The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1854-11-29

, conduct her to Marion; for the camp itsell
which lay in the heart of an extensive swamp
could only be reached by one thoroughly ae
quaiDted with the intricncies of the locality
F" Thank you, Mr.. Kerr, thank you," re
piled Dora, when the old man had conclud
ed; 81 now feel secure of my object, an,
rest assured that Marion's secret is as saf
with me as with the best soldier of hi
camp"
81 believe you, my child" answered tn,
old man kindly; 81 had judged you only b.
what knew of old Isaac Wharton. Iknev
that he was bitterly opposed to US, and dit
not dream that Michael had converted you t.
our cause"
"Nor did he, indeed" replied Dora, quick
ly. 81 breathed in Independence with child
hoods breath. My covenanting ancestors
brought the spirit of freedom with them from
Scotland's mountains and moors--it lives in
my blood, and beats in my pulses; and be:
lieve me, if our people would take counsel
of me, they would fight while there is ens
arm left to raise up in an oath of resistance
to tyranny"
| The old mans eyes flashed with delight as
he looked upon the noble woman, whose ear
nest features gave additional force to her
language.
"God bless you for a worthy descendant
of Scotland's glorious martyrs p was his
solemn invocation. "God will prosper our
righteous cause, when even the women Of
our land are inspired with the spirit of lib
erty.' I ... !
81 must leave you now, Mr.. Kerr" raid
Dora, rising; 81 have brought thus far with
me faithful and discreet servant, who will
remain and nurse you during your sickness
until my return. Nay, can take no refu-
SAL continued she, seeing him about to de-
| cline the offer. 81 dare not carry him with
me, and were he to return alone, fear lest
friends might conjecture my errand and pur-
sue me. And only think what danger it
would bring upon Michael, were it only sus-
pected at the tory camp that l was on my
way to seek out Marion. No, my good
friend, for many reasons you must permit
Nero to remain with you, and as time is pre-
cious, must be on theroad" =. T.
"Ah dear young lady," said the old man,
shaking his head doubti.lgly, "have you we'll
thought of the distracted state of the coun-
try-of the lawless and violent men whom
you may encounter! Will not your maiden
modesty shrink back from dangers greater
than death :"
"Beieve me no !" replied Dora, firmly
81 trust in brave steed, feet as the wind,
that would bear me off in safety though the
bloody Tarlton With all his troops were at
my heels !" = ! ..s.F
"A horse isit vain thing for safety: nei-
ther shall hs deliver any by his great
strength, replied the old man, in the beau
tful language of that book that was his dai-
ly food; "but behold the eye Of the Lord is
upon them that fear Him, to deliver their
souls from death, and to keep them alive in
famine. He is our help and our shield. -
Trust thon in Him." "a. "1
The old man pressed her hand kindly as
he spoke, and with slow and feeble steps fol-
lowed her to the door, and watched her with
interest as she proudly and confidently took
her seat on the back Of her impatient steed.
He followed her with his eyes as she turned
away on her strange and romantic mission,
and as she disappeared from his sight, seized
with sudden faintness, he made an effort to
regain his seat by the fire, and when about
half way across the room staggered, and
would have fallen, but for the timely assist
ance of Nero, who at that moment entered
with a capacious basket of provisions for the
use of the invalid.
Overcome by the intense excitement to
which his feeble and exhausted frame had
been subjected, he became rapidly worse and
permitted himself to be assisted to his bed
by Nero, who with rueful countenance
walked about the room like mute shadow,
carefully anticipating the wants of the sick
man, and now and then dashing tear from
his honest eye, as the sad memory crossed
him Of his kind mistress departing on some
mysterious mission, the secret of which he
was not permitted to share.
.E TO BE CONTINUED.