Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-09-11
IRAsBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER II, 1857.

4.
signifed his wish TO speak privately with
the Baron. Sheurendorf babe him
speak out, for the stranger was trust
worthy friend.
"Wen," said Martin, "as was max
ing my last round to see that all right,
saw two men in the dusk near the gate.
standing quite still. Knowing that they
had no business there, l crep. up softly
on my hands and knees, until near enough
to hear what was going on One of them
was John Bancai the fiddle, who comes
to ali village dances. / hea5d him say
it was just the night for an attack, and
that the other, whom he called Will,
must be on hand with ten T twelve
men at midnight, and he would meet him
in the copse by the hill with a. many
more. Well try the strength of that old
door,said he,and then muttered something
about and old miser, andheaps the teas-
ure. And the other swore a greatoath
that he care for no treasure Eere but our
sweet young mistress yonder. I an glad
she has stalwart friend here, tonight,
though God knows that I would fight for
her to the death. Ay, shrink up to his
side, dear lady and let him PIT his
strong arm around your waist But l
must not stand here prating at tbs fool
ish rate. Yonng Master, if you mean
to help us, the outer door needs b,rring,
and one cannot do it alone
" Stay here with your father, Made!5
leine," said Walter, kissing her tenlerlyl
" will soon return" He then followed
Martin to attend to the barricading Of the
doors. AS was common in ancient cas-
ties, the approach to the outer door from
within was through narrow passage,
which was easily defended, before guns
came into use, by three or four men
against hundred. The door was of
oak, barred with iron; but it was splint-
cred and cracked, and the hinges were
lsesened by the crumbling of the stone
work. 1t was seldom closed, indeed, ex-
cept in winter, to keep out the drifting
snow, an inner one being e0li4'noni J used.
trr-r4--I Martin now shut the great
door, and an immense ado it made about
it, creaking and grinding on its rusty
hinges. A heavy wooden bar was then
placed across, in sockets made for the
purpose in the stone, and two or three
empty hogsheads were rolled up from the
cellar and placed behind it, and being
weighted with stones, formed a very re-
spectacle barricade. The inner door was
left open for the present, in order to give
room for firing through the outer one, but
means were at hand for instantly barring
it. The stout oaken window shutters
we're closed and fastened, and when thi
was done, the castle was ready for de
tense as far as it could be made so.
The next thing was to arrange SOM
means for escaping, should the barricad
be forced, and here both Walter an
Martin were in great perplexity. A
length, Martin bethought him of an an
cient subterranean passage, leading fror
the cellar, where they might possibl
find hiding place, though it had nt
been opened for twenty years, and it wa
no doubt choked with stones and rubbisl
Walter would explore; and taking
lantern, went down into the old must
cellar, followed by Martin. From ii
main apartment, a narrow door led IN
small low closet, which Martin indie
ted as the archway. Walter saw not
ing but bare walls, mouldy and hur
with cobwebs, but the servant pointing
a cross in the stone, from which he hs
= brushed the dirt, told him to strike theI
! with the hammer that lay in the corner
He did so, and a trap door sprung ope
d disclosing a narrow, well-like passag
|, with stone steps, leading down into Il
if darkness. A rush of damp air, and
e flock of astonished bats, made them sta
n back.
y "Not so pleasant as might be-" So
Walter, "but we may be compelled
c take refuge there. Leave the doer opc
t, | will bring your mistress and the Bar
here, to be in readiness to escape. Shot
: the bandit succeed in forcing their W
: in, come here Immediately, and do I
!. wait for me, but descend at once a
n pull the door to after you. / will ia
IS care that the rascals are put on the wro
e scent"
: Martin now stationed himself at
#, door to keep watch, while Walter ha
" ened Madeleine and her father into
er cellar. and showed them how to close
y trap door, in case they were Obliged
- escape alone. Nay" said he, as 4