the two fishermen, no wise daunted, proceeded to the centre of the river, and having dropped anchor, (a crowbar fastened to a plough line,) they commenced their task. Several scoops had been made, and the bottom of the river had been raked from the stem to the stern on both sides of the canoe, but as yet they had caught nothing. "Why dad," says the younger Drumhead, "we had as well quit; we'll catch nothing to-day; I believe all the ellwise has gone to pot. 1 never saw any thing like it." "Try um again, Dan," said the old Triton, "you'll catch um by and bye." With great caution and care the young fisherman sunk his net without the least noise, and cautiously raising it from the bottom, discovered that something weighty was attached to it. "Help dad," cried Dan, straining every nerve to get the net to the water's edge, "it is a thumping haul I do expect." "Careful, Danny," replied the other, "take heed that you don't break the bow; it is old and weak like." Both father and son, by their joint efforts, were raising the net, and had almost gotten it to the edge of the vessel, when the report of a cannon, like a peal of thunder, echoed through the shores on both sides of the river, and caused the fishermen to start upon their feet, and abandon the net to its fate. At the same moment, a large ball struck the water near to the canoe with a loud hiss, and dashed the waves over them in a volume. They gazed at each other for a moment, with astonishment and terror, and then looking down the stream, they saw a large vessel, with every sail spread, bearing towards them; in a moment, another and a third

made their appearance, and in a short time the whole horizon was whitened with the sails of a large fleet, driving rapidly before the breeze. The two fishermen looked long enough to see the crimson flag of Great Britain flying at the mast heads, when having weighed their anchor, they seized a paddle apiece, and under the impulse of the most desperate alarm, skimmed across the water to the shore. They stopped not when they had reached the bank, but proceeded with rapid strides to the residence of their landlord, upon the hill above.

the

It chanced that upon this very day the father of young soldier's mistress, and the fair Flora herself was upon a visit at the residence of the elder Thornhill. The two elders were busily engaged in discussing the important events of the day over a bottle of wine, while the young soldier and his mistress were gazing upon the prospect in the rear of the house, when the whole party were aroused by the loud cries of the elder and younger Drumhead. In a moment the affrighted pair of fishermen rushed into the room, and by gestures alone, (for terror had checked their powers of utterance) informed the company of the enemy's approach. Every eye was at once directed towards the river, and anxiously watched the progress of the fleet, which, having advanced immediately opposite to the building, cast anchor and took in sail. At the same moment several boats were seen lowered from the sides of the vessels, and being filled with men, were pulled for the shore. Great was the consternation of the whole party at this unexpected approach of an enemy, who had

evidently come for the purpose of violence. But a short time elapsed, however, for any consideration on the subject; for the boats having landed their crews, they were seen advancing in solid column under the command of a leader, towards the house. The young soldier proposed to his father that they should arm the servants and themselves with whatever weapons were in the house, and oppose the further approach of the enemy, and seconded his advice by snatching down his sword, which lay upon the mantlepiece. But this desperate resolve was overruled by his father, who saw, from the immense force arrayed before them, that resistance would be worse than useless. By his advice, Flora Summers and her father retired into the next apartment, as the enemy were now at the door. In a moment after they had retired, the doors flew open, and a tall, military figure, in the full dress of a British Brigadier General, accompanied by a large number of officers, entered the apartment. At the same moment, the troops upon the outside were seen surrounding the building, and every movement betokened some immediate violence.

The commander of the party having seated himself, the officers ranged themselves respectfully around him, and the whole party maintained a dead silence, similar to the awful stillness which precedes the burst of a storm. The elder Thornhill looked upon the features of his unwelcome guest with anxious scrutiny; hoping to discover some intention foreign to his expectations. But in the deep flush, the savage scowl which were the distin

guishing marks of the face before him, he could discover nothing, save implacable enmity and confirmed brutality. He had once made the resolution of enquiring into the motives of this strange invasion of private right: he arose from the seat which he had occupied, and with boldness and dignity, thus addressed him. "To whom am I, Sir, indebted for the honour of this visit, which, though made in an unusual manner, is nevertheless welcome, if peaceful?" The person thus addressed, slowly arose from his seat, and having advanced a step, in a deep, harsh tone, replied, "To Benedict Arnold, Brigadier General in the service of George the Third, who has come armed with full power to chastise with fire and sword, this land of ingratitude, this hot-bed soil of rebellion." "My God," exclaimed the other involuntarily, "is it possible? How are the mighty fallen? You, then, Sir, are Benedict Arnold, the hero of Saratoga, and comrade of Montgomery; but now the wretched traitor, who has bartered his country's liberties for the basest of rewards." During this speech, the countenance of Arnold had changed into an expression almost demoniac; and so soon as the old gentleman had ceased, he replied in a voice of thunder, "Aye, even so, thou hoary rebel, and know also, that the traitor Arnold, is as little willing to forgive the insult which you have given him, as he is to forget the injuries inflicted by an ungrateful rabble. Ho! the guard! take this high-toned old gentleman on board of the fleet, clap him in irons and see that he be safely guarded." So soon as the order was

given, the room was filled with soldiers, who, having seized the elder Thornhill, were proceeding to drag him from the room, when Edgar, who, till the moment had been watching every movement with the most intense anxiety, no sooner saw his father in the hands of the ruffiaus, than drawing the weapon which was at his side, he cut down the foremost of the band. So sudden was the attack, that ere the party recovered from their surprise, another had fallen beneath the avenging sword of the young soldier, who, having released his father from the grasp of those who surrounded him, rushed towards the leader for the purpose of laying him dead. But, ere he could effect his purpose, he found himself opposed to a host, and in a moment was thrown upon the floor and bound in every limb. At the same moment, his father, in a vain endeavour to rescue him, was pierced by a pistol shot and fell dead near him.

No sooner had Arnold secured his victim, than he gave orders to fire the house; and in a moment firebrands were applied, which soon kindled it into a lurid blaze. Flora Summers and her father had been suffered by the orders of the General, to retire unmolested. But the high-minded girl little thought of deserting her lover in this dread hour of peril ; she besought the traitor ruffian by every argument to release him; she appealed to his feelings as a man and a soldier, not to tear from the hapless mother of the young soldier, the only solace for the loss of her husband. But Arnold was inexorable; he ordered Edgar to be carried on board the fleet, and having seen the house levelled with the earth, he, with his officers followed in a short time afterwards.