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ortland
BY GOULD & ELWELL,
Office 80 Middle, near Corner of Exchange
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One Dollar for Eight Months, in advance »
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TERMS: $1,50 PER YEAR. ©
AN INDEPENDENT FAMILY JOURNAL OF LITERATURE, NAWS, 2. oy
PORTLAND, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 81851.
VOLUME XV.
POETRY,
THE SOCIALIST’! s APOLOGY. +
BYE ARNOLD.
Our name should be a name of hope to utter;
A watchword for the chosen of the land ;
A blood’ess nation flag, beneath whose flutter
The earnest soldiers of the world should stand »
Rut gentle eyes Jook doubtingly. upon us j
‘Warmest of hearts are cold if we be nigh 5 ;
Softest of voices breathe no whisper of us,
Or link it with the swect condemning sigh.
It may be that they read our purpose wrong!
And ere they Jearn to know them, learn to fear
The unresting hands, whieh silently, but strongly,
Carve the broad pathway of the coming year,
It 'tisa dream to seek, in bonds unbreaking,
To link the many peopled homes of earth—
One God, one Law, one Love, one Worship taking,—
Then, statesmen, curl the lip in eynic mirth!
If*t is a crime to ask for youth's deep yearning,
Access unpurchased to the great old books,
Where the soul’s thirst is slacked with draughts of
learning,—
‘Then, noble, we have earned those angry looks !
If it be mad to beg for starving Beauty
“ Some other home than the rude glaring streets ;
Some other love than feigned love's fearful duty ;
Some other bread than that the harlot eats,
Look sadly onus, lady! They wall borrow
Deeds of wild wickedness to lie to thee 5
Will stain our fome with many atale of horror,
And treason dore to woman’s majesty.
But oh! believe thera not. The deed that frightens
Ove blush into thy cheek—the words that shame
One tear into the eye which Pity brightens— 11
Itis not of swears not our holy name.
, '—London Leader!
“THE DOOM
THE TORY'S GUARD,
BY N. M. CURTIS.
PTER VI—CONTINCED.
(ST tell y you Reggy, that this is a vast earth. Now
some folks pretend to say that woman is the great-
est feat of God’s workmanship, but Reggy, it arn’t
80, no way. . If there is any best to the Lord's craft,
it’s this earth that we live on... T've scen a a: good
deal on’t, Reggy, and I know ’tis great.”
“Jt is indecd a beautiful world,” pete Mervate.
“Bootiful !” exclaimed Jacob, a strong express-
ion of contempt upon his homely features. “Go
way. with your galtalk, man; I say it arn't bootiful,
it’s vast, i's mighty, it’s big!'It's made so a pur
‘Third... ,Some Spirit that even the haughty mont
arch must obey !”
“That's trae enough,”
“True as Genesis,”
curs'd if I'd be a tory just on that account.”
“Why so?” enquired Mervale.
“Cause it’s blasphemy—no—a idolitary I mean, ”
said Mervale,
replied Jacob, “and Til be
said Jacob, “argy that no man can worship a
human bein’ as these men, call'd tories,’ worship
George, without bein’ idolatrous.” D—m ’em, they
ought to be sent to the missionary’ society to get
civilized 1”
Jacob continued to draw sage conclusions and
arguments from almost every thing that ‘attracted
his attention, and the consequence was, that their
voyage proceeded but slowly. Quce or twice Mer-
yale ventured a hint that they should arrive late at
their place of destination, but Jacob remarking at
one time, that he was-“determined to argy this
point out, if the devil forbid him.”
About ten o'clock they reached a place where
the river assumed a lake-like form, shooting for
some distance into the green forest on either side.
Rowing to the shore on the southern side, Jacob
announced his determination of halting long enongh
to partake of his luncheon, As they had breakfast
arly, Mervale was no way disinclined to joining
him in his operation, and they both accordingly
went ashore, and Jacob was proceeding to unroll
_ his rations from the cloth in which they were en-
* yeloped, when a sound in the distant forest caught
\o.
his ear, and he evased his occupation... He listened
for some time, and then arising upon his. feet, he
tarned to Mervale and said—
“I guess we monght as well drag. the skiff into
the bay here, and throw a little brush over it,, and
then hide.”
“Why so? enquired Mervate, who had likewise
assumed a standing posture.
“You'll sce, I guess ;”, said Jacob, stooping to
deposit his provisions upon the ground, and then
proceeded towards the skiff.’ ‘Come, let’s be live-
ly”
Mervale proceeded to assist him in hauling up
the skiff, but ere they had aecomplished the task, a
loud laugh in the forest caused both of them to
desist.
“We must Iet the skiff go, and Jook out for our-
selves,” said Jacob, looking around him in, all di-
rections for a place in which to secrete himself.
Just across the arm of the river was a large pile of
dried brush, which caught the eye of the range
and exclaimed, “Come Reggy, itll wet your breech
es, but it can’t be helped, we must go to that brush
heap.”
Withont a farther ado, the ranger, holding his
rifle in one hand and his provisions in’ the .other,
dashed into the stream followed, by Mervale. , The
water was but about three feet deep, and! some
twenty or thirty broad, and they soon reached the
opposite side in safety, and then, concealed’ them-
selves beneath the heap. of brush., , They soon
heard the trampling of many men in the woods,
and in a few minutes some thirty or forty whites,
and nearly as many Mohawks, came into, yiew a
few rods cast of where the skiff was lying. ; Here
shes all halted, seeming to entertain a similar opin-
ion with Jacob, in regard to eating, for they imme-
diately seated themselves upon the ground and be-
gan to overhaul their stores, as if ,to supply the
wants of nature.
.'Thig band appeared to be under the command of
an aged and heavily moulded man, who issued his
commands in a short peremptory tone, aad who
sat apart from his men, while partaking of food,
in gloomy reserve. The Mohawk ‘warriors were
headed by a heavy featured half-breed, in whose
eye the glance of an hundred devils seemed , con-
centrated.. ,There appeared to be but little. disci-
pline among either white or natives, for the merri-
ment of militia men, (for such they seemed to be,)
was loud and boisterous, and receiving no check
from their taciturn leader.
‘After their repast was concluded, some of the
soldiers proceeded to stray about the forest, in the
immediate vicinity of their halting ground, whilst
others stretched themselves at full length upon the
ground, with their heads placed upon their knap-
sacks, seeming determined to rest while all things
were propitious, Some six or eight. of the stroll-
ers wandered in the direction of the arm or. bay
before mentioned, and one of them espying the
skiff gave vent to an ejaculation which attracted
the attention of his comrades to the same object.
They were soon gathered in a group upon the
shore, speculating upon the probable means by
which the skiff came in that place; and in giving
utterance to various conjectures as to who its oc-
enpants had been, when one who had lagged be
hind his comrades came up, and secing the skiff,
exclaimed,
“I know that boat; that’s Van Loan’s boat, I
could swear to it in any place.”
“How the devil eame Van Loan’s boat here?”
asked the two or three at once.
“Probably they are hunting in the forest here-
abouts,” replicd the individual who had spoken
first. “They have hauled up the skiff here, to re-
main until they are ready to return.”
“What track is this?” cried another, stooping
down and viewing the soft carth near the shore.
“It’s the print of a stone-boat, you fool!” An
swered the comrade.
“What the devil would a stone: boat do hero?”
asked the stooping person,
“ftarnity ! what a fool!” exclaimed another, and
in a few moments the whole group were viewing
the print of Jacob's trusty boot.
“The man that carries that boot can walk on wa-
ter!” cried one of the militia men,
“Tfow the devil can he get through the woods ?”
inquired srother.
A loud laugh at this 'interrogatory issued from a
dozen mouths, and then, as if satisfied .with the
observations that had been made, the knot separa-
ted and rejoined their comrades.! They were soon
again under arms. and after a brief survey of the
lines, the taciturn leader gave forth the order to
march, and the whole band started off in the direc-
tion of Schoharie.
Mervale and Jacob continued in their hiding-
place for a full half hour after, they had departed
before they emerged. Jacob was the first to crawl
from beneath the brush, when, stretching himself
to his full height, and yawning once or twice, he
again seated himself upon the ground and coolly
proceeded to unroll his provisions. . After he had
displayed his food upon the ground in a manner
that suited his fancy, he turned to Metyale and
said,
“Some of them chaps was detarmined to be
merry at the expense of my foot, warn’t they
Reggy, eh?
Without giving Mervale time to reply to his
question. he continued,
“He thort it was the print of a stone-boat ; haw!
haw! haw! D—n me. but he'd think “twas the
butt eend of death, if it should get foul of the
hind part of his trowsers !”
“You have a little pride, I see, Jacob, as well as
the Test of the world,” responded Mervale, laugh-
in;
“pride 1” said Jacob, his check distorted. with
cold venison, at the same time glancing compla-
cently at his foot, which was laying carelessly upon
the ground. “Pride I han’t got a bit, but then Mr.
Mervale it’s d—d onginerous to ridicule a man's
parson, when he’s jist as the Lord made him.”
“True, but it’s the fate of war ;” replied Mervale,
half seriously.
Jacob was just elevating a huge ‘slice of brown
bread to his mouth, but it ccased it’s upward mo-
tion and came to a halt as he replied,
| deliberations.
“The fate of war, Reggy! Why d—n me I
blieve your love sick. No sir, it's no part of a
warrior to ridicule a man’s parson. I know I’ve
got a big foot, but then you must remember sir,
that I'ma team all over. - I’m no small beer by a
considerable of a d—d sight!”
Mervale admitted the truth of the ranger’s as-
sertion, and they concluded their meal in silence.
After it'was completed and Jacob had gathered np
and scenred the fragments they recrossed the bay,
and were once more afloat in the skiff Jacob merely
saying that it was fortunate that they had taken
Van Loan’s skiff, instead of the one he had obtain-
ed from Jobnson’s men. , “Case,” said he, “if they
hadn't know'd ‘this skiff. we might, have hada
skrimmage {” ‘ Jacob directed his ‘skiff’ to the
northern shore, and then vigorously plicd his oars.
They were not long in arriving at the ‘confuence
of the Schoharie creck and Mohawk, when they
carefally secreted the boat and pushed forward for
the settlement on foot. They were joyously re-
ecived by the inhabitants, yet they found them in
the greatest state of alarm, and in momentary ex-
pectation of an attack from the Indians and tories.
The women and children were placed within the
fort, and the cattle were driven up into the yards,
sentinels were posted in the forest around them in
different directions, and every thing that could con-
tribute to a vigorous and determined defence was
placed in some consenient situation,
Jacob and Mervale detailed their meeting with
the militia-men and Mohawks in the wood, and the
fact of their march in an eastern direction ‘scemed
to confirm the fears and suspicions of the inhabi-
tants of Schoharie. Soon after sundown all sought
refuge in the fort, which, although not built in any
scientifie form, was sufficiently large and secure
against the attack of any troop destitute of artillery.
Jacob found his. men anxious for his arrival, and
impatient to be led against the foe. Fairman had
been unwearied in his attentions to their discipline
and practice in the few tactics then in vogue amongst
the militia of the land, and they had paid him in a
visible improvement of the labor bestowed. > ''
In the evening a consultation was called in’ the
fort by the chief men of the settlement, and Jacob
and Mervale were called upon to participate in their
A plan of defenee was agreed upon
in case they should be attacked, and as the scttlers
were all aware that they could expect no mercy
" 3
we NUMBER 30,°1
from the savages, and scarce any from the tories, it
was determined to fight until the last. After: the!
conclusion of the consul-ation, the arms and amu-
nition of all were closely inspected, and all but sen-
tincls on duty retired to rest.
All was silent and undistarbed until midvight,
when the sentinel stationed farthest in the forest to
the west of the settlement, discharged his gun and
hastily retreated towards the fort. . The alarm soon
spread, and in a short time every man in the fort
was under arms prepared for battle. They were
not long in expectation, for a few moments after!
the sentinel who gave the alarm had entered the fort,
the troops seen by Jacob and Mervale iu the morn-:
ing, with a strong reinforcement that had’ joined’
them on the way, made their appearance, accompa-
nied by the Mohawks. ; As soon as they were dis-
covered a burst of horror escaped from the lips of
several in the fort, and the nsme of “Brant” and
“Butler,” were whispered from ear, to ear. Tt was
indeed those ruthless marauders, who continued
during the revolationary war to heap’ more odium;
upon their heads than ever before full to the lot of
individuals like themselves,that were now marching’
to the attack of Scoharie. They had been strongty ,
reinforced by a detachment sent on by Johnson to:
co-operate with them, and panting for blood and re+
venge upon their whig neighbors, had approached |
the doomed place,
‘The names of Butler and Brant secmed to strike
a chill to the heart of every occupant of the fort,and ’
the marauders were permitted to approach close’
under the walls, ere @ gun was discharged. Indeed
Butler flattered himself that a bloodless victory»
awaited him, but Jacob Dash, who stood in the line
of men within the fort, secing the irresolution of the |
leaders, cried in a voice of thunder, “Fire!” Just)
at that moment a tall spire of fame from a barn.
near the fort, cast a bright end feirful glare over’
every object, and its appearance, and the tone in’
which Jacob .spoke; served to arouse the settlers ;
from their lethargy, and they poured in a close and!.
deadly fire upon the advancing tories, The Mo-
hawks turned, immediately upon the ‘discharge, ,
scattering in all directions,’ uttering wild and un-;
earthly yells. A loud bellowing among the cattle ca
outside soon announced their whereabouts and oc: ‘
"| Sz no ‘part of the setilors’ persons were exposed, °
the torics did not discharge a gun, but recovering , ,
from the slight disorder into which the first fire of .
the whigs had thrown them, reformed and etzadily ‘
advanced towards the entrance to the fort, headed *
by Butler, | Ere they arrived there another dis- ,
charge, more dcadly in its effects than the first,’
caused them to waver for a moment, but shouting,’ |
“huzza for the king!” Butler again advanced, fol- |
lowed by his men.. The burning barns increased in ,
every direction. \ The cattle that had escaped the
knives of the Mohawks, were ranning in the field
and through the streets bellowing furiously. The
women and children within the fort were shreiking
and@ fainting, and a more distressing scene than the ~
assaulted settlement presented at this time could ,
not well be conceived, Seed
The whigs kept up a brisk diecharge, but as the |,
tories were close in under the walls, they were with- +
out any great effect. The doors of the fort were §
composed of heavy oaken plank, and against them |}
Butler directed all his strength and ingenuity, A,
half dozen axes were incessantly playing upon them. !
without, while those within saw the utter futility of
all attempts to block up the passage, in case the
door should give way, as it certainly must, under ;
the rigorous efforts now going on to affect it. Mer- .
yale immediately selected a group of the most stur-
dy and determined young men within the walls of
the fort, and took his station directly in front of the ©
door. He urged and exhorted his companions to an,
unyielding resistance, and they promised implicidly ,
to obey his orders.
In about half an 1» hour the door fell in with a hea- *-
vy crash, and the fierce combattants stood face to_ t
face, foe to foe. Uttering a cry of encouragement
“to his comrades, Mervale dashed upon the advanc- *-!
ing column of the tories, dealing tremendous blows | *”
in every direction around him, with a huge club.
which he had sclected for the purpose. He was 5)
bravely seconded by his comrades, and so impeta- |
ous was the onset, and so determinedly was it kept * tat
up that despite their greater numbers the torica were
{J
