Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-12-24
:. Who's there," spoke quick voice from

Who's there!" spoke quick voice from
the corner.
"Hist, Robinson-its me-"
"WhatI Tom MiiIer!"
Yes"
"How in the name of Jehosaphat-''
"Hush-you'll be heard I've come. ,c
let you out Of this place, so keep quiet"
Thank ye, Tom; but just cut these RIO
bons of my wrists and ankles. and I'll be
obliged to ye."
The tory drew hunting knife from hi,
bell, and with few expert cuts had made
his comrade free. They both glided to the
opening, and in mou ent more were stand.
ing upon the mo5n-i turf
"Shall We make bold push, and KNOCK
over the sentry, Joel" whispered Tom.
| ..No-I have better way Come thi:
~, and iitrke ,are 5ff 1890
Robinson descended to the path through
which he had escaped once be!ore-they
swurg themselves down off the rock, and
were soon Hidden by the shady forest trees
/ Tie next morning the 5rigadesmen dis.
covered the escape of The tory spy, and
knew it had 0een effected through the
agency of the communicative stranger
hey saw they had been duped-yet too
late 10 retrieve their error.
The close OF sultry afternoon was fast
approaching--the red sun was gradually
descending behind the heavy shade OF a
western forest.
man, closely wrapped in black cloth
cloak was standing by the wayside of the
Kings road, seem ngly unmindfuI, or at
least unheedfui of objects passing around.
A dreamy reverie seemed 10 have settled
upon him, lul!ed unconsciously by the plain
tive music. whispered softly from the eve
ming breeze. Bat at length a faint rever-
beTa;ion in the distance attracted his atten-
ton. He bent his ear forward and listened
it slowly approached-gradually drew
louder and clearer, and then the sharp tread
of horses hoof became distinguishable.
The pace was rapid and unsteady, thus lead
ing one to suppose that the rider was per-
son Ii tie skilled in hOrsemanship. Soon the
.of charner, once fiery, now wearied by
eXertion: galloping slowly toward him.
The rider was negro. who seemed as ex-
hausted as his steed, for he clung fearfuly
to the PGmmel of his saddle, yet OCCASION
ally veDturing to cast suspicious glance al
Tentatively upon either side. The reason fos
this headlong speed was indeed mystery
yet the stranger seemed to divine it at once
Leaping from his retreat into the middle
of The road. he caught the horse at the bit,
bringing him to d stand in such a forcible
manner that the negro horseman stumbled
forward upon the animal ne, k, but he was
Immediately in the grasp of the other. who
with decided jerk brought Kim sprawling
upon the turf. The black lay for a moment
as though stunned, but at length gaining his
lesi-sEoke- nrt in = hall pileQus and Splicai
tone:--
30, Lor' bless you, massa robber, don't
kill poor nigger-he amt wort dyin."
."Hst! you black scoundrei! if you give
such another yell as that, III wiring your
neck! Where were you goingr'
"Juss up here little way
We'll! and where is that!"
SO, | can't t;nk OBJ de place. neber
knew III"
you've got letter!"
"No, massa-on de word of a poor"
"Shut up! | know you haze oEe!-lfyou
don't hand it over TO me this moment I'll
chop You as fine as mince meat.''
The negro sank upon his knees. and pro-
tested his ignorance of such document but
Gne glance from the strangers flashing eye
restored his memory. A firmly sealed pack
age was produced from pocket in the pris-
oner's clothes, and the other seized 1t i'm
patiently from his grasp, and tore It open.
He read:--
"The fellow is safe. A party of my men
effected his capture few evenings ago, and
now he is confined in the old jail house in
this city. An indictment vii! be found
against him for murder. Tae plea o. self
defence y i'll not be received, since he killed
Wilcox upon mere suspicion Of unfaithful-
ness No more-lh-re are ten chances
aga nst this reaching you where there is
ono in iavnr-he will be suspected Of deser-
tion, and YOU must convey this idea to
Mary. b..
The stranger paused a moment in deep
thought, then handing the missive back to
the terrifcu courier, strode hastily from
sight, through the forest. The negro re-
mounted his sleed, and applying spur to the
noble animals side, galloped swiftly away.
[CnNcLUEEp NEXT WEEK.