237


THE HERMIT
OF THE CATSKILLS
45
When
DEWITT CLINTON OVERBAUGH


WILLIAM CHARVAT
American Fiction Collection
The Ohio State University Libraries








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IFY
HE CAME SO CLOSE AS TO SEVER THE LOCKS FROM HIS HEAD.
Frontispiece.
Page 152.








THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS
A TALE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
BY
DE WITT CLINTON OVERBAUGH
NEW YORK
G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY
MDCCCC


COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY
DE WITT C. OVERBAUGH.
(All rights reserved.]
The Hermit of the Catskills,


DEDICATION.
To the Holland Society of the City and State of
New York: On account of its faithful adherence
and perpetuation of the patriotic sentiment of our
Holland Dutch forefathers, who fought, bled and
died for America's liberty, and my paternal grand-
father and my maternal great-grandfather, who
passed through all the vicissitudes of the fortunes
of war, as officers, under General Washington and
General Gates, of the American Revolution, and one
of whom, when again called upon, in his old age, in
the war of 1812, took down his sword, and taking
his eldest son with him, both enlisted for the war.
One fell on the field of battle, amidst the clash of
arms. The other died in the hospital tent, from ex-
posure and fever. Both gave up their lives for their
country's flag, on the Northern frontier. To the
memories of such patriotic heroes as these, and to
the noble Holland Society, which is keeping and
cherishing this patriotic sentiment of our Holland
Dutch ancestors, who took such a prominent part in
defending the Stars and Stripes from a foreign foe,
I respectfully dedicate this volume.
DE WITT CLINTON OVERBAUGH.





CONTENTS.
PAGR
CHAPTER
PREFACE.
vii
1. DONALD AND CYRUS .
9
II. THE TORY GANG .
.
16
III. THE PLEDGE BY THE STREAM
23
IV. HARDENBURGH HALL
0
31
V. BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH”
40
VI. THE RECEPTION
.
58
VII. THE KINGSTON FAIR
66
.
VIII. THE CAPTURE
99
IX. THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS
113
X. THE CAPTIVES
123
XI. OLD CYRUS
137
XII. THE SURPRISE
150
XIII. THE HERMIT'S CAVE
157
XIV. THE BURNING OF KINGSTON
.
.
180
XV. THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL .
.
195
XVI. CLOSING SCENES
212





PREFACE.
I HAVE been asked, “How did you come to write
the Hermit of the Catskills ? "
In the fall of 1888, while living in the City of
Kingston, I took a day's outing in the Catskills with
my dog and gun. I seriously injured one of my eyes
that day, and the other, through sympathy, also be-
came greatly affected. My physician forbade all
work requiring their use. Finding the time passing
very irksomely and to no profit, and while confined
to my room with eyes bandaged, shutting out the
light of the world, I conceived the plot of my story
and its title.
Fortunately, Ulster county homes contain more or
less historical records and legendary lore. After
nearly recovering my eyesight, I gathered together
all that was obtainable to serve my purpose and
wove about them the woof and the warp, weaving
here and there the fiction with facts, like the weaver
in the manufacture of his cloth passing the shuttle-
cock to and fro. I thus formed the net work of
history, legends, romance and fiction composing the
make-up of the “Hermit of the Catskills.” My
whole time was not given to the book, hence it was
some years before it was completed and ready for
the publisher.


viii
PREFACE.
To the kindness of the late Honorable Marius
Schoonmaker, the historian of Ulster county, I am
indebted for the permission of using certain refer-
ences in his history of Ulster county. To some
others I am also indebted for papers and letters re-
lating to the characters and scenes of the Ameri-
can Revolution.
Hardenburgh Hall, the home of the heroine of
the story, located on the outskirts of the present
village of Rosendale, Ulster county, still stands to-
day, sound and stately as in the days of the seven-
teenth century.
If the reader should look over the names of the
Kingston directory, he will find the same there to-
day, who are descendants of those who attended the
reception given to Mrs. Washington by Colonel
Johannes Hardenburgh at Hardenburgh Hall.
If one should take the trouble to explore the
mountains of High Point in the Catskills, he may
find that the cave of the hermit still remains.
In the vicinity of the Binniewaters in Ulster
county some of the descendants of the hermit and
his pretty Indian wife still remain.
D. C. O.


CHAPTER I.
DONALD AND CYRUS.
The War of the American Revolution had been
in
progress two years or more. The Battle of Long
Island had been fought, and lost. The Continental
Army and its heroic commander, General George
Washington, had completed fortifications on the
banks of the Hudson, respectively named Forts
Montgomery, Clinton and Putnam; a wrought-iron
chain of huge links had also been stretched across
the river near West Point.
As a further hindrance to the enemy ascending
the river, a chevaux-de-frise had been constructed
and thrown across the Hudson at the mouth of the
Highlands on the north, thus making it extremely
difficult, if not dangerous and hazardous, for the
British commander to undertake the passage of the
Highlands.
At New Windsor, General George Clinton and
his little band of patriots were watching with great


IO
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
a
vigilance from their entrenchments for any sign of
the enemy; also forming a connecting link of com-
munication from the forts in the Highland with the
Committee of Safety at Kingston.
General Bur-
goyne with a splendid and well-equipped army was
forcing his way from the Canadas, destroying "en
route " Fort Ticonderoga, and was, with forced
marches, making his way to the upper Hudson,
where he was expecting to form a junction with
Howe's army from the lower Hudson, and thus
annihilate all the Rebel opposition in the State of
New York. At the same time, Brandt, the Indian
chieftain, and his hosts of Indian warriors and
Tories, were dealing death and destruction in the
valleys of Schoharie and Wyoming, burning the
homes of absent patriots, and massacring helpless
women and children, or carrying them away into
cruel captivity.
This was the situation of military affairs when
our story opens, and the reader is invited to accom-
pany me while I relate the strange tale of the Her-
mit of the Catskills.
It was on one of those lovely August days for


DONALD AND CYRUS.
II
which the valley of the Hudson has long since been
noted, in the year 1776, that two horsemen were
traveling leisurely along the old King's Highway,
on the westerly banks of the Hudson, leading from
the lower Highlands to Kingston, then the capital
of the State.
They were nearing the old homestead of Colonel
Johannes Hardenburgh, situated at the foot of a
large hill. At its base a wide stream wound its
way. The fording place of this stream was directly
opposite the sloping lawn of Colonel Hardenburgh.
Judging from the conversation of the two travelers,
they were to be guests, for a short time, at least,
at the above mansion. Let us draw near and per-
haps we can learn something of their mission and
appearance.
The foremost rider was spurred and booted; his
doublet and waistcoat were of finest material;
his hat was of extreme broad brim, with a golden
cord and tassel that indicated somewhat his mili-
tary rank, that of some trusted aid to the command-
er-in-chief of the American Army. His youthful
looks bespoke his age to be not more than twenty-


12
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
seven. His face betokened fearlessness. He had a
square forehead, beneath which keen, penetrating
black eyes twinkled and lighted up with intelligent
expression, as he engaged in earnest conversation.
A long mustache, "à la Frenchman," adorned his
upper lip, with mouth and chin expressive of great
firmness of character. His broad shoulders and
muscular limbs were suggestive of prodigious
strength;-altogether he was a person one would
hesitate to offend. He was well armed. From his
saddle projected the handles of two large pistols; in
his belt was seen the horn handle of a large hunting
knife, and to his side a long claymore was safely
strapped. Now and then he would gently pat his
horse's neck with soothing touch, and say, “Don't
be impatient, my boy, we will reach our journey's
end ere nightfall.”
His companion was an odd-looking genius indeed
-a coal-black negro of apparently forty years of
age. He sat on his horse in such a manner as to give
horse and rider a very peculiar appearance.
His
long, lank legs hung so low, as to barely keep his
feet from the ground; he did not sit upright, but


DONALD AND CYRUS.
13
seemed to be almost double from curvature of the
spine. With his long arms, he was brushing flies
from his horse's ears, and as he caught the trouble-
some insects, with a chuckle and grin, he was heard
a
to say: “Me cotch 'em dot time.” He was soon
disturbed from his pastime by the remark of his
master:
"Cyrus, that stately mansion at the foot of yon-
der hill must be Colonel Hardenburgh's, and there
we will rest for the night, and also rest our tired
steeds—and perhaps, Cyrus, a good hoecake will as-
sist in appeasing your never-ending appetite."
“Ha, ha! Massa Donald, you hit straight dot
time, but you left out de best ting Cyrus wants just
now.”
What is that, you black rascal? Are you still
thinking of the 'apple jack' whiskey, with which
Major Bevier permitted you to wet that ever-thirsty
whistle of yours?"
“Well, well! Massa Donald, you shoots straight
ebery time shuah! I 'spect Colonel Hardenburgh
won't forget dat we's come a long ways ober the
dusty roads, and nothing clears dis ole darkie's troat


14
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
>
like good apple jack whiskey; and I hear it done
tell, dat de Colonel knows how to treat gemmen.”
Well, Cyrus, these are ticklish times. You must
not be surprised if the Colonel looks on us at first
suspiciously. The Tories and cowboys are con-
stantly on the watch to give information to the en-
emy, and I believe the Colonel to be one of their par-
ticular hatreds."
“Ah! Massa Donald, I swear vengeance on all
dem cowardly debbils. Didn't dey burn the house
ober our heads, and run all de cattle off! Didn't dey
tie dis ole dark up to de tree, and give him fifty
lashes, 'cause he wouldn't tell where young Massa
Donald was!” And as the unforgotten pain from
the lashes seemed to be recalled, the negro's long
arms and fingers twitched and worked convulsively,
while his eyes seemed to roll in anger. “I tell you
what, Massa Donald, dis nigga must hab wen-
geance."
“Keep down your ire, Cyrus, and wait. I feel
there is a great debt to be wiped out for that night's
doings. The time will come when I can repay
them. But we must wait, Cyrus, and bide our time.”


DONALD AND CYRUS.
15
We will now leave our travelers for a time and
carry our reader back a few months, in order to ex-
plain their mission and by whom sent.


16
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
CHAPTER II.
THE TORY GANG.
AFTER the defeat of the American forces at Long
Island, by General Howe, General George Wash-
ington saw the necessity of raising more troops, and
expected that Kingston and vicinity would contrib-
ute largely to the levy. Consequently it became nec-
essary to appoint a commander of these new re-
cruits. General Washington at once came to the
conclusion that George Clinton should be placed
in this important position, as commander of all the
troops of the Northern Highlands. It was impor-
tant that Clinton, then at Kingston, should be imme-
diately informed of his appointment. A trustworthy
and brave person was required to convey this, and
other important dispatches, relative to the situation
of the offending and defending forces.
General Washington, in casting about for the
proper person to take this important journey, at
once bethought him of Donald McGregor, a trust-


THE TORY GANG,
17
worthy member of his staff, and forthwith Mc-
Gregor was made acquainted with the desires of
his commander, and at once started on his perilous
journey to Kingston.
His route was up the easterly bank of the Hud-
son, from Westchester through the Highlands to
Fishkill-on-the-Hudson; thence across the river to
Newburgh, and from that military point, by the way
of the Kings Road, to Kingston. After perilous ad-
ventures and escapes, Donald, on the early morn-
ing of the second day, drew up his horse at the gate
of his father's homestead, located on the Kings
Road, under the shadow of the Shawangunk Moun-
tains, on a prominent eminence overlooking the
Hudson. Here Donald was welcomed with open
arms by father and mother, and a rest of a few hours
was indulged in.
The buildings, which had so recently been burned
by the Tories, had been rebuilt by the father. The
dwelling was made of stone, gathered from the
quarries of the Shawangunk Mountains.*
a
a
*Many of these stone buildings are still standing in this
region to-day.


18
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
There was one person who welcomed young Mc-
Gregor with great enthusiasm. That person was
none other than Cyrus, the negro slave belonging to
the McGregor family.
He was greatly attached to his young master
Donald, and when the time came for Donald's de-
parture, Cyrus earnestly besought his young mas-
ter's permission to accompany him.
Consent was given, and Cyrus was soon mounted
on one of the best horses from the stables of his old
master.
Their journey soon brought them to the point de-
scribed in the opening of our first chapter. Here
we will leave them for a little while and give the
reader a short history of the McGregor family.
Donald McGregor was the son of a Scotch refu-
gee, who came to America about the year 1760,
bringing with him his young son, then ten years
old, and settling on the westerly side of the Hudson,
in location already described.
At the opening of the American Revolution, the
McGregor family at once took sides with the op-
pressed people of their adopted country. Both


THE TORY GANG.
19
father and son became strong and offensive patriots
to the Tory element of their vicinity.
Donald McGregor could not be an inactive spec-
tator to the stirring scenes enacted about him. The
father consented that he should at once tender his
services to the Commander-in-chief of the Ameri-
can forces, while the father was left to defend his
crops and property from the marauding Tories and
cowboys. Donald was appointed as aid on the staff
of General Washington, where he served with great
distinction, and on many occasions had been se-
lected by his Commander to perform perilous, se-
cret duties.
Donald, at home and in the vicinity, was known
by all for his fearless bravery, and also for his won-
derful strength in the throwing of the hammer, and
in wrestling. At all the village matches, none could
outdo him in any of the youthful sports. These ath-
letic exercises peculiarly fitted him for the secret
services and perilous adventures required of him
by his Commander-in-chief.
The Tories had vowed vengeance against the Mc-
Gregors for the support they were giving the Rebel


20
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
cause, and having learned that young McGregor
would visit his home on a certain occasion, had de-
termined that upon that night they should capture
him, and bring him a prisoner before General Howe.
But Donald, knowing the intention of the Tories,
bade his parents good-bye, mounted his horse and
was soon flying along the road to Washington's
headquarters. He had barely left his home before
a band of Loyalists, headed by the notorious John
Leffens, came and surrounded the house, supposing
that Donald was within, but being disappointed in
their expectations, they burned the house, captured
Cyrus, tied him to a tree and gave him fifty lashes
as an inducement to make him disclose the where-
abouts of young McGregor, they thinking that he lay
secreted somewhere about the premises. Failing in
this, they left the building in ashes, driving the cat-
tle before them, and leaving the old darkey tied to
the tree.
At the approach of Leffens and his followers, old
McGregor and his wife immediately secreted them-
selves in an underground room, some distance from


THE TORY GANG.
21
the dwelling, which was in communication with it
by tunnel passage. Here through a peculiarly ar-
ranged aperture they could behold everything that
transpired without.
It was with intense feelings of hatred and anger
that the old couple beheld their fine buildings burned
to the ground, and their valued stock driven away,
they being powerless to defend their property from
so many well-armed freebooters; but, when the old
man saw the lash applied to the bare back of his fa-
vorite servant, and heard his cries of agony, he could
stand it no longer, but grasping his musket, leveled
it at the heart of the Tory traitor, John Leffens.
There certainly would have been one Tory less in
that band if the wife had not seized his arm before
he could pull the trigger, and reminded him that to
shoot would reveal their hiding place, and cause
their destruction. With grinding teeth, and vows of
vengeance, McGregor lowered his musket, conced-
ing to the wife that it would be imprudent to give
the notorious Tory his well-deserved reward at this
time, but vowing vengeance on him for the future.
.


22
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS..
After the departure of Leffens, McGregor and his
wife came to the rescue of Cyrus, released him from
his painful position, and administered to his
wounds.


THE PLEDGE BY THE STREAM.
23
CHAPTER III.
THE PLEDGE BY THE STREAM.
Donald and his negro attendant were still ten
miles from Kingston. They had dispatches for Col.
Hardenburgh, and upon nearing that gentleman's
homestead, Donald remarked to Cyrus that there
they would rest for the night, and also give rest to
their weary steeds.
Cyrus, in anticipation of enjoying the hospitality
as already hinted at by his master Donald, said: "I
hope the Colonel won't forget de ole darkey, dat he
is both dry and hungry. Say, Massa Donald, after
all de greetens is ober wid you, just remine de
Colonel date Ise here too."
Donald was about to answer the old negro, when
a sudden exclamation from him brought Donald to
an immediate standstill.
“What now, Cyrus? Are your ears or eyes
sharper than mine, that I should be called to a halt
so suddenly?”
a


24
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
“O, Massa Donald, I'se heard singen shuah just
now. Ise just cotch de sweetness as it comes floatin'
cross de creek heah." Cyrus had barely finished his
remarks, when the sweet voice of a young girl in
patriotic song, was distinctly heard, borne to them
by the gentle zephyrs from across the stream.
Young Donald was spell-bound by the sweetness
of the song. Motioning to Cyrus to remain and take
charge of his horse, Donald dismounted, and going
gently, as if afraid to dispel what seemed to him as
a son of an angel, drew near, guided by the
voice of the songstress, which now became more and
more distinct. Having gained a little eminence,
from which he could span the other side of the
creek with his vision, he there beheld a sight which
caused his eyes to kindle and his heart to beat
faster.
There, within two hundred feet from where he
stood, seated on the root of a large sycamore tree,
was a lovely maiden of scarcely eighteen summers.
Her shoes and stockings had been removed, and
with her feet she was splashing the water, causing
large bubbles to float away with the current, in close


THE PLEDGE BY THE STREAM.
25
company with the daisies, that were found useless
for a wreath she was making to adorn her auburn
locks, which had been permitted to hang loose on
her shoulders. Her face was not of the rarest
beauty, but there was an expression of sweet inno-
cence and purity in it, which once seen, is always to
be remembered. Her form was petite and fully de-
veloped; her small feet and neatly turned ankles,
which were revealed, as they hung dangling and
splashing in the water, assured the beholder that the
maiden belonged to some family of high culture and
refinement.
The words of her song, and the spirit in which it
was sung, expressed the true sentiment of her heart
for the patriotic cause and liberty of her country.
Donald's heart had thus far escaped “scot free”
from the darts of the little archer "Cupid," but his
arrows were flying thick and fast now, and with
such true aim, that Donald fell a complete victim to
the sight before him. In a word he felt at once, by
some irresistible sentiment, that this lovely being
was in some way to have a control over his future
destiny. Suddenly the song ceased, the daisy wreath


26
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
was adjusted to her forehead, and her shoes and
stockings were quickly drawn on her feet. Utter-
ing her thoughts, she said: “It is near sun-down,
and I must go quickly or uncle will be worried
about my absence.” So quickly gathering up her
light cape and hat, as if alarmed at the lateness of
the hour, she arose as if to depart. As she did so,
she was suddenly confronted by a second person
who had, unseen, approached very near to where the
maiden was seated. With dignity and firmness, she
immediately drew herself up to her full height and
accosted the intruder:
How is this, Paul Leffens, that you dare to come
again into my presence unbidden? Was not our
last interview sufficient, that you thus annoy me by
your visits, which you know are distasteful to me?
Stand aside and let me pass, or this whistle will call
assistance from my friends in yonder mansion.”
“Not so fast, my little daisy. Far from me to do
you harm. I love you too well for that; so put up
your call and listen to the last appeal of a heart that
beats loyal only to you."
“Yes, indeed, loyal you are, Paul Leffens, to your
66
a


THE PLEDGE BY THE STREAM,
27
king, but not one beat of that heart is given to the
cause of right and liberty. Away to your ma-
rauding troopers, or I will place your liberty in
jeopardy.”
* Harken to what I have to say, as I swear it.
You shall be mine, strike me with your cruel taunts
as you will. Bretta Rutsen, you shall yet be Paul
Leffens's wife.”
“Never! Never!" spoke the young girl with
firmness.
“Do you see these papers ? " said Leffens. They
are the mortgages on your father's estate. They can
be redeemed only by the pledge of your hand. Ah!
you are touched now, I see, and perhaps brought to
your right senses. Become my betrothed, Bretta,
and your father's estate is saved, and he himself,
from durance vile."
“Oh, I cannot, will not be your wife. Give me
those papers. Oh, please give them to me, and I will
pray for you all the days of my life.”
“No, no, my little charmer, I have named my
terms. Become mine and your father shall keep his
estate. Refuse, and he and your invalid mother


28
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
shall be dispossessed. Can you, their only child, be
the cause of making them houseless and home-
less?"
Oh, no, it cannot, must not be. God will deliver
them and me out of your hands."
" Then hear me for the last time, Bretta. Ere the
setting of to-morrow's sun, execution of these pa-
pers shall be served, and the estate shall fall into my
hands. Your proud spirit will then be subdued,
when your aged parents are without a roof to cover
their heads. I bid you adieu, but remember my
words. You shall yet be my wife."
Stay, Paul Leffens. Can there be no other con-
ditions by which this calamity to my poor parents
can be averted?"
None. I have plainly spoken.”
" Then, Paul Leffens, hear what my conditions
are. If at the coming fair to be held at Kingston, at
the trial of athletic sports, you can outdo all others
in the throwing of the hammer, and come out best
man in all the contests, then I will consent to be
your wife, to save my dear father and sick mother.
But, if you fail in any of these trials, then those


THE PLEDGE BY THE STREAM.
29
papers shall be mine. You are the strongest man in
the country, it is said, and it is reported that you
are an adept in throwing the hammer and at wrest-
ling. Do you accept my conditions, Paul Leffens?”
"My pretty damsel, you know how to flatter as
well as to taunt. But if I should accept your condi-
tions, who is your champion that can throw the
hammer farther or wrestle with more skill than
Paul Leffens? In all the wide borders of our coun-
try I have yet failed to find the man who could de-
feat me. Then, Bretta, how can you hope to be re-
leased from your own pledge?”
“ Paul Leffens, I will trust Him who watcheth
over His own, and bringeth the doings of evil work-
ers to naught. He will raise me up a champion, who
will outdo you in the throwing of the hammer, and
in the wrestling match, and make your braggart
heart quail before his superior strength and dex-
terity.”
“Now, over-confident miss, I will accept your
conditions, and we will see if He, whom you profess
to trust, will send a champion who has a stronger
arm than I. I will be at the place, at the time ap-


30
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
pointed, and will put in trusty hands these papers
of your father's estate. And if any person can out-
throw me with the hammer or overcome me in a
wrestling match, they shall be yours; if not, you are
mine by the pledge of your own words. Adieu,
Bretta Rutsen, and prepare your bridal gown, for
you are mine as sure as the rising of to-morrow's
sun.”
Saying this, Paul Leffens quickly mounted his
horse, tethered near, and rapidly rode away to joir
his father's secret band of marauding troops.
Bretta Rutsen now hastened to the mansion of
Colonel Hardenburgh, who, on account of her long
absence, was awaiting her with anxiety.


HARDENBURGH HALL.
31
CHAPTER IV. .
HARDENBURGH HALL.
DONALD MCGREGOR was not an unwilling specta-
tor and listener during the scene just enacted by the
sweet songstress and Paul Leffens.
At times he could hardly refrain from rushing
across the stream to rescue the papers from the cow-
ardly Tory, and deliver the poor girl from the thral-
dom to which she seemed to bind herself. But
prudence whispered “ Not yet; bide your time, and
meet the fellow on the proposed battle-ground.”
Hastily leaving his hiding place, Donald mounted
his horse, and bidding his colored attendant to fol-
low, crossed the stream and rode directly to the
mansion of Colonel Hardenburgh, where Bretta
Rutsen had just previously entered.
The mansion of Colonel Hardenburgh stood on a
small rise of ground, a hundred yards or more from
the Kings Highway, and was built of stone.* The
*BIG LAND DEAL LONG AGO.
On June 3, 1751, Johannes Hardenburgh purchased of
the Indians 2,000,000 acres of real estate for a considera-


32
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
designer and builder of this house of affluence and
luxury, had so arranged its plans for defence, that
it was equal to any assault to which the inmates
might be subjected. Here and there were loop-
holes for firing on an enemy. Dormer-windows,
overlooking the long sloping lawn and entrance to
the grounds, gave the inhabitants a view of all who
approached. The large double oaken doors were
fastened in such a manner that the upper half only
could be opened first, while the lower part remained
securely fastened and barred, thus making it almost
impossible for an unwelcome visitor to enter.
It was the custom of Colonel Hardenburgh dur-
ing the day to keep a lookout or watchman at one
of the dormer-windows to see who approached, and
when strange visitors appeared, an immediate alarm
was sounded through the house, thus giving ample
time to lock and bar all entrances before the stran-
ger could arrive at the door.
These precautions were made by the Colonel as
safeguard against any sudden attacks from Tories
tion in the deed of 149 pounds and 19 shillings. The pur-
chase covered with other lands more than one half of
Delaware county.


HARDENBURGH HALL.
33
or Indians. Consequently when Donald and Cyrus
made their appearance with booted spurs and clank-
ing sabres, the lookout immediately sounded the
alarm, and at once Hardenburgh Hall was turned
into a stronghold of defence, until something could
be learned of the visitors and their mission.
Donald rode proudly up to the main entrance, and
with the hilt of his heavy sword struck the great
oaken panel door and asked for admittance, saying
at the same time that he bore important dispatches
from General George Washington to Colonel Jo-
hannes Hardenburgh.
Immediately the Colonel commanded the double
doors to be thrown open, and stepping out, said:
“Beg pardon, my young soldier, for such I take
you to be, for giving you such a cold welcome; we
are living in troublesome times, you know, and it be-
hooves me to use all necessary precautions to pre-
vent surprises. But dismount, my young friend, and
my hospitality will somewhat atone for the un-
friendly welcome."
These words, with the savory smell arising from
the kitchen, made Cyrus sniff the air and lap his


34
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
lips in anticipation of the enjoyment which he had
long been expecting.
Donald dismounted, threw his bridle to an at-
tendant, grasped the Colonel's hand, and was im-
mediately ushered into “ The Hall.”
Cyrus was heard to say, "I wonder wedder
young Massa Donald dun forgot ole Cyrus. Didn't
I tell him after de greetens was ober to inform de
Colonel dat I'se here too."
His murmurs were soon cut short, however, as an
attendant showed him to the quarters of the butler,
where he was taken in hand by that gentleman, one
of his own color, and we trust that through this
medium both appetite and thirst were fully ap-
peased.
Donald at once placed in the Colonel's hands the
dispatch from his chief, which commanded Colonel
Hardenburgh to assist General George Clinton in
raising recruits for the defence of the upper Hud-
son from an expected attempt of General Howe to
ascend that stream and form a junction with Gen-
eral Burgoyne, then en route from the Canadas. It
also requested the Colonel to furnish a proper es-


HARDENBURGH HALL.
35
cort for Mrs. Washington, then in Kingston, and
conduct her safely to the military post of the Ameri-
can Army of the North at Newburgh, where Gen-
eral Washington would soon join her. At the con-
clusion of the perusal of the dispatches, the Colonel
remarked to Donald that the Commander-in-chief
seemed fully alive to the situation, and knew the
necessity of raising more troops. “The General
Council of Safety at Kingston have anticipated
him, however," he said, "and have issued a call for
a
volunteers to rally for the defence of their coun-
try.”
“Mrs. Washington has already been made ac-
quainted with the desires of her illustrious hus-
band,” he continued, “and will soon set forth on
her journey. She is expected to be my guest for a
short time, at least long enough for me to perfect
the arrangements necessary to secure her safe ar-
rival at Newburgh.”
And now, my young friend, you must be both
tired and hungry. We will adjourn for refresh-
ments, of which I was just ready to partake, when
your arrival was announced by the "Look-out."
“
66


36
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
Here you shall rest for the while, and perhaps your
stay may be made the sweeter by the social and en-
tertaining qualities of my niece, Miss Bretta Rut-
sen, who is my guest, and also doing the honors of
our Hall. So remove your sword and spurs, and
join us at once.”
“ Most thankfully, Colonel Hardenburgh, do I
accept your proffered hospitality, if for no other
reason than to meet your pretty niece.”
McGregor, you are a soldier. I warn you in
time, not to let the fair sex keep you from your
soldierly duty."
"I know my duty better than that, Colonel. But
let it be never said of me that I refused to champion
a lady's cause, when necessary, like a true knig ht.
So I follow you to refreshments, and let me see
this pretty damsel, who I believe is turning the
heads of half the swains of the community.'
The Colonel then conducted Donald to the “Din-
ing-Hall,” where Miss Bretta was in waiting for
her uncle and guest.
Donald, on being presented to the young lady,
noticed that she turned a shade paler, and for a mo-
a


HARDENBURGH HALL.
37
ment seemed confused, but rallying quickly said,
“We bid you welcome, Donald McGregor, to the
hospitality of a true patriot. And I join my uncle
in his request, that your stay with us will at least
be long enough to recruit both horse and rider be-
fore entering further upon your journey."
“ Thanks, Miss Rutsen, for your own as well as
your uncle's friendly request, but the morning sun
must find me on my way to Kingston, for delivery
of private dispatches to General Clinton. That duty
performed, and it please you, on my return, I will
spend a few days here and enjoy your sweet pres-
ence and your uncle's fireside."
They had scarcely been seated at the family
board,” when a loud knocking at the outer door
announced a new arrival. The Colonel was quickly
informed that it was the “ Postman” from Kings-
ton with an important communication, in a sealed
packet, informing him that Mrs. George Washing-
ton, the wife of the illustrious “Commander-in-
,
chief” of all the American Forces (then in Kings-
ton), would breakfast at "Hardenburgh Hall" en
route to Newburgh to join her husband. Also that


38
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
she would be accompanied by George Clinton and
Colonel Snyder, with small guard as escort of
safety. Colonel Hardenburgh read the letter:
KINGSTON, August, 1777.
To Colonel Johannas Hardenburgh, Rosendale :
DEAR SIR -His Excellency, Governor Clinton
and Mrs. George Washington will leave here in
the morning for General Washington's headquar-
ters at Newburgh. They will do themselves the
honor of breakfasting with you at Hardenburgh
Hall about eight-thirty o'clock.
Very respectfully yours,
VARRICK, Secretary.*
“This is fortunate for you and for me also, Mc-
Gregor,” said the Colonel, “ for you shall meet Gen-
eral Clinton in the morning beneath my roof. I see
by this letter, he is the escort of Mrs. Washington
to Newburgh; and that will relieve me from fur-
ther duty on that score. So you may be content to
remain with us until after the departure of Mrs.
Washington, whose stay here will be long enough,
at least, to grant her a reception by the Patriotic la-
dies of this section, under management of my gen-
tle niece. What say you, McGregor, will you join
*This letter is now in possession of Mrs. Henrietta
Wood, Rosendale, Ulster Co., N. Y.


HARDENBURGH HALL.
39
>
Bretta in this duty, and be the 'Chesterfield' for
the occasion?”
Surely, Colonel, and it please Miss Rutsen, I
shall most heartily enter into this engagement, and
if this reception given to the wife of the noble
Washington be not a success, it will not be on ac-
count of any unperformed duty of mine."
"What say you, Bretta," said the Colonel, “ do
you agree to this arrangement?
“To do your bidding, uncle, is pleasure to me,
and our noble guest shall receive such courtesy, as
only a Hardenburgh and a Rutsen can give,” and
then turning blushingly to Donald, she said: “Your
proffered assistance, gentle sir, is as freely accepted,
as 'tis given, and I divine that you will be to me a
most valuable assistant."
Thanks, Miss Rutsen, for the estimate you
place on my ability, and which you so frankly ex-
press. I will see to it, that you will not have any
cause for censure!”
Enough,” said the Colonel. “My house is at
your disposal, and make this reception the grandest
ever held beneath its roof.”


40
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
.
CHAPTER V.
BRETTA AND
THE NEGRO WITCH.”
BRETTA RUTSEN was the only child of John Rut-
sen, and only grandchild of Colonel John Rutsen,
who settled upon what is known unto this day, as
the Rutsen Patent, granted to Colonel John by the
then reigning monarch of England in 1714.
The War of the Revolution having begun and
Colonel John Rutsen being dead, his son John be-
came the “ Lord” of the Patent, and possessor of all
his father's broad estates.
He was too old to become an active partisan in
the struggle for liberty, but lent all his influence
and means to assist the Continental Army.
This brought down upon him the ire of King
George and his adherents, especially the Tories in
his vicinity.
Among the latter was the notorious John Leffens.
Frequent raids were made on the patriots by this
Tory leader and his marauding troopers.


BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH."
41
>
John Rutsen did not escape their visits. Many
fine cattle and horses were taken from him, to sup-
ply the enemy.
Paul Leffens, though not apparently connected
with his father in his raids and lawless acts, was a
thorough Tory at heart.
Many a true patriot was made to suffer by the
information gained by the son, and carried to the
father. He had long been paying unwelcome visits
to the Rutsen mansion to court the fair Bretta, but
the suspicion resting upon him, that he was in some
way connected with the Tory element around him,
caused Bretta and her aged parents not to look upon
the visits of young Leffens with any degree of
pleasure.
His father had always been an unscrupulous
character, and long before the Revolutionary strug-
gle he had become wealthy, through his “sharp"
business transaction."
In an evil hour, when John Rutsen stood in sore
need, he mortgaged his estates to John Leffens. The
war soon followed, into which John Leffens en-
tered, with all his energy, as the leader of the To-
>


42
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
ries and cowboys of the vicinity. This soon de-
veloped the meanness of his character, and he be-
came one of the worst enemies to the cause of Lib-
erty to be found in the country.
He frequently made his boasts that he would be-
come possessor of the Rutsen estates, and to this
end did all in his power to cripple and injure John
Rutsen. The mortgage given to Leffens before the
war was safely and carefully preserved by the
Tory, who gave no opportunity to John Rutsen to
redeem it if he could.
The war following so soon after this transaction,
and the frequent raids made upon the estate, re-
duced John Rutsen more and more, until it was
among the impossibilities to "take up the mort-
gage,” at least until after the close of the war, when
he hoped to be able to do so. The father, John
Leffens, looked on his son's efforts to win the
pretty daughter, and heir to the Rutsen estates, with
a great deal of interest and anxiety. Long had he
coveted these broad lands, and while the mortgage
gave him a strong hold on the property, yet it did
not put him in possession.


BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH."
43
Consequently he expected to accomplish through
the son, by marriage to the heir, that which he could
not reasonably expect to reach very soon in a legal
way.
Paul Leffens, through the advice of the father,
used the power of these papers to work upon the
minds of the aged couple, John Rutsen and wife,
and urged them to look with favor on his suit with
the fair Bretta, finally resorting to threats of fore-
closure against the estate, unless consent was given
to his visits at the Rutsen mansion.
He had so far succeeded as to partially get the
consent of the old couple to his visits, and they be-
gan to think that Bretta should yield and come to
their rescue, but she, on this point, was firm, until
at the interview with Paul Leffens, by the stream,
as witnessed by Donald. Bretta so far consented to
become his wife that she named the only conditions
acceptable to her, which were adopted by Leffens,
as the reader is already informed.
Bretta Rutsen spent much of her time at "Har-
denburgh Hall” with her widower uncle, and pre-
sided over his household during her visits, which


44
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
were only limited in length by duties to her aged
parents.
As a matter of course, her uncle expected her to
do the honors as lady of the mansion at the com-
ing reception.
The evening was quite far advanced when the
small party arose from the table. Donald bade his
gentle hostess and the Colonel good night,” and
was conducted by a servant to one of the rooms
above. His mind was too full of conflicting emo-
tions to immediately seek repose, and consequently
lingered in meditation over the scenes of the day.
The first sight of Bretta at the stream, and the
promise made by her to Paul Leffens to become his
wife, if her champion should be worsted at the com-
ing fair. Then he thought of the faith of the girl
in her Creator to provide for her a champion who
would save her from the Tory's embrace, and res-
cue her father's estates. The scenes of the evening
were also recounted by Donald. Bretta's embar-
rassed manner at their first meeting, and her gra-
cious acceptance of his proffered assistance at the


BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH.45
»
"
>
coming reception. All this passed rapidly through
his mind.
The result of his meditation taking an audible
form, was,
Fate seems to have thrust this upon
me. Why is it, that I have become so deeply inter-
ested in this lovely unfortunate girl? Am I in love?
Surely, I believe I am, and upon so short acquaint-
ance too. Can it be, that I, Donald McGregor,
should escape thus far all the darts of the little
archer' to fall into the net of this sweet little rustic
damsel.”
“But she beareth herself like a queen. With
what majesty and dignity did she address the Tory
scoundrel by the stream!”
“ Shall our destinies be united ?”
“ There is something within me that seems to say
• Yes.'”
“Well, shall I meet the villainous Tory on the
battle ground, or shall I leave the lovely maiden to
her fate?"
“ The latter must not be.”
“ Yea, that was a heaven-sent messenger to thee,
Donald, when the fair Bretta told her persecutor


46
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
that He, in whom she trusted, would raise up for
her a champion."
“ Yes, Bretta! I will be thy deliverer. Thy faith
has inspired me with the same confidential inspira-
tions that seemed to animate thy soul, when naming
thy conditions to the persecuting Tory.'
“But hold, Donald McGregor! not so fast in your
emotions, how do you know whether this lovely
maiden has one tender thought for you?”
“Ah! but why that paleness and confused man-
ner, when her uncle presented me to her? Has she
ever seen me before? And if so, when, where, on
what occasion ? Her manner surely seemed to indi-
cate it."
His head seemed hot and burning with his con-
fused thoughts.
Stepping to the dormer-window, Donald threw it
wide open to admit the balmy summer air, to cool
fevered brow. Gazing out upon the scene before
him he tried to penetrate the future, to see if possi-
ble, what it had in store for him.
The full moon was just rising above the tall tree
tops, on the eastern hills, and the lawn became al-


BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH.”
47
6
most light as day. Footsteps were heard beneath
him on the porch, and a gentle voice, saying: “You
may leave me now, Dinah, I would be alone for
awhile. This day has been full of startling events
to me. Hence I would meditate under these lovely
maples.”
No, Bretty, old Dinah must stay close by lubly
Missus, de woods am full ob danger, and old Dinah
mus be on de watch.”
“No, Dinah, faithful one, you must return for
awhile, but keep within call, and if wanted, I will
summon you.”
So Bretta tripped to the rustic seat under the tall
maple trees for meditation. She, like her admirer,
soon became lost in thought. She reviewed all the
incidents of the day. Her encounter with Paul
Leffens and the conditional promise made him, es-
pecially disturbed her. She regretted the promise,
and would now recall it if she could. But the hope
that a champion would appear in her behalf, and
rescue her parents from the peril overhanging them,
by a complete victory over her persecutor, seemed to
fill her soul with a sweet assurance that He, in
>


48
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
66
whom she had trusted from childhood, would not
now, in this, her extreme peril, desert and leave her
without a deliverer. She also recalled the events of
the evening, the introduction of the manly stranger,
the preparation for the coming reception, and Don-
ald's kindly consent to assist her, in that coming
event. Her mind was so filled with conflicting emo-
tions, that unconsciously soliloquizing, she said:
“Oh, Donald McGregor, how oft have I seen thee
in my dreams! Yes, dreaming or waking, thy face
hath haunted me. When I first beheld thee, thou
didst seem but as an old acquaintance; but hush thy
breathings. Bretta, what interest hath the manly
stranger in thee? Yes, my heart may reveal its se-
cret to the maple leaves, but oh, not to him for a
crown.”
Donald's position at the window was such that he
could both see and hear the pretty maiden, and yet
not be seen by her, so unconsciously for the second
time, Donald became an eavesdropper, so to speak.
This thought came to him: "Shall I offer to appear
as her champion in the coming lists against the
Tory, Leffens, or shall I wait and meet the fellow


BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH."
49
unknown on the battle-field?” His musings were
suddenly cut short by the appearance of a stranger
on the scene below him. Directly in front of Bretta,
as if arisen out of the earth, stood a coal black
negress, seemingly as old as the hills about them. It
was old Chlo, the negro sorceress of Yuppenbergh
hill. Long had she held sway among the young folks
of the surrounding country, on account of the belief
among the superstitious that she could foretell future
events. It was also believed by many that she held
her “ Familiar" spirit captive in a box, subject to
her call, and that this spirit directed all of her witch-
crafts, sayings and doings. It was also claimed that
this “ Familiar” sent her on special journeys to
those who were in any peculiar danger; therefore a
visit from her produced a superstitious fear, almost
uncontrollable. Bretta knew this fact, and the sud-
den appearance of the old negress at such an hour
meant to her that she was near some great danger.
Consequently she could not suppress a slight scream
when she beheld the old sorceress standing before her,
“Withhold your screams, Miss Bretta, till you are
in danger, which I fear will be soon enough."
>


50
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
“How now, thau wizardess of Yuppenbergh hill,
hast thou left thy lonely retreat to bring me tidings
of ill omen? Away to thy familiar spirit, and tell
thy croakings to the wind, I believe thee not ! ”
“Not so fast, heiress to the lost estates of Rutsen,
I have come to warn you of greater danger and
greater evil than that of losing your inheritance.”
Saying this, the old negress placed a box contain-
ing three different apartments on the ground, and
drawing a large circle upon the earth with a sort of
wand, she stepped within its charm and taking from
her bosom a peculiar kind of powder (known only
to few in those early days), sprinkled it upon the
charmed circle drawn about her, all the time mut-
tering words unintelligible to Bretta, who seemed
to sit as if spell-bound by the creature's movements.
The old negress went over the circle the second
time, with a different colored powder, after which
she placed the peculiarly constructed box within the
charmed enclosure. Taking a flint from her pocket,
she struck it with a piece of steel. Instantly the
sparks began to fly, and lighting upon the powder,
the whole soon became a circle of mixed blue and


BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH."
51
red flame. Seating herself square upon the ground
in the centre of the sulphurous flame, she took from
a bag, hanging from her shoulder, a large gourd, cut
in twain. Over the opening a rattle snake skin was
tightly drawn, and using a sort of drum stick, she
commenced beating on the gourd, keeping up a pe-
culiar monotonous song, in time to the music.
She had hardly begun her “Fetish Song,” be-
fore the door in one of the apartments of the box
slowly opened outward, and a small white coney
rabbit made its appearance, and ran to the farther-
most part of the charmed circle, but was powerless
to get beyond the lurid flames.
Continuing her weird song, another apartment of
the box opened, and a snake of venomous appear-
ance came hissing and wriggling forth, and slowly
crawling toward the innocent little coney rabbit,
suddenly sprang upon it, coiling its folds about its
victim.
Her song continuing, the door of the other apart-
ment of the box opened, and a small animal having
the appearance of a weasel sprang out of the box
with a bound. Seeing the little coney within the


52
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
folds of the serpent, its eyes seemed to emit fire, and
in an instant the weasel fastened its fangs in the
snake. The folds loosened about the rabbit in a mo-
ment, and the serpent with all its power tried to es-
cape from its enemy and flee to the box. The little
coney lay limp upon the ground; the song ceased,
and the sulphurous flames died away. Seizing the
combatants, the old sorceress placed them within the
box, taking the apparently dead rabbit in her arms.
She thus addressed Bretta, who was nearly over-
come from effects of what she had just witnessed:
“ Pretty maid, you are like this little coney rabbit
-pure and innocent. You will be in great danger of
your life by a serpent that crawleth not upon the
ground; beware, Bretta Rutsen, of coming peril; like
this little rabbit, you are within the folds of a ser-
pent—again, I say, beware! Paul Leffens is the ser-
I
pent in your destiny, but there is a weasel near you,
his arm and heart must be strong to defend and love
or you are lost. You have witnessed this night that
which has made many hearts quail, but to you it
means protection-look well to the stranger within
your gates, I bid you adieu.”


BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH."
53
a
Thus saying, the old negress disappeared as sud-
denly as she came.
Donald, as before intimated, had been a silent
spectator of the scene just enacted under the ma-
ples. Though startled and somewhat awed at the
mysterious manner and doings of the sorceress, a
belief in the prophecy to Bretta took possession of
him. He resolved at once to approach Bretta and
offer her his protection. Descending the low flight
of stairs, and crossing the hall to the outer door,
stepping over the sleeping form of Dinah, he gently
approached the maiden, who had not yet fully re-
covered from the shock produced by the old witch,
and consequently was not aware of Donald's pres-
ence. He thus addressed her:
“Methinks the fair maiden of Hardenburgh Hall
instead of studying the constellations, should be
resting on her pillow. The dew is falling, and the
air is damp and chilly, besides there is danger, Miss
Bretta, from surprises from the Indians and To-
ries."
* Thanks, sir, for your gentle reproof. I sought
this quieter treat for meditation. In my disturbed
66


54
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
state of mind, sleep would have been impossible,
hence my visit to this favorite seat beneath these
lovely maples. The events of the day, kind sir, have
been to me so startling and of such momentous im-
portance concerning me, that they trouble me ex-
ceedingly."
“You speak and hint at something that places
your happiness in jeopardy, am I not correct, Miss
Bretta?”
“You are correct in your conclusions. Yes, not
only my happiness, but my very life and that of my
poor parents, are also in jeopardy!”
“Tell me, Bretta, who dares to cause the tears
to fill those bright eyes, and give you apprehensions
regarding your life, and the happiness of your par-
ents. Tell me, and I swear it, that this strong arm
will defend you.
But, sir, you speak without knowledge of the cost.
There is a stronger arm than yours, I fear, that will
bind me to a miserable existence, unless one stronger
than his can release me."
Now, Bretta, you are talking to me in enigmas;
if you need a champion to defend you from expected
a


BRETTA AND "THE NEGRO WITCH."
55
a
danger, I am at your command; can I serve you?"
Surely, you are kind indeed, to offer to cham-
pion the cause of a maiden of whom you know so
little."
“Even though, gentle lady, but a few hours have
passed since we first met, may I be pardoned in say-
ing, you are already well known to my heart,” said
Donald, kneeling at her feet, "and there is that
within which tells me that my destiny shall be
closely allied to yours, and that your danger shall
be mine, together we shall meet it. Can I hope, Miss
Bretta, that your own heart beats respond to this
sentiment?”
“Oh, Donald McGregor, kneel not to me! You
are but little acquainted with poor Bretta, and her
unfortunate circumstances, to so quickly manifest
such an interest in her.”
“Enough, fair Bretta, I am willing to wait, but so
sure as the rising of yon moon, your destiny is mine.
The very stars speak it; my heart tells me it will be
so; and it cannot be changed, I will wait until you
are convinced of this truth."
“ Perhaps, sir, if you could know my future, you


56
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
would shrink from making my destiny yours. The
future seems to me like an impenetrable gloom. A
premonition, yea, I may say, a prophecy of great
danger has fallen on my heart. How soon it may
come, I know not, but I feel that it will be a great
danger to me—so you do well to wait, Sir Donald,
and first convince yourself of the knowledge of your
own heart. When you see Bretta's destiny leading
you through greatly troubled waters with loss of
happiness and perhaps life itself, then sir, regretting
this hour, you may leave the poor maiden to her
fate."
“ A talisman, Bretta! a talisman! to prove to you
that
my
life is
yours, if need be, and I swear it, here
beneath yon bright stars, that Donald McGregor
will redeem the pledge here given or lose his life in
the attempt."
“Enough, brave soldier, you shall be put to the
test, sooner than you expect. You will surely need a
talisman, a charm to preserve you and keep your life,
through the extreme danger you will pass, in follow-
ing the destiny of the poor maid of Hardenburgh
Hall."
a


BRETTA AND “THE NEGRO WITCH."
57
So saying, Bretta took from her bosom a golden
cross and placing it in Donald's hands, said:
“Wear it, sir, wherever you go, and may it prove
indeed a talisman to you, and guard you from all and
every danger, is the wish of Bretta Rutsen.”
Donald took the precious gift, remarking: “I
will part with my life before parting with this, ever
will I wear it next to the heart that beats only for
the giver. But Bretta, when you have passed through
this peril you speak of, and the future is bright to
you, and I have convinced you of my faithfulness,
and undying love, will you then redeem this precious
gift by the gift of your hand ? "
“Now, Donald, you are treading on dangerous
ground; you must be content and let the future re-
veal to us that which now seems to be hidden in
darkness, whether our destinies are to be one or not.
But you say truly, the air is damp and chilly, and if
it please you I will seek repose, which you also must
need for the necessary preparations for the coming
reception.”
Thus speaking, Bretta bade her companion good
night and passed into the house with Dinah follow-
ing her.


58
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
CHAPTER VI.
THE RECEPTION.
The morning sun had hardly cast its rays over
the eastern hills before the inmates of Hardenburgh
Hall were all astir, making ready to receive their il-
lustrious guests—Mrs. Washington and General
George Clinton. Servants had already, at this early
hour, been dispatched in every direction with invita-
tions to the gentry of the surrounding country, re-
questing their presence at the reception to be given
Mrs. Washington at Hardenburgh Hall in the even-
ing. As previously announced by post, Mrs. Wash-
ington would be at Colonel Hardenburgh's at early
breakfast; in anticipation of this fact—Bretta had
an extra back log placed in the quaint old fire-place,
and a cheerful fire was crackling and blazing away.
Although it was midsummer, yet the mornings
were damp and chilly within the stone walls of Har-
denburgh Hall. The cheerful fire and savory smells


THE RECEPTION.
59
of the roast pig in the kitchen, gave a hospitable as-
surance to all who might come within its influence.
Suddenly the alarm given by the watchman an-
nounced the approach of the expected guests.
Colonel Hardenburgh and Donald from the porch
beheld the cavalcade coming down the long hill,
leading toward the mansion. A large coach of the
style of Louis the Fifteenth, drawn by a double span
of grays, contained the wife of Washington; on the
right side of the coach rode General George Clinton,
while on the left was Colonel Johannes Snyder.
Each was astride of a magnificent charger, accom-
panied with all necessary accoutrements for defence.
Directly in front of the coach rode four calvarymen,
while the rear was brought up by as many more, all
thoroughly armed. This precaution was necessary,
in order to secure a safe journey to the illustrious
lady in the coach.
The hall was soon reached, where the accustomed
military salutes were exchanged, after which Colonel
Hardenburgh approached the coach, opened the
door and assisted Mrs. Washington to the porch,
where she was presented to Donald and Bretta, and


60
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
conducted to the cheerful apartment before men-
tioned, while Colonel Hardenburgh and his military
guests retired to another apartment for consultation
over the dispatches Donald had placed in the hands
of George Clinton. These dispatches confirmed the
appointment of General Clinton to the command of
the northern army at New Windsor and Newburgh.
Information was also given in these dispatches that
General Clinton must be on the outlook for any at-
tempt that might be made by General Howe, the
British commander, to ascend the Hudson, for the
purpose of forming a junction with General Bur-
goyne's army of the North. Instruction was also
given to General Clinton to guard Kingston and the
river towns from the expected invader, and to this
end suggested that Donald McGregor be retained
in his service with a commission of Captain in the
regular army and to be an assistant in the enlistment
of recruits, etc.
Donald was made aware of his appointment by
General Clinton, and was instructed by his new com-
mander to make Kingston his headquarters for the
enlistment of troops to fill the quota as proportioned


THE RECEPTION.
61
to this section of the state. This business being dis-
posed of and the bell announcing breakfast, they at
once repaired to the large dining hall, where Bretta
and Mrs. Washington were in waiting.
Colonel Hardenburgh, whose seat was at the head
of the table, placed Mrs. Washington on his right
and General Clinton on his left, while next to Mrs.
Washington was placed Colonel Johannas Snyder.
Directly opposite sat Captain McGregor, and at the
lower end of the table sat Bretta Rutsen.
The menu of this breakfast would be too lengthy
to enumerate here, but suffice it to say that all the
fruits and products of the country were represented
there. After breakfasting this party, another service
was given to the followers of the illustrious guests
and inmates of the household, and Hardenburgh
Hall was made to "ring again " with good cheer.
Mrs. Washington had been made acquainted on
her arrival with the fact that a reception was to be
given in her honor the coming evening, and the hour
drawing near for the guests of the evening to arrive,
she repaired to her room to make suitable prepara-
tion for the event. This act was followed by all the


62
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
guests of the house. Donald by the aid of Cyrus and
the production of his saddle-bags had undergone a
complete change in his dress. His powdered hair
and lengthy queue tied at the end by the ribbon pre-
sented to him by Bretta, his satin knee breeches and
long silk hose, low shoes, with silver buckles and
silk waistcoat, scarlet doublet and frilled linen, alto-
gether gave him the appearance of an American gen-
tleman of the period.
Before the third hour of the evening the guests
had arrived and had been presented to Mrs. Wash-
ington and General Clinton, after which followed
the order of dancing to the music of the orchestra.
Let the reader take a seat with me in the high,
old-fashioned window, where we can overlook the
dancers and note who the invited guests are, that are
called to give honor to the noble personages at Har-
denburgh Hall. The dancing has not yet begun and
we will have time to note the appearance of Mrs.
Washington. She appears to be in the heyday of her
life, apparently about thirty years of age. She is a
beautiful woman! Grand and noble in appearance;
dignified, but not overbearing; intelligent in conver-
!


THE RECEPTION.
63
sation; quick at repartee, yet noble in demeanor; she
is worthy of the name of the first lady of the land
and also worthy to be the wife of General Washing-
ton.
Her dress was such as her high position called
for; Marie Antoinette style of head-dress, with bod-
ice and skirts of the leading fashion of the period.
A cotillion was announced, and Colonel Harden-
burgh approached Mrs. Washington and offered her
his arm for the first place in the dance. It was gra-
ciously accepted, and they took their appointed posi-
tion as leaders of the first dance of the evening. Gen-
eral Clinton with Miss Bretta Rutsen took the posi-
tion directly opposite to Mrs. Washington and the
Colonel, while Colonel Johannas Snyder with a Mrs.
Bevier gently hanging on his arm, stepped quickly
to the left of the leading couple. Captain McGregor
with Mrs. Johannas Snyder made the set complete
by occupying the position on the right of his host
and partner. There were four“ sets now ready for
the dancing. There were more than as many person-
ages seated in the alcoves and side rooms of the
hall. Their names are familiar to us even at this


64
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
writing. We give you a list of them as they have
been handed down to us from generation to genera-
tion. There are the Bruyns, the Livingstons, the
Hardenburghs, the Snyders, the Beviers, the Rut-
sens, the Lefevers, the Du Boises, the Hornbecks,
the Bogardus, the Van Rensalaers, the Vander-
burghs, the Clintons, the Hasbroucks, the Deyos,
the Schoonmakers, the Emerichs, the Wynkoops,
the Eltings, the Ten Broecks, the Van Burens and
many others, all true patriots, and willing contribu-
tors to the cause of liberty.
The music started up and the dancing began. It
was a lovely sight; never before had Hardenburgh
Hall held such a party! Grace, wit, humor, held
courtly sway. The music became more and more
inspiring. The dancers seemed to catch the infec-
tion and as the figures changed, enthusiasm and ani-
mation seemed to fill them with delight, as their feet
kept time to the rhythms of music. And when this
cotillion was ended, every one felt their blood cours-
ing quicker and respiration shorter from the exer-
tions of the dance. After this the round dances and
cutting of the "pigeon's wing” were indulged in


THE RECEPTION.
65
by the younger portion of the household. In this
dance Captain McGregor with Miss Bretta were the
“observed of all observers." Their graceful mo-
tions seemed to be in perfect harmony with the mu-
sic.
Donald, true to his Scotch parentage, was well ac-
quainted with the art of dancing, and was the
prince” of this occasion. This dance was soon fol-
lowed by the “ Virginia reel,” in which all of the
guests were engaged. The long double line reached
to the complete lower end of the lengthy hall. Some
fantastic, jovial steps were indulged in by some of
the dancers on this occasion. Donald with his
Scotch blood could not refrain from getting in por-
tion of the “ Highland fling,” much to the delight
of the others. But all things have an end, and so
had this dance. Refreshments being announced, the
guests repaired to the large dining hall, where the
tables were spread with all the delicasies of the sea-
son. Thus ended the memorable gathering, the like
of which was never witnessed in Hardenburgh Hall.


66
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
CHAPTER VII.
THE KINGSTON FAIR.
The morning sun rose clear and cloudless and the
dew had not yet been absorbed by its rays ere Mrs.
Washington and her escort were well on their way
to Newburgh. General Clinton after councilling
with Colonel Hardenburgh, Colonel Snyder and
Captain McGregor had decided that Colonel Har-
denburgh with Colonel Snyder should escort Mrs.
Washington to her destination, while General Clin-
ton should return to Kingston with Captain Mc-
Gregor and inform the “ Committee of Safety” of
the confirmation of his appointment to command the
Patriot Army, north of the Highland. He would
also advise with said committee as to the best prep-
aration necessary to guard against invasion, and to
raise the quota of troops proportioned to County of
Ulster.
Donald, on leaving Hardenburgh Hall, bade
Bretta to be of good cheer and not fail to appear at


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
67
the Kingston fair to claim her papers and be re-
leased from the Tory, Paul Leffens, as a champion
would surely appear in her behalf with confidence
of success. These encouraging words increased
Bretta's faith that her prayer would be answered and
that her new-found friend would champion her
cause and release her from the bonds made by her
promise to the Tory, Leffens, by the stream.
“I will surely be at the fair on the day of trial,"
said she. “My uncle, Colonel Hardenburgh, will re-
turn from Newburgh in time to accompany me,
and witness the combat of strength that will decide
my destiny. He will see fair play on that important
occasion.”
With this understanding, Donald mounted his
horse, followed by Cyrus, and soon joined General
Clinton already in the saddle, waiting. On reaching
Kingston they immediately repaired to the hostelry
kept by mine host Van Steenburgh, where Donald
and Cyrus were appropriately quartered. Orders
were given to Donald to immediately open his re-
ruiting office, and to consider The Travellers' Inn
his headquarters for enlistments until further notice.


68
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
General Clinton consulted with the “Committee of
Safety" over the dispatches received from his chief,
and decided that Colonel Hardenburgh (with as-
sistance of Captain McGregor) should complete the
enlistments and take charge of the troops, leave a
sufficient home guard at Kingston and conduct the
rest to General Clinton's headquarters at Newburgh
and New Windsor. After perfecting all arrange-
ments necessary to insure success in the carrying out
of the military plans, General Clinton on the follow-
ing morning returned to his post at New Windsor,
leaving Captain McGregor in command of all the
troops at Kingston until the return of Colonel Har-
denburgh. Captain McGregor soon found that re-
cruits were rapidly coming in. The much talked of
coming event, “ The Fair,” drew many to the town,
and enlistment increased from day to day to such
an extent that in consequence scarcely a week had
passed before he had enrolled two hundred men, and
before the close of the coming week, at which time
the fair was to be held, Donald expected that the
quota would be filled, and his duties as recruiting
officer would end.


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
69
Frequently had reference been made in Donald's
hearing to the athletic sports to take place during
the fair, and many times was Paul Leffens men-
tioned as the strongest man in the county and a great
expert in wrestling and in throwing of the hammer.
These remarks were so frequent that Donald began
to fear he had underrated his man, and that he
might come out second best in the trial for Bretta.
But to shrink or falter now would be fatal to her.
This caused a determined energy on his part to win
or die in the attempt.
The first day of the fair opened clear and bright,
and long before the noon hour the county for miles
around had contributed almost its entire population,
with first fruits and stock of the land, to the great
entertainment. The lads and lassies were out in full
force. Their neat and tidy homespun gowns, their
rosy cheeks and hilarious spirits were indicative of
frugality, health and happiness.
Gingerbread, cookies, popcorn, candies, birch beer
and lemonade were freely indulged in at the different
booths, which were well stocked with everything
eatable to tempt the palate. As the crowds began to


70
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
gather, the proprietors cried out their wares like vet-
eran auctioneers, and it was astonishing to the be-
holder to see with what rapidity the seller disposed
of his goods. Every person seemed bent on enjoy-
ment and indulging the appetite. The country swain
had been saving his earnings for months, to be able
to take his lady love to this fair. Many found the
drafts on their limited purses to satisfy the enor-
mous appetite of their fair companions too frequent,
being more than they had bargained for, but the
beautiful rosy-cheeked girls were relentless, and in
consequence many youthful yeomen saw their last
penny follow the others, and thus became stranded,
as it were, until father or mother came to their re-
lief.
The first day of the fair was devoted mainly to re-
viewing the fine stock and products of the county.
Exhibitions of the speediest horses were shown on
the fine half-mile track, within the enclose of the
fair ground, and many were the neck and neck
struggles for best time between the competing
equines; the enthusiasm seemed to increase as the
day wore on, and on the following morning the ex-


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
71
citement was at its height, when the announcement
was made that the athletic sports would begin at
nine o'clock. The grand stand made from the pro-
ductions of the saw-mills on the Esopus creek, with
seating capacity of over one thousand, was quickly
filled, still leaving many hundreds standing or mov-
ing about on the grounds below. The day was beau-
tiful and the sight was truly interesting, every one
seemed to be filled with hilarious spirits. It was the
day of the fair, and all seemed determined to make
it a success. Great expectations of enjoyment in
witnessing the athletic sports seemed to fill every
breast. It had been rumored that an unusual trial of
strength and endurance was to be shown this day by
competitors, and that something more than honor of
the awards depended upon their defeat or victory.
Soon the crier announced a wheelbarrow race
would begin the day's sports. Four competitors en-
tered this race, at the tap of the bell, word “
was given. Off started the contestants, at first like
the wind, but before the circle was half way gone
over, first one, then another began to drop behind,
when “Indian file " like they passed the time-keep-
go


72
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
er's stand, puffing and blowing like so many winded
horses. They were glad to retire and make room for
the Grecian race, which was soon announced. Three
young men entered this old-time contest; they were
all stripped to the waist, with only one article of
clothing on their bodies, viz.: closely-fitting knee
breeches. From the waist streamed a ribbon, each
wearing a color of his own choice; the three pre-
dominating colors being red, white and blue, as these
were already the favorite colors of the patriots of the
county.
A post or goal was placed in the midst of the
track, from which was suspended the laurel wreath,
that was to crown the victor. No higher honor could
be awarded, consequently every nerve was strained
by the runners to come in victor. The three cham-
pions had taken their places for the start, when un-
announced (the race being open to all) a fourth per-
son stepped lightly to the side of the three already in
position. A loud applause greeted this new comer.
His dress was purely Scotch. On his head was a
closely fitting cap, with a single feather and a rib-
bon streamer of pink color. He was bared to the


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
73
waist, from which was suspended his short kilt
plaid and his legs and feet were bare. His build
showed Herculean strength and his broad, manly
chest was indicative of wonderful endurance. He
turned toward the grand stand and minutely exam-
ined the faces, to see if the object of his thoughts
were present. A smile passed over his face as his
recognition was complete, and placing the Talis-
manic Cross to his lips he kissed it, and waved it to
the giver.
The three first contestants starting in with a
bound, soon left a wide gap between them and the
Scotchman; gradually, however, the distance be-
tween them began to shorten, and before the half-
way post was reached the doughty Scotchman had
passed two of his competitors and was fast over-
hauling the third, who upon looking back saw the
now hated Scotchman near to him. This gave rise
to a feeling in the heart of the runner (which was
none other than Paul Leffens) that this Scotchman
was his enemy, and to beat him now was his upper-
most thought. The Scotchman had already recog-


74
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
nized his opponent, which nerved him to almost su-
perhuman efforts to pass him.
The excitement of the spectators was intense, as
side by side, like thunder bolts, came the runners
down the “ home-stretch.” The pink ribbon from the
Scotchman's cap was snapping in the wind, caused
by the velocity of the runner. None the less so, how-
ever, was the blue from the waist of Paul Leffens.
Fifty feet from the goal they were still side by side.
The excitement now grew more intense; yells and
screams from bass and soprano throats rent the air,
and when the Scotchman with a sudden bound put
daylight between him and his opponent and reached
the goal full one length ahead, the people rose en
masse to their feet, wildly demonstrating their joy,
over Leffens's defeat. Shouts of welcome to the
Scotch stranger rent the air, and the multitude did
not cease to exhibit their pleasure at the result of the
great race until Donald, whom the reader has al-
ready recognized in the garb of the Scotch stranger,
stepped proudly to the post and taking the laurel
wreath therefrom, walked directly to the position oc-
cupied by Bretta and her uncle on the front seats of


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
75
the grand stand. Kneeling at Bretta's feet he re-
quested her to place the wreath upon his head. Ac-
cording to custom, Bretta took the wreath, and
placing it gently upon the victor's brow, exclaimed
aloud, “ Thus shall it be done unto him, whom the
people delighteth to honor."
Donald arose and taking Bretta's hand and kiss-
ing it, bade her again to be of good cheer, and as-
sured her that this day “God would deliver the
Philistine in his hand." With these comforting
words Donald withdrew for rest and preparation
for the continued contest. Conspicuous among the
spectators on the fair grounds were a number of In-
dians of the Neversink and Winnesook tribes of the
Catskills. Their presence was nothing unusual,
however, as every week would bring some of their
tribes to town to exchange their wares for ammuni-
tion and articles that took their fancy. The fair
presented a better opportunity than usual to barter
their goods, hence a larger number than usual were
present on this occasion. They were there also for
a special purpose, as the sequel will show.
The noon hour having now passed and the pie


76
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
and ginger cake venders having disposed of their
eatables to the hungry crowd, the scramble for seats
on the grand stand began. It was soon filled. The
crier announced that the athletic sports would be
continued, also that the victorious Scotchman would
meet Paul Leffens, the champion of Ulster county,
in the throwing of the hammer and in the wrestling
match. The announcement was received with vo-
ciferous applause, and many were the wagers made
by the enthusiastic crowd on their favorite man.
While the doughty Scotchman had shown himself
to be the fleetest runner of the two, many were not
willing to believe that he could outthrow with the
hammer or beat in a wrestling match the man ac-
knowledged by every one to be an expert in these
sports, and the strongest man in the country. In
justice to the Tory, Leffens, it must be said, that the
wagers made were in many instances two to one in
his favor, notwithstanding the fact that suspicions
were resting upon him, that he was an adherent of
the king. Still the crowd was obliged to admit his
superior strength and dexterity as a wrestler and
hammer-thrower, and wagered accordingly, but


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
77
(6
those who had wagered on the handsome Scotch-
man with those who had not wagered at all, out-
numbered the others and loud were their acclama-
tions in his favor. The two champions had assigned
to them each a tent with attendants to look after
their needs. But Donald taking Cyrus with him,
refused any other, while Leffens also chose one of
his own liking. Let us look in upon them and notice
their preparations.
Old Cyrus' chin was wagging in praise of his
master's victory in the morning race. “I tells you
what, Massa Donald, old Cyrus had ''spicions'
befo de race was half ober dat it was nun odder dan
de hoss tief Tory dat was runnin' agin you. But,
say, Massa Donel, dat was splendid runnin' tho;
dis nigga was awful skeered dat de young massa
would be beat, and ma heart took big jump in troat,
when you was comin' de home strech, but it went
down to um place again wid big guffaw when Massa
Donald made him big jump and reach de post first.
Oh, Massa Donald, dat was big ting, dis nigga died
shuah if yous been beat. Oh, didn't de Tory look
mad tho! Ya! Ya! Ya!” chuckled the negro.


78
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
Wait, Cyrus, don't rejoice too soon. I must
meet the Tory again, and the severest trials are yet
to come; ‘he laughs best who laughs last.' So hold
on with your crowing till the battles are fought, and
you learn who the victor will be."
“Oh! Massa Donald, if dat tief beats you, dis
darkey turn Tory hisself, couldn't stand it no how,
git de hip lock on him in de wrestle, and flop him
flat on de back."
"Well, Cyrus, your master will do his best to
keep you from being a Tory.”
"Ah! Massa Donald, tisent old Cyrus you's
tinkin' about now-Miss Bretta is uppermost wid
your mind, and if dis dark am not mistaken
you
is
uppermost wid her too. Laws-alive, do didn't she
look perty, and smilin' on young massa, when de
race was run. Yes, and old Colonel, too."
“ Hush, Cyrus, with your babblings, hear you not
the bugle sounding to combat?”
Paul Leffens in making his preparations to meet
the Scotch stranger, whom he was now assured
would be his contestant in the wrestling match, and
throwing of the hammer, had some misgivings as


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
79
to what the result might be, and knowing how much
he had at stake, decided to use deception in his prep-
aration, which was not according to the rules and
regulations of the athletic sports. But this had no
fears for him. Fairness was out of the question with
him now, and he was willing to adopt almost any de-
ception that could pass unnoticed by the managers.
It did not take him long to decide on a plan. Taking
a bottle of oil, he bade his attendant to pour it upon
his arms and body and rub it well in; this was re-
.
peated several times. The object was to make his
person so slippery that it would be impossible for his
opponent to retain his hold upon him, while he with
easy vantage would be master of the situation.
The bugle sounded the second time, when both
champions came forth from their tents and ap-
proached the wrestling ground, directly in front of
the grand stand. Cheer upon cheer greeted them.
Long and loud were the greetings to the Scotch
stranger, simultaneously with similar welcome to
Leffens. Both men were stripped to the waist, Don-
ald had made no change in his dress of the morning,
except that strong shoes and scotch plaid hose cov-


80
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
ered his feet and legs. From his Scotch cap the pink
ribbon, gift of Bretta, was still suspended. Both
men seemed to be in perfect health, and their brawny
muscular arms and broad chests gave them the ap-
pearance of Hercules. It was hard to tell which of
the two men was the stronger, so nearly alike were
they in build, but to the close observer in their move-
ments Donald seemed the quicker and more elastic
in step, while Leffens was slightly the taller, which
might be considered vantage in his favor.
Leffens now took the papers concerning the Rut-
sen estate, and approaching Bretta, who was occupy-
ing the seat of the morning on the stand, thus ac-
costed her with dignified courtesy: “Do you still
adhere to the pledge given me by the stream to be-
come my wife if I succeed in the following contest?
If so, I solemnly swear these papers shall be yours
and I will trouble you no more if I am worsted.”
Bretta, rising to her feet, thus answered him:
“ The promise of a Rutsen once given is never
broken. God has provided a champion for me in the
person of the Scotch stranger. I have no fears for
the result, right is might and you,” said Bretta,


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
81
66
speaking in a tone of confidence, “ shall be taught a
lesson this day that faith in God and righteous pa-
triotism to one's country will always bring igno-
minious defeat to those who are unrighteous and
disloyal.”
“Now,” said Leffens defiantly, “I will make you
retract those words ere the setting of the sun. The
result of this day's contest to Paul Leffens will be
the reward offered by herself, viz.: that Bretta Rut-
sen will be his wife if he is successful,” and bidding
her a courtly adieu, he turned to the crier and placed
in his hands the package of papers, directing him to
carry out the contract by giving them to Miss Bretta
Rutsen if he was beaten in the coming contests.
Donald's face grew a shade paler as he witnessed
the compact renewed by Bretta and the Tory,
Leffens. Suppose defeat should come and Bretta and
he lose! Conflicting emotions troubled him, and
with some misgivings as to the result, he stepped to
Leffens and shook him friendly by the hand. A sar-
donic grin passed over the features of Leffens as he
returned the greeting and said, “Do your best on
this trial, Captain McGregor, because I assure you


82
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
>
that all my energies will be brought into this contest,
as I intend to win a wife this day, who is none other
than Bretta Rutsen, heiress of the Rutsen estate.”
"Not if I can prevent it. A wife from the direc-
tion you are looking for one will never come," said
McGregor in an undertone.
“Who will cause it to be otherwise? Think you
that your Scotch training will carry you through?
For a wager, I will promise to lay you flat on your
back in the first bout."
* You may be made to change your opinion ere
we get through with this job,” said Donald quietly.
“ And furthermore after this day's work is ended,
with it end all friendly contests with you. Our next
battle will be for liberty. Yes, Paul Leffens, I know
you for what you are, and not for what you seem.
You and your gang of troopers must be wiped out.
For one of your night's evil-doing you shall settle
with me; look well to yourself, for we shall meet
again under different circumstances when the bat-
tle will be to the death.”
Leffens's face grew livid with rage as he an-
swered with hissing breath: “I first suspected, now


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
83
was an
I know you to be my enemy. Your life is doomed, I
swear it. I shall have your life's blood and will send
a lock of your gory hair to the one whom I already
believe has preserved her smiles for you.”
“ Thank you for your warning; I fear you not.
But this is no time or place for this talk,” said Don-
ald, as the crier again announced the condition of
the contest, and calling to the contestants ordered
them to proceed with their work. The first wrestling
arms in hold,” viz.:
They stood directly in front of each other with
either right hand grasping the opponent near the
elbow, while the left rested on each other's shoulder,
leaving the legs and feet to bear an important factor
by tripping, etc. The contest now began, and Don-
ald in a moment discovered that his opponent had
used deception in his preparation for the combat.
Leffens's arms and body were so greasy that it was
impossible for him to keep his hold on the Tory.
While making an effort by which he never failed to
lay his opponent on his back, Donald's grasp slipped
from his hold, and in an instant Leffens, improving
the opportunity, by a dexterous movement laid the


84
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
Scotchman full length upon the sward. A shout
went up from the crowd mingled with cheers and
hisses, while Bretta's heart rose in her throat, so to
speak, with fear. Donald quickly arose, confronting
Leffens.
“Your deception will not save you from defeat,
neither will I expose you; what little manhood I
gave you credit for, I now withdraw, for you are a
cheat and a coward.”
“Our future meeting will prove that,” said
Leffens disdainfully. “And I warn you now, that
,
it will be with no coward's heart, when I meet you
again.”
Enough,” said Donald, “I hope you will prove
more worthy of your opponent when we meet again
than you have this day.”
The next wrestle was a side hold; Donald (to pre-
vent his hands from slipping their hold) quickly
scooped up from the ground with his hands a quan-
tity of dry dust and before the deceptive Tory could
understand its meaning, threw it over his arms and
side, where it stuck mingled with the grease. Don-
ald also covered his hands with the dry soil, then


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
85
springing to his opponent's side, they were immedi-
ately locked in each other's embrace. Their arms
were each around the waist of the other, while their
right and left hands were tightly clasped in front of
them. Donald to his great joy found that the dry
dust caused his hold on the Tory to be firm, yet he
knew it would be no child's play to down his enemy,
consequently used caution and watched for his op-
portunity.
Old Cyrus standing near, had just seen his master
laid low in the first bout, and fearing that the second
might prove disastrous also, called out to him: “Oh,
Massa Donal, show de rascal de highland flop, gib
it to him, now, Massa, now's de time. Whoop la,
dere he goes, clean ober Massa's head, ker whop on
de ground; dis nigga hope he broke 'em neck, gosh
dident he go over Massa's head nice, do."
Cyrus to give vent to his exuberant feelings,
clapped his hands and actually danced for joy.
.
While the air was filled with shouts of approbation
by the multitudinous onlookers. In the struggle
Donald's opportunity soon came, and with one
quick, dexterous movement he caught the hip lock


86
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
on his opponent just as Cyrus gave him his en-
couraging words, and in a moment the Tory's legs
went up in the air. Donald at the same moment
bending his body low, flung him completely over his
head, where he fell“ ker whop,” as described by
Cyrus, much to the joy of that individual and of
Bretta, who clapped her hands in ecstasy. But the
wrestling match was not yet over. The next bout
would decide which of the two was the better man
in this part of the contests. This wrestle was to be
catch as catch the best you can,” or a rough and
tumble contest, and when word was given, they
sprang at each other with the agility of tigers.
Leffens's face was bloodless with passion, thus giv-
ing Donald, who was composed and fearless, the
vantage in judgment, and when they came together,
Donald had the underhold, and thus they tugged,
and worked, for some moments, with nothing
gained by either. Their breathing came thick and
fast by the continued struggle, and in an unguarded
moment, Donald was brought to his knees, but not
down. With almost superhuman strength, ne
gained his feet again, while exclamations of joy


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
87
escaped the old darky's throat, and we might add
Bretta's also.
Finish de rascal up now, Massa Donald,” ex-
claimed Cyrus; “take the conceit out ob de hoss
tief, now, now, Massa Donald, now's de chance."
Donald needed no encouragement. His oppor-
tunity came as before; both fell heavily to the
ground with Donald on top.
" Victory! Victory for the Scotchman," shouted
the populace, “all honor to the Scotch stranger!”
At this moment the crier called for quiet, an-
nouncing that the last contest between the two con-
testants would be the throwing of a hammer, and
would take place on the same grounds in the after-
noon. This announcement was met with yells and
screams by the spectators. To such a pitch of ex-
citement had they risen that they thought not of
hunger, or in fact of anything else, but shouted back
to the crier to let the show go on to the finish, and it
was not until the crier made them to understand that
the contestants must have rest, that the populace
ceased their clamorings.
The proprietors of the different booths had re-


88
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
plenished their stock of eatables, and it was well that
it had been done, for it was a hungry crowd that
made demands upon the sellers. But ere the time
arrived for beginning of the contest, their hunger
had been satisfied and they were already scrambling
for the best seats on the grand stand. The interest
in the two athletes had so increased, that scarcely
standing room could be had anywhere near the vi-
cinity of the hammer-throwers, so large was the
crowd. Both Donald and Leffens had completed
their preparation for this their final contest. No
change had been made in their dress, arms and body
were bare to waist; knee breeches was the only
clothing upon them, because of their need of the free
use of both arms and body.
Hammer-throwing has been an old-time athletic
exercise. It first became popular in Scotland, where
the rough hammer and handle were used, but as it
became a more favorite exercise in later years, a
hammer for the purpose was constructed in such
shape, with handle tapered and made flexible, that
a record of 130 feet or more has been obtained by
some throwers with a 16-pound hammer. The ham-


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
89
mer provided on this occasion for Donald and
Leffens, was nearly of the above pattern. It weighed
exactly sixteen pounds, and was of peculiar shape,
securely fastened to the handle, which was made of
tough hickory, dried and seasoned. The handle was
very thin in the middle, but where it was grasped
by the hands of the thrower, it was greatly enlarged,
so it could be held firmly and not slip. A circle or
ring was made six feet in diameter, over which line
the thrower was not allowed to step, or a foul would
be declared. But a running swing of the hammer
could be obtained within the enclosure.
Paul Leffens always enjoyed the reputation of
being an adept in this particular exercise, and it was
said of him, that no man ever yet had beaten him,
although it was claimed by some that a record of
130 feet had been obtained in other localities of the
state, which was two feet or more than had been
reached by Leffens. Thus it was with a great deal
of confidence in his own strength and knowledge of
the art, that Leffens entered the arena, or circle,
opposite the grand stand, with hammer in hand.
Donald had early been taught by his father in


90
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
a
this athletic exercise before they left Scotland, when
a mere lad, with hammer proportionate to his
strength, and no boy of his age could match him.
After coming to America, the practice had been
yearly kept up by both father and son, until the
physical development of Donald became so great
that no man could beat him wherever he was known,
Leffens and Donald had never met face to face,
until they did so on the first day of the fair in
the foot race. Donald had long heard of the Tory's
doings in his own neighborhood and vicinity, in con-
nection with the raids of the Tories and cowboys,
but had never come in contact with him before. And
ever since his first view of the Tory's face at the
stream, where Bretta made her pledge to him, a de-
sire had taken possession of him, to put a stop to
his career of murderous, thievish doings against
the patriots of the county. And as this last contest
was to decide either for or against Bretta, Donald
resolved that nothing should rob him of his hard-
earned victory thus far, but determined to use his
utmost ability to beat his opponent and save Bretta.
All eyes were now centered on Leffens, who with


:
91
THE KINGSTON FAIR.
hammer in hand stepped to the farthermost part of
the circle. He was a right-handed thrower, and his
right hand was nearest the head of the missile, so as
to be able with his powerful right arm to guide the
heavy sixteen pounder. Leffens now began to swing
the heavy hammer to and fro over his right side,
back and forth like a great pendulum moved by
some mighty engine. So rapid became the move-
ments of the missile that at times it seemed to the
spectators that it must fly from his hand among
them. The dexterity with which Leffens handled the
instrument showed him to be familiar with it.
Donald and his friend were silent spectators of
Leffens's movements. The former looked on with
admiration. Though an enemy, still Donald could
not help admiring the artistic, trained manner in
which Leffens handled the projectile. When Leffens
had succeeded in getting the hammer in its swiftest
swinging motion with one mighty bound to the op-
posite side of the circle, he let the hammer fly at an
angle of about forty degrees. The missile whizzed
through the air as if sent from a catapult. In a
moment it reached its highest altitude. Gradually


92
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
it began to lower, but did not lose its velocity as it
seemed to fly just above the surface of the ground,
finally nearly burying itself in the soft earth fully
132 feet from where it had left the thrower's hand.
Donald could not help mingling his shouts of ap-
probation with the acclamations of the populace.
It was nobly done, and the praise well deserved;
never before had such a throw of the hammer been
made. Donald in his admiration seemed to lose sight
of himself, and not until he saw Bretta's anxious
face, now turned toward him, did he appreciate his
position and her danger. He had just seen Leffens
throw the hammer further by nearly two feet than
had been attained by himself. How could he possi-
bly reach two feet more than his best record, which
was now necessary in order to beat his competitor ?
There was one possible chance for him to accom-
plish it, which would depend largely on the missile
itself. The fitness of the handle to the thrower, and
the poise of the hammer were all to be considered
either for or against making a long distance. Don-
ald had not yet had hold of the instrument, there-
fore was in the dark whether its manufacture was


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
93
adopted to his length of arm or not. Hence it was
with some apprehension as to what the result of his
effort might be that he stepped within the six-foot
circle, seized the hammer and tested it in all its
points.
A smile of satisfaction lit up Donald's face as he
took his position at the furthermost part of the cir-
cle, then turning, he faced the grand stand and made
a polite bow of recognition to Bretta and her uncle.
Turning again, he at once began swinging the
weighty hammer back and forth, very much after
the manner of Leffens, they both being right-handed
throwers. Soon the huge pendulum-like instru-
ment began to assume lightning-like rapidity. Don-
ald's chest seemed to heave and expand to abnormal
proportions with the exertion. His brawny arm
seemed to enlarge to twice its natural size, as the
muscles were brought into play.
It was now evident that Donald had complete con-
trol over the missile, and we might add also of the
situation. From the moment his operation of the
hammer began the beholders were assured of his
superior strength and dexterity. And all were now


94
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
waiting with breathless interest to see the hammer
leave his hands on its flight to victory. Old Cyrus,
standing near his young master, was a deeply in-
terested spectator, now with his eyes trying to fol-
low the rapid gyrations of the hammer, or with his
body swaying to and fro, in fruitless attempts to
keep time to its movements, and all the time uttering
words in prayer: “O good Lord, help young Massa
Donald now, if ever old Cyrus wanted prayer an-
swered quick, now is de time; gib him big arm and
lots ob strength, may de good Lord help de young
David to beat the Philistine; help him to beat him
bad, good Lord, and old Cyrus will try to be good
all de rest ob him days."
Donald now having obtained the proper momen-
tum wanted of the hammer, suddenly changed its
pendulum motion by letting it go round in a com-
plete circle over his shoulder. So rapid were its
movements now that it was difficult to follow it with
the eye. The all important moment soon came for
the flight of the instrument, as Donald with a quick
run to the opposite side of the circle, just as the
hammer reached its proper elevations in its circular


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
95
motion, let go of its handle and the missile went
hurtling through the air, making a whistling noise
similar to a cannon ball.
The course of the hammer seemed to change
shortly after leaving the thrower's hand, taking a
curve upward, reaching its highest altitude, thence
gradually drawing nearer to the earth but appar-
ently not losing its velocity in its graceful flight,
and finally landing nearly its full length beyond the
point obtained by the Tory.
When the result was made known by the crier the
cheers from the populace were actually deafening.
“Hurrah! for the bonny Scotchman, long may he
live.” Such were the continuous shouts of the mul-
titude. Bretta's heart was too full for utterance.
Her joy was complete. Her deliverance from the
Tory and the rescue of her father's estates filled her
soul with but one thought, that of gratitude to the
one who had so manfully championed her cause.
She now realized to the fullest capabilities of her
heart, what it was to love. She felt from that mo-
ment that she belonged to her deliverer.
Honestly won, to Donald and to him only, could


96
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
she trust her happiness. While these thoughts were
rapidly passing through her mind, Donald ap-
proached, placing the papers relating to her father's
estate in her hand, which had been so long held
over her by Leffens.
“With all the gratefulness of my soul, Captain
McGregor, do I thank you for your noble, generous
acts of to-day in my behalf. Methinks I can never
repay you for what you have this day done for me
by releasing me from the bonds of one whom I
loathe, and saving my poor parents from being
homeless. To you, and to you only, do I owe all.”
“Bretta, I claim the promise made to the Tory,
Leffens. Have I not won you this day? Are you
not mine, justly mine? Here in the presence of your
uncle, Colonel Hardenburgh, I lay claim to your
heart and hand, won fairly from the Tory, Leffens,
to whom you had bound yourself by promise in case
of defeat."
“What say you, Colonel, am I not right; should
not the prize belong to me?”
Captain McGregor, your manliness this day in
winning a complete victory over an enemy has won


THE KINGSTON FAIR.
97
for you my admiration, and also is convincing proof
that you have the right metal in you for a soldier,
and I must decide in your favor. I feel that I can
trust the happiness of my pretty niece in your hands,
but let Bretta answer for herself.”
“Oh! Uncle, do you too put me so quickly to the
test? But if you both agree in your decision how
can I say nay?”
Donald, seizing her hand pressed it to his lips and
said: I have won a prize this day that makes me the
happiest man in existence. The aim of my life will
be to nourish and protect the tender plant placed in
my keeping
“Enough," said the uncle, " I will trust you both,
but let me warn you that there is danger ahead. Cap-
tain McGregor, look well to your charge, Leffens
means you both evil or I am no prophet. Did you
notice his malignant scowl but just now as he passed
by, and look, see you his close conference yonder
with the treacherous group of Indians? I will war-
rant he is planning some deviltry which argues no
good to either of you. If I mistake not, I have seen
those sanis red-skins in the company of the notori-


98
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
ous John Leffens, the father of this would-be-heart
and land-stealer, and I believe both father and son
to be acting in one accord and to have a perfect un-
derstanding with these Indians of the mountain
tribes. I have to-day received dispatches informing
me that Brandt, the Indian chieftain, is working
down the Schoharie valley, committing murderous
depredations with his villainous crew, and I like
not the gathering of these red devils in our midst.
It would be well, Captain McGregor, that a close
watch be kept on their movements, as I fear their
conference with the defeated Tory means you no
good.”


THE CAPTURE.
99
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CAPTURE.
PAUL LEFFENS bore his defeat and losses to all
outward appearances quietly, but deep down in his
heart lurked the passion of a demon. “Revenge!”
he hissed between his closed teeth. “Nothing but
the life's blood of this braggart Scotchman will
calm my feelings. And she too, Miss Bretta, shall
feel the strong arm of Paul Leffens. I will strew
her pathway with thorns and thistles, yea, I will
make my revenge so terrible that on her bended
knees like a suppliant she shall beg for mercy.
I
have those at my command who even this moment
are waiting my bidding. Ah! rejoice not, Captain
McGregor and Bretta Rutsen over my defeat, be-
cause the more bitter will I make your sorrow and
affliction. I swear it, insolent Scotchman, that I
will make your new-found love sue for your life
with wailings that cannot be uttered, but there will
be none to succor. Nothing shall pacify the raving


100
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
of my soul, but your heart's blood, and that I shall
have.”
Thus ending his soliloquy, Paul Leffens was soon
in close communication with the mountain tribe of
Indians as already noticed by the Colonel. While
these Indians of the Catskills and the Neversinks
were apparently friendly and peaceful in all their
visits to the town, still it was felt by all the inhab-
itants that they could not be trusted, and such was
the feeling against those present at the fair. There
was a general belief that these same red-skins were
in secret collusion with the Leffens, and their con-
ference with Paul at the close of the fair confirmed
the suspicions of the Colonel, who warned Donald
of his and Bretta's danger.
The afternoon sun was fast drawing toward the
western horizon when Donald and Cyrus as escort
for Bretta set out on their return to Hardenburgh
Hall. They had taken the precaution to look care-
fully to their arms, more, however, as a custom with
Donald than for an expected attack. But old Cyrus
was not so free from suspicions that they would be
unmolested on their route, and at every turn of the


THE CAPTURE.
IOI
road and defiles Cyrus with keen vision penetrated
the gloom to see if an enemy was lurking there. His
apprehension apparently seemed to increase as the
sun slowly sank behind the western hills, casting
long dark shadows in their pathway. “I'll tell you
what, Massa Donald, old Cyrus wish dat dis jour-
ney was done ended or dat we had waited till morn-
ing, as de Colonel advised.”
Well, Cyrus, I begin to fear you are a coward
and not worthy of trust."
“Oh, no, don't say dat, Massa Donald, Ise no
coward; deed I isn't, Old Cyrus fight for young
Massa till last drop of blood gone—it's for de young
missus ise feared, and dat Massa Donald's life be in
danger, too."
“Tell me, Cyrus, what reasons have you for your
apprehensions, in an hour's time we will be at our
journey's end, I see no cause for your fears.”
Perhaps ise hab good reasons for 'spicions,
Massa Donald, didn't dis nigga see de look dat Tory
villain gib young massa, and didn't I hear him say
to dat 'cut troat' chief ob de Nebersink dat you
and Miss Bretta must be captured and poor old Cy-


102
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
rus killed. Yes, Massa Donald, ise heard de Tory,
say so; when he gabe dat look of wengeance at
young massa, old Cyrus just slipped around on de
odder side ob de fence, and I crawled up where dey
wuz talking and so Ise heard it all. Dey mean to
capture you and Bretta alibe and kill poor Cyrus if
dey can eider on dis journey or at de Colonel's
home.”
“Cyrus, this is important news, while I had sus-
picions the Tory and red-skins were concocting some
scheme, I do not think they will put it into execu-
tion so soon. However, we will take all the precau-
tion possible to prevent surprises."
The twilight was deepening as the trio entered the
rocky glen at a point of the road now known as “De
Witt’s Mills.” Cyrus was in the lead-Bretta and
Donald side by side. Donald's left hand was resting
on the bridle of Bretta's steed, while his right held
the butt of his pistol. Suddenly as if risen out of the
earth, a dozen or more warriors leaped upon the
rocks on either side of them with yells of so many
demons from the infernal regions. Immediately fol-
lowed the report of several muskets, simultane-


THE CAPTURE.
103
ously with the discharge of Donald's and Cyrus's
pistols. The shots on both sides had taken effect.
Donald's horse had been struck in a vital part, and
suddenly springing in the air, tore loose Donald's
hold on the bridle of Bretta's horse, and falling
heavily to the ground, pinioned Donald's leg fast
under him, as if held in a vise.
In a moment he and Bretta were surrounded by
the Indians. Donald's pistol was quickly brought
to bear on a warrior, who was in the act of dragging
Bretta from her horse, and he fell shot through the
head. “Spur your horse and run for your life,”
shouted Donald! Bretta knew that it was her only
chance of escape. Seizing her bridle with one hand
and leveling her pistol with the other at the tall,
heavily-built Indian, who was at that moment in the
act of grasping the bridle from her hands, she pulled
the trigger and the bullet furrowed a pathway
through the hair of the Indian's head.
Ha," said the Indian, “pale-face make um very
good shot,” as he seized the now fainting form of
Bretta.
Donald had held the Indians at bay with his deada;


104
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
ly pistol, and not until more than one red devil had
bit the dust did they silence him, and that only by
one of their number crawling up behind as he lay on
the ground, held down by his dead horse, and strik-
ing him a stunning blow with the butt of his musket.
They could have dispatched Donald as he lay there
now, limp and unconscious on the ground, but the
chief commanded his release, and Donald was
spared for a worse fate.
Old Cyrus discharged all his shots at the foe, and
with his long powerful arm was dealing death with
almost every blow of his sabre. No one seemed able
to oppose him. Shot after shot was directed at him,
but the quick, lightning-like motions of Cyrus's
body made him a difficult object to hit. As warrior
after warrior was struck down by his clashing blows
they began to think him more of a devil than man,
and superstitiously they fell back and Cyrus with
one mighty bound of his noble horse leaped clear
of the howling red-skins, shouting to Miss Bretta
as he went, “ Leave marks on de trail, old Cyrus
follow," and the sound of his horse's hoofs soon
died away in the distance. In the mêlée following


THE CAPTURE.
105
Cyrus's escape, no one except those for whom it
was intended caught the meaning of Cyrus's sug-
gestion.
Bretta was carried by her captor a short distance
to a place of safety, and recovered from her fainting
condition in time to distinctly hear Cyrus shout his
advice. She was uncertain in her mind about the
condition of Donald. She saw the cruel blow from
the butt of the musket, and fear and trembling seized
her, when she realized that he might be dead; but
an assurance from her captor allayed her anxiety
and she became more composed. The blow aimed at
Donald was intended to kill. The Indian, however,
was frustrated in his designs, and the force of the
blow lost by the musket striking the top of a small
stump, behind which Donald's head lay.
Although the main force of the blow was broken,
Donald received enough of it to cause him to be un-
conscious for some time, and when consciousness
returned, he found the Indians trying to extricate
him from the entanglements of his fallen horse; he
feared that his leg might be broken. It was with
great difficulty that the Indians rolled the dead horse


106
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
!
from off his limb, and, with a punch of a musket,
bade him rise. A numbness seemed to pervade his
whole limb, and on attempting to rise he fell heavily
to the ground. An Indian now examined his leg
and found no bones broken; but his position as he lay
under the horse had been such as to stop complete
circulation of the blood, and cause a painful reaction
from the numbness when he attempted to rise. An
Indian on either side assisted him to his feet once
more, and he was bidden to follow the leaders of the
party.
Bretta was overjoyed to see Donald alive, and
besought her captor to take her to him, but that
chieftain, as he seemed to be, by the way the others
obeyed his commands, bade her to be silent and fol-
low quietly, threatening her with instant death if
she did not obey. Bretta's horse was allowed to fol-
low Cyrus in the general confusion. In fact no use
could be made of him if retained, as their route lay
through the narrow defiles and almost pathless re-
gion of the primeval forests. Out of the fourteen
warriors, as Donald afterwards learned to his sor-
row, six lay dead on the battle ground. Four had


THE CAPTURE.
107
been shot or cut down by the remorseless negro,
while two had succumbed to the unerring shots of
Donald's pistol.
With wailings and vows of vengeance on their
captives did the warriors now hurriedly leave their
dead where they had fallen, and push their way
through the almost trackless region toward
Catskills. They knew an attempt would be made to
follow them, and all precautions peculiar to their art
in woodcraft were brought into use. Donald's heart
sank within him when he thought of Bretta under-
going this trial of her physical strength. The thought
racked his brain that when the Indians should dis-
cover that her endurance was not equal to the oc-
casion they would brain her by the way and leave
her body a prey to the howling wolves of the moun-
tains, and he powerless to prevent it.
Bretta and Donald had each been tethered to an
Indian, with both arms pinioned behind them. Their
arms taken from them with no possible chance of
escape caused them both to remember the prophecy
of old Chloe, the negro sorceress; indeed they were
now in the valley of despair. Donald readily sur-


108
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
mised what his fate would be, and that of Bretta
ten times worse than death. That Paul Leffens was
at the bottom of their misfortunes he didn't doubt
1
1
for a moment. Should he now, after all the triumph
over him, retake the papers so honestly won for
Bretta and fulfil the threats of deadly vengeance on
him? Donald realized that he was completely in his
power; he could see no mercy in the hard visages
of his captors. Vengeance for their dead assured
him that his fate was sealed, and that fate would be
a tortured death; nothing less than burning at the
stake. For Bretta his heart yearned; he was willing
to suffer death in any form if it could secure her
release, but he knew that could not be. Paul
Leffens was not the man to let his bird take wings
after caging it. “On me,” thought Donald,“ will his
vengeance fall, while Bretta will be held his captive."
The very thought of this almost drove him to mad-
ness, and he at once formed a determination to es-
cape, if possible, and that Bretta should accompany
him; if he failed, instant death might follow, but
better both die at once than await the tortures at the
1


THE CAPTURE.
109
>
burning stake for him, and a lingering death of
captivity in the power of Paul Leffens for her.
With this resolve feelings of relief came and to
this end he carefully avoided any look or move that
he thought would be likely to displease his captors.
He had not been permitted to speak to, or walk be-
side Bretta thus far, hence none of his plans could be
communicated to her, unless through some unfore-
seen accident. Single file, with the captives in their
midst, did the band of Indians continue their jour-
ney. Their trail led them around and between the
Binniewater lakes, so much admired at this day for
their picturesque beauty. But they bore no beauty
or charms for the captives.
Bretta had begged so hard of her captor to re-
lease her hands from the cruel thongs that he com-
plied, as her hands were already badly swollen from
the effect of the tightness of the bands. No sooner
were her hands and arms free than she quickly man-
aged unseen to drop a small piece of ribbon plucked
from her disheveled hair. After succeeding in this,
she stored the balance in the capacious pockets of
her skirts. Very soon another opportunity presented


IIO
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
itself, while the warriors were allaying their thirst
on the bank of one of the aforesaid Binniewaters.
Bretta, unobserved, tied a bit of the ribbon to a bush,
thinking to herself, “ Brave cld Cyrus will surely see
that."
Darkness now began to cover their pathway. No
respite had yet been granted the captives on their
rapid flight thus far, only the moment's stop at the
lake for water. Ruthlessly were they again urged
forward, and as the darkness deepened, more dan-
gerous became their pathway. Several times already
had the chief been obliged to seize Bretta to save
her from dangerous pitfalls.
Donald received no such attention from them. A
mishap or a fall was met with blows and kicks, and
one revengeful warrior, whose brother was left with
the slain, would have brained him with his hatchet
but for the timely interference of their chief. On
and on they continued in their rapid flight, now up,
now down the rugged hillsides, now across the
streams, wading to their armpits, climbing over
boulders and through narrow defiles. All this was
done as a precaution to conceal their trail, but Bretta


THE CAPTURE.
III
f
1
continued to drop bits of her ribbon, and the dark-
1
ness assisted her in concealing her doings. Thus
they continued on their trackless journey until after
1
midnight. They had already reached the foot of one
of the spurs of the Catskills, as Donald had con-
jectured. Their route bore them to the entrance to
the gateway of the Catskills, through which, at this
writing, the puff and snort of the Iron Horse can
be heard, in it efforts to drag the heavy train along
the mountain sides, in order to discharge the pas-
sengers at the superb hotels and now famous moun-
tain resorts. But not to digress. The party had now
arrived at a place fitting for their purpose.
Ordering their captives seated on the ground,
the warriors took from a rattlesnake pouch some
parched corn and proceeded to divide generously
among themselves, granting to the captives a small
portion. Small as it was, it was gratefully received.
That, with a cool draught of water from an adjoin-
ing spring, refreshened their spirits. No fire was
kindled, although the mountain air was cool, and in
fact chilly, especially to the maiden. The chief tak-
ing his blanket and spreading it upon the ground,


112
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
bade her recline upon it for the remainder of the
night. A thong was securely fastened about her
ankles, while Donald was still bound at the wrists
and at the ankles also. Thus they lay in a semi-cir-
cle with an Indian sitting in an upright position
with his back resting against a large tree, as senti-
nel or watchman, while the others slept. Across his
knees lay his musket, and in his belt stuck his toma-
hawk and knife, ready and on
the alert for any
coming foe. They yet feared pursuit, and an at-
tack from some rescuing party. Hence the placing
of the sentinel with instructions from the chief that
the falling of a leaf should not pass unnoticed.


THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS,
113
CHAPTER IX.
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
OLD Cyrus continued his flight until he arrived at
Hardenburgh Hall. The inmates were quickly made
acquainted with the capture of Bretta and Captain
McGregor by the Indians. The darkness of the
night and unfamiliarity with the route taken by the
Indians delayed pursuit by Cyrus until the rising of
the moon after midnight. That hour soon came,
when Cyrus with a single companion set out for the
scene of the capture. Arriving at that place, Cyrus
bade his companion adieu and plunged in the forest
on the trail taken by the Indians, while his compan-
ion continued his journey to Kingston, arriving there
at break of day and informing Colonel Hardenburgh
of what had befallen his niece and Captain Mc-
Gregor.
It was a hard blow to the Colonel, who loved his
niece as a father. Her companionship was dear to
him, and he had it in his heart to do a great deal


114
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
for her. But now all his ideas relative to her were
blasted by one cruel blow. “It is what I feared,"
said he. “Where and how shall I find her, through
the trackless regions of the mountain forests? Cap-
tain McGregor is with her, and that is some com-
fort. I shall trust Providence to secure their safe re-
turn. Paul Leffens is the author of this calamity.
Bretta's life, I think, is not in danger, but young
McGregor is doomed unless he can escape, and on
this I will rely, hoping and trusting he can suc-
ceed.”
Old Cyrus soon struck the trail of the fleeing sav-
ages and their captives, and with the agility of a
cat, he forced his way through brush and bramble,
over rocky ridges and fallen trees until he reached
the Binnewaters. Here he was baffled, as no foot-
print or sign gave him any information as to which
direction the savages had taken from this point.
Heretofore he had been guided by their footprints
and broken twigs and also by the signs left by
Bretta. The small piece of ribbon had not escaped
his notice, as daylight was already approaching, but
now he was at a complete loss which way to proceed.


THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
115
The sun had arisen, casting its broad light over the
universe, penetrating the deepest recesses of the for-
est, but Cyrus could only trace the trail to the mar-
gin of the lake, and here all signs were lost. He
concluded that they had taken to the water, thus
leaving no footprints behind them. He sat down to
meditate upon the situation, whether to go northerly
or southerly around the lake, when looking in the
first named quarter he espied a small piece of rib-
bon whipping in the breeze attached to a small bush;
instantly he ran to it, and at once recognized it as
Bretta's. This little sign at once caused Cyrus to
believe the fugitives had taken a northerly course,
around the fifth Binnewater and passed between it
and the fourth Binnewater on their course to the
mountain.
It might be said here in relation to these Binne-
waters that at this day there is a chain of five lakes
about six miles directly south of the present city of
Kingston. Between them are narrow strips of land.
They seem to have no visible connection with each
other, but are said to have underground communi-
cations by an under-flow of water. They are from


116
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
one to three miles in circumference. It was the trail
between two of the largest of these lakes, or Binne-
waters, as they have been called for centuries, that
the fleeing band of warriors and their captives took
on their rapid journey to the mountains. On reach-
ing the narrow passage between the two lakes re-
ferred to, Cyrus, by closely scrutinizing the ground,
discovered signs which assured him that he was on
the right track. Rapidly passing over the narrow
causeway he struck boldly again into the gloomy for-
est on the other side. Here it was necessary to bring
in use all his knowledge of woodcraft to keep the
trail, and he occasionally lost all signs for some dis-
tance. Then upon all fours, so to speak, would the
faithful old negro hunt for some pressure of a foot
on the mossy earth, or for a broken twig, and at
times when almost discouraged he would suddenly
espy some little bit of ribbon dropped by Bretta;
then on again he would rush until baffled by some
small stream in which the pursued party had waded.
It was a lonely journey for the poor old darkey.
At times superstitious fear took possession of him,
and he would be almost on the point of returning
>


THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
117
when the unbounded love for his young master and
Bretta would hurry him on. Now and then he could
distinctly hear the roar of the mountain lion or pan-
ther, or the howl of the wolf, but these had no fears
for him, it was the supernatural that preyed upon
his mind, also the fear of meeting the witch of the
mountains, or old Nick himself, who, it was said
among the superstitious, hurled thunderbolts down
upon the valley from the high point under whose
shadow old Cyrus was now trailing. The occasional
croak of the bull frog as he leaped from his sun bath
into the marshy streams caused Cyrus to quake with
more fear than the howl of the beasts, and as an un-
usual bulky denizen of the marshy glen gave forth
his deep utterances followed by a “ker chug” in
the water, old Cyrus was almost paralyzed with su-
perstitious dread.
At this same moment the black clouds which had
been gathering about the summit of High Point,
sent forth a thunderbolt to the earth rending one of
the tallest pines in the vicinity of the old darkey.
This was followed by a deafening clap of thunder
echoing from mountain to mountain, reverberating


118
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
and dying away in the valley in a long, low, rumbling
growl, causing Cyrus's knees fairly to knock to-
gether with fear. The deep bass tone of the enor-
mous bull frog was enough to blanch his cheeks,
were that possible, but that added to the thunder-
bolt was altogether too much for his high-wrought
tension of feelings, and he at once fell upon his
knees in one of his old-time prayers, bursting out
in agony of soul, as it were—"O Good Lord, if
youse eber goin' to help old Cyrus, now's de time,
keep de old Nick and de witch of de mountain away
from poor old dark, do O Lord! and let old Cyrus lib
to find poor young massa Donald.”
Then as the storm continued, and flash followed
flash, and the deafening thunders of heaven's ar-
tillery resounded and echoed over his head, he fell
prone upon the ground and exclaimed, “Ise wish
dis niggar neber was born-deed I does. Ise done
for now shuah, old Nick done come and old Cyrus
no ready. Here Ise growed to be so old only to be
kotched at last by de debbil, only keep him away,
good Lord, for dis time, so poor old Cyrus can find


THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
119
Massa Donald, den Ise ready to go to Hebben right
away, only keep de old Nick off now, dear Lord.”
As old Cyrus lay prone upon the ground with his
face buried as it were in the mosses of the earth, he
did not perceive or hear the approach of a peculiar
appearing personage, who thus addressed him:
“Why does the son of Ethiopia trespass upon the
domain of the King of the Catskills; knowest thou,
it is death to approach his hermitage unbidden?”
Old Cyrus never so much as dared to look up, but
in perfect abject fear continued his pleading, now
addressed, as he supposed, to his Satanic Majesty
himself.
“O, good debbel, spare old Cyrus dis time, deed
I isn't tired wid libben yet, Ise too young to go now,
do Massa Satan, good Massa Satan, just go away
now wid de lightning and be done gone for good.
Deres de Tory, Leffens, go cotch him, good Massa
Satan; he am ready and would make Massa good
help, deed Ise tellin' de truf ebery word.”
Stop your ravings, untutored man, and arise and
look on me, I am not the devil, though some may
66


120
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
6
think me such, I am only the lonely ‘Hermit of the
Mountain,' so arise and be not afraid."
Old Cyrus slowly raised his head and took one
glance at the stranger, saying: “Sure you isn't de
old Nick ob de mountain. Didn't you trow de tun-
der-bolt at old Cyrus just now, and almost kill him
wid de smell of de brimstone?” And involuntarily
throwing up his hands he motioned for the stranger
to go away, as his voice had utterly failed him. Then
the stranger commanded in a voice of authority:
“ Arise at once, I say, or I will make you feel the
point of my spear."
"O, don't, good Massa Satan, please don't touch
me wid de red-hot spear, and old Cyrus will get up.'
Slowly now the thoroughly frightened old darkey
arose, first on one knee, than on the other, keeping
his eyes riveted on the stranger before him, when
again the hermit addressed him:
“Would the Ethiopian find his young master and
mistress, if so then up on your feet, and be a man
and follow me, and I will conduct you to their last
night's resting place.”
Slowlyold Cyrus's mental faculties began to


THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
121
comprehend that the stranger was human after all,
but full confidence was not yet restored to him, and
carefully he watched the movements of the stranger;
but becoming more assured as the Hermit again bid
him to follow, old Cyrus picked up his musket and
followed at a respectable distance. On they went
with rapid strides in the direction of the gateway of
the mountains. All the morning, nearly to the noon
hour, did they tramp over the pathless region until
they came to the camping place of the fugitives va-
cated by them only a few hours before. Here the
Hermit of the Mountain gave him directions how to
follow the fleeing savages. Minutely he drew the
route they had taken with a stick in the sand, and
informed Cyrus that if speedy, he would overtake
them ere they passed through the great notch of the
Catskills, which opened the way to the Schoharie
valley. Turning to Cyrus and taking him by the
hand he warned him to tell no man of his compan-
ionship of the morning, under penalty of death. Old
Cyrus now having lost all his fear, and full confi-
dence in the stranger having been established, said
to him:


122
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
“No—no, don't go yet, good Massa Hermit, tell
old darkey why lib all alone in de mountain woods,
come back to de earf and leave de mountain hight.”
“No, Cyrus, that can never be, the storms of the
mountains are sweet music to my ears. The living
world has no attractions for me. But adieu, and fail
not in your task; be patient, careful and cautious,
and you will succeed in your journey.” So with a
gentle wave of the hand the Hermit of High Point,
or “Nick of the Woods," as he was called by the su-
perstitious, vanished as suddenly as he had ap-
peared.


THE CAPTIVES.
123
CHAPTER X.
THE CAPTIVES.
SLEEP did not come to the weary, anxious mind
of Captain McGregor. Thoughts of how he should
escape with Bretta continually racked his brain. The
thongs about his wrists and ankles were torturing
to him, and being weary in both mind and body
added to his affliction. Watchful and wakeful till
near midnight, yet no opportunity came that he
could seize to his advantage. The Indian on guard
was on the alert, and the least move by Donald did
not escape unnoticed.
The other savages were sleeping soundly and oh,
thought Donald, if the watcher would only do like-
wise, he and Bretta might make their escape.
Once he thought of quietly slipping his hands
from the cruel thongs, which by secretly working
at he found it possible to do, and brain the Indian
on watch by taking him unaware, but that would
be a very rash thing to do, as the wily savage antici-


124
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
>
pated him in even the slightest move, and with an
ugly scowl bade Donald under penalty of a quietus
from his tomahawk to lie still.
So with these threatening menaces, Donald was
constrained to abandon any attempts to escape
then.
Poor Bretta, now in deep slumber from sheer ex-
haustion, was unconscious of her surroundings. Her
weary feet had never had such a journey before. The
chief's blankets were to her as soft as her own downy
bed; she knew not the difference in her deep slum-
ber.
“ It is well that it is so,” thought Donald, “ sleep
on, unconscious one, may thy strength be renewed
and enable thee to endure to-morrow, and then, yea,
what then, to death or liberty, Heaven only knows."
In this distressed state of mind, Donald became
slowly overcome by exhausted nature, and he too
was finally launched in the arms of “ Morpheus,” so
to speak. Both captives slept on through the weary
small hours of the night, until near the time of cock-
crowing, when it is said "night is the darkest.”
Nature gave way also in the wary savage on watch,
and he too became drowsy, and finally his head fell


THE CAPTIVES.
125
back against the tree at whose roots he was sitting,
and he was soon lost in slumber, dreaming of the
chase or the happy hunting grounds, in keeping with
his savage companions.
Now, Donald, if thou wert only awake, now is
thy opportunity, strike thy blow for liberty for thee
and Bretta. O, laggard, wake up! Dost thou not
hear the savage's heavy breathing? But hist, what
form is that so stealthily approaching from under
yonder copse of wood, now bending low, or creep-
ing on his hands and knees, quietly, nearer and
nearer? His appearance is indeed strange, he now
rises on his feet a tall, commanding figure; his beard
white as the driven snow reaches below his breast;
on his head is a cap made from the bark of the white
birch from under which protrude his white locks
falling gracefully on his shouders. In his hand is a
long spear, and in his belt a knife; these are his
only weapons. His body is clothed in the tan skin
of the mountain goat, as are also his feet.
“Ah! we recognize thee now, thou art the Hermit
of High Point, or the “ Nick of the Woods," and
the superstitious dread of the savage. But what


126
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
doest thou here, comest thou to liberate the innocent
from the hands of the murderous savage? No, our
expectation is doomed to disappointment.”
Stealthily he approached the savage sleeping
against the tree, and quietly took the tomahawk
from his open hand. With his knife he put a peculiar
mark on the sleeping Indian's musket, leaving it
where it lay across his legs. Then moving quietly
among the circle, he put the same mark on the mus-
ket of each sleeping savage. Approaching Donald's
sleeping form he quietly placed within his bosom a
birch bark, with signs cut upon it with the point of
his knife. This being done, he slowly passed by
Bretta and cast upon her a look of deep tenderness;
tears furrowed his cheeks, as some long lost re-
membrances came to his mind. Bending low over
Bretta, he took quickly from her bosom the papers
relating to her father's estate, given her on the fair-
ground.
A groan nearly escaped his lips as he gazed on
Bretta, but he passed on to the edge of the copse be-
fore mentioned. Then with a peculiar yell like that
of the catamount, far-reaching and piercing, simul-


THE CAPTIVES.
127
taneously igniting a stick of punk with his flint and
knife, with his long arms he wove it in perfect fiery
net-work of gyrations about his head, causing the
effect which he desired. Then the hermit quickly
plunged into the gloomy forest, and we next find
him in the morning approaching stealthily upon old
Cyrus during the thunderstorm as already related.
Before the screech of the hermit had died away
every Indian was on his feet, as was also Donald,
and consternation and fear were depicted on every
face. When they beheld the encircling fire moving
about the head of the hermit the commotion and
terror among the savages was complete. They at
once recognized who was the cause of it, and in
groaning and vehement gesticulations of supersti-
tious dread, they beseeched their chief to lead them
away from the Evil Spirit of High Point, for such
they recognized him to be. Soon after the savages
even suggested the release of the captives, supposing
that the visit of their dreaded enemy was on their .
account, and that some great evil would befall them
if they carried them further away in captivity.
But the hermit disappearing so suddenly, the


128
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
council of the chief prevailed and Donald and
Bretta were ordered to prepare for their journey at
once. The thongs were removed from their feet
preparatory to their march, and Indian file, with
Bretta and Donald in their midst, they rapidly
moved in the direction of the gate of the Catskills,
now known as the “ Stoney Clove Notch.” Daylight
was rapidly approaching, and when the savages dis-
covered the peculiar mark on their muskets made by
their unwelcome visitor of the night, their lamenta-
tions broke forth anew. Assured were they now that
some evil would befall them. They had seen those
marks before and woe betide him for whom they
were intended.
Less severity was exhibited toward the captives,
the savages supposing that by thus doing they would
soften the anger of the Evil Spirit. Bretta and Don-
ald were even permitted to converse and walk near
each other, and Donald was thus enabled to assist
the poor girl over the dangerous pathway of the
forest. They both were astonished at the events of
the morning. The visit of the stranger and the su-
perstitious fear of the savages was an enigma to


THE CAPTIVES.
: 129
them. Neither had had a view of the strange visitor.
Donald only for a moment caught sight of him as
the encircling fire about his face revealed it to his
gaze. Of course he naturally connected the visit of
the peculiar appearing stranger with the consterna-
tion of the savages, but would it work together for
his and Bretta's good ?
Their permission to walk together and converse
seemed to inspire him that such might be the fact.
Donald accidentally placed his hand in his bosom
and drew forth the parchment placed there by the
hermit.
He was careful not to exhibit any emotion that
would attract the savages, but waited his opportu-
nity to decipher its contents, quietly informing
Bretta of what he had discovered, bidding her show
no sign that might arouse the Indians to suspicions
regarding them. Bretta at this time, thinking of her
precious papers, so nobly won for her on the fair-
ground at Kingston, as had been her custom on her
journey, thrust her hand in her bosom, to be sure
of their safety, when a smothered cry of horror es-
caped her. Instantly the chief was at her side, be-


130
.
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS. .
fore Donald could assure him of her safety. He
thought Bretta had tread on the deadly moccasin or
sprained a foot. Bretta allayed the chief's fears re-
garding her, but in broken sobs of anguish begged
him to halt for food, to satisfy the gnawings of hun-
ger, as she was feeling faint from overexertion.
“Pretty pale-face, we no stop now, make un quite
big walk yet. See big black mountain, there we
rest.”
Thus saying, the Indian placed in Bretta's hand a
peculiar bark of some native tree, and bade her
chew it, which at once relieved her thirst and also
allayed her hunger for the time being. As soon as
she could do so, she communicated her loss of the
papers to Donald. He at once conjectured by whom
they were taken and informed her that the same
hand which had placed in his keeping the parch-
ment had also taken from her the valuable papers.
“But don't let it trouble you, Bretta,” said Don-
ald. “Our escape is of more importance than the
loss of the papers.'
“I know that is so, Donald. But oh! how you


THE CAPTIVES.
131
struggled to win them for me, and to lose them thus,
even in these dire straits, is a great loss.”
“ For some unaccountable reasons, dear Bretta,"
said Donald, “I feel that the stranger who so qui-
etly visited our camp and caused so much fear
among the Indians, is our friend, and possibly may
have some knowledge of the value of those papers,
and took them for preservation, to be delivered to
you at some future time, if the good Lord should be
merciful and deliver us from the fate that seems to
be awaiting us. Perhaps this birch bark on which
there seems to be writing, will make the stranger's
actions clear to us, and when an opportunity comes
I will learn its meaning."
"I do hope that it is so," said Bretta,“ but fear it
will be otherwise. We are now so far into these
lonely mountains. Who can assist us? Your own
strong arm, Donald, is now powerless to cope with
these blood-thirsty savages. I tremble for the re-
sult.”
"Keep courage, Bretta, I have a strong presenti-
ment that in some way this stranger will affect our
escape and perhaps old Cyrus is even now on our
>


132
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
trail, and may not be many miles from us. I feel
assured that the faithful old darkey will follow, and
do what he can to accomplish his undertaking."
“May God help him," said Bretta fervently. An
interruption from the chief put an end to their con-
versation, which although carried on in an under-
tone, had attracted his attention, and with a scowl
he ordered Donald to be silent. The party was fast
approaching the mountain, which had been pointed
out to Bretta by the chief as a resting place. Their
route lay along the stream, flowing through the val-
leys of the Stony Clove. Up past the base of the
mountains overshadowing the now pretty village of
Phænicia, and nearly on the spot (by a gurgling
spring) where the “Tremper House” now stands,
the chief called a halt. The savages had succeeded
in spearing several large trout in the stream, which
augured a fair breakfast for the captives. Hastily
broiling them over the fire the Indians meted out a
portion to the captives, at least enough to satisfy
their acute hunger, and it was a sweet morsel to
them indeed. Their long fasting and continuous
climbing up the rugged slope, together with the pure


THE CAPTIVES,
133
mountain air, had so sharpened their appetites that
though captives and bound, their hasty meal was
relished with a zest, such as was never experienced
by them before. It was now the noon hour, and the
chief gave the captives to understand that their
journey must be continued the whole day before
reaching the encampment of the tribe, and he at once
gave orders for breaking camp.
After destroying all signs of their resting place,
with the captives in their midst, the savages again
took up their journey. Bretta succeeded in attach-
ing a small piece of her clothing to a bush before
leaving unobserved by the savages. Donald also ac-
complished the perusal of the parchment left him
by the stranger. With a lighter heart and better
spirits, Donald walked along between his captors;
no communication of the contents of the parchment
had yet been made to Bretta, but she could see by
Donald's face that it contained good news for them.
On-on went the fleeing party up through the
Stony Clove Valley,” toward the “Great Notch,"
it is called at this day, being the outlet or gate of
the Catskills to the north, and the nearer the. merci-
66
6


134
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
a
less savages approached their destination the more
urgent they became in hurrying their captives along.
Both Bretta and Donald were nearly exhausted,
but by threats and menaces, and actually prodding
Donald with their muskets, they forced them to
move rapidly. As they entered the narrow defile or
“ Notch” they were met by two Indian runners
from their tribe, and a hasty conversation passed be-
tween them and the chief. Donald closely observed
their actions and noticed their scowling looks di-
rected to him. He knew that he was their subject
of conversation. There was a peculiarity about one
of the strangers that seemed familiar to Donald. He
was tall and of a heavy build, indicative of prodigi-
ous strength. His movements were unlike the rest
of the savages. There was something about him that
greatly puzzled Donald. A peculiar light came to
his eyes, as he cast them on Bretta, and when his
look was directed to Donald his eyes would light up
with the ferocity of a tiger.
Donald at once augured that this red devil meant
him no good, and a feeling of presentiment caused
him to believe that he was a deadly enemy. Donald's


THE CAPTIVES.
135
suspicions that this enemy was not an entire stran-
ger to him grew stronger as he closely watched his
movements and manner, and by closer observation
he concluded that the stranger was not altogether
what he seemed to be, though thoroughly painted
and accoutred as became a warrior. Donald's keen
eye penetrated his disguise, and he was assured that
he was a white man. Whom, he could not as yet
tell, but he had grave suspicions that he might prove
to be none other than Paul Leffens. From this
time forth the treatment of Donald was severe, while
Bretta was leniently dealt with. All their move-
ments on the journey were now directed by the
stranger in disguise. The party was passing through
the “Great Notch," and the poor captives even in
their extreme peril could not help being impressed
with great awe at the grand, majestic height of those
rocky perpendicular walls, rising on either side of
them to the altitude of three thousand feet or more,
and their bases scarcely one hundred feet apart.
Through this narrow defile passed the savages and
their captives. If Donald and Bretta thought the
scenery in the mountains was grand, their admira-


136
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
tion was complete when the full view of the great
Schoharie Valley burst on their vision !
There, scarcely one-half mile from them, ran the
beautiful Schoharie Kill. The open fields of Indian
corn and the Indian village with its bustle and
activity lay nearly at their feet. The descent to the
village was quickly made, where they were met by
the whole town of howling red-skins, including
women and children, and when the news of the loss
of their friends on the battle grounds became known,
their ferocity to Donald knew no bounds. The
squaws seemed to vie with the savage warriors to
see who could torture him the most. What with the
pounding of sticks and pelting of stones, Donald
would have been killed there and then, but for the
timely interference of the disguised stranger, who
ran him off to a stronghold, a sort of log house, near
which was a teepee, where Bretta had already been
conducted, and placed in charge of an old squaw.


OLD CYRUS.'
137
CHAPTER XI.
OLD CYRUS.
The trusty and faithful old negro feeling en-
couraged by the cheering words of the hermit,
struck boldly out on the trail of the fleeing savages.
The task became more and more difficult to follow
them in their wanderings. His route became more
mountainous—now up, now down the slopes of the
rising peaks. At times he would lose the trail, then
by some accident or sharp scrutiny of the earth, he
would discover some imprint of the moccasin or
bit of paper, or ribbon dropped by Bretta, assuring
him that he was on the trail. But his progress was
necessarily slow and the distance between pursued
and pursuer was widening every hour, and the
darkey abandoned all hopes of overtaking them be-
fore reaching their tribe. Tired and worn out with
fatigue he reached the Indian's encampment, where
they had breakfast at the gurgling spring, just
as the setting sun disappeared behind Summit
Mountain.


138
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
1
Here old Cyrus determined to pass the night. He
had already discovered the bit of clothing, fastened
to the bush by Bretta, and also discovered enough
remaining signs to convince him that here the flee-
ing party had lunched, and appeased their thirst
from the beautiful spring. Hastily partaking of a
spare meal, such as his circumstances would permit,
the tired old darkey gathered together boughs of the
hemlock and made an improvised bed under the
overhanging limbs of a large mountain pine, near
the spring.
His sleep was sound and healthful, and he was
sleeping soundly long after the rising sun, and in-
deed it might have proved a Rip Van Winkle sleep,
but for the timely appearance of a stranger, who
was none other than the Hermit of High Point.
When he bade Cyrus adieu in the morning it was
not with the intention of leaving the captives to their
fate, of which fact the Indians themselves were well
aware.
The mark set by the hand of their dreadful en-
emy on their guns whom they thought in some way
was connected with the evil spirit, assured them that


OLD CYRUS.
139
his appearance again among them would certainly
come, to their great misfortune. Hence their hur-
ried journey to reach their tribe ere the sun went
down, which was accomplished as the reader al-
ready knows.
The hermit stealthily approached the sleeping
form of Cyrus, and bending low, spoke loudly near,
his ear.
Arise! sluggard, arise! and hie ye on thy jour-
ney. Thinkest thou that thy slothfulness will gain
thy master's liberty? Perhaps ere this his life has
yielded to the fiendish mob.
“Up! I say, or I will crack thy thick pate with
thine own pistol butt.”
The old darkey half awaking from his disturbed
dreams, arose on one elbow, and with his eyes, dim
of vision, beheld the commanding form of the her-
mit, but not fully recognizing him in his half uncon-
scious state, exclaimed in a surprising tone:
"Oh, Good Lord, dere he am gain. Now I know
he be de debbil. Didn't dis niggar bid him 'good
bye' only this mornin', and dere he stands fo all de
world, like old Satan. Me don't care now, for Massa


140
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
Donald and Miss Bretta gone, and me no find 'em,
but Ise cotch de debbil, shuah, or he done cotch me,
I don't know which."
“ You will catch the devil or something worse,
you black rascal, if you don't arise immediately and
prepare a lunch for us at once. Already the cry
of your master for help is sounding in my ears, and
here lies his faithful servant asleep. Haste ye, ere
it be too late to succor him.”
At the sound of the name of his master, Cyrus
bounded from his bed of green boughs, now thor-
oughly aroused.
“Ah! good Massa Hermit, is it you? Poor old
dark was so tired, Ise over sleep. But how good
Massa Hermit get here? Is you goin' to company
old Cyrus on de trail?"
“Yes, Cyrus, but make haste, the day is already
advanced and your master may even now be slain.”
“ Ise be quick, Massa Hermit. Oh, I pray good
Lord to keep Massa Donald safe till Cyrus come
9
up."
Thus saying, the negro hastily prepared a meal


OLD CYRUS.
141
from what could be produced from the pouch of the
hermit and his own capacious pockets.
We will now return to the captives. Donald on
being thrust into the large building by the stranger,
immediately began an examination of his prison, to
ascertain if any means of escape was left him.
But his heart failed him almost to faintness with
despondency when he discovered that the only
opening to his place of confinement was that through
which he had entered, and that was secured by heavy
oaken bars firmly held by withes or thongs to the
logs of the building. Only little light shone through
the chinks of the heavy logs which composed the
sides of his prison. Darkness was almost complete,
and ere the sun had sunk below the western horizon
Donald was in total darkness.
Bretta was assigned to the larger half of the tee-
pee by the old squaw. The apartments were di-
vided by hanging blankets. The fur skins of the
mountain panther and black bear composed her
couch. She had scrutinized the face of the old squaw
to see if one kindly trait of character was manifest,
but a stolid blank, unsympathetic look met hers as


142
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
66
with a stern visage and manner she pointed to the
couch, and by signs and broken English gave Bretta
to understand that it was her resting place. The old
crone had scarcely withdrawn beyond the curtain of
fur skins, which divided the apartments, when the
stranger guide of the morning stepped within the
enclosure and stood before Bretta with folded arms
and thus accosted her:
How fares the pretty maid of Rutsen? Has
your captivity tempered your proud spirit so that
you can now listen to reason? Answer; do you
know me?”
“Know you, yes, indeed, I know you. No dis-
guise can hide your shrinking soul from the pure
and upright. You are my enemy, Paul Leffens.”
“Not your enemy, Bretta, unless you will it so. I
would be your friend, if you desire it. I have the
power to liberate you."
“Oh! have you, will you liberate both Donald and
me?”
“What, set at liberty an enemy who has cost the
blood of some of my bravest warriors. No, never ! I
have him in my power. Revenge, thou art sweet!


OLD CYRUS.
143
Miss Rutsen, Donald McGregor shall die at the
burning stake at the setting of to-morrow's sun."
“Oh! say not so," said Bretta in a prayerful at-
titude. You cannot, will not, dare not doom an in-
nocent man to such an awful death."
“ Think you that he will escape me now? Look
out and see the gathered fagots already prepared for
the funeral pyre. No, the hated Scotchman shall
know what it is to insult a Leffens. Revenge, re-
venge! His life's blood will hardly quiet the ravings
of my soul. Has he not robbed me of land, and of
that I value the highest of all things on earth—thy
heart?"
“Oh, sir, if lands can save him, I willingly would
give back your papers concerning my father's es-
tate. But they are gone, I know not where, lost or
stolen on our journey through the mountains.”
What, lost did you say? Then by the name of
Paul Leffens, that Scotchman shall doubly suffer.
On him shall double revenge fall, only part of my
scheme has proven successful, but I have you and
your Scotch lover in my power, that is satisfaction
enough. His cries at the burning stake can reach


144
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
no tender heart here. The warriors are full of ven-
geance. The blood of their lost brothers cries out
' revenge.' This makes it doubly sweet to me, Miss
Bretta, as no mercy will be shown by the savages
and they only await my bidding."
"Spare him, oh, spare him, Paul Leffens. On
bended knees I beseech you to spare Donald Mc-
Gregor from this awful fate. Oh, sir, is there no
way by which this cruel death can be averted, or has
your heart become calloused. Cannot his life be pur-
chased!"
“ Listen to me, Bretta Rutsen. Did I not tell you
at the Kingston Fair that I would make you kneel a
suppliant at my feet? Surely it has come sooner
than you or I expected. Hearken what I say. When
I besought you with my whole being for your heart
and hand, I was spurned with contempt. You could
have made a man of me, but you have made a fiend.
Think
you I can ever see you the wife of my hated
enemy? Never, no, never! Prepare yourself for the
grand fête on the morrow. Yes, put on your bridal
robes, if it please you, for you shall see the coward
die."
>
>


OLD CYRUS.
145
.
With a wild scream of terror Bretta fell uncon-
scious at his feet. And when consciousness re-
turned she found herself in the hands of the old
squaw, who was applying restoratives peculiar to the
Indian tribes.
Paul Leffens had gone, and she was alone with
her keeper. As her mind became clearer and she
again realized her own and Donald's situation, she
flung herself wildly at the feet of the old squaw and
with tears and cries of anguish besought her to save
them from the awful fate that seemed to await them
both.
>
Pretty pale-face touch old Neoscoleta's heart,
me save you. My Noneeta lies under the sand by the
Schoharie waters--you will take her place in my
tearful heart. Yes, old Neoscoleta will save you from
that bad white man," and with this the old squaw
pressed her to her bosom.
Oh! can you save Captain McGregor, too? Oh,
do say you can, and I will be your own Noneeta.”
With the scowl of a fiend she thrust Bretta from
her, and in a towering rage said: “ Pale-face chief
must die. My brother's blood cries out to me from


146
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
the ground. Those wounds were made by white
chief, and my brother's body lies a prey to the wolves
of the mountains. Vengeance I must have or old
Neoscoleta will find no rest. Die he must!”
With wailings of despair, Bretta threw herself on
her fur couch and moaned, until overcome with ex-
haustion she fell asleep like the wearied child she
was.
Donald had been securely bound and fastened to
the logs of his cabin, by orders of Paul Leffens. He
could scarcely recline or lie in any position for rest.
This, with a disturbed mind of great anxiety, made
sleep an impossibility. All was dark and gloomy
within his enclosure. Not even the pale light of a
full moon was visible through the narrow crevices
of the logs. Outside he heard the barkings of the
Indian dogs, while the death songs of mourning for
the Indian dead, lost on the battle-ground at the
capture, could be distinctly heard. This he well
knew augured no good to either him or Bretta. The
death song had not yet ceased when a light became
visible through the chinks of the rude, though firmly
constructed door. A tall, powerful man soon stepped


OLD CYRUS.
147
within the enclosure carrying in one hand a lighted
torch and a huge horse pistol in the other, while in
his belt stuck a large hunting knife. Evidently the
man had come prepared for emergencies.
He held the torch high above his head, so that
its light could fall on all parts of the cabin. He
soon discovered the prisoner crouching in the cor-
ner, as his thongs would not admit an upright posi-
tion. Approaching close to the captive, so that the
full glare of his torch could fall upon him, the
stranger paused a moment, and with gloating eyes
looked straight into those of his victim, and with a
sardonic chuckle and voice tremulous with sup-
pressed passion thus addressed him:
“Donald McGregor, do you not know me? Ah!
start not, you need no further reminder than the
sound of my voice to tell you that Paul Leffens
stands before you. You have felt something of my
power, but it is hardly a foretaste of what is to
come. Hear me! I have sworn to have
life's
blood. Did I not swear that at the fair? Aye, little
did you think then that you would so soon fall into
my hands. I have come to scoff at your pleadings
your


148
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
for mercy from the fate that awaits you on the mor-
row. At the burning stake will your body be con-
sumed by a slow fire, such as only those howling red
devils now mourning for their dead know how to
build. Then will come my happiest moment of re-
venge. When I see the flames leaping around your
naked body, your very cries of agony will be sweet
music to my ears, and when your last moan is made
and the flames have done their work, then sweet
Bretta
“Hold! Villain! Fiend! Take not the name of
that poor girl on your polluted lips. Coward as you
are, and black-hearted as your soul may be in its
connecting link with Satan. I fear you not, Paul
Leffens. But for these bonds I would strike you
dead at my feet. You do well for a coward to come
and taunt a bound prisoner. If you have the least
vestage of a man in you, liberate my hands and feet
and meet me like a man, yes even here by the light
of your torch, let us have it even unto death. The
earth cannot hold us both. You pollute the very at-
mosphere with your murderous breath, and to
breathe it with you stifles me. Out of my presence,


OLD CYRUS.
149
vile creature, go and do your worst, and let your
conscience be your own accuser.”
“Ha! Ha! my bonny Scotchman, you make me
laugh. Think you that my conscience will trouble
me because of your tortures at the stake. No, no,
McGregor, I've seen too many rebels die the death
they deserve to feel any remorse over the death of
my worst enemy.”
"In that you say truly, conscience you have none.
I neither expect mercy nor ask it. But beware of
retribution. It will surely come,” said Donald, as
he gathered himself in his corner and refused fur-
ther conversation with the Tory.
When Leffens found he could no more irritate his
victim, with a low, mocking laugh and cautionary
words to prepare for the burning stake on the mor-
row, he withdrew his loathsome presence and care-
fully secured the entrance behind him.


150
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
CHAPTER XII.
THE SURPRISE. :
DONALD passed a weary and sleepless night.
Once or twice his head fell upon his breast in slum-
ber, but only to suddenly arouse, startled by fearful
dreams. Thus the night wore slowly away and the
morning light began to appear, and with it van-
ished all hope of his and Bretta's rescue.
He had thought perhaps old Cyrus with assist-
ance would appear for his release during the night,
but with the break of day that hope vanished also.
He now realized that he must tread the wine
press alone.” Nothing but a direct interposition of
Providence could save him now. The thought of
leaving Bretta in the power of the villainous Tory
almost drove him mad. Better for her to die a thou-
sand deaths than to be in the keeping of Paul
Leffens, thought he. Oh, for free hands and feet
that I may rescue her, or die in the attempt. That
would be far better than dying like a dog at the
stake.
66
a


THE SURPRISE.
151
a
His meditations were suddenly interrupted by the
appearance at the entrance of a band of painted
warriors headed by his sworn enemy, Paul Leffens.
With a wave of the hand Leffens bade the warriors
bring Donald forth. Being bound hand and foot,
Donald was carried out of his prison, but not until
after a fearful struggle. Although bound, he fought
like a tiger at bay until a stunning blow from a club
in the hands of a savage laid him low and powerless.
Thus he was carried to the stake, which had been
prepared the night before. Around the stake, which
was driven firinly in the ground, lay heaps of
fagots.
Donald on returning to consciousness found him-
self firmly secured to the stake in an upright posi-
tion. About his legs were piled the heaps of dried
fuel, only awaiting the flaming torch to begin his un-
speakable torture. Around him in circular form
were the howling red devils in paint and feathers,
dancing and brandishing knives and tomahawks like
so many fiends from the infernal regions.
Suddenly out from the circle sprang a savage and
rushed up to his victim with uplifted tomahawk, as


152
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
if to sink it in Donald's brain. He came so close as
to sever the locks from his head and bury the toma-
hawk in the post. Closely following this savage's
antics, another rushed up to Donald, brandishing a
huge knife as if either to cut his throat or to cut off
an ear. And finally with a dexterous movement of
the hand, the savage flung the knife within a hair's
breadth (so to speak) of Donald's neck and left it
sticking in the stake.
Donald looked about him for some sympathetic
face; none was to be seen in that blood-thirsty
crowd, and it seemed as if his strength was fast
failing him, when he discovered Bretta being
dragged to the place of execution by two merciless
savages, and Paul Leffens approaching, said:
“Captain McGregor, I bring your expected bride
to comfort you in your dying moments. Speak up,
Miss Bretta, haven't you a cheering word for your
brave champion? Surely you are not so ungrateful
as not to bid him be of strong heart and meet death
like a man. Aye, tell him that you are to wed the
Tory, Paul Leffens, and that you come for a part-
ing blessing."
>


THE SURPRISE.
153
Thus sarcastically spoke the villainous Tory.
Bretta, fainting and half unconscious, was allowed
by the savages to sink upon the ground with face
pale, and lips of an ashy hue. She spoke not a word.
Donald could only moan in anguish for Bretta, and
heeded not the sneering words of the Tory.
“I will now have my sweetest revenge, Captain
McGregor. With my own hand will I touch off the
fagots that will consign your body to ashes, and
Miss Rutsen shall be a witness that it is done well."
And suiting his action to his word, he seized the
burning fire-brand from an old squaw and ignited
the funeral pyre at Donald's feet.
Bretta with a wild scream and with the strength
of an aroused tigress rushed to Donald, and with
her bare hands scattered near and far the burning
fagots, which were already sending up flames about.
Donald's body, and then fell fainting at his feet.
The savages had hardly recovered from their as-
tonishment at the boldness of Bretta, when that pe-
culiar cry, which on other occasions they had heard
and had reasons to remember, sounded loud and
shrill almost in their very midst.


1 54
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
There, as if arisen out of the earth, so stealthily
had he come, rapidly approached their deadly en-
emy, the “Evil Spirit of High Point.” Closely fol-
lowing the hermit came old Cyrus. As they ap-
proached, the Indians fell back and slunk away in
superstitious fear. The hermit with his long spear
held aloft in one hand, and a long hunting knife in
the other, strode rapidly up to Donald, severed his
bonds, and placing a cordial to his lips, bade him
drink instantly to restore him from his fainting con-
dition, and then to follow him.
Old Cyrus anticipating Donald, quickly clasped
the now inanimate form of Bretta, and placing her
lightly on his back, pushed Donald in front of him
and followed the hermit without delay. On they
rushed, now desiring to reach the heavy timbered
woods before the savages should recover from their
consternation and fear.
Paul Leffens, who although almost paralyzed by
the suddenness of such a strange appearing person-
age as the old hermit, and the manner in which he
dispersed the savages, soon, however, came to his
senses when he saw old Cyrus fleeing with Bretta


THE SURPRISE.
155
on his back. And with the yell of a fiend he called to
.
the Indians to come to the rescue of their victims,
and then rushed madly after the fugitives, although
armed only with his hunting knife.
There was already quite a distance between pur-
suer and pursued, but like a roaring lion on he
plunged, rapidly shortening the gap between them.
Old Cyrus was in the rear, as he was carrying away
the main object of the pursuer, toward him rushed
Paul Leffens. Donald, weakened from the torture
at the stake, was forced in front of the hermit and
bidden to rush on, and leave the Tory to be disposed
of by him. But Cyrus freeing one hand and sup-
porting Bretta with the other, quickly seized his pis-
tol and turning suddenly confronted the approach-
ing Tory, and with a well-directed aim winged him,
by sending a bullet tearing through the fleshy part
of his left arm, shouting to the Tory at the same
time that he was born to be hung and not to be
killed by a bullet,” hence he would not cheat the
hangman by killing him now. “Go back," said the
.
,
old darkey, "to yo red devils, let dem nuss you
wounded arm, and then come to Kingston and gib


156
THE HLRMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
yo self up to de hangman, for dare youse born to
fetch up, or old Cyrus no prophet.”
Bretta had now returned to consciousness, and
seizing Donald's outstretched hands gladly pushed
on, being supported by him, the hermit leading and
Cyrus bringing up the rear. Paul Leffens fell faint-
ing to the ground from loss of blood, where he was
shortly discovered by the savages and carefully
nursed by them, and in a few weeks was so far re-
covered that he was ready to enter upon any feasi-
ble plan by which he could recapture his prisoners,
as the sequel will show.


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
157
CHAPTER XIII.
THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
a
It was a torturing journey to the fleeing party,
although not fearing immediate pursuit by Paul
Leffens in his wounded condition. Still, it was nec-
essary for them to hurry forward for fear that by
bribes and threats, the Tory might induce a horde of
red devils to attempt a recapture. In view of this
possibility the old hermit took a different route from
that on which they had come. A circuitous journey
around one of the highest mountains brought them
into the great mountain valley, which has its exit at
the present mountain resort, Mount Pleasant. On
their arrival here, the party had no fears of pursuit.
The sun was sinking behind the western moun-
tain peaks when the old hermit led the party to the
edge of the overhanging, shelving rocks of High
Point. There, at an altitude of 3,800 feet above the
sea stood Donald and Bretta with their rescuers. At
their feet lay the vast plain of the Hudson River


158
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
Valley. Away off towards the south loomed the
craggy peaks of the Highlands, and in the north-
eastern direction could distinctly be seen the Green
Mountains of Vermont. Directly, and it might also
be said beneath them, lay what was once the pretty
village of Kingston. It was now in ruins, and
flames were still seen shooting up from the dying
embers of the half-consumed dwellings of the old
Dutch burghers. Only one house was left intact, and
that was the hostelry of mine host Vansteenburgh,
where Donald had enlisted his recruits. Great com-
motion was visible in the town and roads leading
thereto. Off toward“ Wiltwyck” was distinctly seen
a moving body of men, and glittering of shining
steel through the rays of the setting sun at once
told Donald that it was a moving body of soldiers.
With the small pocket-glass produced by the her-
hit, the redcoats of the moving column could be
seen, at once proclaiming them British soldiers re-
turning toward their boat from a marauding expe-
dition. The burning of Kingston had taken place.
It was apparent to Donald that Lord Howe had
ascended the Hudson and burned this pretty vil-


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
159
lage, and perhaps was near a junction with General
Burgoyne's army of the north. His heart sank
within him for fear that might be so. Again he took
the glass and examined a small moving body leading
to the old town of Hurley. He found that the mov-
ing objects were only a few burghers driving their
cattle and horses to a place of safety. How eagerly
they rushed ahead for fear of pursuit by the red-
coats. “And where are the patriots?” thought Don-
ald. “Where are the cowardly soldiers?” he al-
most shouted. He was now directed to another and
larger moving column in rapid march just entering
Hurley from the south.
“Oh!” he said with enthusiasm, "I know that
military step. That is a part of General Clinton's
force under Colonel Snyder, or I am mistaken."
Sure enough, there was a small force of the
American army making a forced march to Kings-
ton. But too late, the dastardly deed had already
been done. The village lay in ashes, and the cowards
who had burned it were already in their boats flee-
ing to their larger vessels moored in the outer
stream.


160
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
With a sigh, Captain McGregor passed the glass
to its owner, remarking, “Kingston burned to
ashes, and I not there to defend the now homeless
burghers, what will my noble chief say?"
“That you have done your duty," interposed the
hermit. “ No use to mourn over what was impossi-
ble for you to prevent. There should be enough joy
in your heart, that this poor girl is out of the
clutches of the Tory, Paul Leffens, and also that
your body is not now in ashes in yonder Indian vil-
lage.”
“Enough, my noble friend and deliverer, I see
forcibly your gentle reproof, lead on to your abode,
where you say we must pass the night; we follow
you."
Down the steep slopes of High Point went the
weary party. Old Cyrus and Donald supporting
Bretta, and the hermit carefully guiding them in his
winding paths, and when about midway in the de-
scent to the valley below, the old hermit called a
halt and thus addressed his companions:
“Heretofore no white man save one has dared to
penetrate to the abode of the “Hermit of High


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
161
Point,” or “ Nick of the Woods," as he is supersti-
tiously called by the burghers of yon burning vil-
lage. You, Captain McGregor, I perceive, belong to
the grand order of Free Masons, you are my
brother. Like the wearied travellers searching east-
ward, we will rest a while under the brow of this
cliff, but you must all suffer yourselves to be hood-
winked, or blindfolded, and I will guide you to my
abode. But if any one of you ever discloses what
you may see or hear, it will be under no less a pen-
alty than death.”
Accordingly the hermit took from his pockets sev-
eral bandages and proceeded to tie them over the
vision of all, and then admonishing them to keep
hold of a small rope that had been secreted near,
and now produced for the purpose, he led the blind
trio along a narrow foot path, sometimes leading
under overhanging cliffs, or now close to the edge
of some precipice, or round some huge bolder that
had tumbled down from the high point above them.
Cautiously and slowly they proceeded, occasionally
admonished by the leader how and where to step,
thus guiding them safely for nearly one quarter of


162
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
a
an hour. It seemed to Donald and his companions
to be more than double that time before the hermit
called a halt, and proceeded to remove the bandages
from off their eyes.
Directly in front of them was a heavy low oaken
door, which firmly secured the entrance to an open-
ing in the solid granite. Above them were hun-
dreds of feet of almost perpendicular rocks, which
stretched out on either side for miles. Smoke was
seen to issue from a small pinnacle or dome above
them, giving the new beholders assurances that some
one was within. On the place where they stood was
a small plateau of solid rock, but no path leading to
it was visible. In fact it was securely hidden and
no person ever yet had visited that secluded abode,
unless led blind-folded by the hermit. Stepping up
to the heavy oaken door the hermit gave three dis-
tinct knocks, which were answered by three knocks
within. A word from the hermit in a muffled voice .
and inaudible to his companions, was the open
sesame," for the heavy oaken door now slowly
swung inward on its hinges, revealing a narrow
hallway that seemed to lead to chambers within. An
66


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
163
Indian maid of perhaps not more than twenty-five
summers, dressed in robes and decked with beads
and feathers, in the picturesque costume of her
tribe, stood by the open door. She was a wonder of
beauty; tall and straight as the mountain pine, locks
like the raven in color; eyes of the same hue, but
soft and tender in expression, and an olive com-
plexion combined with peachy softness. Her face
was joyous on beholding the hermit, but she stepped
back with fear and concern expressed in her coun-
tenance when she beheld the strangers.
“ Have no fears, my pretty Nonee, these are
our friends. Lead the way to the inner chamber,
and then go thou and prepare a repast, for we are
both tired and hungry."
As
my master wills it, so shall it be done,” she
replied. “Oh, I am so glad you have returned, it is
so lonely here without you, when you are here all is
joy, when away all is gloom. Your bird would droop
and die if neglected, her song would cease and be
heard no more in these vaulted chambers. You will
stay a long time now, will you not, my master?”
“Yes; Nonee, I will not leave you so long again,
<<


164
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
only when my duty calls me on errands of mercy
like this, will I be absent again, but lead on, then go
prepare refreshments."
The party now moved on, guided by the Indian
maiden bearing a burning torch. Passing through
the narrow tunnel-like entrance, the party soon
reached a short flight of stone steps cut in the solid
rock. At the top of the stone stairs, an entrance to
another room was protected from drafts by a curtain
of furs suspended before the opening. Removing
this, Nonee bade the party enter. A large room
twenty feet square or more met the astonished gaze
of the new visitors. It was luxuriously fitted up; on
all sides of the solid rocky walls hung pictures of old
and rare paintings, also portraits closely resembling
the hermit. On the right of these hung the portraits
of some of the prominent men of the period, among
which was one that particularly attracted the atten-
tion of Captain McGregor. It was that of General
George Washington in the act of opening a Ma-
sonic lodge. Around the room were chairs made in
rustic style from the mountain ash, all richly cov-
ered with skins of animals captured in the chase. A


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
165
table occupied the centre of the room, on which was
placed chinaware of rare importation. In a small
alcove, which was partly hewn out and partly as
nature had left it, was a complete fire-place with a
natural chimney through an opening of the rocks
above. On the easterly side of this room were two
longitudinal openings to the outer world, through
which the sunlight penetrated. From the vaulted
roof was suspended a curious lamp, made from the
horns of the mountain goat, and fed with oil, ex-
tracted from the fat of the black bear.
Nature had thus provided a home for the hermit
and his Indian spouse. Bretta was shown to a couch
of furs by the Indian maid, and bid to rest, while she
prepared the luncheon. Old Cyrus took up his
quarters near the fire-place to give such assistance as
might be required of him in handling the iron
crane, from which suspended the kettles and pots
for cooking purposes. Donald was beckoned to by
the hermit, to follow him. He approached a curtain
suspended in a corner of the room, pushed it aside
and bid Donald to enter. Proceeding through a low
vaulted passage for a few feet they suddenly en-


166
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS. !
1
tered another and smaller room of oblong shape. To
Donald's astonishment, it was fitted up completely
as a Masonic lodge. In the centre of the lodge stood
a stone altar. On it rested the Holy Bible and
square and compasses, around which shone the Ma-
sonic lights, which the hermit informed Donald were
not allowed to go out. In the east was the raised seat
of the worshipful master, and west and south were
stations similar. The columns of beauty were worked
from the mountain cedar, and had the place at the
left of the western station. In fact, Donald saw that
the lodge was well equipped and in working order.
On the rocky walls were cut signs and emblems pe-
culiar to the craft. There also appeared hieroglyph-
ics unintelligible to the beholders that must have
been put there ages ago. The hermit addressing
Donald, said:
“But few persons during my abode here have
visited this sacred place. The records will show you
who they were.” Taking from a small stone table a
heavy leather-bound book, the hermit directed Don-
ald to register his name under those who had been
there before him. Donald's astonishment was su-


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
167
preme when he saw the names of several prominent
Indian chiefs, among whom was that of Joseph
Brandt, and further down on the page appeared the
name General George Washington, recorded when
on his last visit to Kingston.
It may be said here, that it is a well known his-
torical fact that General Washington visited Kings-
ton a short time previous to the burning of that
town. His route was from the Jerseys, inland, via
the old King's road, passing through Stone Ridge
and Marbletown, only a few miles from the her-
mit's home. He was there met by the hermit and
conducted in and out of his secret abode.
Donald could only look and wonder at his strange
surroundings, and at the strange being who had
saved him and Bretta, and brought them in safety to
this strange habitation. “Who is he, and what is
his history," thought Donald, and with these
thoughts pressing him, he ventured to ask:
"Who are you, my kind deliverer, that the savage
retreats before you in abject fear, and to whom my
commander comes and records his name, with many
other men of note, in this book of records? Tell me,


168
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
6
my kind friend, who are you, and from what quarter
of the earth came you? How came you to leave the
associations of your own people and ally your life
with that of the Indian maid?"
"If I did not know you to be a Scotchman, I
would now conclude that you are a Yankee for ask-
ing so many questions in one breath. As to your first
question, 'Who are you?' That is not prudent for
me to answer now. Perhaps the time is not far dis-
tant when I can announce myself to some effect, and
may be to yours and Miss Rutsen's advantage. As
to my influence over the savages, all is owing to my
,
knowledge of their habits and superstitious belief.
I have here a laboratory of chemicals used in the
production of different colored fire, which on cer-
tain occasions, when needed, I display from the
summit of High Point, or envelope myself, as it
were, in the colored flames and thus appear to the
untutored man of the forest or to the superstitious
Dutch burghers of the valley, and my simultaneous
appearance, with the terrible thunder storms arising
on the peak above us, has given rise to my name
among them as Nick of the Woods,' or 'The
6


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
169
Evil Spirit of High Point. How I came here, and
where from, will be revealed in due time, but not
now.
“General George Washington is my friend, I can
always count on his visit when his duty calls him in
this vicinity. You also alluded to my pretty Nonee;
oh, what a jewel! More precious to me than life
itself, and to her I owe my life! On several occa-
sions has she saved me. Once, by following my di-
rections to this abode and bringing to me the neces-
sary materials to be used for the effect I desired, I
was enabled to leave my captors, followed by the
pretty Nonee, daughter of the chief of the Never-
sink, and here, under these mighty rocks, in the
presence of the great Spirit, we have plighted our
faith. And again did she save my life when in dan-
ger crossing yon stream swollen by the mountain
floods. But enough, I hear Nonee calling us to re-
freshments, let's away to yonder dining-room,
where no doubt our appetites can be appeased."
Nonee, with the assistance of Cyrus, had indeed
prepared a repast fit for a king. Slices of tender
venison, beautiful speckled trout from the mountain


170
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
stream, et cetera, were smoking on the table to tempt
the appetite of the tired travellers. But they needed
not the savory smell of the broiled venison to in-
crease their hunger. The long fast and their wearied
journey had already prepared them for this enjoy-
ment. A night of sound slumbers for the wearied
ones followed their hearty meal, and the morning
sun was already high in the heavens when the hermit
bade his Indian wife adieu, and conducted Donald
and his friends to the exit of their abode. Here they
were blindfolded again and guided by the hermit to
a safe distance from his secret abode. Here the
bandages were removed from their eyes, and they
were directed to follow him down the mountain-
side to the valley below.
It was past midday when the hermit called a halt
on arriving at the Binnewaters on the same trail
pursued by old Cyrus after the captives. Here the
hermit, grasping Donald by the hands, bade him to
be watchful, as Paul Leffens would surely endeavor
to take his life by any means, fair or foul, that could
accomplish it. “Be on your guard ever for sudden
secret attack, as the Tory will not rest untii either


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
171
6
you or he is laid low in the dust. Guard Bretta
from the danger of recapture, as Leffens will un-
doubtedly attempt it.” Then stepping to Bretta the
hermit kissed her tenderly, and warned her that she
was not yet free from the evil intent of Paul Leffens,
and that she must be watchful, as it was not known
in what manner the villain would appear. Old Cyrus
stood with downcast eyes when he saw the old her-
mit preparing for his departure, and begged of him
to bring Nonee and live with his people and leave
the mountain cave.
“Not yet, Cyrus. The time has not arrived for
that. When our country is free, Cyrus, yes, free
from English thraldom, then maybe you will see
me, and perhaps know me differently. Now I am
only the Hermit of High Point.”
“Ya, ya, Massa Hermit, dis chile knows you for
dat shua. Didn't you trow de tunder bolt at me from
de High Point, and den slide down to de erf on de
lightning, sure dis niggar no forget dat no how."
Well, Cyrus, you found I was only the plain
hermit, after all, but a word of caution to you, guard
well your master and Miss Bretta. That villainous
a


172
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
Tory will not either give up Bretta or his revenge
on Donald. Just how or when he will come, I know
not; be watchful, therefore." So saying, the hermit
immediately disappeared in the direction of his
mountain home.
Cyrus now led the way for his master and Bretta.
He had recently been over the route, when trailing
the fleeting savages and their captives.
Donald carefully and tenderly assisted Bretta over
the rugged pathway, which led them from the Bin-
newaters to the place of “ Dewitt’s Mills,” the scene
of the recent capture. Arriving on that ground,
Bretta could not help shuddering when she recalled
that terrible scene so recently enacted. And she
clung tightly to Donald for support. Here and there
among the rocks were still seen the dead warriors,
left on the battle-grounds by their companions. It
was a hideous sight to behold. The beasts of the
forests must have held nightly carnival over the dead
bodies of the slain, as their appearance plainly
showed.
Old Cyrus with a grin of satisfaction pointed to
two red devils, who lay as they fell, with heads cleft


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
173
in twain by the terrible strokes of his sabre. Yon-
der lay the dead horse of Donald, and just beyond,
two savages, one across the other, who fell by the
unerring aim of Donald's pistol.
"Oh! Massa Donald,” said Cyrus, as he re-
counted the scene, “I tink, if yo horse hadn't been
shot dat wes escaped scot-free, when yo shoots de
bullet go straight to de mark ebery time shua."
“My pistol is not so deadly as your sabre, Cyrus,
judging from the work you did here."
Oh, I am so thankful,” said Bretta,“ that it was
no worse with us. And oh! Donald, when I saw you
lying so deathly pale under your horse, from the
effects of that deadly blow of the musket in the
hands of the cruel savage, I thought you were killed,
and my heart sank within me, but thanks to our
Great Preserver who has brought us safely through
all, I pray that the extreme danger through which
I was to pass, as foretold by the old negress of Yap-
penbergh Hill, is now over."
“Yes, Bretta, I too remember that night under
the maples at Hardenburgh Hall, and the visitation
of the old negress, and you cannot have forgotten


174
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
that after this danger of which you speak that was
foretold to you on that night should have passed,
and I had shared it with you, that then you would
be willing to believe that our destinies are one. Have
your experiences, and the trials through which our
destinies have led us since we first met confirmed
my statement and vows to you, dear Bretta, on that
night?”
They had left the scene of the dead, and were
slowly travelling along the Kings Highway toward
Hardenburgh Hall. Bretta was hanging on Don-
ald's arm for support, as she was quite exhausted
from her long journey. She did not hurry to give
Donald an answer, and was thoughtful and silent
for some moments, then looking up into Donald's
face with implicit faith and confidence she softly
said: “ Yes, Donald, I now know your heart is true,
and I am convinced that my future happiness will be
in safe keeping with you."
“Mine and only mine," said Donald, clasping her
to his bosom and imprinting a kiss on her cheek.
“Yes, Donald, thine only, fairly won on two bat-
tle-fields. I would be untrue to my own heart if I


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
175
did not make this acknowledgment to you, but Don-
ald, we have been warned by the hermit of still fur-
ther danger from Paul Leffens, and I cannot feel
entirely happy until that shall have passed."
"Oh, for an open, square conflict with the
,
traitor," said Donald. “I would rid the earth of the
vagabond, but he is treacherous and subtle and will
stoop to adopt any means to accomplish his ends,
and neither of us can be safe, while he is living. I
hope, dear Bretta, to meet him as a soldier and give
him his just deserts.”
Just as the sun was setting behind the Catskills,
our rescued party entered the door of Hardenburgh
Hall. Colonel Hardenburgh had arrived only a few
hours before them from Kingston, where he had
been sent by General Clinton with a body of troops,
but too late to prevent the burning of that town. The
Colonel had left a garrison of soldiers and was now
on a hurried visit to his home. With exclamations of
delight he welcomed his long lost niece and Captain
McGregor back again. Several times were they re-
quested by the Colonel to repeat to him their cap-
ture and escape, and also the acts of Paul Leffens.
a


176
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
He knew full well that Leffens was at the bottom
of their misfortunes, and he expected that they would
hear from him again. But the old hermit was an
enigma to him, and he was not able to conceive
whom he could be. And the knowledge of his ma-
sonic cave had never reached him.
“Well, he is our friend," said the Colonel, “and
that is enough, doubtless we shall know more of him
in the future."
“Yes," said Donald," when I asked him who he
really was, he answered, “The time may soon come
when I can announce myself to the advantage of
yourself and Bretta, but not now.?”
"I hope, Colonel, that we may know more of him
and that we may meet him again, as we all owe him
a debt of deep gratitude."
“Ya-Ya-Massa Donald, dis old dark tink
Massa Hermit mighty great man, Ise nebber cotch
you alive only for de old ‘Nick ob de Woods.' He
led the way. But Lord a Massy, didn't he trow de
tunder bolts and skeered dis niggah so um turned
mos white, but he was good to show poor old dark


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
177
all de way to find Massa Donald and Bretta, and fo
dat Ise thankful."
Colonel Hardenburgh looked upon Bretta as if
arisen from the dead. He could hardly believe his
senses that she was home and well. Knowing the
power of Paul Leffens and the cruelty of the In-
dians so well, were reasons enough to believe that
she was lost to him, if not by an untimely death, then
by a long cruel captivity. Again and again did he
clasp Bretta in his arms in ecstasy of joy over her
safe return, as he really loved her as his own child.
Heartily did he thank Captain McGregor for his
watchful care over her, and for his manly defence
at the capture, until overpowered because by his
fallen horse.
"I only did my duty as a soldier, Colonel, and
love for your niece and desire to be near her, made
my captivity and tortures more bearable; but sir,
to this faithful old negro do we owe all; but for his
promptly trailing our route and meeting the hermit,
my body might now have been consumed to ashes,
and Bretta in a captivity worse than death."


178
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
The Colonel grasping the old darkey by the hand,
said:
“ To your faithfulness to your master, Cyrus, I
owe the return of my niece and the Captain. Re-
member that my home is open to you at all times,
and my butler is ready to serve you with that which
cheereth the inner man and maketh the heart glad."
So calling his servant, Pompey, the Colonel bade
him take Cyrus and give him of the best his wine
cellar could produce. Then turning to Bretta and
taking her hand and placing it in that of Captain
McGregor, he said:
“You have proved yourself worthy of my niece
not only at the contest with the Tory at the fair,
but also at the battle with the Indians. Take her to
your heart, she is yours with my consent. But your
marriage must not take place till this country shall
be free. Then, my children, you may be made
happy by your union. What say you, Bretta, does
it please you?”
Oh! Uncle, my heart is already pledged to the
keeping of my brave champion, we can afford to
wait until right shall triumph and our new flag wav-
66


THE HERMIT'S CAVE.
179
ing victorious over land and sea. Then I will re-
deem my promise to be his by such public ceremo-
nies as we may decide upon.”
“I would wait a hundred years,” said Donald, “ if
at the end of that time I could have only one day to
call you wife. I accept the trust, Colonel. The ten-
der plant so carefully nourished by you shall be
cherished by me."
“Enough, my children. Be watchful and trusting.
You have more trials and dangers yet to pass
through, but I have faith that it will end well. Re-
tire, each of you now, and secure your much needed
rest, for on the morrow we must be on our way to
Kingston to protect those poor homeless burghers
in rebuilding their dwellings.”
3


180
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE BURNING OF KINGSTON.
GENERAL Howe, impatient at the slow progress
made by General Burgoyne with the northern army,
and rightly concluding that he could not reach the
upper Hudson until nearly October, left his forces
in New York and Rhode Island in command of Sir
Henry Clinton, and took the main body with him
and embarked to sea to strike elsewhere. As has al-
ready been stated, the Americans, fearing an at-
tempt would be made by the British to ascend the
Hudson, erected fortifications in the narrow places
of the Highlands, respectively named Forts Mont-
gomery, Clinton and Putnam. A chain of huge links
was also stretched across the river near West Point.
To remove this chain, the enemy would be under
the fire of the forts, and it was considered by the
Americans as a great protection from the enemy, as
it must make it extremely difficult for them to pass,
while under the fire of so many guns.


THE BURNING OF KINGSTON.
181
As a further hinderance to the enemy ascending
the river, there was also a chevaux-de-frise at the
entrance to the Highlands on the north. These forts
were insufficiently garrisoned, there being hardly at
any time sufficient men to resist an attack from the
enemy. The great demands made for troops in other
portions of the state, and the number necessary to
guard and protect the borders of the counties of
Ulster and Orange from invasions by the Tories,
Indians, and marauding expeditions from the cow-
boys had so dwindled the American forces that only
a small portion could be left with General George
Clinton commanding the forts. Consequently an ap-
peal by him was made to the state convention for
more troops. The following correspondence will
show the insufficiency of the forces under George
Clinton to defend the forts and protect the river.
History of Kingston, page 279, by permission:
HEADQUARTERS.
MORRISTOWN, 19th Feb’y, 1777.
SIR: Information being lodged that many of the
inhabitants living near the Passaic Falls are busily
employed in removing their provisions and forage
within the enemy's reach, with a design of supply-


182
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
ing them, obliges me to beg the favor of you to let
me know what success you have experienced in col-
lecting the troop voted by the Convention of the
State of New York.
The presence of some men in that neighborhood
would be attended with much good; add to this the
well grounded probability that the enemy being
lately reinforced, will make some movements soon,
and you will, I am satisfied, use your utmost exer-
tions to bring a reinforcement to our assistance.
At present I cannot check the above mentioned
practice, lest the detachments sent that way may
be more wanted for other purposes than this. I
therefore hope that some of your troops will take
the duty off my hands, and that you will further
enable me to effectually frustrate any design of the
enemy. I am, sir,
Your most obed't Serv't,
GEO. WASHINGTON.
To Gen. Geo. Clinton, New Windsor.
New WINDSOR, 23rd Feb’y, 1777.
DEAR SIR: On my arrival home last night I re-
ceived a letter from his excellency, General Wash-
ington, of which the enclosed is a copy. By this
you will find that more is expected of me than is
in my power. Even though the 500 men to be
raised in Dutchess and Westchester were
pleted, unless they were to join me on this side of
the river, I should be able to afford but a very
inconsiderate reinforcement to the main army (if
any at all) after posting sufficient detachments at
the pass for effecting the business more particu-
larly recommended in his excellencie's letter.
Colonel Pawling's regiment consists now of only
com-


THE BURNING OF KINGSTON.
183
361, including officers, and they occupy three dif-
ferent posts, to wit: Sydman's Bridge, Cloyster
and Hackensack, all equally if not more necessary
than that mentioned by the General, and I don't
imagine he means they should be abandoned.
I fear sending a detachment out of this small
force (already much divided) to Passaic Falls, will
be endangering the other posts. At any rate it will
render the duty on the men exceedingly hard. I
will, however, order a lieutenant's party there for
the present, in hopes that some way will be de-
vised to supply this place. Useless as the ranges
have been, would it be best to annex Belknap's and
De Witt's companies to Colonel Pawling's regi-
ment on this occasion? I have issued orders to the
militia colonels to complete their complement of
men, . which they were to have raised. Some of
them have been much more deficient in this respect
than I could have thought. This and the number
that have enlisted out of Colonel Pawling's regi-
ment in the standing army and some desertions of
Tory drafts to the enemy, are the reasons why it
falls too much short of its complement.
I am with due respect,
Your most obedient servant,
GEORGE CLINTON.
To the Hon. the Pres't of the Convention of the
State of New York.
This urgent need of more troops continued from
the date of above correspondence up to October,
when Sir Henry Clinton, then in command of the
land forces at New York, became aware of this fact


184
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS,
through Tory information, and determined at once
to capture the forts and ascend the Hudson and
form a junction with General Burgoyne's army of
the north if possible. On the third day of October
with a large naval force and transports and about
five thousand men he proceeded up the river. Dis-
posing of half of his forces near Peekskill ferry to
prevent General Putnam receiving reinforcements,
with the rest of his forces he at once proceeded to
attack Fort Montgomery both in front and rear.
Landing at Stony Point, they were met by a Tory
who guided them to the fort, a distance of twelve
miles or more. Both forts, Montgomery and Clinton,
were soon invested. After a desperate conflict in
which the Americans fought nobly but against great
odds, being outnumbered, declining to surrender,
some of them fought their way through the enemy
and escaped. Governor Clinton knowing the situa-
tion and being menaced with capture slid down the
steep rocks to the river and escaped to the boat.
General James Clinton escaped with those who
fought their way through the British lines.
The enemies loss exceeded that of the Americans.


THE BURNING OF KINGSTON.
185
Two hundred and fifty American patriots fell prison-
ers to the British. After this victory Sir Henry
Clinton proceeded to demolish Fort Constitution,
but the American garrison, anticipating the enemy,
spiked the guns, such as they could not remove, and
destroyed the fortifications by blowing them up. Sir
Henry Clinton was greatly elated by this signal
success. It was now an easy matter to destroy the
obstruction in the river at Polopel's island. An
opening had been left for American river craft in
that obstruction and was known to only two per-
sons. One of these who helped form the obstruction,
turned traitor to the American cause for British
gold, and piloted the whole fleet of the enemy safely
through and landed them at anchorage in Newburgh
Bay.
Gen. Clinton with his little band of patriots tried
to keep pace with the enemy by a forced land
march for the purpose of saving Kingston, as he
knew the village would be the enemy's objective
point. The Legislature was in session at Kingston
when the news was received that Sir Henry Clinton
with his fleet had passed the chevaux-de-frise at


186
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
Polopel's Island and was advancing up the river to
Kingston. They at once adjourned and absented
themselves, some on military duty, others to protect
their families and property. The Committee of
Safety at once disposed of the vessels in the
Rondout Creek, by filling many with provisions and
dispatching them to Albany, while a few were quite
securely hidden in the upper part of the creek be-
hind its windings. At this time, Sir Henry Clinton,
desiring to communicate with Burgoyne and info
him of the passage of the Highlands by his entire
force, sent a Lieutenant of the Royal army, named
Daniel Taylor, to convey this important message.
He was captured by a picket guard of Colonel
Webb's regiment and was conveyed to Governor
George Clinton. He was observed to immediately
put something in his mouth and swallow it. A
noted physician was called and an emetic was given
him and it was brought forth and found to be a sil-
ver bullet in the hollow of which was the follow-
ing letter to Gen. Burgoyne, as per history of
Kingston, page 292.


THE BURNING OF KINGSTON.
187
FORT MONTGOMERY, October 8th, 1777.
Mon-y-voice-And nothing now between us but
Gates, I sincerely hope this little success of ours
may facilitate our operations. In answer to your
letter of the 28th Sept. by C. C. I shall only say I
cannot presume to order or even advise for rea-
sons obvious, I heartily wish you success.
Faithfully yours,
H. CLINTON.
To General Burgoyne.
The British commander sent a reconnoitering
expedition up the river. They proceeded nearly as
far as Poughkeepsie, committing depredations on
the route, destroying Van Kewren's mills and
many fine homes on the east side of the Hudson.
Imniediately after the return of this expedition he
organized a marauding expedition consisting of six
naval vessels, besides galley and flat boats, carry-
ing full armament and about sixteen hundred men
under the command of General Vaughan. On Oc-
tober the 15th they, while trying to work their
way through a dense fog, were discovered by the
soldiers at New Windsor. Shortly after the fog
lifted and with a spreading sail under a stiff
breeze from the south, the enemy passed New-
burgh in full sight of the patriot troops. Gov-
ernor Clinton immediately sent a dispatch by
courier to the Committee of Safety, then in ses-
sion at Kingston, apprising them of the fact that
the enemy had passed Newburgh, and closed his
communications as follows (see History of King-
ston, page 294):
My troops are parading to march to Kingston.
Our route will be through Shawangunk to prevent


188
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
delay crossing the Paltze River. Let the militia be
drawn out ready to oppose the enemy. I will be
with you if nothing happens before that day,
though my troops cannot.
I am yours, etc.,
GEORGE CLINTON.
About this time news was received by the Com-
mittee of Safety from Albany, informing that body
of the capitulation of General Burgoyne's army, and
that the battle of Saratoga had been fought with
glorious results for the patriot cause. General Clin-
ton arrived at Kingston on the eve of the 15th, and
finding it impossible for the main army to come up
in time, he left for Marbletown, and issued orders
for them to proceed no further; that it would be
impossible for them to be of any service, as the dis-
tance to Kingston could not be covered in time to
prevent the enemy from landing. Consequently, as
anticipated by the American commander, General
Vaughan with his entire fleet on the morning of the
16th of October entered the mouth of the Rondout
Creek after destroying an American galley lying
“ Ponchockie.”
At this place some breastworks had been thrown
near


THE BURNING OF KINGSTON,
189
up and small pieces of cannon placed in position.
These were turned on the enemy, but little damage
was sustained by either side, and the enemy at once
prepared to make a landing. Succeeding in this,
they carried the breastworks that had been an an-
noyance to them, and proceeded unmolested on
their way to Kingston, guided by the notorious
Tory and Loyalist, John Leffens, who also informed
General Vaughan that dispatches had been received
in Kingston that the army of General Burgoyne was
captured. This information startled the British
commander and he hurried forward his troops to
Kingston and burned every house in that beautiful
village save one, and that belonged to Alderman
Leffens of New York. As per statement, History
of Kingston, page 302.
After completing their fiendish work the enemy
again took up their march back to the Rondout
Creek. Just at this hour, Captain McGregor, with
Bretta and Cyrus, under the guidance of the old
hermit, arrived on the summit of High Point, in
time to see the red-coats marching on their return
to the creek, leaving the village in flames, as before


190
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
noted, while the old Dutch burghers with cattle and
household goods were fleeing for their lives to Hur-
ley. And tradition has it that to encourage each
other in their flight they called out to the laggards
in low Dutch:
Loop, jongens, loop, de Rooje
Komme. Span de wagen
Voor de paerde, en rij na
Hurley toe.*
[Translated:“ Run, boys, run, the red-coats are
coming, harness the horses before the wagon and to
Hurley ride."]
The soldiers whom Donald observed through the
field-glass of the hermit were those whom he con-
jectured, viz.: a portion of Colonel Snyder's regi-
ment en route to Kingston from Marbletown, but
too late to prevent the dastardly deeds of the Brit-
ish.
On the morning of the 20th of October, Colonel
Hardenburgh and Captain McGregor arrived at the
smoky and ruined village.
The old Dutch burghers were returning to their
ruined homes.
*History of Kingston, page 309.


THE BURNING OF KINGSTON.
191
The enemy had fled and their fears were abated.
With feelings of anguish they sat down on their
stone door sills and in a moody silence contem-
plated the destructive scene around them.
These houses were all built of stone, conse-
quently after the roofs and inside woodwork were
consumed by the fire the outside walls remained
standing. On this account it was not so serious a
matter to rebuild as if it had been otherwise. But
the winter was coming on and already the freezing
blasts of the autumn's winds made an ordinary
shelter untenantable, and it was for the purpose of
encouragement and lending all assistance possible
by the military, that the Colonel and Donald went to
Kingston.
Rebuilding was begun at once, but lumber was
scarce, and the saw-mills on the Esopus Creek were
run to their fullest capacity.
Before the winter's snow many of the roofless
houses were restored to their former appearance.
As before stated, the outer walls remained intact,
being built of stone, taken from the quarries near
the village, and many of these stone buildings are


192
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
standing to-day and bid fair to stand another
century. They are generally occupied by the lineal
descendants of the Revolutionary owners at this
writing.
The news of the capitulation of Burgoyne's army
was received with great joy by the people at Kings-
ton and was somewhat a compensation for their
losses, as they were willing rather to suffer loss of
home than that the enemy should conquer. Colonel
Hardenburgh left Captain McGregor in charge of
the military at Kingston for the purpose of giving
assistance to the Dutch burghers in repairing their
homes, while he returned to Newburgh to General
Clinton's headquarters. The news of Burgoyne's
capture had already preceded him. There was great
rejoicing among the patriot soldiers. Bonfires lit
up both banks of the Hudson for miles.
Sir Henry Clinton, on receiving information of
the calamity to General Burgoyne's army, em-
barked from his position north of the Highlands
and under a scudding fair wind put for New York.
The loss of Burgoyne's army and his failure to
reach Albany was a death-blow to the English
a


THE BURNING OF KINGSTON.
193
cause. “It was the beginning of the end." It gave
great encouragement to the poorly-fed, the poorly-
clad and, we might say, poorly-paid soldiers. Hopes
were revived and new energy and enthusiasm pos-
sessed every patriotic heart. But not so with the
Tories and Loyalists. More desperate than ever did
they become, committing depredations of the lowest
and meanest character, burning the homes of the
patriots, stealing stock, destroying whole orchards
by girdling the trees, and carrying into captivity
the helpless women and children by means of their
allies, the Indians.
The news of Burgoyne's capture had hardly been
told, when a dispatch from Albany was received
that Brandt with his horde of Indians and Tories
had attacked Schoharie village, burned many houses
and carried away the prisoners for the torture of
the stake or helpless captivity.
Donald chafed under the restraint of his confine-
ment to duty at Kingston, and rejoiced when the
last roof was raised. On the morning of November
Ioth, Colonel Hardenburgh with dispatch from
General Clinton to General Gates at Albany, ar-


194
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
rived at Kingston, and after consultation with his
subordinates, concluded to dispatch Captain Mc-
Gregor with a band of regulars, about fifty men, to
capture, dead or alive, John Leffens, and wipe out
his gang of freebooters, who were then supposed to
be rendezvouing somewhere in the vicinity of the
Paltz. After completing this arrangement, Colonel
Hardenburgh immediately set out for Albany.


THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL
195
CHAPTER XV
THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL.
CAPTAIN MCGREGOR's long-wished-for oppor-
tunity was now presented. He rejoiced that he was
permitted to strike at the Tory gang of John
Leffens.
The dastardly deeds committed by him and his
lawless associates at his (Donald's) own home
rankled in his bosom, and to punish them severely
was his chief desire, in fact he felt that nothing but
their complete extermination would wipe out from
his memory the burning of his father's dwelling and
barns, the stealing of his stock and the lashing of
old Cyrus. This was enough incentive to Captain
McGregor to nerve his arm for this conflict, to say
nothing of the similar acts performed by John
Leffens and his marauders on other settlers of the
county. So with alacrity he made immediate prep-
arations for his expeditions, selecting fifty of the
best men under his command at Kingston, and in-


196
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
forming them to be ready for the march in the
morning
It was late in the evening before Captain Mc-
Gregor had completed his arrangements for the
move on the morrow, and he was about seeking re-
pose for the night, when he noticed that the sky in
the direction of Hardenburgh Hall was brilliantly
illuminated. Bright red streaks were seen to shoot
upward almost to the zenith, and then almost dis-
appear, only to again suddenly break forth with
lurid light, spreading out fan-like with bright sparks
carried heavenward and lighting up the sky for
miles around.
It took but a moment for Donald to interpret its
meaning; it is the work of the Tories, and Harden-
burgh Hall must be in flames and Bretta unpro-
tected, he thought. He quickly caused his bugle to
sound the call "to arms." The soldiers immediately
responded and the cause of their summons was ex-
plained to them by the flame-lighted sky in the vi-
cinity of Hardenburgh Hall, which was evidence
enough that the Tories were at work.
No further incentive to brave action was required


THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL.
197
by the soldiers than to know that the home of their
beloved Colonel was in danger from the lawless
gang of John Leffens.
"To horse! To horse!” shouted Donald, whose
spirit was now aroused to its utmost to be in time to
save the Colonel's property and to protect Bretta
and lay low in the dust the cowardly Tories. He
had no doubt as to who they were, and to meet them
now with his trusty followers was his chief intent.
The horses that had been prepared during the day
for the intended march in the morning were .
brought forth all accoutred and ready for the expe-
dition. Donald instantly gave the order to
"mount" and follow him at quick gallop. Harden-
burgh Hall was only eight miles from Kingston,
and it took the mounted cavalrymen less than an
hour to reach the foot of the large hill ending at the
sloping lawn of the Hardenburgh mansion. Don-
ald was right in his conjecture. Already the well-
filled barns of the Colonel were in ashes and the
yells and desultory shots heard warned Donald that
they were now attacking the mansion itself, and he


198
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
at once concluded that what must be done “it were
well if it be done quickly."
In a low voice he called a halt, and, ordering their
horses to be tied near the road in the woods adjoin-
ing, placed them in charge of four trusty fellows to
guard them against stampede. Then calling his men
around him, Donald quickly opened to them his
plan of attack, which was to crawl up under cover
of the darkness as close to the enemy as possible,
and then to use their firearms with deadly effect,
this action to be followed by a general rush of his
whole command on the enemy at once with drawn
sabres. “This must necessarily be a hand-to-hand
conflict,” said he," and if there is any man in this
company who flinches and desires to remain, let him
step back now.” But his only answer came smoth-
eredly “ Lead on, brave Scotchman, we will follow
you to the death."
Good," answered Donald, “and let our battle-
cry be, America and protection to her maidens.”
The command now advanced quickly, following
their leader to the lawn of the homestead, all the
time keeping close under the shadow of fences and
> >


THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL.
199
a
trees. Here they made a detour to the northerly
side of the aforesaid lawn, arriving within less than
a quarter of a mile from the already consumed out-
buildings. Here Donald commanded a halt, while
he proceeded to reconnoiter and if possible ascer-
tain the number of the enemy, and their leader.
Slowly crawling on hands and knees and at times
flat upon the ground, Donald worked his way to a
small clump of bushes within pistol shot of some of
the enemy. To his surprise he could see at least
thirty or more savages in all their war paint, whose
cry was now distinctly heard above the rattling din
of the musketry firing from and at the loop-holes
of the stone mansion. Evidently a stout defence was
being made by the inmates, and at times Donald
thought he could distinctly hear the defiant yell of
old Cyrus. It took Donald but a moment to take
in the situation. The enemy were trying to fire the
house, and as fast as an Indian or Tory approached
the house with a fire brand, just so sure would he
bite the dust by a shot from old Cyrus or from the
watchmen stationed at different angles in the house.
Finally, a halt was called by a white man, who


200
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
was none other than John Leffens, and all retreated
a short distance from the residence for consulta-
tion, as some of their best men already lay dead
upon the lawn from the unerring shots within.
Donald could now see their number, and his prac-
tised eye told him there were at least twenty-five
Tories besides the warriors. The latter seemed to
be under the control of a tall, powerful white man,
who was not near enough for Donald to recognize.
He evidently conjectured their next mode of attack
as he quietly crawled back to his command.
He informed them quickly of the situation, and
rightly supposing that they would move in a body to
the front entrance of the building with a battering
ram for the purpose of demolishing the double
oaken doors, he carefully guided his men up to the
place of his reconnoiter without discovery. They
lay flat upon the ground, awaiting Donald's com-
mand for the combat. That moment soon came,
when he saw a large body of savages and Tories
move in the direction of the house in a broken line,
while those in the rear kept up a constant fire at the
loop-holes of the building. Now is the time, thought


THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL,
201
Donald, and word was given to fire. In an instant
at least fifty muskets belched forth a deadly fire
upon the enemy. Six savages and four Tories lay
dead upon the sward from the effect of the dis-
charge.
Instantly Captain McGregor shouted the battle-
cry, “ America and protection fer her maidens," and
ordered a charge with drawn sabres. Shouting their
cry of freedom, the soldiers rushed on the enemy
like an avalanche. Confusion and dismay struck the
freebooters and savages. John Leffens called loudly
to his band to gather around him, while the tall un-
known white man rallied the red-skins to meet the
charge. But the attack was so sudden that the en-
emy was taken at a disadvantage, and had not time
to gather their forces, as they were divided in two
companies, one body moving on the house and the
other some distance off, protecting the assaulting
party by a continuous fire on the inmates.
Donald's band rushed up between the parties, so
that they could not unite. It was now a hand-to-
hand conflict as foretold. The terrible clashing of
steel, the shouts of the Tories, and the yell of the


202
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
savages, with the war-cry of the brave patriots was
fearful to hear. John Leffens and his Tory follow-
ers fought like tigers at bay. With a heavy cutlass
Leffens was dealing death at almost every blow,
and none dare engage him in mortal combat. Sev-
eral of Donald's men had fallen by his terrible
blows. It happened that Donald, with a portion of
his followers, was on the attacking side, against the
savages and their unknown leader, hence he could
not reach him. Already Donald's strong arm had
laid two Tories and a redskin dead at his feet, and
he had saved two of his comrades from the toma-
hawk and sabre. The flickering light from the
burned buildings cast a weird illumination over the
scene. The groans of the wounded with the yells of
the combatants and the terrible clashing blows of
the sabers were enough to cause one to think that it
was indeed a battle of the giants. Neither side gave
any signs of flinching or giving in. In fact, Don-
ald's quick eye discovered that unless those fearful
blows of John Leffens could be stopped, it might
go hard with the patriots. At this moment Donald
caught sight of old Cyrus in the act of leaping from


THE ATTACH ON HARDENBURGH HALL.
203
one of the windows to the ground, with his sabre in
hand. He had discovered the Tory leader from his
station in the building, and quietly stealing his way
down the stair, he had unloosened the fastening
from one of the windows and springing lightly to
the ground, unsheathed his sabre and began his
death-dealing work by mowing a pathway for him-
self to John Leffens, uttering yells, “ This for Massa
Donald and this for Miss Bretta. Down with the
cowardly horse thieves. Give them no quarter."
The savages had seen the working of his power-
ful arms before and after cleaving the skulls of two
of those who opposed his way, the rest fell back
out of reach of his death-dealing sabre. Twice,
thrice did they hurl their tomahawks at him, but the
old darkey was on the alert for just such moves as
that, and either dodged them or caught them on
his sabre. It took him but a few moments to reach
the vicinity of John Leffens, whom he knew and re-
membered well for the stinging lashes inflicted on
him by the dastardly Tory at Donald's home.
Eagerly did he approach his hated enemy.
John Leffens, though hard on fifty years, still re-


204
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
>
tained his youthful vigor, and was a terrible antag-
onist when aroused as he was now, to a sense of his
extreme peril. But old Cyrus with yells of defiance,
shouted to the Tory: “ Villain Ise hab my ven-
geance now. Yous neber burn any mo barns or
homes. Ise don't like to cheat de hangman 'less Ise
bliged to.”
The Tory knew that it would be no child's play
to cope with the powerful negro. In a moment they
were engaged in a mortal combat. The negro out-
reached the Tory with his long arms. The flashing
sabres in the hands of the combatants raised and
fell, parried and thrust for an opening. Twice did
the negro get in a blow on the arms of the Tory, but
the force of the blow was broken by his springing
out of reach. Old Cyrus crowded his antagonist
and gave him no respite, and rained his blows so
thick and fast on his antagonist's sabre, that at last
by a terrible blow the sabre of Leffens broke close
to the handle. Instantly the Tory sprang and
caught the negro (before he could draw again) in
his powerful arms and both came to the ground
with a heavy thud, and falling near the steep bank


THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL.
205
they rolled over and over until they brought up on
the edge of a large spring (which is still running at
this day). Here the old darkey with almost more
than superhuman strength, succeeded in pushing
the Tory's head under the water and holding him
there till nearly suffocated, when, raising him again
to the surface he would allow him a breathing spell,
but before his strength could be recovered the old
darkey would hold the villain's head under again.
Like a tiger playing with his prey did Cyrus keep
his enemy. Leffens's strength was gone. Limp and
exhausted he was now a mere child in the hands of
the negro. Piteously did he beg for his life. “Oh!
you infernal imp of Satan, dos you member de fifty
lashes yo gabe dis old darkey? Fifty times must yo
head go under de water," and suiting the action to
his word, the old darkey proceeded to duck him fifty
times under the cold spring water. Then taking the
girdle from the Tory's waist he tied his hands firmly
behind his back, and his legs together at the ankle
and turned him over to two of Donald's soldiers
with the remark, “Dat a man bo'n to be hung
couldn't drown no how."


206
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
Donald had made sad havoc among the Tories
and Indians with his sword, and thus far he had es-
caped with only slight wounds. In vain had he tried
to reach the unknown white man who seemed to
control the movements of the Indians. He evidently
did not intend that Captain McGregor should cross
swords with him, as his movements verified. And
waiting his opportunity when Donald was engaged
in mortal combat with two savages, this man, who
was none other than Paul Leffens, quickly raised
the window, through which Cyrus had made his
exit, and entering the house, hurried through the
hallway and ascended the flight of stairs leading to
Bretta's room. He caught the affrightened maiden
in his arms and hastily throwing over her head a
small shawl, drawing it closely about her neck to
prevent her cries from being heard, at once pro-
ceeded to bear her down the stairs to the outer door,
which he quickly unbarred, and rushed out in the
open air with his burden, at the same time sounding
the yell of retreat to his dusky followers. At this
moment Donald had succeeded in laying his two an-
tagonists low with his powerful arm, just as old


THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL.
207
Cyrus was coming to his assistance. He was the
first to discover the abduction of Bretta, and like
the yell of a tigress deprived of its young, he sprang
with a bound on the now fleeing Tory. By an in-
stinctive knowledge Donald knew the scoundrel
and determined to make short work of him now if
possible.
But Paul Leffens was not the man to be caught
napping. He saw his extreme peril, and succeeded
in drawing Donald (in his eagerness to dispatch
him) some distance from his supporters. Then
dropping his unconscious burden, whom he had held
in front of him so Donald could not strike, and
seizing his heavy sword, he made at Donald with all
his power and with terrible oaths of vengeance.
“You hated Scotchman, once you have escaped
me, but now you shall not. Heaven nor hell can
save you this time," said the Tory.
“I ask no favor from the last-named quarter, and
the first is always on the side of the right,” retorted
Donald.
He succeeded in reparring thrust after thrust
made by the infuriated Tory. It was Donald's


208
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
thought to let the villain spend his strength in his
blind fury, when he could then have him at will.
So taking the defensive only, he kept the Tory at
bay. More and more infuriated he became when he
discovered that he was foiled in all of his assaults.
Maddened with his successive failures in running
Donald through with his sword, he became careless
and less guarded, and only seemed bent on cleaving
Donald's head. In his frenzied condition he lost his
best judgment. It was evident to Donald now that
the Tory was absolutely in his power, and he quietly
awaited his opportunity to either dispatch him at
once or disarm him and secure him a prisoner.
It was a short conflict in Donald's mind which he
ought to do. But mercy overruled, and, quick as the
lightning stroke, he caught the sword of his antago-
nist near the hilt on the point of his weapon, and
with a powerful, dexterous movement, sent it whirl-
ing through the air, and before the disarmed Tory
could recover from this sudden attack, Donald
brought the back of his sword down on the villain's
head with a whack that sent him reeling to the
ground. Donald instantly sprang on him and, with
a


THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL.
209
his sword pointed at the Tory's neck, said: “Yield
the prisoner, rescue or no rescue. Answer quick,
villain, before I run you through. Do you yield,
rescue or no rescue? Out with it, quick, before you
are made to breathe your last.”
Sullenly the fallen Tory responded: “I yield,
rescue or no rescue."
“ 'Tis well,” said Donald, and taking the girths
from the Tory's body, he proceeded to tie his hands
behind his back, á la old Cyrus, as a precaution, not
having confidence in the Tory's word. He then
turned him over to the keeping of old Cyrus, who
just at this moment came up to Donald with the an-
nouncement that the enemy were either all killed or
had fled, as none could be seen. Donald hastily and
tenderly picked up Bretta and bore her into the
house, where restoratives soon brought her out of
the swooning condition into which she had been
thrown on discovering Paul Leffens entering her
room.
When the Tories and Indians saw the fall of their
leaders, those who were able, quickly took to their
heels, leaving the patriots victors of the field. Cap-


210
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
tain McGregor after looking after Bretta's needs
called his surviving troopers about him and found
fifteen missing. He immediately ordered a search
on the battle-field for the absent ones, and found five
slain and ten severely wounded; these he ordered to
1
be provided for in the Hall, and their wounds to be
carefully dressed and their thirst and hunger ap-
peased.
The Tories and Indians had suffered severely,
more than a score of them having been slain. The
wounded were secured and held as prisoners, and
their wants attended to. It was midnight before
quiet was restored after that terrible battle scene.
Donald had ordered the horses that had been se-
creted in the woods near the lawn, to be brought in
and foddered, preparatory to their march in the
morning. A slumber of four hours was indulged in
by Captain McGregor and his comrades, when the
order was given after a hasty breakfast to
mount," leaving a sufficient number to guard
Bretta at the Hall, and also bury the dead.
Captain McGregor bade Bretta an affectionate
adieu, and grasping old Cyrus's hand thanked him


THE ATTACK ON HARDENBURGH HALL.
211
again and again for his valor, and bade him guard
Bretta as he would his own life until his return.
Then mounting his horse, and placing the prisoners
in their midst, the troopers set out for Kingston.
Arriving in that town the prisoners were placed in
the county jail. On the arrival of Colonel Harden-
burgh from Albany, he was soon made acquainted
with the terrible scenes enacted at his homestead
and as the fearful hand-to-hand conflict was told
him in detail, joy and thanksgiving filled his heart
that the brave patriots had won a complete victory
and had been able to save Bretta, and also save the
homestead from the incendiary Tory.
Grasping Captain McGregor by the hand, the
Colonel said: “You are worthy of your commis-
sion, my brave comrade, and to you all brave men
do I owe a debt of gratitude this day which shall
never be forgotten by me.”
“Long live our beloved Colonel," shouted all
with one voice.
“Thank you, my patriotic followers. I hope I
shall ever be worthy of your confidence, and now to
your quarters for your much-needed rest.”


212
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
CHAPTER XVI.
CLOSING SCENES.
COLONEL HARDENBURGH sent a dispatch to Gen-
eral Clinton at New Windsor relating to the two
prisoners, John Leffens and son, leaders of the Tory
gang, who had been committing depredations on the
defenseless patriots of the county. The courier
brought an answer from the commander, ordering
a military trial for the prisoners referred to, also ap-
pointing a day when he would be present to assist
at the prosecution. On the day of the trial there
were present General George Clinton, Colonel
Hardenburgh, Captain Snyder and Captain Mc-
Gregor. After a fair and impartial hearing, it was
clearly proven that the Leffens were guilty of
crimes that deserved death. And tradition has it
that Paul Leffens was hung, the execution taking
place on the grounds now occupied by a distin-
guished citizen of Kingston. John Leffens by some
means, foul or fair, escaped hanging and was con-


CLOSING SCENES.
213
demned to close confinement till the close of the
war.
The defeat of Burgoyne was a death-blow to the
foreign foe. It also gave strength to the American
cause abroad. France espoused the interest of the
brave patriots struggling for liberty and sent a large
fleet to our shores. General Lafayette fought side
by side with our own Washington, gaining victory
after victory, until the great coup-de-main at York-
town, where the last final blow was given to the al-
ready dying British supremacy on American soil.
Evacuation of all British possessions immediately
followed. So the invaders returned to their own
country, defeated, humiliated and with a better
knowledge of the powers and bravery of the Amer-
ican people.
In 1812 England thought to recover what she
had lost in the Revolution, but our brave seamen
with their sturdy vessels of war soon put a quietus
on British ambition by humiliating defeat in almost
every naval engagement. Ever since, the stars and
stripes have waved from the mast-head of our ves-
sels in every harbor of the world, respected, hon-


214
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
ored, and revered. England will never again at-
tempt invasion of this country. She has twice been
taught a lesson that she will never forget. Hoping
that she has profited by the past, we leave her to
enjoy the fruits of her occasional victories, on land
and sea.
The war being now over and John Leffens being
released from durance vile, he at once set at work
to get possession of the Rutsen estate. Having been
informed of the loss of the mortgage by his son
Paul, the old villain drew up a similar document,
and forging the signatures, presented the claim at
the next county court held at Kingston. He con-
ducted his own case, as there could not be found, to
their honor be it said, a single lawyer who was
willing to accept him as a client. Colonel Harden-
burgh and all his old military subordinates were
present at the trial, also Bretta and Donald with old
Cyrus. The father of Bretta was dead, and the
mother was present in deep habiliments of mourn-
ing. The trial had been on for a couple of days,
and it began to look dark and gloomy for the Rut-
sen family. Through the evidence produced by


CLOSING SCENES.
215
Leffens, it was shown that loans of large sums of
money had been given the Rutsen family, which
was not denied by the defence, but they put in their
counter claim of redemption of the mortgage by
Captain McGregor on the hard-fought field at the
fair ground.
The presentation of the mortgage to Bretta Rut-
sen by Paul Leffens was clearly proved by a dozen
witnesses. But they could not produce the docu-
ment, it having been lost when in captivity. The
question then to be decided was, whether this docu-
ment as presented by John Leffens was the original
or a forgery. The forgery could not be proven,
Leffens asserting that it was the original returned
to him by his son Paul, who, the father claimed, se-
cured it during Bretta's captivity. The case was
summed up by both sides, and to his credit it may
be said that John Leffens showed considerable abil-
ity, and if he had in earlier life devoted his time to
preparing for the bar, and had followed that pro-
fession instead of espousing the cause of the Loyal-
ists, he might have reached eminent distinction. The


216
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
defence was ably conducted by the best talent of the
State.
The Judge rose to give the charge to the jury,
when a commotion occurred at the entrance of the
court room occasioned by the entry of a strange
personage closely followed by a pretty Indian
maiden. The first stranger was a tall, remarkable
looking man. A long snowy-white beard covered
his face and reached nearly to his waist. His locks,
also of snowy whiteness, fell in graceful curls on
his shoulders. He had heavy eye-brows beneath
which sparkled keen, jet-black eyes. His dress con-
sisted of skins made from the pelts of the mountain
animals, and moccasins of Indian make covered his
feet. With head uncovered, carrying his cap in his
hand, he majestically strode down the aisle toward
the judge, and making a courtly. bow to that digni-
tary, he thus addressed the court: “Your honor, I
'
appear here at this opportune time for two pur-
poses, first to make known my identity, second, to
establish a clear case in favor of these defendants
here.”
At this moment a deep, suppressed emotion


CLOSING SCENES.
217
seemed visible on every face, and an outbreak of
applause by every person in the room followed, ex-
cept John Leffens, who with basilisk eyes was
watching every move of the speaker. There were
three persons present who at once recognized the
stranger; they were Bretta, Donald and Cyrus.
Their surprise to see the old hermit and pretty
Nonee enter the court room was complete, and with
almost breathless suspense, they listened to his
words, which were now resumed.
“My identity has been concealed for many years,
and I have been known to this day only as the
Hermit of High Point,' and as such have I lived in
the rocky sides of yon mountain overshadowing your
pretty village, with my name and birth concealed
from all, except one. To him I am no stranger.
That one is none other than General George Wash-
ington, now the Saviour of his country.”
It was the first time this appellation had been ap-
plied to the illustrious Washington, and the shouts
of applause that followed were deafening. Old Cy-
rus, forgetting his surroundings, threw up his hat,
shouting: “ Hurrah! hurrah! for Massa Wash-


218
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
ington and Massa Hermit.” Even the judge seemed
to forget the time and place, and for a moment did
not attempt to stop the demonstration, but ordered
the bailiffs to restore order, and under penalty of
ejection to any one who again should interrupt the
proceeding of the court, requested the speaker to
proceed.
The hermit continued: “I am the viscount, Earle
of Egmont, Phillip de Rutsen of Holland, and uncle
to this unfortunate girl, Bretta Rutsen, the de-
fendant in this case.” At this moment a cry of
alarm from Bretta as she supported the fainting
form of her mother, who seemed to be taken sud-
denly ill, drew the attention of the court. Donald
assisted the aged lady to a side room, where kind
friends administered to her needs.
Again the hermit, now with visible emotion, pro-
ceeded with his narrative." John de Rutzen was
the first born of my father's family. Together we
came to America, and both became deeply attached
to the same lady, the mother of Bretta. This attach-
ment, if continued, meant death or life to one of us.
I released all claims on the maiden in favor of my


CLOSING SCENES.
219
brother, and with bleeding heart and sorrowing
mind I betook me to the Catskills and there in the
caves of High Point, I have buried my sorrow for
all these years, until Providence brought to me
my pretty Nonee, now my beloved wife.
Never did I expect to mingle among my own peo-
ple again, until unexpectedly my lovely niece, Miss
Bretta, was seen by me during her captivity, and
while the savages with their captives were en-
camped for the night in the vicinity of High Point,
I visited their camp and took from the bosom of my
niece this package of papers. I knew their value,
and also knew that Paul Leffens's scheme in part
was to recover these papers, on or before the arrival
of the captives at the Indian village whither they
were tending. I was on the fair ground in disguise
at the trial at which Donald McGregor so fairly
won this document, and my abstraction of it was
only for safe-keeping, and your honor, I now pre-
sent you with the original mortgage given by John
Rutsen, my bother, to John Leffens, the Tory
scoundrel and forger, now standing there. At the


220
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
same time the hermit pointed with extended arm
and forefinger to the man.
“Seize him," shouted the judge. “Seize him im-
mediately!” But John Leffens was already be-
yond the reach of mortal apprehension. He had
been closely listening to the hermit's words, and his
face suddenly became purple in hue, as the old her-
mit closed his story. His fingers and the muscles
of his face seemed to work convulsively, and the
veins in his neck and forehead seemed to swell out
to twice their natural proportions, and before the
bailiff could seize him he fell full length upon the
court floor, with blood spurting from mouth and
nose from rupture of a blood vessel. And in a few
moments John Leffens
more, having
breathed his last in an apoplectic fit.“ Vengeance is
mine, saith the Lord,” reverently remarked the her-
mit.
The jury gave a verdict in favor of the defendant,
Bretta Rutsen, and the broad lands of the Rutsen
patent remain in the hands of the lineal descend-
ants of John de Rutsen to this day. The body of
John Leffens was carried out and buried beside that
was
no


CLOSING SCENES.
221
of his son Paul. No stone marks their resting place,
and there let them lie until called to judgment by
the blast of Gabriel's trumpet.
The court had only adjourned for recess, and
congratulations to the old hermit by all present, for
his opportune appearance were hardly over, when
unannounced, General George Washington with
General Clinton entered the court room. Instantly
all heads were uncovered and cheers upon cheers
were given with a will. Old Cyrus became fairly
wild in his demonstrations of joy. Captain Mc-
Gregor warmly grasped his chief's hand, kissed it
fervently in respectful reverence. Colonel Harden-
burgh also welcomed his chief with enthusiasm, and
the judge calling the court to order introduced to
the assembly the Honorable John Jay, who gave a
stirring address of welcome to the American hero,
designating him the greatest General of the 18th
century.
This visit of Washington was unexpected at this
particular time. It was expected that he would be
present, at an organization of political importance
to be held at Kingston the following week. Hence


222
THE HERMIT OF THE CATSKILLS.
66
was not looked for quite so soon. But matters of
military importance in consequence of the closing
of the war brought him at an earlier day. This was
the third and last visit of the illustrious General to
Kingston. At the close of the address of welcome,
the old hermit, who had been in earnest conversation
with Bretta, her mother and Donald, arose and thus
addressed the assembly:
* There are two young hearts within this room
that beat as one; their plighted faith to each other
was made conditionally months ago. Those condi-
tions have all been complied with—all obstacles are
now removed from their pathway. It will make this
the happiest day of my life if these two young hearts
could here and now be united by the holy bands of
wedlock, and if our noble Washington, “The
Saviour of his Country,' will consent, I will call at
once on the court (turning to the judge) to per-
form the ceremony. Then grasping the hands of
Bretta and Donald, who had already given consent,
he led them before the bar amid cries of 'Good,
good,' and 'Long live the brave Scotchman and his
pretty bride.' Washington urging the ceremony to
6
<


CLOSING SCENES.
223
go forward, the judge quickly made Donald Mc-
Gregor and Bretta Rutsen man and wife, after
which General Washington, stepping up to the
happy couple and placing a hand on the head of
each, pronounced a blessing upon them. Old Cyrus
wept for joy, and Colonel Hardenburgh bid them
welcome to Hardenburgh Hall, and thither they re-
paired. At the death of her uncle, Bretta and her
loving husband took up their abode permanently
at the Hall.
Old Cyrus lived with them till the day of his
death. Many times was he forced to tell of his mas-
ter's and mistress's captivity, and the part he and
the old hermit took in it, to the little golden-haired
boy and girl as they sat on either knee.
The old hermit, as he still was called, with his
pretty Nonee, lived to a good old age on the Rutsen
patent, and his descendants by his Indian wife are
still living within the bounds of Ulster county to
this day.
FINIS.





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