Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-03-06


erS' and two boys, on the first of many journeys
that brought more gold beneath his roof than
had ever been there before.
TryOn was on his retnrn from one of these
expeditions. Evening was coming on; but he
felt that, by riding fast, and using nearer ford
to cross the Fish River than that by which the
wagons must pass, he might reach home that
night; and he longed to see those for whose sake
all this exertion was made Therefore, leaving
directions with his people to go round by the up
per and shallow ford, and setting spurs to his
horse, he started for the nearer one, we'll known
on the frontier as the Kafr drift, Tor Ford) and
as being nearly or quite the most dangerous a
long the border,-consistlng merely Of ledge
Of rock across the deep and turbid river,-con-
sdered scarcely passable save when the tide is
low, and in attempting which at undue seasons,
manv an unwary traveller has met his DEATH
The light was 80 dim, that when Tryon stood
on the steep hill overlooking the valley, he could
not discern the state of the river SO far beneath
him, and it was not until he emerged from the
trees, and stood beside the brink. that he was a.
ware that tho tide was up, or rather just begun
to ebb. But he knew that with due caution the
river might be crossed in safety even then, by
one accustomed to it, and he accordingly pre-
pared to take advantage of the remaining day.
light by passing without delay.
His horses feet were already in the water
whena man started up on the opposite bank and
called aloud. Tryon paused.
"Do not attempt to cross it is dangerous "
cried the stranger.
81 am not afraid I'm used to the drift" re-
plieh TryOn.
But it is spring tide p
Tryon looked again at the river; it was GER
talnIy higher than was its wont, but not sufi
cently so to alarm him who had crossed it Sc
often that he thought he knew every stone of tht
way; and, intimating as much 10 the stranger
he spurred his horse n But his knowledge
was less accurate, or the tide was stronger thar
he deemed for scarcely had he reached thi
middle Of the stream, when the good steed los
his footing, and both horse and rider were bornt
down among among the eddies Of the impetuou
current towards the sea, which, at a short tel
miles distance, was breaking in giant surges OIL
it's rocky bar.
HIS ldolized children They were provde'
Tor, but not too well !! was 1ryon's last thought
ere the waters Overpowered him and, with
wild rushing IN his ears, both sense and sensa
tlon passed away.
But the stranger on the southern bank wa
not one to stand idly by and see fellow crea
ltnre perish, without making effort fsr HE se-
cue, even though that effort might involve hir
in like danger and when Walter Hume threV
himself into that dark, troubled water, he kne'
the chances we're equal that he would neve
tread those banks again. But Walters was to
generous and fearless heart to be chilled b
such selfish considerations, and he exerted hin
self to the uttermost in his arduous task. Hi
efforts were successful; and Tryon was draw
to the shore some distance down the river, in
sensible, but still living; while the steed, who's
fate he nearly shared, was borne more and NOR
rapidly toward the waves that seemed roarin
impatently for their victim.
After this, Walter Hume was frequent guet
at Willow Dell, and most welcome one to a
save its master, for he soon OWNED that but 70
the dark eyes and sweet tones of his beautiful
and gentle Kate, Walter had been less Ofte
seen. And Tryon destined not his Kate, tn
fairest flower in his fair parterre, to share In
humble fortunes Of frontier farmer; though /
bygone days he would have rejoiced to think S
comfortable home,--and shared by one so wor
thy,--would be hers But now his hopes wGr
far higher for her, his blest believed one an
though he might not receive otherwise than col
daily the man who had risked his life to say
him from certain death, yet he looked displease
with Walters evident devotion to Kate, an
with a secret resolution that not even the welgt
of the obligation should induce him tn sacri6c
his daughters welfare rather, far rather, woul
he have porished among the dark eddies Of tn
river.
Absorbed in his ambitious dreams, Tryon neV
er thought of asking himself whether the tru
sacrifice to Kate might not consist in giving II
to one whom in tho warmth of her gratitude an
the worthness of its object, her young hea
was becoming deeply attached. And when I
length he suspected that it was so, his regrt
and notification knew no bounds yet he shruu
from wounding the feelings of his child by an
illusions to the subject, and contented himse
by resolving that, even if redoubled efforts we
required, they should be made to hasten the h0l
when he might be able to efface from his daug
ter's mind the impression which Walter Hun
had made, by removing her to sphere he co..
sidered more suitable to her and her impro
inc fortunes. Again he began to repine tn
wealth was so slow of attainment, and again
felt that he would willingly encounter any to
any trial, ay even any danger, to secure to
chlldren-especiaIly his Kate--riches and CO
sderation.
With these feelings acting as fresh ince
tive to exerton, Tryon started on another exp
| dition inta Kafrland. He had gained the ter
tories Of the chief Kuru, and was bartering wi
him some snuff for ivory; when, in the midst
discussion that attends every mercantile tran
action with the avaricious Kairs, the chief tur
ed pettishly away, exclaiming:
"You want too much for the brown Powde
I will not give it; but will give you ten tim
as much for blackH'
: He stopped abruptly, and fixing his brigt
, dark, searching eye on Tryon, as tho eager
: discover if his meaning was understood, al
and how the proposition was received
, The trader turned aside as if he heard it nc
Nevertheless, it was both heard and compr