all the fat in the pan, of which I felt no inclination to participate.It was here I told them they would repent of their doings; and instead of being supported by four hundred men in the county, as they had professed to believe, that they would be abandoned to their fate.

"From this station they marched a few miles, and took another, in a narrow valley, a sequestered place, and about two or three miles from the Susquehanna. We had no sooner halted than they came to me with a chain five or six feet long, having at one end a band like the bands of horse-fetters. Col. Franklin, they said, had been put in irons, in the Philadelphia jail, and they must put irons on me, although it was not agreeable to them to do it; "but their great men required it." Satisfied that it would be in vain to remonstrate, I was silent. They fixed the band of the chain round my ankle, securing it with a flat key, which they twisted, to prevent its being cut off without a tool to untwist the key. The other end of the chain they fastened by a staple to a tree. In this situation I remained an hour or more; and they employed themselves in forming a booth with the boughs of trees. This chain, besides its conformity with the orders of their "great men," saved my gentlemen from the burden of mounting guard every night. When we lay down, they placed me in the middle, and one of them wrapped the chain round one of his legs; so that I could not rise to attempt an escape, without waking him up. But I determined not to make the attempt-for I soon considered that my life was not in danger; and I expected them to grow weary of their enterprise: so I patiently endured present affliction. Besides, if I escaped they could take me again, unless I quitted the county; which was the precise object of the outrage-to get rid of me.

We had been in this valley but two or three days, when, one morning, whilst all my guard were fast asleep, I heard a brisk firing of musquetry. It was a skirmish, I had no doubt, between the "Boys" (as these fellows called their party) and the militia who had come from below to discover them, and rescue me. But I let them sleep on; nor did I tell them of the firing after they awoke. After breakfast, one of them went down to a house by the river, in their interest, and returned in haste, to tell his comrades that the "Boys"

during Washington's administration, when negotiating a treaty with the Indians, a vast table was surrounded by commissioners, contractors, attendants, and braves. The conversation turned upon the characteristic designation of the chiefs; one was that of the eagle, another of the tortoise. An old warrior seeing Col. P. swallowing his eleventh cup of coffee, with viands in proportion, exclaimed-"He; Wolf Tribe."

and militia had met, and that in the battle, captain Ross, who commanded the militia, was mortally wounded. At the close of this, or the next day, they marched down to the river, and sought for a canoe to cross to the western side; but could find none. We were now at Black-Walnut Bottom, about forty-four miles above Wilkesbarre. Thus disappointed they marched back into the woods, and we lay down for the night. The next day, towards evening, they went again to the river and crossed it. It was so dark that at the distance of thirty or forty yards we might pass unseen. They passed through a thick wood to the house of one Kilborn, father to two of the party. There we lodged. The next morning they pushed back into the woods, about four miles from the river. This was the third and last station. This changing from place to place, was to prevent their being discovered by the militia, who came from below, at different times to find them.

"On the 15th of July, Gideon Dudley (who now appeared to have the command) with two others came out to our station. It was late in the afternoon. After lounging about for some time, as if they did not know what to do with themselves, they approached me; and Dudley asked-"Don't you wish to be set at liberty?"-"To be sure I do "-was my answer. After a little pause, Dudley accosted me-"What will you do for us if we will set you at liberty?—"What do you wish me to do for you?" was my reply. "Will you intercede for Col. Franklin's pardon?" (7) " No, I will not." This answer was evidently unexpected; they were confounded; and retiring, they for some time laid their heads together. Then again coming near, one of them asked-"Will you intercede for our pardon?-After a momentary pause, I aswered-" While I have been in your hands, you have told me of your Great Men,' and that you have been acting in obedience to their orders. By them you have been misled and deceived. Give me their names, and I have no doubt of obtaining your pardon." This they could not do, they said, without going down to their Head Quarters, and consulting the main body; and turned on

6

[* "He was badly wounded, but recovered. Gideon Dudley received from the militia a ball through his hand."]

Note 7. "Will you intercede for Col. Franklin's pardon?" Neither retaliation, revenge, nor malicious mischief, actuated them. Only "intercede for Franklin," was the generous purpose. But for their own pardon he would solicit, if they would disclose the names of their "great men," their leaders and advisers. This they with true honour refused to do. While these incidents were transpiring in the sequestered glen, where the distinguished prisoner was held in durance, all the rest part of the country was in a state of extreme agitation.

their heels to depart-"Stop," said I, "and knock off this chain." They instantly took off the chain, that I had carried about for ten days.

"I lay down with my guard that night, not doubting of my speedy release. As soon as it was light, I rose, put the fire-brands together (in the woods, a fire is generally kept up at night even in the warmest weather;) mixed up some of their miserable coarse Indian meal for cakes, spread the dough on pieces of hemlock bark (the usual trenchers) and set them to the fire. As soon as it was light enough to see our green tea, I went to gather it. This was the winter green, bearing red berries, which went by the name of partridge berries. Infused in boiling water, the winter green makes a tolerable warm beverage.*

By this time my guard were awake, the tea was boiled and the cakes were baked. I told them that expecting to be released, I had risen and got the breakfast ready, in order to gain time; for if released, I had a particular desire to reach home the next day. I then proposed that we should go to their head-quarters, without delay; where, if released, it would be well; if not, I would come back with them again into the woods. They readily assented-took up their kettle and frying-pan-(our kitchen furniture) and down we marched. When arrived near to their head-quarters, they halted. One went to announce our arrival. Two or three came out, Gideon Dudley at their head—when he put to me the original question, "Will you intercede for Col. Franklin's pardon?" "I will answer no question till I am set at liberty," was my return. They conducted me into Kil

born's house.

"It was now the 16th of July. Nineteen days had passed away, while I had been their prisoner. Having no razor, nor a second shirt, I had neither shaved nor changed my linen during that whole time.They had told me, if I desired clothing or any thing else from home, and I would write for them, they should be brought to me. (8) I

[ "They once asked me if I should like a dish of coffee. A dish of coffee by all means,' I answered. They went to work. Boiling water in their iron pot, to make it clean, then emptying it, they set it over to heat. They next strewed into it some Indian meal; and when it was roasted, they poured in water; and as soon as it was boiled, the coffee was made. It was an agreeable change for our green tea."]

[ +"It would be the 17th of July-my birth day.”]

Note 8. "Clothing or any thing else" that you want, Col. Pickering, shall be brought you from home. This does not look like wanton oppression. "Only intercede for our beloved Franklin." Noble fellows-they scarcely deserved from him the harsh epithet of a "gang of ruffians."

accordingly wrote to your mother for clothing-and for a book. She sent them up as directed, and they arrived at Zebulon Marcy's at Tunkhannock; and there I found them, after I was released. The shirt I wore from home, I repeatedly took off, and washed as well as I could, in cold water and without soap.

"As soon as I entered Kilborn's house, they brought me a razor and soap to shave, and a clean shirt, and pair of stockings; and told me I was at liberty. They roasted some chickens, and gave me as good a dinner as the poor wretches could furnish. (9)

"While dinner was preparing, they renewed their request, that I would intercede for Franklin's pardon. This I again peremptorily refused to do. Then they made the same request for themselves; and I again told them that I could venture to assure them of pardons, if they would give me the names of their "Great Men " who had instigated them to commit the outrage I had endured at their hands. They consulted together for some time; and finally told me they could not give up their names. "This (I said to them) is a very unwise determination. Here are two-and-twenty of you (I had counted them) who may all obtain pardon, if you will give me the names of your employers; and among so many, some one at least, to save himself, will turn state's evidence; you had better therefore give me the names of the men who have engaged you in this wicked business." "Whoever does it, said Gideon Dudley, ought to go to hell, and be damned everlastingly." (10)

"They then made a last request, that I would write a petition for them to the Executive Council praying for pardons, and carrying it with me to Wilkesbarre, take an opportunity to send it to Philadelphia. With this, undeserving as they were, I complied.

"It was now late in the afternoon; and unless I went to Tunkhannock (distant twelve miles) that night, I could not reach home the next day. They had a good boat in which they carried me down. It was dark when they landed. I had only set my foot on shore, when the two Earls came to me, aside, and offered to become evidences for the state upon an assurance of pardon. This I ventured to give them: but the rogues, when brought before the court, divulged none of the

Note 9. The "poor wretches,"-not so harsh. The savory odour of the "roasted chick. ens," in some measure softened his ire.

Note 10. The expression of Dudley is rough enough; but the rugged coat cannot conceal from view the noble sentiment of integrity, fidelity and honour, that lies beneath it.

names of their "Great men ;" and reluctantly furnished any evidence against their companions. (11)

"Walking from the landing place about a mile, across the Tunkhannock bottom land, we arrived at the house of Zebulon Marcy, to get supper and lodging. There I found the bundle of clothing which your mother had sent up for me; and there, also, I found an inhabitant of Pittstown, going down the river as far as Lachawannock Creek. And Tuttle, one of the Boys,' said he would go down with us, and take his chance. The next morning, we three set off in a canoe. Landing the man destined for Lachawannock, the other went on with me to Wilkesbarre. On the way, he told me that he had joined the boys' but two or three days before, in order to discover where I was, and get me rescued out of their hands. (12)

"Stepping ashore at Wilkesbarre, I walked directly to our house. You were standing at the front door. As I drew near, you looked a moment-appeared frightened-and retired. Before I reached the door, your mother came with Edward in her arms. Consternation marked her countenance—as if I had been an apparition. My return so soon was wholly unexpected; and she looked at me as if to satisfy herself of the reality.

"Without waiting the result of their petition to the Executive Council, most of the actual perpetrators of the outrage upon me, fled

Note 11. Though a man of unusual intelligence, as well as fortitude, Col. P., it is evident, did not perfectly comprehend the Yankee tactics. The Earls were not traitors— there was not a drop of traitor blood in their veins. Doubtless the measure was adopted with the assent of their companions. Having two witnesses secured, of course little pains would be taken to search for, or summon others, and with them their companions were safe.

war.

Note 12. Nor was Tuttle a recreant to his faith. "Deceive your enemy," is a maxim of It was important to their safety that Pickering should be conciliated and watched. The Earls and Tuttle, shrewd men, were best able to throw him off his guard; draw out his opinions, and fathom his purposes. There was not one of that "gang of ruffians," we firmly believe, who would not sooner have sacrificed his life, than betrayed his fellows: An anecdote of Benjamin Earl is too good to be lost, and yet so nearly approaches the indelicate, that pardon must be solicited for its recital. A writ issued for his apprehension growing out of the Yankee disturbances, was put into the hands of our old friend Westover, (who stood by Cooper in the Indian battle,) now a constable, to serve. Mr. Earl, a very small man, though he had a large spirit, had just married a buxom girl of four times his size. In the dead of night Westover and his assistants demanded admittance. Pressing her little spouse deep in the feathers, for the object of the visit was known, and placing herself on her back over him, so that there appeared but one person in bed, she answered, "Come in, who is there ?" "Westover!"' "Come, Earl, you are my prisoner," and ontered the room with a light. "For shame, Mr. Westover," said Mrs Earl. "I here a lone woman to be so encroached upon." "But where is Ben?" "You know he was expecting the writ, and needn't think he was such a fool as to be at home-he has more wit than that, I hope." Satisfied the lady was alone, Westover retired.