The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-12-17

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follow mG!'
And the two started like hounds on the scent, in
pursuit of the foe, the Scout leading the way his
more pruclised eye at once striking the trail.
CHAPTER ILL.,
For some time not Il word was said, they made
Their way through the tangled iOrcst-each seemed
to be communlng with his own thoughts. The
Younger, Il manly, athletic youth, with fine
fresh cOuntcnancc, and determined expression TO
his features, followed close in the footsteps Of his
companion, whose tall, sincwy form, gave eyl-
dcncc of great physical strength. Although he had
long passed the meridian of life, yet age had not
danpcncd his ,got. Ills face was brown with en-
pOsure and well scanned with years, still his rough
features wore kindly expression, although an oc-
casionnl sterrncss would steal over them, and an
angry, fierce glance goam from his eyc,as passing
thought Of the object he had in view, fitted through
his brain. The long silence was at last Interrupt
ted by by the Scouts addressing his companion,
without checking his pace however -
"And so you were going in pursuit alone my
Young friend! honor your courage, by boy,
but il would have been rash, unacquonicd as YOU
are with the cunning habits of these wood-iends
How could you expect TO cope with them single
| laGdcd;'
81 could die, sir, said the young man in a de-
ernlned tone.
Sand add one more to the number scored in
blood" rcioined The Scout 'No, no, yourg man,
life is too precious to be recklessy thrown away
Stout hearts and strong arms are too scarce IN
the settlements, aud we shall need all we can
muster before this bloody wnT is oven"
"But YOU were going alone, were You nol;'
cave, but my lie is not so precious us yOurS-
| If Mabel is lost, should have none to mourn me,
Then again know the nature olthcsc devils, and
nv chance would be better. | am glad Of your
company however; and from my heart, thank
YOU Tor the interest you take in me and mine |
have heard there was liking tween You and the
gall, and | am reioiced to know that yon are wor-
| Inv Of her With the blessing of heaven we may
carcumven, them that have her yet;--and if so be
| she alise, aud we all get back TO the settlements
again, she Is yours, yUUngstor. nul ir they have
murdered her.
"You do not fear that EVENT. said the Young
man hastily, the glow on his cheeks giving place
to the pallor Of alarm.
81 don know, James" replied the ut,shak-
nr his hend doubliully: 81 am onlh 10 think on
h;-But when their blood is up, there's no know
Ing TO what lengths they will 90. If they suspec-
ted now that ony one was on their trail, and she
should hinder their flight, her scalp would dongIe
at their bells in Il moment.
The thought Of the possibility of such an event,
produced pro,racled silence as they strobe on
their way breeding over the situation Of the cap
tive. Hour after hour passc away and still they
sackcncd not their speed. But few words pass
ed between them, for besides the necessity OF re-
strainng every possible noise through fear Of sup
rise, they were each too much occupied with then
own thoughts TO continue Il conversation. Many
mile had been pissed over, when at last the Scout
hcsitatcd IN his rapid gait, and shortly came 10
dead halt The sun was getting low, and the
forest was so dense that the fading light scarcely
penclraled the thick ioiuges Of the ovcrhanging
! branches 80 shrouded IN gloom indeed, had their
way became that it required the closest scrutiny of
the quck.sig Scout 10 detect the tra which at
nrsl was broad and distinct us # the sayages had
roycd carcssly along thinking pursuit out of qucs-
ton: bat Tor some distance 1t appeared that they
had crown more careful, for it was evident that
mains had been taken. if not TO conceal, at least 10
render their rout ms little marked as possible
"t is getting too dark TO travel farther Tonight,
snid the Scout in Il low tone, MS he leaned on his
rifle naain,, the trunk of Il fallen pine and wiped
tho dron; from his brow. "Svmchng has occur
rcd 10 mike them more careful, for have obServ-
ed the last hour Of two the trail has been growing
moro flint NJ we proceed. You see by the prints
IN the leaves all around us that they made Il halt
her. nrobabIv for consultation. and here YOU see
by the bent twigs that they have struck oil in this
direction. If they were alarmed they had got over
!, Gom the broad trail they made agtn, OF this may
he some track ofthe dccetlul beasts. Us there
should be spring near from the irlckling Of yon-
der wnter." continued The Shout, "we had better
make Il stop here for the night" and he proceeded
10 d.incunbcr himself of his Announcements.
"But there is still daylight enough 10 follow
their track" said the young man impallentIy Of de-
/ Law. every moment is important-we have Il
broad trail before US, why not follow i,''
/ "pa,ience. patience, my boy" said the old man.
throwing down his hunting pouch. "Iis hard
/ icsson Int Won must arn it, Make haste make
waste. are words full of sound wisdom, SIMPLE ms
The, read. nv Young friend. ] am us anxious to
oyer,nke the ynrmin;s you are, hut there Is more
in the sirns about US than meets the eye, and !
wan, broad duy-lgn, to pry into them. We have
travelled Il small piece to-day. and good night
resi- will refresh us for an early start IN the morn
ing
30 SAVING the Scout set about those preparations
for camping ont. which long acquaintance with a
life. had rendered familiar TO him. In short
tine his arrangements were mplecd-creryihIng
was dismissed 10 guard against sudden attack, and
after partaking of hearty meal OF the humble ihre
which they had taken with them, they sought their
leaSv coucnes--iho evening breeze gently waving
the tree-tops and producing a lullIng murmur a
monp the leaves, occasionally swalins the braEch-
DC aside and letting in the rays Of The rising moon
on the silent and apparently deserted spot
i CHAPTER ".