The Rangers; or, The Tory's Daughter Part 38

"Why--yes," hesitatingly replied the rough old hero, who had been sitting upon his horse, moodily looking at his watch lying in his broad palm, and occasionally exhibiting signs of impatience at the length of his more wordy young brother's remarks--"yes, it may be right enough, that you should have your say unless you want to preach some more of your d.a.m.nable tory doctrines to the people. But be short, sir. Your hour is nearly up; and I do not intend that the earth shall be polluted by your living presence one moment beyond the time."

Immediately availing himself of this ungracious permission, the prisoner turned, shrinkingly, towards the crowd, and said,--

"All you who hear me, I hope, will take warning by my miserable end--an end to which I have been brought, in my opinion only by my inconstancy. In the first place, I adhered to my oath allegiance, and supported the king; but, finding myself in danger, I enrolled myself under the new state, and went for the authority of Congress.

Conscience, however, quickly carried me lack to the royal cause, which I again supported a while; and then, being over-persuaded by my neighbors, I came out once more openly for the state, and went for it till the approach of Burgoyne emboldened me to risk another change, and go for my old master. But, being soon taken in arms, I must now untimely perish. It is, therefore, my advice to you all--never fluctuate as I have done; but you who are for the States, stick by the States; and you who are for the king, stick by the king, and prove--"

"And so," fiercely interrupted old Ethan--"so you would have an interminable war, would you? Take your treason along with you to Tophet, ye doubly-d.a.m.ned miscreant! I will have no more of it here.

Teamster, drive on the cart!"

The teamster did so; and the next moment the traitor Redding was launched into eternity.