Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-03-04

Grated his commands Tor the execution, sToAeu
his moustache with selfsatsfed air, and lay
down to an early siesta.
Helen, meanwhile, who sat at her prison win
dow gazing out upon the scene before her with
vacant eye, dwelt with agony upon the position
of her family Her thoughts were of mixed
character. Horror at the proposition ofthe Mex
lean partzans was mingled with the reflection
that her sacrifice might save many whom she
loved This again was doubtful, as the free gift
of the property appeared the great object aimed
at by Don Jose Then came upon her thoughts
Of one who had laid his life and love at her feet,
and whom she had rejected with disdain because
of his color-Fray Cristobal. He had offered to
quit his tribe, his rowing life, all for her, and
settle down coonst under the banner of Tex
as Her manner, her shrinking repugnance att
binding herself to one with Indian blood in hisI
veins, had been sufficient answer for the warrior
He had spoken no more, but his altered mien
indicated deeply wounded feelings. Helen knew
him well, and knew that, under other circum-
stances, Fray CristobaI had pered life, all, for
her and her family. She felt with bitter regret
that on his devotion she had now no claim.
The day passed; the Mexican soldiers ate,
drank, slept, and amused themselves--a few
keeping watch Night came, and then sent-
nels were posted at every weak point in fact
chain of soldiers surrounded the house. Ingress
and egress appeared equally impossible Hours
passed; the last meal was brought to the pris-
oners, with an ntima.ion that at daybreak the
terrible tragedy would be enacted. For greater
safety lights were denied them, though the
guards omitted to deprive the captives of their
pipes and tobacco pouches in which flint and
steel were always kept. For about two hours
after sunset no sound was heard save the mea-
sured tramp Of the mounted sentineIs without
the stockade, and of the foot within. Helen sat
alone at the window Of her hut, which overlook
containing the male prisoners, to the left the
stream, On this now fell the rays of the dim
moon, Just rising from bank of clouds; and on
this Helen gazed, under the influence OF the only
feeling which preserved her from utter despair.
1t wanted an hour of midnight, and yet there
was no signal given Ten minutes more passed,
when dark mass rising slowly from the water
gave hope, and made poor Helen's heart beat
wildly A figure was clearly visible 1t stood
upon the brink of the stream, near woodpile,
when a musket shot was fired by an observing
sentinel A heavy plunge was heard in the wa
ter and when the alarmed sentlnels reached the
spot, dark mass was seen floating in the river,
already at distance. Satisfied that the Indian
intruder had been slain, or MORALLY wounded,
the soldiers, after reporting asmuch, returned to
their posts.
Helen, who had seen the Indian, after throw
ing log into the river, glide behind the wood
pile, now saw him, with intense anxiety crawl
along the line of buildings He reached the spot
where she stood, and was about to pass, when a
low whispered "Cristobal" arrested him. "Miss
Pollock" said he in the same tone, sin one SEN
tence tell me all you know" Helen in a few
| hurried words explained all. "Your father, all,
shall be saved" "Oh Cristobal, do that: save
, my father, my mother, my brothers all, and my
deep eternal gratitude shall be yours" "Grati-
tude is but cold word to me-" said Cristobal,
who with her dropped all semblance of Indian
manners. "Be generous, dear Crstobal, :" whis-
pered Helen blushing unseen in the darkness.
81 have been cruel, unkind but your devotion to
my friends will make me forget all" Gwen my
f Indian bood!" said CristobaI, with a sad melan-
choly in his tone which went to the girls heart
"All but your noble risk of life and all life's lows
to save my friends" 'And you, Miss Pollockr'
"Cristobal" said the agitated Girl hurriedv:
'dear Cristoba such dreadful scenes as these
: make us live years in an hour. Call me, then
Helen; save my father and mother, and hope ev-
erything." Fray seized the girls hand through
the barred window, and said in husky tone,
= eff save all, would you forget my Indian faint
= and become my wife," 81 would will ;" said
? Helen, who in this hour of peril became wo.
!. man, forgetting all maiden coyness in the ex-
citement of the moment. "From gratitude on.
! ly!' said Cristobal glOomily. 81 will never mar.
= ry a man | do not love and respect" "And you
will be mine!" 81 will" "You love me thenl
"Dear Cristobal, waste not the precious moments
a think what is most dear to you, and doubt not
but time will prove you not far wrong There
: was tenderness in HfIen's tone which carried
d irresistible conviction and pressing her hand tc
his lips, the young man glided away towards the
shed In which the men were confined
A brief and hurried conversation now ensued
J which having lasted about ten minutes, the Ca
i manche chief returned, and bidding Helen be OF
good cheer, again sought the river, and plunging
: therein, disappeared. The agitated girl now no
D ticed that great hustle was taking place in the
= shed containing the male prisoners, as if the
e whole party were busy in moving what it con-
tanned. Sounds of breaking up barrels were
, plainly heard, and then the low and cautious
u striking of light. Helens heart beat violently
she felt confident that some plan arranged be-
: tween Crlstobal and her father was being carried
u out. Next instant flame rose in the shed on
the side which communicated to the outbuild-
If ngs and granaries, while handfus of burning
a sticks were cast from the narrow loop-holes
| which were intended to supply light and air tc
S the erection. The alarm was given; the sent
y nels rushed to stay the flames and punish the au
dacious captives, when the door flew open, anc
> voley of musketry was poured upon the aston
lshed Mexicans. The prisoners had been placed
:, in the arsenal of the whole hamlet And now
d amid the roar of musketry and the cracking O
v the flames came the fearful Canaan ha ,or ,,boo,