The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1854-12-06

looked down along the extended line of
fires around which were disposed the various
group whom his activity had collected to-
gether, he could not repress an exclamation
of delight. Some were seated upon ground
engaged in conversation; some were stand
ing at respectful distance fiom the huge
fires; many were passing the bottls around
in noisy hilorityj others were strolling about
singly or in groups while not few squatted
upon the ground, were engaged in the mys-
teries Of old sledge or poker, using some
outspread handkerchief, inverted hat or fall
en- tree as table. Horrd oaths and impre-
cations we're heard on every hand-obscene
jests and ribald language, such as is only
heard when the most abandond of men are
collected together in the purleus of drunken
camp. After gazing upon his followers for
a moment, Tynes turned back into his tent
where were gatherd some ten or twelve in
dividuals of a somewhat higher intellectual
grade than the rable without. Among them
was our former acquaintonce Harrison,
dressed in the full uniform of his rank, with
his sword bnckled on, and even his chapeau
upon his head. .s
As Tynes re-entered, Harrison rose, and
drawing forth his watch, exclaimed with an
oath .... .... .&u
at is high time colonel, those rascals
without had their supper, and 50 may as
well hang up the rebel Allscot at once.''
GAS you please, major" returned Tynes;
"but after hanging him, should not fancy
falling into the hands Of Marion.''
"Maron, be- replied Harrison, " it'll
an oath, II have certain information that his
force is scattered and he himself fled from
the State. No! believe me, we have the
game in our own hands, and may play it out
as boldly as we please"
"All shall say" observed Tynes in a
tone of indifference, sis that | shall not
sleep so soundly after this execution. How
ever, take your own course, but remember l
wash my hands clean of it,"
II have only deferred his execution until
now" observed Harris n, "in the hope that
Dora Singleton might fall into the trap
had laid for her, by coming to intcrcede for
his life; bnt the messenger whom sent to
notify her that would defer it no longer
than seven o'clock, unless she appeared be-
| fore that hour, has returned with the news
that she has not been seen since yesterday
morning. and the family are in great alarm
on her account, and unable to account for
her unusual and protracted absence" -
"fIas disappeared since yesterday morn
ing! By heaveas, | like not that!' exclaim-
ed Tynes, with fearful oath, starting from
his seat, while his cold cheek grew shade
paler.
"Theres mischief in the wind, Harri-
son!'
"Pshaw! Tynes, what an old woman you
have became" replied Harrison, with
laugh. "You will start at your own shad,
ow next, if you suffer the silly freak of
girl thus to terr:fy you"
81 saw the devil in that woman's eya,"
answered Tynes gravely, con yesterday
morning when we refused her petition to
spare the life OF this rebel, and if my sus.
picions are not altogether groundless she
will cause us some trouble yet"
"The deuce take your fears and susp-
cions," laughed Harrison; "and since she
would not catch ut the bait prepared for
her, I'll even swing this rebel up between
heaven and earth at once, and swear when
meet her again it was all from pure love to
her. Ihave every thing in readiness and he
shall have short SHIFT Of it.
Thus speaking, he cooked his hat fercely,
and passing Oft at the door of the tent turn
ed and made his way to the rear, where Mi
chpl, securely bound, was kept uuder a
guard of some fifty soldiers, many of whom
were already in state of partial intcXico-
ton. Momentarily expecting to be called
upon to march their prisoner off to execution,
a horse had been kept in waiting for Har-
rison.
"Hey, my boys! | have kept you waiting
a long time" exclaimed the brutal being as
he appeared; "but we will now have the
business over in trice and then to our sup
per, which has already delayed too long
Here! pass this bottle among you and then to
the gallows."
"Here's short passage to you, SQUIRE"
said one of them, winking to Michel, as he
raised the bottle to his lips.
"Luck and husband to the gal you leave
behind you,'' said another, winking alter
nately to Michael and Harrison, as he gulped
down the vile potation.
% Although the prisoner felt that his hours
were numbered, the near approach of death,
as terrible as it may seem to one in whose
veins warm current flows BEAUTIFULLY, could
not check his rising Indignation. He cast
upon his cruel tormentors glance OF scorn,
and only by strong effort repressed the an
cry rebuke that rose to his lips, prompted by
the unmerciful insults of the brutal soldiers.
"Tell the drummers and fifers to come
forward, Castor, and strike up "Rogue's
March" as we 60 to the gallows tree, and
drown hootings Of those noisy owls, that
seem shrieking out their adieus to this old
companion of theirs, who has shared the
swamp with them SO long. By my faith!
1b f., al ,ob