The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1855-06-27

| tnCN Sh'llcu lOftn.
After proceeding few steps up the
road the Captain paused to give his COM
panion a few instructions.
"Ieinrich.' he said. "a skillful com
mander always conceals the number Of
his forcc-for the furtherance Of my
plan of action, it is necessary that we
should pass for one man. You are the
guidc--consequcntly you must 90 first (;
will lock step with you, lightly, and
our mingled footsteps will sound like the
tread Of single man. In this manner
ah, you understand, not bad soldier for
a beginner. Now, whatever you see or
hear. keep your tongue between your
teeth if you wish to call my attention
to anything. nudge me with your elbow
if on the right, why the right Now.
then for march !"
They proceeded in silence for over an
hour. Ileinrich's right elbow was then
thrust gently into the Captains ribs at
his whispered halt they both stopped.
Amid the trees the both saw distinctly
faint, twinkling light having the appear
ance of tarcr in cottage
ANDh, 1ltlnIICu s1lu lnc NnDlIl1
=" if the devil owns that light hc has no
power to harm us if it belongs to mortal
man. we shall see which il the strongest.
Keep bold heart in your breast, and
press steadily on"
They entered the forest; the Captain
still keeping close behind Heinrich, so
governed his movements that they seem.
ed as one man.
As they proceeded, the light almost
imperceptibly retreated To thA eye of
an unsuspecting person the light would
have had the effect of miscalcuation in
distance, but the keen senses of the Cap.
tain were not to be deceived he behold
the light receding slowly, but steadily.
as they advanced. lie strained his eyes
to discover the cause, but in vain. As
they threaded the mnzcs of the wood, it
would suddenly disappear. and sitter pro-
ceeding few minutes without bcholding
it, they would pause, thinking it had
vanished entirely, when again its light
would gllmmer before tLcm as if inviting
them to proceed. One thing the Cap
tain had discovered they were pursuing
beaten path through the forest, ana he
felt slight shuddcr thrill even to his
stout heart as he reflected that it might
have been worn by the feet of the unfor.
tunatc travellers who had fallen victims
to this mystery.
a quarter Of an hour had passed since
they bad entered the forest. aud vet they
were no nearer the light than before.
The Captain began to grow impatient
Again the light dissapl cared this time it
seemed to be gone in reality; they walk.
ed silently on-all was dark. The Cap
tain was obout to relinquish the pursuit.
when 10 ! there was the light qniveriug
as before.
Heinrich stepped briskly forward
there vas cracking sound. as Of break.
ing twigs The Captain drew back aud
gra>red an oyorhangng bough. There
was sound Of heavy fall n cry Of pain
then all was still. The Captain was
standing on the brink of tho pit into
which Heinrich had fallen. BY the aid
of the bough he had seized, he drew bin.
self back from his perilous situation.
Scarcely had he recovered firm footing
before be saw the light rapidly approach,
ing the pit. With painful effort he re.
pressed his breathing. AS it nearcd him
he perceived it was nothing but n frame
work, IN which tarer was placed borne
in the hands Of man Of wild and fero-
cious aspect Tie truth instantly fash.
cd upon the Captains mind he under.
stood tie dcvilish artifce which the mon.
81 1a nc.1 10 Al,
The robbcr placed his window by the
side of the pit, and sinking on his knees,
peercd cauticusl y into the depths long
knife which gifted in his hand told too
plainly what awaited Heinrich if he had
survived the fall.
The Captain drew forth ono Of his pis
tolls and cautiously cooked it slight as
was the sound, the robbers ear detected
it. and he sprang to his feet the Can.
tain fired as he rose. The aim was true
and fatal with loud shrek the ruflian
fell to the earth few convulsive strug.
giles shook bis frame, then he lay per.
tcctly motlonless.
The Captain moved cautiously round
the sides Of the pit and gained bis sdo.
lie was quite dead. lie examined his
person, his garments were of the rough
est kind. and much worn his feet were
protected By covering made of felt,
which prevented his footsteps from being
heard. lIc then turned and examined
the window it was nothing but com.
mon frame that he had obtained from
some cottage the taper was backed by
small strip of green board, which scrv.
ed to throw the rays of light styoight for.
ward, while it concealed the person of
the bearer.
Feeling anxious for the safety of
Heinrich the Captain called loudly upon
his name but received no answer. Fear
ing the worst he retraced his steps, to
The best of his ability, in the direction
OF the inn.
BY pursuing the path which be had
before noted, he succeeded in reeaining
the road without much difficulty, aud
arrived at the inn little before day
break.
The host, though somewhat anxious to
ascertain the fate of his son, advised
short delay in order to procure the as
sisinnce of the ncighboring villagers
tho Captain acccded
In about two hours after strong par
ty proceeded to the scene of nocturnal
adventure The Captain found all as
he had loft il and his heart considerably