The Rangers | Page 3

beautiful; for there
was an expression in the bright, discriminating glances of her deep
hazel eyes, and in the commingling smile that played over the whole of

her serene and benignant countenance, that told of intellects that could
act independently, as well as of a heart that glowed with the kindly
affections.
"Father," said the last described female, addressing the eldest
gentleman, for the purpose, apparently, of giving a new turn to the
conversation, which had now, for some time, been lagging,--"father, I
think you promised us, on starting from Bennington this morning, not
only a fair day, but a safe arrival at Westminster Court-House, by
sunset, did you not?"
"Why, yes, perhaps I did," replied the person addressed; "for I know I
calculated that we should get through by daylight."
"Well, my weatherwise father, to say nothing about this storm, instead
of the promised sunshine, does the progress, made and now making,
augur very brightly for the other part of the result?"
"I fear me not, Sabrey," answered the old gentleman, "though, with the
road as good as when we started, we should have easily accomplished it.
But who would have dreamed of a thaw so sudden and powerful as this?
Why, the very road before us looks like a running river! Indeed, I think
we shall do well to reach Westminster at all to-night. What say you, Mr.
Peters,--will the horses hold out to do it?" he added, addressing the
young man of the repulsive look, who had charge of the team, us before
mentioned.
"They must do it, at all events, Squire Haviland," replied Peters.
"Sheriff Patterson, here," he continued, glancing at the hard-featured
man before described, "has particular reasons for being on the ground
to-night. I must also be there, and likewise friend Jones, if we can
persuade him to forego his intended stop at Brattleborough; for, being
of a military turn, we will give him the command of the forces, if he
will go on immediately with us."
"Thank you, Mr. Peters," replied Jones, smiling. "I do not covet the
honor of a command, though I should be ready to go on and assist, if I
really believed that military forces would be needed."
"Military forces needed for what?" asked Haviland, in some surprise.
"Why, have you not heard, Squire Haviland," said the sheriff, "that
threats have been thrown out, that our coming court would not be
suffered to sit?"
"Yes, something of the kind, perhaps," replied Haviland,

contemptuously; "but I looked upon them only as the silly vaporings of
a few disaffected creatures, who, having heard of the rebellious
movements in the Bay State, have thrown out these idle threats with the
hope of intimidating our authorities, and so prevent the holding of a
court, which they fear might bring too many of them to justice."
"So I viewed the case for a while," rejoined Patterson; "but a few days
ago, I received secret information, on which I could rely, that these
disorganizing rascals were actually combining, in considerable
numbers, with the intention of attempting to drive us from the
Court-House."
"Impossible! impossible! Patterson," said the squire; "they will never
be so audacious as to attempt to assail the king's court."
"They are making a movement for that purpose, nevertheless," returned
the former; "for, in addition to the information I have named, I received
a letter from Judge Chandler, just as I was leaving my house in
Brattleborough, yesterday morning, in which the judge stated, that
about forty men, from Rockingham, came to him in a body, at his
house in Chester, and warned him against holding the court; and had
the boldness to tell him, that blood would be shed, if it was attempted,
especially if the sheriff appeared with an armed posse."
"Indeed! why, I am astonished at their insolence!" exclaimed the squire.
"But what did the judge tell them?"
"Why the judge, you know, has an oily way of getting along with ugly
customers," replied the sheriff, with a significant wink; "so he thanked
them all kindly for calling on him, and gravely told them he agreed
with them, that no court should be holden at this time. But, as there was
one case of murder to be tried, he supposed the court must come
together to dispose of that; after which they would immediately adjourn.
And promising them that he would give the sheriff directions not to
appear with any armed assistants, he dismissed them, and sat down and
wrote me an account of the affair, winding off with giving me the
directions he had promised, but adding in a postscript, that I was such a
contrary fellow, that he doubted whether I should obey his directions;
and he should not be surprised to see me there with a hundred men,
each