Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-04-15

the thick Garnet Of splinterinq leaves below. and
the delicious lragances all around have always had
a charm for us: and Preston felt il So especially
al,er the fierce excitement Of that life and death
struggle SO that when he came TO a little dark
stream. gliding softly across the road be onaed 10
stop and battle his throbbng temples, and take one
long. sweet draught. as he had often done upon
hot day in the forest when boy. Bu, the red foe
was behind him. and he shot on like an arrow.
Presently he came 10 an old clearing, which
had been long abandoned Here, for about quar-
Ter Of a mile was an open space, where plouahed
fields had once been. hut the burrows Of which now
we're overqrown with dry, slunted grass He
would have preferred the winding forest road, but
there was no alternative, and on he dashed He
had nearly reaained the shelter OF the forest on the
other side when he heard wild burst Of cheering.
and looking back. he saw the dragons, with Major
LINDSAY aud one other in advance, entering on the
open space. They had caught sight OF him for the
first time since he entered the old road, and their
shouts betokened renewed hone and determn alton
ON their part .,. Is
Breathessly Preston kept on, but with less assu-
rance than before. for his horse was already hard
worked. and he soon saw with dismay that blood
ras aow;no from his fore shoulder freely from
wound. A half mile further on the poor animal
began To lag sensibly; vet. cruel as /, seemed and
mseh as n pained his own generous nature. Pres
ton was forced 10 urge on the dying steed. He
knew thai Al the distance of a mile and G half
ahead wns a swamp. into the recesses of which, il
he could once plunge. he would be safe But now
he heard behind him rapid hoof II came nearer
and nearer though still out Of sight One, If not
mage of his oursuers was gaining upop him.
AGAIN he spurred his sliced. and encouraged him
with words The noble animal answered with
feeble cry. and staggered on. Scarcely half mile
now remained 10 oain the swamp II he could on
Iy reach il. Preston knew all danger would be past.
RI, Ibis was impo,sible
Thai rapid gallon came nearer and nearer, like
the clock that ticks the hour Of the criminals fate
He heard a shout behind him, and looking over his
shoulder saw the TROOPER whom he had last noticed
aide Inv aide with Major Lindsay. come laundering
an Ie cbeered his diving s,eed 10 a last effort
but i, wa, In vain the draqoon made two strides
a. his one A few paces only now separated them
the swamo Law thrice The distance before Already
,ha ,,oons, Ma ,;.en in his s,irruns broad sword
n hand Preston had no such weapon Sudden.
10 he recoIlec,ed The p,so in his other holster and
drawing !, with the velocity of thought. he turned
half around in his saddle and fired With uner
RING aim Inc ball entered The brain Of the dragon
Who fell dead 10 The earth.
| II was the work OF moment to leap to the
| ground and catch the fallen soldiers horse, OF
| which Preston sprang Poor Thunderer was al
ready dead he had sunken to the earth as his mas
| 70, fred The last shot.
! Thus fate in,erposed 10 prevent an interview be
tween Preston and our heroine, at a time when j
would have been Of incalcuIable advantage TO both
and have circumyented plot as base and cruel a
i il was now certain Of success. At the very hou
when Preston. after having ridden over lhiri
! miles from the spot where be was attacked, threy
himself wearied from his horse, in one Of the mos
II secrst recesaea Of the forest. Kate and her aun
zee se,,;nc for,l ror Georgetown. where they ar
rived on The succeeding day.
Never was human creature in more isolaie
and mournful situation than Kate now found her
self Indulo;no in wha, she thought hopeless
passion. every motive of deIicacv forbade her re
realng il 10 those who alone could befrend her,