Eastern times., 1851-05-01

rail fence little below, by crossing which,
they could gain the rear of the house.
Quickly dartine from the lhcker, they cross
ed the road and mounted the fence in.imated
when a sudden sweep Of air loosened the
folds Of one of their cloaks, discovering the
scarlet uniform and gold trimmings of a
British officer. With low imprecaton he
drew the mantle closer about him, and swift.
ly threading The wide meadows, stood on
the banks OF the stream, beneath the droor-
ing branches Of large weeping willow
again they seemed in earnest conversation,
appearing irresoiute how to act. small
clearing lay between them and the rear OF
The cottage, but in crossing it they saw a La
bilily Of being detected, should any of the
household be astir. Suddenly the lesser of
the two, who seemed an inferior, gathered
up the folds of his cloak, and forcing them
under stout leather belt about his waist,
dropped cautiously into the wafer. creeping
slowly under the bank, Till he arri, ed oppo-
sitC tuc SdtuCu uCUuduCc W TIC UOuSc. mere
he paused, and cIarnbering up the bank
moved along the outside of the garden fence,
ill he came 10 u parallel with the cottage
Shopping TO the ground, he dug a small
round stone from the earth, and flung il to-
wards the willow tree where il fell ratllno
through the branches, a warning to his COM
panion thus lar his reconnoiIre was success
iul. He then retraced his way back to the
bank, and gliding around the curve, entered
the garden under the shade OF an arDored
creeping vine, that ran the whole length of
The pebbed walk. After closely scrutinizing
the height of the back chamber window, and
the practIcahili'y of gaining egress thereby,
he returned to the garden gaze, and noise
lessly unclasPing a small paddock that hung
loosely from its connecting Upright, flung it
into The stream; then dropping himself into
the water. 10 Jew moments rejoined his
companion heneath the willow.
Now Bromly,' said the other, in low
voice, can il be effectedl
Yes, with caution, was the reply, in a
whisper.
Are you sure she sleeps in the back cham
BERT
Why, Captain replied the other, Il am
sure that she sleeps there, but whether it be
the girl you want, can't say
1t must be Amy unused the Captain, for
there is no other female about the house but her
old mother, and her room is in frontl'
Hark" whispered Bromly, quickly bending
his ear forward, whats ihat!
The wind signing through the willow re-
piled his companion. How is entrance TO be
gained to the girls chamber he added after a
moments pause.
a ladder will be requisite answered Brom-
ly, though the window is scarce six feet from
the ground
Then she is mine!' he spoke loudly, but in.
stanily checking himself, he said, it is rare
flower 10 bloom in this rebel wilderness, and fiji
for king. Let me once force her to the camp,
and she is safe,'
Hark' again exclaimed Bromly, and this
time he fell TO the ground, and laid his ear to
the damp green sward
''Tis the tramp of horses coming down the
lane, he said, springing TO his feet, and grasp
ing huge pair of pistols from his belt
Silence, Bromly, or we are lost! = responded
the tremulous captain. 'Down-down 10 the
water' and springing to the margin of the
stream, they both dropped into the water, and
lay concealed behind the bank.
On came the sound of the horsemen like the
rushing of the tempest wind, and closer crouch.
ed the E.nglishmen behind their concealment
Louder and louder grew the noise until the
whole troop came dashng down the road al
lightning speed, and disappeared beyord the
forest. One solitary trooper fingered behind
the body, and when opposite the cottage, he
waved sllken scarf above his head, and then
sprang forward.
BY heavenn cried Bromly, leapng from hi.
covert, when the last horseman had disappeared
The Night-Riders !!
The Night-Riders = repeated his compan
ION, trembllngly; to the camp-quick-fo
lown and drawing his cloak around him he
sprang across the meadows into the road, ant
keeping inside of the hedge, was soon lost I.
view In the mazes of the forest.