding the burning gaze of the other
he threw significant glance to the
tory who had reserved his charge at
the fruitless fire just made by the rest
of his party.
In AN instant the gun of the latter
who still stood behind tree shielding
him as he supposed from the other
Rangers was levelled at WOODBURY.
whose attention was too intently fixed
on his chief foe to notice the move
ment. But before the finger of the
assassin was permitted to tighten on
the trigger, a bullet from the unerring
rifle of the watchful Dunning had
pierced his brain, and his gun az he
fell over backwards exploded harm
lessly into the air. Three of the tories.
however, taking advantage of the mo-
mentary confusion, occasioned by the
noise and smoke of the guns, made
desperate spring for the surrounding
thickets and succeeded in breaking
through the line OF their assailants,
three of whom instantly gave chase.
leaving WOODBURY. to cope alone with
the rival foe,7 whom he had vainly
sought through the day to confront in
battle. Peters threw quick, furtive
glance around him land, for an instant,
seemed hesitating whether he should
attempt to follow the example of the
rest of his band; but another glance
at the watchfnl and menacing eye Ut
his opponent cleaning at him over the
barrel of the deadly rife, taught the
folly of any such attempt, and, throw
ing down his weapons. he said;
~ yield myself prisoner of war,
sir"
"a prisoner of war; exclaimed
WOODBURY., repeating the words OF the
other, in tone of bitter scorn. "Af
ter signifying your submission, anu
then instigating an attempt to shoot
me, you hope to be received as a
prisoner of war. do your Villain!' he
added, advancing and presenting the
his piece within yard of
the others breast" villain, your last
claim tn mercy is forfeited ~
'You would not Stay an unarmed
man, and a prisoner, would your said
Peters. recoiling, and casting an I'M
easy glance at his opponent
Eyes, p" replied the former with in
creasing sternness "if, like you in de-
fance of all the rules OF war as we'll as
honor, be would do the same to me the
first moment he had it in his power.
No submissi shields the life of an
outlaw from any one disposed to take
il. But you shall have one minute
Tor uttering your last request, if you
nave any such to make.
Being now thoroughly alarmed by
the words, as well as the demeanor OF
lis incensed captor, the once naughty
oyalist fell on his knees, and humbly
the other to spare his life.
Live, then, wretch ~ said Wood
,urn, at length moved to both pity
md contempt by the entreaties and
.bject manner of the former-"live
hen, if you choose it, to be dealt with
is traitor and spy. by men who
viii award you your deserts with more
doubtless, than l should have
lone, but with no less certainty.
o, spare me from that" pleaded
he abased supplicant, with redoubled
Kill me on the spot, ii
'ou will; but spare me from that fate.
\ low me to be delivered up as pris-
ner of war, and will consent to any
hipg-yield anything you wish.
vii insure you, by my influence at
he British camp, any advantage in
uture exchange of prisoners you may
SIX and"
peace, miserable craven - inter
upted WOODBURY. / promise you
% exemption, if | could, from pun
shment which our exasperated people ,
,ill justly say you have brought upon
our own head.
"And | will also" resumed Peters,
ncouraged by the somewhat softened {
one, and slightly hesitating manner
the other-"l will also relnquish
II claims and forego all interference,
q matters that may have stood in the
Jay of your private interests and wish
So
ITO BE CONTINUED.