The rolling seasons had nearly completed their
annual round since the stirriug incidents, which we
last narrated, transpired, and nature was again enrobing
herself in the leafy glories of summer. The
great struggle on the northern frontiers was over.
The battle of Bennington had been fought and won,
immortalizing the name of the Roman Stark, and
covering with deathless laurels the brave Green
Mountain Boys. The whole of that proud army,
indeed, that swept, the last season, so vauntingly
along these desolated shores, had felt the vengeful
arm of young Freedom, and withered at the touch.

[figure description] Page 272.[end figure description]

The inhabitants on the borders of Champlain, who
had fled before the tempest of war, had mostly returned,
and were now in possession of their unmolested
homes. The seat of their country's strife
was removed to a distance. And the husbandman
was again following his plow in the field; the peaceful
sounds of the axeman were heard in the woods,
and the hunter once more roamed his deer-trod
hills unsuspicious of hostile ambush.

At the pleasant, and no longer desolate cottage of
Captain Hendee, a company, evidently much larger
than the usual family circle, were assembled.—The
old veteran, as was formerly his wont, was sitting in
his easy chair before one of the open windows of
the parlor, solacing himself with his old companion,
the pipe. The other window was occupied by a
fine looking military person, now in the full bloom
of vigourous manhood, richly dressed in the lace-
trimed uniform, and the surmounted badges of a
field officer in the continental army; while by his
side sat a peerless girl, whose simple, but rich and
tasteful array of spotless white, surmounted by the
emblematic rose of the same color, instead of the
dumb, unspeaking jewel, told of bridal preparation.
They were gazing out upon the glittering expanse
of the breeze ruffled waters of the Lake, and
the gratified eye of the officer was resting on the
bright folds of his country's flag, which was again
proudly waving in the distance over the walls of the
opposite fortress; while the delicately blended fondness
and respect, that marked the blissful look of
each, and the tender pathos of their low intermingling
voices, as they exchanged the occasional remark,
betokened the presence of mutual confidence and
love. There was another maiden in the room,

[figure description] Page 273.[end figure description]

scarcely less beautiful than the one just mentioned,
but though arrayed like her fair companion, in the
bridal garb, yet she sat unmated and alone, now
listlessly running over the leaves of a little volume
in her hand, and now anxiously and impatiently
glancing through the window along the road to the
south, as if expecting the appearance of some one
from that quarter. The only other person at present
in this apartment, with whom the reader has
been made acquainted, was a modest, staid looking
female, who, though comely, and not greatly faded,
had yet evidently out-lived, by many years, the freshness
and bloom of beauty's most favored period,
She was sitting quietly in a corner, partly screened
from the rest of the company by a door that swung
inward. She, also, had been companionless, and had
not, like the restless fair one last described, appeared
to expect to be otherwise. But at this moment a
singularly tall, woodsman-looking fellow came stooping
through the door-way from the adjoining room,
where part of the company still remained; when after
throwing a half sheepish, half mischievous look
around him, apparently to see if his movement was
particularly noticed, he sidled around the swinging
door, with a sort of hesitating, stealthy, air, and
sunk by degrees into a chair beside the demure looking
damsel of whom we were speaking.

`Well, now, if this ain't curious fix!' were his
first words—`I vow to Never-come-Jack—a sort of
Saturday in the afternoon-chap that we used to
swear by in the army—if it ain't too bad! Don't
you think so, now, honestly, Miss Ruth?'

`What is it that you complain of as so bad, Mr.
Jones?' replied the girl, with a good natured and
encouraging smile, which seemed instantly to

[figure description] Page 274.[end figure description]

re-assure her somewhat flustered companion, as he replied.

`What do I complain of?—Why, to be invited,
as I was, by the Colonel and Alma there, to be here
at 2 o'clock to see three weddings; when now it is
well along towards night, and one bridegroom don't
get on according to agreement, and no parson come
to fix them that are here and ready for it. Now I
like to see folks put out of their misery in some kind
of season; and so do the rest of them, I've a notion:—
only jest look at the old Captain, yonder!—
He is getting out of sorts at the delay rather rapid,
a body would guess, by the manner he is puffing
away at his old comforter there. And there is the
Scotch bird, too,—may I miss my next aim on Old
Trusty, if I don't believe she'll fly away, if Major
Selden, as he has now got to be—Major Hendee, I
spose, you'll call him here—don't come soon.'

`Jessy does, indeed, appear rather uneasy,' observed
the other, `and I really wonder Edward don't
come, myself: He sent us word, that he expected
to get the Sherwood property all settled so as to
start from Albany yesterday morning. But you
said three weddings, did'nt you?'

`Three, did I say, Ruth?' asked Pete with waggish
gravity—`Well, two then—that is, if there ain't
raaly any chance to be another, no way.'

`Why what other could there be?' said Ruth
quite innocently.

`Well, now, I can't exactly say, but I was thinking
it was rather a pity there shouldn't be another
match worked up here somehow?' replied the scout,
with a look at the other so significant, that it brought
the blood into her cheeks. `You hold to saving
time and expense don't you?'

[figure description] Page 275.[end figure description]

`Why, it is well enough to think of that in some
cases, perhaps,' muttered the doubtful and confused
girl,'

`Then suppose when the priest comes,' said the
other with a roguish squint at her glowing cheeks
and down cast looks, `suppose you jest stand up
with—with—with old Captain Hendee, to be noosed
the same time his children are?'

`O, nonsense! Mr. Jones,' replied the girl greatly
relieved, and yet evidently disappointed at this
turn in the scout's remarks, which she supposed
were to terminate in proposing one much nearer
home—`Captain Hendee! why he is old enough to
be my father!—Besides he would not have me.'

`Yes he would.'

`No he wouldn't.'

`Well, if he should flummux at such a chance,
I know of a chap—and not too old neither—who'll
agree to take his place.'

`Really, Mr. Jones, I think you must be trying
to trifle with me?'

`Mayhap you've mistaken, now,' said Jones with
the air of one about to make some hazardous push,
but looking keenly about for some chance to secure
his retreat.

`Then how am I to consider what you say?' asked
the other seriously.

`Why—why'—said Pete, hesitating, but finding
himself at a point where he must back out entirely,
or proceed directly with his object, he added, with
a sort of desperate resolution,—`Yes, I will—so here
goes for dead ruin—you may consider it, Ruth, as
good and earnest an offer as ever a man stuck an axe
in a tree.'

`Why, surely Mr. Jones!—this is so sudden—so

[figure description] Page 276.[end figure description]

unexpected, that you cannot expect me now, as you
have never before spoken to me on the subject'—

`No, but I've looked at you on the subject, Ruth;—
and that an't all, I have thought on the subject,
and that too, ever since I left off sogering, after we
had used up that old trooper, Burgoyne, last fall.
But I didn't know how to get at the bothering business.
And now I have got at it, I want to do it all
up, while I've got the knack of it. Now all I've to
say for myself, by way of recommend, is jest only
this,—I have a farm, and can love like a two year
old. And if you can go it on that, let us agree on
the spot, and go off with the rest.'

`Impossible, Mr. Jones—that is now—if—if I
had a little time for reflection—perhaps'—

`Good! grand! glorious! I'll give you time, till
the parson comes,—a good half hour, I'll warrant
you,' exclaimed the woodsman, leaping up in his extacy,
and, with a sudden bolt through the door,
bounding off into the fields, and giving vent to his
delighted feelings in his old chorus, `Trol, lol, lol,
de larly!'

At that moment a horseman rode hastily into the
yard, leaped from his saddle, and, with a few light
and joyous bounds, landed on the threshold.

`My brother!' exclaimed Alma, rising and rushing
to the door.

`My son, God bless you!' said the Coptain, hobbling
forward with extended hand. `But how came
you to be lagging at such a juncture as this, you truant?
'

`O, Edward!' cried Jessy, bursting from an adjoining
room, to which she had a few moments before
retired, `O, Edward!' repeated the joyful but
wayward girl, flying to the open arms of her

[figure description] Page 277.[end figure description]

betrothed, now dashing her hands about her to clear
her way among the advancing group, and now shaking
her slender finger aloft in affected menace as
she went: `now, if I don't punish you for this, sir!
Back! back all of you, till I deal with the villain
for his conduct.'

`Fairly a prisoner, sir; you may as well surrender,
Major,' gaily observed Warrington to the laughing
young officer, now enclosed on every side by
beseiging friends.

`Aye, aye, Colonel,' blithely replied the latter;
`but I shall be upon my parol in a moment, I think;
when I will pay my respects—I have a glad secret
for your ear, Warrington.'

`A secret! a secret to be kept from us, at this
hour!' exclaimed both of the girls at once, summoning
a storm of affected indignation to their pretty
brows.

`Ah! you little tyrranizers!' said the Major, jocosely,
`you are wise to make the most of your
power now; for your reign is short. I saw the parson
falling into the road behind me, about a mile
back.'

The last intimation seemed to produce an instant
effect on the young officer's fair assailants. And
releasing him at once, they fled, in maidenly dismay,
to their private apartment to compose and prepare
themselves for the happy, though half dreaded
crisis.

`Now, my son, tell us, in a word, what success
you have met with at Albany,' said Captain Hendee,
turning to his son as the girls disappeared.

`Very fair:—the business is all definitely settled
at last.'

`Right glad to hear that; but first, I am curious

[figure description] Page 278.[end figure description]

to know with what kind of face that black-hearted
imp of mischief, Jake Sherwood, met you, after all
that has happened?'

`It was not till after many fruitless efforts, and a
long negociation, carried on with him by a go-between
of his own kidney, that he could be induced
to come from his lurking places to face me at all.
And when he did, it was with the same fawning and
cringing, the same dissembling and falsehood, that
has marked his whole career.'

`And what kind of a treaty did you at length
conclude with the arch villain?'

`Better than he had any reason to expect from
those who had both the right and the power on their
side: for, after taking from the estate that part
which Jake had counted as his own by Uncle's will,
when I was considered as disposed of, and which of
course became mine, on establisbing my identity as
your son,—and after deducting also the legacies,
which old Sherwood's conscience wrung from him
in favor of you and Alma, together with the sums,
which the indefatigable Vanderpool had found evidence
of having been embezzled by the old man out
of your property,—even after counting your legacies
as so much restitution—after deducting all
these, there would have been a mere pittance in
equity, and nothing, probably, in law, left for the
miscreant. And as he had been apprised of this
by Vanderpool, whom he could neither intimidate
nor corrupt, he chose to throw himself on my mercy,
rather than contend with us in law.'

`Well, as skillfully as this web of iniquity was
woven, it is all unravelled, then, at last. But what
did you finally allow him?'

`A thousand pounds; for while I despised, I

[figure description] Page 279.[end figure description]

could not but pity the abject wretch. He signed
acquittances, received his portion, in money and
drafts, and the same day, as I accidentally learned,
started off to join his tory brethren at the south.'

The conversation was here interrupted by the arrival
of the parson, who had scarcely been ushered
into the house, before yet another guest was announced.
This was the amazon widow, who now rode
into the yard, attended by Neshobee, each having a
brace of her hardy urchins, disposed of behind and
before, on the cruppers and necks of the Captain's
thus trebly burdened horses, which had been kindly
sent for that purpose early in the morning.

`Not at the eleventh hour after all,' said the woman,
as with stately tread she came sweeping into
the room, and gave her hand successively to each of
the assembled guests, who rose, and with looks of
mingled cordiality and respect, advanced to meet
her. `Well, I am gratified to find I am not too
late to witness the ceremony, though another motive
mainly prompted my coming.'

`Another motive?' said the Captain, `what might
that be?'

`Gratitude,' rejoined the widow feelingly—`to
offer, in person, the thanks and blessings of the widow
and fatherless to these brave and generous young
officers, for their undeserved gift of fifty pounds.'

`Not undeserved, especially from us, permit me
to say, Mrs. Story,' replied Major Hendee. `And
our only fear was, that it would not even requite you
for the losses you sustained on our account on that
fearful night, which none of us can ever forget.'

`Not requite me? O, more—doubly so,' replied
the woman, mastering her grateful emotions, and
resuming her naturally free and easy manner: `Why,

[figure description] Page 280.[end figure description]

gentlemen, if you would but visit us there now, you
would see a new house worth two of the old one,
flourishing crops, and a well provisioned and happy
family—and all from your bounty.'

`Our pittance, if you please,' observed the Colonel,
`and that too, under the management of one,
who, I must say, of all women'—

`Has the least patience with a flatterer, Colonel,'
interrupted the widow with good natured bluntness,
jumping up and going to the window, as something
seemed suddenly to occur to her mind. `Now, I
should like to know, if you gentlemen can tell me,'
she resumed, after gazing out on the lake a moment,
`I should like to know the meaning of the great
stir I noticed over at the fort, as I came down the
road: one would think they were preparing for a
battle.'

`We heard a firing in the direction of Ticonderoga
an hour or two ago, which we could not account
for, but have noticed nothing unusual over
here, I believe,' said Captain Hendee, looking enquiringly
at the two officers.

`Ah! your promised secret, Major?' cried Warrington,
perceiving a knowing and mysterious smile
upon the countenance of the other.

`You shall have it now—the rest of the company
will know it soon,' replied the Major, approaching
his superior and whispering in his ear.

`God bless you for the news!' exclaimed the
Colonel, with a look of joyful surprise. `But where
did you meet him?'

`At Bennington, where he arrived but three days
ago amidst the roar of guns and the shouts of a rejoicing
people. I persuaded him to come on with
me, as he did, to Skenesboro'; when he took the

[figure description] Page 281.[end figure description]

water, while I came by land, having first despatched
a runner to notify the garrisons at the two posts
of his approach.'

`Heaven be praised!' rejoined Warrington, `and
let the Green Mountains rejoice!'

`They will, soon; for yonder he comes, by Jove!'
exclaimed the Major, eagerly pointing out upon the
lake.

At that instant the house shook and trembled to the
reverberating roar of a twenty-four pounder, belching
forth a cloud of fire and smoke from the grey
walls of the opposite fortress.

The surprised and startled company instantly
rushed into the yard. A light sail boat had just
made her appearace on the lake from the south, and,
with bellying canvass, was now scudding rapidly
before the freshening breeze, with her course evidently
set for the fort. As she neared, a tall, erect,
military figure appeared conspicuously standing on
the forecastle, with folded arms, gazing steadily forward
towards the works, around whose ramparts
were seen the long rows of the expectant officers
and soldiers of the garrison; while, at momentary
intervals, came the welcoming peal of the deep mouthed
gun. At length the sails of the vessel were furled,
and she swept round and lay to, directly abreast
of the fort; which, the next instant, was suddenly
enveloped in a springing cloud of smoke, while the
tall forest around nodded to the united roar of a dozen
cannon, among the broken echoes of which, as
they rolled from shore to shore and died away among
the far responding mountains, was heard the noisy
salute of drums, and the reiterated cheers of the
soldiery, once more making the welkin ring with the
name of `Ethan Allen!'

[figure description] Page 282.[end figure description]

After a brief interval of silence, the same little
craft was seen, with hoisted sails, emerging from
the lifting clouds of smoke, and making her way directly
across the lake towards the cottage. And in
ten minutes more the hero of the Green Mountains,
unexpectedly returned from a long and painful captivity,
was received, and ushered into the house
amidst the warm and unfeigned congratulations of
the rejoicing party.

`Well, Colonel Allen,' said Captain Hendee,
scanning the thin and worn person of the other, as
they all became seated in the room, `they have
rather worsted you in your captivity, I perceive: you
are now hardly the staunch and iron bound fellow
you was three years ago, when eight or ten armed
hirelings came here to seize you as a York outlaw,
but were fairly cowed out of the attempt till they
supposed you asleep, and a little worse off than that
too, perhaps.'

`Aha! my old friend, do you remember that foolish
scrape?' replied Allen. `No, no, Captain, not
the man I was then,' he added, glancing over the huge
raw bones of his shrunken frame with a melancholy
smile; `no, the British could never forgive me for
taking old Ti; so with characteristic magnanimity
to a fallen foe, they took their revenge by battering,
hewing, hacking and starving the oldbody, till there
is scarcely enough left of it to furnish a habitable
tenement for the soul, which remains as whole and
sound as ever; for that, thank God, they could neither
kill nor bribe.'

`Bribe! bribe! did they really try to do that?'
exclaimed the young officers, laughing at the thought
of an attempt to buy up Ethan Allen.

`To be sure, did the infernal fools!' said Allen,

[figure description] Page 283.[end figure description]

`and that more than once; though the last, and perhaps
the best offer I ever had to induce me to damn
myself, that is, to become one of them, was made me
by a high dignitary of the crown, who, in behalf of
his prince, as he said, offered me nearly half the
lands in Vermont, if I would enter his service
against my countrymen!—the Christless knave! It
was well for him that I was handcuffed, at the time.'

`And what answer did you give him?' asked
Warrington, curiously.

`Answer?' replied Allen, smoothing his dark
brows, which had become fierce and stormy at the
remembered insult, `what answer? why, I told the
royal ape to go and tell his master, that he reminded
me, in his offer to give me lands in America, of
a certain other prince, mentioned in scripture, who
took the Savior up into a high mountain, and showing
him all the kingdoms of the world, offered to
give him the whole of them, if he would fall down
and worship him,—when the fact was, the poor devil
had not a single foot of land on earth to give!'

The subject was here dropped by common consent;
when, after a brief pause, Major Hendee turned
a significant look upon his father, who seemed
readily to understand what was now expected of
him, and he accordingly observed,—

`I suppose you have been apprised, Colonel Allen,
of the happy occasion, upon which, after all
our troubles, we have been permitted to assemble?'

`I have, sir,' gallantly answered the other, `and
I felt, that my peculiar notions, relative to the certainty
of the earthly rewards of bravery and virtue,
were strikingly confirmed, when I learned, that my
two friends here were about to draw such rich prizes
in the lottery of life.'

[figure description] Page 284.[end figure description]

`Ah! Colonel Allen,' exclaimed Jessy archly,
`you, too, caught playing the flatterer? I had
thought well enough of you to believe you an exception
to the generality of men, in that respect.
But I'll expose you, my brave Colonel!—What did
you say and predict, at the time you captured Ticonderoga,
respecting the intimacy which you were
then accidentally led to suspect existed between
your then Lieutenant Selden and Colonel Reed's
daughter?'

`Why, the deuce is to pay!' cried Allen, taken
rather aback by his fair antagonist—`there has been
treason here, somewhere. I recollect something
about my misgivings in the matter. But I am not
a going to be tricked out of my compliment, at all
events: for, if the daughter of a British Colonel has
the independence to marry a Yankee rebel, she must
be, to him, at least, a prize richly worth the winning.
'

`She is not married yet,' observed Captain Hendee,
with well assumed seriousness: `for before that
is suffered to take place, I, who stand as a sort of
sponsor for the girl, must be heard in the business:
and to this end, I beg leave to read a little from my
letter of instructions from her father; which I have
never before made known,' he added, producing a
letter, from which he proceeded to read to his surprised
and wondering auditors the following extract:

“Wi' regard to that wayward bairn o' mine, an'
that Mr. Nabody, her rebel lover, as I became satisfied
he was, it is out o' the question I should be consentin'
to a match o' sic a sort. Na, she must be
cured, an' in some sic way as I named to you.
An' that being done, then her old lover, Major
Skene, will come in for an easy conquest. But in

[figure description] Page 285.[end figure description]

your moves to this object, let me again caution you
to beware how you forbid this intimacy; for ever
since mother Eve's dido wi' the apple, the moment
you forbid, the Diel taks the woman.'

`Father, how is this, and at this late hour?' exclaimed
the astonished son, glancing from the former
to the no less surprised girl at his side, who also
began to open her lips in remonstrance, when, detecting
a lurking smile on the old gentleman's countenance,
she stopped short.

`Perhaps we may as well read a passage from
another letter of a more rececent date,' said the
Captain, opening another paper, from which, after slyly
enjoying the perplexity of the party interested, a
moment, he read,—

“So, you sly old Yankee, you an' Jessy hae contrived
to check-mate me at last! This comes o'
leaving a daughter in a land o' rebellion: nathless
I canna but say, I regret that circumstances will not
permit me to be present to take my stoup on the
merry occasion, which you say, wi' my consent, is
to tak place early the coming summer: weel, you
may tell the younker, wi'out hinting my good opinion
o' him as aboon written, that, upon the whole, I
will own him as a son-in-law, provided he will tak
the crap o' wild oats which the chick, frae sa plentifu'
a sowing, must now hae ready for the reaping,
as a portion o' the wife's dowry.”

`Gad! I begin to like the humerous old fellow,'
said Allen; `and that stoup which he regrets he
cannot take with us, I will drink to his health as an
extra bumper after the ceremony. Though before
that takes place, I would ask if there are no more
cases which might be settled at this time?'

`We know of none,' replied the Captain and his

[figure description] Page 286.[end figure description]

son, to whom the last part of the speaker's remarks
had been addressed in an undertone.

`I don't know about that,' rejoined the former, `I
have been looking about me a little, and it strikes
me that there are materials enough, at least. If you
will make me master of the ceremonies, with powers
to draw out the parties?'—

`Certainly, certainly, Colonel,' replied the others,
laughing, but shaking their heads dubiously at the
well understood suggestion.

`No faith, eh? Well, there is nothing like
trying,' rejoined Allen. `Jones,' he continued,
now turning round to the scout, who had resumed
his seat by the side of Ruth, `Jones, you have been
a brave fellow—how is it that you are not be rewarded,
at this time, as well as the rest?'

`Well, I've jest been thinking, Colonel, replied
Jones, screwing up his phiz, now queerly streaked
with blushes, `that it was rather a hard case, considering,
that I shouldn't have any share in the
loaves and fishes. But the fact is, that the fish that
I've had in my eye,' he added, casting a sheepish
glance at Ruth, `won't quite say, whether I'm to be
in luck to day, or not.'

`Aha! just as I thought. But she shall say,' cried
Allen, advancing a step towards the confused and
blushing maiden, on whom all eyes were now turned
in surprise, at this development of a courtship
so little expected; `she shall give you an answer, at
least, or, by the wrath of Cupid! she shall be punished
for her cruelty by running a kissing gauntlet
through the company. And I'll have the first one,'
he added, still further advancing, as if to suit the
action to the word.

`It is so rediculous!' stammered the shrinking
Ruth.

[figure description] Page 287.[end figure description]

`Perhaps you would rather say yes to my worthy
friend, here?' said the former, his lip slightly curling
with a sportive smile.

`I should—that is, I—I should,' replied the girl,
dropping her head in confusion.

`Do you see that?' exultingly said Allen—`I
have succeeded in spite of your faithlessness: nor
do I believe my triumphs need end even here.'

`Ah! I will knock under, Colonel,' observed the
Captain, laughing.

`Ay, ay,' responded the Major, gaily, `we must
now acknowledge your prowess in the court of Cupid,
as well as in the camp of Mars. But be not
over ambitious, lest your zeal be dampened by a
failure. Where will you find materials for another
triumph?'

`Here,' answered the other, pointing to Neshobee
and Zilpah, who, for reasons best understood by
themselves, had also paired off in a corner together.
`I have been reading eyes, which are about the only
book I ever read where we are sure of the truth;
and if those who control these persons should have
no objections'—

`Never mind that, Colonel, if you have faith for
the trial,' exclaimed the old Captain, entering into
the full spirit of the game.

`Upon my word, Colonel Allen, I think you a
most incorrigible meddler; but you may proceed,
for aught I care,' said Miss Reed, pouting most beautifully.

`Ah, don't laugh, ye wise ones till you see,' said
the jovial matchmaker, confidently. `Well, Miss
Zilpah,' he continued, familiarly addressing the half
blood, `you see which way your young mistress is
about to travel—now, as you intend to follow her

[figure description] Page 288.[end figure description]

fortunes, don't you think it would be more pleasant
and suitable for you to have some such brave and
trusty companion on the road as Neshobee here
would make you?'

`Ki!' exclaimed the girl, with a blush which
brought her cheek to a fellow redness with that of
the young Indian by her side. `He! you queer man!
But Neshobee, he no hab me.'

`Good!' cried the former, `there is a challenge
for you, my red friend. She says you wont marry her!'

`Umph!' uttered the still grave, though evidently
delighted native, `me never know Zilpah tell lie
before.'

`There! you unbelievers,' exclaimed Allen, looking
round triumphantly upon the company, `see
what a man can do. Now, parson, do your duty.'

Reader, our story is told, and, with a word upon
the subsequent career of those in whose destinies
we trust we have been able in some degree to interest
you, we will bid you adieu:

Of that singular, bold, rough, versatile, yet honest
and strong minded man, Ethan Allen, little more
need be said. The remainder of his public life was
devoted to the accomplishment of that object, for
which he had so fearlessly contended before the revolution,
the independence of his state. And her
history sufficiently attests to the importance of his
services.

The gallant young officers, after their twice extended
furloughs had expired, leaving their lovely
and loving wives at the cottage of Captain Hendee,
to cheer and soothe the old veteran in his declining
years, and, in due time, to render his second childhood
any thing but companionless, returned to their

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posts in the army, in which, honored and distinguished,
they remained, till they had witnessed the
achievement of their country's independence; when
they retired to their homes in the Green Mountains,
to receive from their fellow citizens those substantial
memorials of their esteem which may still be found
recorded among some of the early acts of the Legislature
of Vermont, granting valuable tracts of
land to certain individuals for important public services.

Pete Jones and his staid spouse immediately repaired
to their little opening in the woods, where,
having renewed his acquaintance with his rusty axe,
he caused the forest to melt away before his powerful
arm, till his labors were rewarded by one of the
best farms on the borders of the lake; while his
wife became one of the most notable of housewives,
having never had cause to regret her abrupt connection
with the eccentric, though amiable woodsman,
as may be inferred from the opinions she was often
heard to express in favor of long men and short
courtships.

Widow Story remained on her farm, cultivating
and enlarging it with her own hands for many years;
when, her oldest son having at length been enabled
to butt his mother, to use a chopper's phrase, that is,
to get off his cut first, in a trial of skill on the same
log, she concluded to betake herself to household
duties, giving up her farm work to her sturdy little
band of foresters, who, in the process of time, let
in the sun on extensive tracts of some of the finest
lands on Otter Creek.

Neshobee and his yellow rib continued to reside
on the farm of Captain Hendee, in a log hut built
expressly for them, till the old gentleman's death;

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when they removed to the woody shores of the Horican,
where they spent their days in a ceaseless warfare
upon the beautiful trout of the lake, and the
dear; bear and other wild animals of its surrounding
shores.

And, lastly, the miscreant Sherwood, who, through
the inscrutable ways of Providence, was permitted
to live, Cain like, to old age, found his way, at the
close of the revolution, to the common refuge of
American tories in Canada, where he finished his
days in poverty and disgrace, always obtaining credit
by flattery and falsehood, always abusing it by
fraud and treachery, and living, indeed, abhorred by
men and seemingly accursed of God.