The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-21

new, something better thun llluug Sncep or
two for there's aye risk at the selling of
them, when nne wants pickle hard cash.
Has ony o'you noticed the gentleman TINT
hunts alone sometimes about the hillS?"-w
saw gentleman WI a green hunting dress"
replied the man who spoke before, "but there
was servant within" Gle is ottener alone
though" and that man, lads, is a prize. lie
must be one ofthe rich young mobiles that are
staying with the young king nj Smihiield cas-
tie, for saw him pay a hoy for pointing out
his road out OF "A large purse filed with the
queens best coin. That purse must be ours.
Drink for our success, lads" More CONVEX
sution ofthe same nature passed between the
outluw-fbr such was his true character--&
his midnight followers;but it is lot essential
to repeat all that took place. The result of
the consultation was, that two or three OF the
men, and the outlaw among them shonld sew
orally post themselves, ms much disguised us
possible, at those parts ofthe hunting ground
where thoy were likeIiest 10 meet with the
object oftheir cupidty.
A few days after this, during which nothing
of interest occurred to Mary, her lover, or
any other ofthe personnges of this true tale, II
gentleman, answering the description given
by the outlaws follower. in so far as regard
ed the dress which was green hunting coat,
was passing slowly along the height that over
looked the vale of Manor. The stranger was
tall, and finely formed, and every point Of his
attire was in rich and expensive style. lie
was armed only with colHeau de chase, or
short hunting sword, and appeared from ms
slow lingering pace, TO be awaiting the up
coming Of II companion or attendant lie
had Just reached the side Of copse OF I'M
derwood when man sprang from It's cover,
and Selling the strangers arm with Il power
81 ,,,,,a,t,i,. donna pIp1 nllN
the surrender of his purse. But the hunter
was in the prime of his youth, and eXertng
his strength, he shook off at once the hold of
Our friend win aud drawing his sword
stood on his defence. This required n mo-
ments time, during which the outlaw, before
proceeding further, gave n shrlll call on Il
whistle suspended from his neck. lie then
turned his drawn sword upon the hunter; for
10 do Elliot Justice he yyus afraid ofuo single
man. The sword ofthe stranger was short
one but in tho two mInutes'contest which en-
sued, the outlaw found that he had to do
with master offence. One ofElliots fol-
lowers. however, who had heard the call,
came up at the moment, and the stranger,
who saw him approaching, almost gave up
his life ms lost.
In order to defend himself to the last, he
changed his position so far as to get his back
TO one of the strong copse bushes. But help
was mt hand when least expected. Scarcely
had the outlaws follower inteposed single
blow, when a strong arm levelled him to the
T earth fiom hehiud with cudgel. The out
Inv turned lAlfround at the unforeseen stroke
which deprived him OF his assistant, and on
seeing whence the aid came, bounded INTO the
copse from which he had issued, and was ont
of sight i'm nm instant. The hunter, whose
blood was heated with the encounter, would
l,,s .lafp "a "
him almos! by force. at wad be an act o
madness sir, to pursue him. ! ken him as
weel as this man lying senseless at our feet,
in spite o. their DISCUSSES. They are part o.
Il gang, and their companions will not be far
off; let us quit the place, sr,as fast as we can"
The stranger saw the proprety OF following
this advice, aud the two quickly left the spot,
where the outlaws follower lay without signs
fife.
The nearest and safest refuge TO which
Edward Burnet, who was the strangers de-
! liverer could conduct the gentleman, was
the mill of Kirkton. On their way thther,
the stranger inquired into the name and cir
cumsances of his companion, and assured
him that the service he had done would not
he forgotten. He also learnt on whom
Burners suspicious fell as the authors ofthe
outrage--suspicious which he coucurred with
Edward in thinking it would be improper To
mention without further confirmation. On
reaching the miller's house, and detailing
what had occurred, Andrew congratulated
the stranger on his escape, and praised Ed
ward for bis manliness, sit maun hae been
some of the same forest gang that cleared the
Dawic< baru the other night" said the miller
speaking of the perpetrators OF The attack
within this year or twae, they seem never to
| he ont o'Tweeddne II single night: dell be III
| their skins" Mary Tod also praised her low
er: but praises were confined TO kind and adj
miring looks, which spoke her meaning
however so openly, that the Stranger reat
them evidently with as much case as the oh.
ect of them did The miller pressed the
stranger to remain at the mill all night; bu
he declined the kind Offer and only request
ed the protection of some ofArdrew's sturdy
assistants in the mill as far as the town OF
PEBBLES. This was readily granted, though
the miller would have been better pleased
had his visitor stayed. The truth is, that An
drew was not little curious 10 know wh'
the stranger might be; but n certain dignity u
the latter's demeanor, and the richness ot hi
apparel, struck the miller with an undeflna
bic feeling of respect, and placed a guard OF
his lips The stranger requested Lu"arI
Burnett also to accompany HIM to the burgl
town. request which was at once assentct
to hy the Young man, but which the hunte
read in Mary's countenance TO be not all a
greeable to her. The miller's fair danghte
probably thought her lover had faced enoug
of danger, and shown enough manhness TO
one day. But the stranger had certain pur
pose to serve, and in disregard of the dam
sel's uneasiness not only took Edward witt
him. hut detained him all night, as the mil
, ler's men reported, who had been dismissed
by the stranger, with handsome remunera
, ton, short way from the town of PEBBLE
who carried a message from Edward TO hi
!, mother, to prevent any anxiety on his &c