Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-09-17


take the post-well knowing that it would be
only like signing their own death-warrant to
do SO !; and Col Innes, not wishing to willfu-
ly sacrifice the lives of his men by compelling
them to go, enjoined double caution to the re-
mainder of the sentinels, and left the fatal spot
unoccupied for night or two.
1t was on the third night of the desertion
of the post, that our hero, Death, was return
ing to the fort, after paying a visit to Stan
hope farm. The moon was up, but her light
was almost obScured by the dense mass of
clouds which at every few minutes were driven
by pretty stiff breeze over her face, while
the huge trees, now in full leaf, creaked and
groaned, and bent their tall forms to aud fro,
as the heavy gusts rushed whistlng in among
the branches
Our hero had approached within hundred
yards of the termination of the forest that
skirted the small open space in which the fort
stood, when suddenly he paused, and crouch
ing down on his hands and knees crept eau
tiously forward few PAGES. Having remain
ed in this position several minutes, he again
quietly retreated in the manner he had ad-
vanced, and plunging into the forest again,
emerged at point considerably lower than
where he had intended to leave it before.
Col InneS sat reading, alone, in his private
apartment, when an orderly entered and in
formed him that one of the men wished to
speak to him.
Send him in,n said the Colonel and at
the next minute our friend Death had entered.
and rade his best bow 10 his commanding
officer
Well, what scrape have you been getting
into now ?" said the Colonel when he saw who
his visitor was.
None Colonel" replied Death . but I
have come TO ask favor"
Let US hear it," said the Colonel, aud
we will then see what we can do"
Well, Colonel, it is simply this-if you
will put the rifles under nav orders o,night,
and let ule occupy the deserted post l will
not cnly clear up the mystery of the diSap-
pearauce of the four sentries, bat make the
post tenable in future"
" But how ~ said the Colonel, in intense
surprise.
. | guess. Colonel answered Death, You
had better let me have the men, and order US
of. and I'll tell you the whole affair after |
promise that no one shall receive scratch il
they follow my direction implicitly"
Yes YOU are strange man" said the
Colonel, :" but think | will let you have
your own way this time. When do you intend
to start ?"
a.. In shout an hours time" answered Death
Very well, | will give you the necessary
orders so that you can start when YOU think
proper And what is more, if you perform all
you have promised, and don't cause HE TO re-
pent having humored you, YOU shall have poor
Campbelrs place"
Hector Campbell was a brave but very head
strong young Scotchman, who had occupied
the post of Lieutenant at the fort. In sud
den freak of daring he had volunteered 10
stand sentry at the fatal spot from which three
Sentries had already so mySteriously disappear
ed and he paid for his raShneSs with his life.
Now, nv lads" said Death, As, in about
an hour after his conversation with Colonel
Innes. he approached the deserted post, at the
head of dogeu r:hemen who had been tempo
rarilv placed under his orders :" | viii tell
you what We are going to do. Tie long and
short Of the affair is simply this, lis a gang
of them cuSSed. theivin' lroQuoiS that have
circumveuted and carried of four Of our men
shooting them with their arrows aud then
decamp;ug with their bodies.
Tonight. Us | was returning TO the fort
| suddenly thought l heard The sound Of sever
al voices. and creeping on my hands towards
The srot GOT nigh enough to see and hear that
about dozen IroqIois were then and there
arranging their plans 10 surprise the fort to-
pight-intending to steal in uPoa il by the
r5jnt which their euSSed deviltry bad render
II so easy an access only stopped 10 learn
this when hurried TO the Colonel, and asked
him 10 place you at nv disposal and here We
are | did not say wori 10 him about what
| had learned. being determined that il po-
she the rifles" should have the honor OF
ertermiuating the varletS Aud ROW | ask
vou are vou willing and ready 10 follow my
orlers Z"
Every nan cheerfuIly answered in The afr
NATIVE. aud with quickenins pulses and San-
ruiue hopes, the little company again moved
forward
The post consisted Of long. narrow sFSoe
I bounded on each side by rocSY bank, WH!ie
lis extreme end was closed in by q dark and
impeaetrated looking forest The bank on
each side Of the pass was thirSly covered WITH
brush and underwood, and among THESE death
/ now carefully concealed his ReH taxing care
10 arrange them 80 that their ere would nos
T cross each other and bidding them not 10 hre
until he given the signal and after they hsd
fred not to stop TO reload but clubbing their
riRes. 70 jump doEH anu aalsh the struggle in
thst manner.
/ With s;sadY alacTity each Elan took up the
post assigned him aud in another minute
the spot presented rhe same lone, still aud
solemn appearance il had woEn previous 10
their Arriyai.
( TIE little coApAay bad begun 10 grow vefy
impatient, and Death himself, 70 fear that the
Tndiaus had either rled The attempt, or else
had charged their plan of battle. uhen s1't-
iealy his quick eve Gerscsed the form OF his
crafty foes issuing in cr,saeAing position
from the deep shado~ which the Lofty trees