Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-05-07

anu 1T Inut HhOhlent I1diH itu "oculnpliSneu
half the distance from the woods to the house.
Behind him at full speed, were some ten or
dozen men, intent on his capture
" Courage, courage, Ham you'll gain US
yet," shouted Mr.. Melville. in cheering tones
Exerting himself to his utmost, Ham pressed
forward. He had nearly reached the cabin
when one of the men, whose horse, possessing
greater speed than the rest, leaned over, and
seized him by the shoulder, efectualiy stopped
his progress.
NOW, you little devil, I've got sou. oh,
it's no use to kick and squrm in thai ray, for
it wont do any gepd.H and<ne sas, ..sssaln{ted
10 draw him on bis hopse You Sk. come, =
will you he exclaimed, putting from his ex-
ertion We Il see about that, i" and dismount
ing he grasped him in his arms.
"Oh, father save him, save him " cried
Irehe
With one bound Mr. Melville reached Ham,
and clubbing his rife he dealt the man blow
which knocked him senseess. Selling Ham in
bis arms. he sprang for the house and just as
the door closed upon him, shower of balls
buried themselves in the logs. He had barely
time to slip the bar in its place, when there
came n loud conclusion upon the door.
Try again." shouted Ham placing his mouth
to creyice.
(; You are there, are you I! . exclaimed
voice from the gang
"T calculate amt nowhere else, only inside
these ere logs, you dirty villain
" Be charry of your words, or | may take a
fancy to send bullet through your head "
You've got mighty Smart shooting iron
to send bullet through these logs, so let er
drive, and if you hit anything, we'll let you
know"
HAM" said Mr.. Melville, speaking in a
low tone, how many are there of these men :"
Ten
Haloo Within" came in loud voice at
this moment
Haloo," shouted Mr.. Melville in return.
" Have the honor of addressing Charles
Melvillel"
You have! v
"We ell, then, command you to open this
door"
"And what if | refuse to obey your COM
mand! !"
+" Then as the only alternative that is left us,
| Ixun oh hn t,o -, cf
y open" ,us e~--
- WIN you give me The reason for y5aF visit
to my dwelling :"
:" have no reasons to give other than those
shall inform you of when we are face to face.
Will you open this door! y
"Will 20 tell me why you request this y
replied Mr.. Melville in calm tone.
No.
" Then you are at liberty to retire as soon as
' you please The door will not be opened unit
you give good and sufficient reasons for making
such demand"
= We will give you five minutes to alter youl
" decision. Either open the door at the explra
ton of that time, or we shall use force to ac
complish our purposes. IF we are compelled tt
use the latter. will not answer for the conse
quences that may ensue.
ID g am able to bear all the consequences m,
l. non refusal to admit you to my dwelling, ma.
re provoke. require no five minutes to decide
but tell you once for all, that the door will re
/" main as it is"
ID LAS you please. Remember have warne
lr you" and moving away from the cabin. tn
leader joined his men.
1t at is as | feared" slid Mr. Melville in
to low tone to Ham.
I'D but they can't get in here"
lis " Yes they can, think. The door woul
ell stand but short time against the shock Of or
n those trees yonder, brought to bear against i
at propelled by ten men
.se "Srre enough | had not thought of tina
se and perhaps they wont"
he ~ hope not, at least
yet 81 have got proposition to make to you,
it came voice from The leader at this moment.
IN, "You have the privilege of doing 50"
he Consent to meet me in front of the hons
is, and give you my word that no harm shall
Wy offered YOU"
ers What assurance have that you will ke
wn your word?"
will meet you unarme1 and alone
h." Ham, hand me those pistols The requt
the was complied with, and having examined the
SO carefully, Mr.. Melville placed them in his !
SON. Now Ham, I'm going out to meet tn
nto man, and
ate "Hsrk." exclaimed Ham, without heedi
what Mr.. Melville was about to say. :"
ire, you hear that! "
tch WHAT I heard nothing"
by the great guns of Freedom, ! d
the though There it is again Some one is
ght the roof Of the cabin as sure as the devil y
lsly You are mistaken, Ham for heard no
ing. Wait moment and see II You heal
ael- again"
q in Listening attentively, Mr.. Melville and H
,nce endeavored to catch any sound which might
caused by q person upon the roof OF the cat
in a But in vain If any one was there, they
fear heard Hams exclamation and acted accordi
ly.
risk You see was right Ham,"
, ta Perhaps so. hut don't believe it. Pear
was me wouldn't 90 out there There Il no z
ang, come ont and may be hurt. They ar
pc it treacherous set and there's no knowing but
devils will grab you as soon as you get
} ex there"
Ham :" Our condition, should | refuse and /
batter the door down, would only be worse /
lrsn- it would be, should fall into their hand