Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-01-15

oio my hse, youngster God bless you,
sir When you want favor just make it
known to old Ethan, and he will be sure to
grant it. You will find your confidence not
misplaced. There's my fist, sir take it.
was only shamming in getting you to turn
traitor. You see, don't you, that Allen would
not have believed you.''
T" Yes said Clayton, shaking Aliens hand,
warmly, :" have been free with you, sir, but
you must forgive me-"
10 be sure. They are not all like you
about here You are of the right stamp--iust
such man as We need in these tronblous
times .
Clayton thanked Allen for his good opinion,
and they moved down the Lake with the utmost
good feeling. Allen appeared to enjoy the joke
heartily. and his laugh rang merrily out as they
moved along.
" Shall put you ashore now, Mr.. Clayton ="
NO, no. | could hardly believe that man
with countenancc like yours, was the villain
you would have me believe you"
"The countenance is the best criterion by
which to judge mans character. can read
. mans disposition at first sight, but thought
[ would try you for the fun of the thing |
never was blessed with much learning
nature being about the only book ever studied;
and, by the way very good book it is, too. |
am rough chap, as you see me, but love my
country just the same as those who have book
learning. You have got hard road to travel
in If you intend to enlist, but it is one which
leads you in the right direction, and covers you
with glory if you do your duty faithfully, and
don't get one Of thosc d-d Tares' bullots
through your head. All the monument ask,
after am dead, IS to have my countrymen's Is
bosoms swell with pride and gratitude, as they
to the name of Ethan Allen"
You take the ri :, lit view of the thing, sir
and you need never fear that your name will
not be loved and reyeronced. That is the case
now, and every mother will rehearse to her
children the story of your deeds"
Thank you, sir, for your good opinion.
shall at least endeagor to deserve this love-"
How long is it before we land asked
Clayton, after long silence during which each
seemed occupied with his own thoughts.
"Only a short distance below here replied
Allen.
They soon reached the place designated by
Allen, and the boat was put ashore and con
cealed.
Now, said Allen, =" We shall strike off ,C
the mountains. Are you not hungry?
No, not in the least -
=. g ,Yell, ans aaas II there wefs pgt so mar,
Of those cursed Tories over there. said Allen
| pointing in a direction where number O
dwellings, were clustered together, " would
have meal. II would be n little dangerous tC
try it now, for they might take IL fancy TO make
target Of mo-"
(Which wouldn't be very pleasant"
Exactly. But come, let us move on, for i
we don't we shall not get to camp to night
They struck into a narrow and intricate path
which they followed for some miles, when i
gradually became more open, The sun wa
just setting us Clayton and Allen came in view
of the encampment Of the Green Mountain
Boys. 1t was a fine open space, beautiful,
carpeted with grass and wild flowers,
Some fifty men were loungng about on th
ground some cooking the evening meal, SOM
smoking short black pipes, Others cleaning tbei
rifles, while few, gathered part from tn
rest, were making stump serve for table, ant
indulging in game of Poker with an oil
greasy pack of cards, probably purloincd from
some York Sheriff, who had been SO unlucky Il
to fall into their hands.
They were all dressed in tho garb of a hun
ter Each had long rife, and those who ha
been more lucky than the resi-, a pair of heav
horse pistols. They were stern, motley set o
men gathered there, some young some grey
haired, and of every cast of countenance. The
were a rough-looking set, too /; but beneath a
unpublished exterior, beat warm and genia
heart, ever alive to the sufferings Of their ftl
lows Liberty or Death was t cir motto
and having once put their hand to the whee
they would not now turn back.
Apart from the rest, with his head leane
against tree, and his body doubled up like
half-shut jack knife, sat boy Of some thirtee
summers. An otter-skin cap covered his head
ana the rest of his clothing, being either to
large or too small for him, gave him slovenl
appearance, His hair was what poets woul
call golden, and hung in ringiets over hi
neck and shoulders. His hands were thru'
into his pockets, and his face bore that easy
devil may-care look, which denoted that
cared about as much for the. world as that di
for him, and who took things just as they cam
good or evil. His eyes were closed, and ii
casual observer would think he was asleep; BIT
the quick nervous twitcbing of the eyelids, {
the conversation turned upon the all absorbin
subject of the war. told that he was far frol
dreamland.
As Allen and Clayton entered the camp,
loud cheer went up from the throats of Il
Green Mountain Boys which reverbrated alor
the crags and rocks, and died away in the di
tance.
Leaving our hero safely at Aliens camp, "
will turn tn other characters of our story.
TO EE CONTINUED.
The gentlest task-master we even heard of WI
a blacksmith. who used to say every evening