Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-12-03

"Ah, candidate for glory"
"Yes, I'm in for glory. l'J sooner be on
the right side of nuss than to have all the
brandy thai's in the whole British army
Now, Gin n'ral, when think of them poor
fellers that's fghtin' agin US, can see the
poor widders they have made, with theil
pale cryin' faces hauntin' 'em like Oh stsr
81 fear you are suPerstit;ous-yet there
is moral to be d avn from your words"
eIn course thar is-a half dozen on 'em!-
Why, wouldn't be catched in tn an feler',
shoes if all The colonoies thrown in together
was gin 10 me!''
"You are right there, and as you seem to
be an honest fellow, think we can make
room for vou.''
The same grey eyes Of Hopkins twinkled
with pleasure at this decision-but all pre-
liminaries were soon settled, and he was
duly installed member Of the Light Brig
ade.
Henry Raymond and Will Du I1sn were
together, and engaged in an earnest conver-
sation.
81 don't like the fellows appearance,
Harry-the expression of his eye is not
right!''
ale is not agreeable, at the least
Sand he is playing part, | am cert%in.
Haven't you noticed at times a peculiar
drawl to his words, and then again he
would talk as we'll as any of us!''
The object OF these remarks was sitting
scarcely tN enty feet from our friends, yet
the conversation had been carried on in So
low L tone that there was no danger OF its
reaching his ears.
The sun had set, and daylight was grad
ually giving way to the approach of night.
This seemed TO be a momentuous hour TO
Ike. He arose from his seat, and with a
quiet, listiess tread, walked along the green
turf towards the Southern outpost Of the
camp. Ddnham and Henry cautiously left
their places and followed after.
'-See, Will. he passes the sentry."-
Whispered our hero, in a low tone.
"Yes, and he is bound for the valley
We have but to watch and follow him, al d
we may learn something OF interest"
A short distance was now continued in
silence. The Two follnwing cautiously after,
and keeping within the shade o: tie many
trees that lined their way, while they watch
ed their man, that not 4 motion might 90
unobserved.
"llenry, think he is steering for the
Old House in ;he Meadow"
"But, what in the name of heaven-''
Hist! you speak too lowd 1t IS srspicioned
this way, Harry. this way, he's looking
back
This admonitiOn was caused by Hopkins
turning suddenly in his path, and serutan-
izing suspiciously the wood behind, ere he
emerged into the open air; but becoming
reassured he walked ON without hesitation
But, Viii. what were you about to say
of the Old House!''
ats suspicioned that there is secret
cavern attached TO the room. A scouting
party from the regular army were once sent
IN pursuit of squad Of tories. They traced
them as far as he Old House, but lost them
there. The ground was covered with snow
& they could not possibly have gone further
without its being known. Their footsteps
were found as far as the doorway, but there
they ended. The planking of the floor was
torn up, but nothing excepting the solid
ground could be seen, and after nearly a
day of watching, they were obliged TO re-
turn without their men. There was no
other way Of accounting for their strange
disappearance, SO it was firmly believed that
some Unexplored cavern was connected with
the place. But loos, we are just coming
into the valley-Se must crawl among the
grass or he will see us''
] The chase soon came to an end. Hop
5 kins paused, and folding his arms aned
cOmplacently against a sturdy oak. He had
not rem aimed in this position long before a
) iootstep approached, and low voice said:
"Is't you Ro5inson!"
ayes, Tom, ais right! Where's the
E. boys!"
al! safe in the crib-drinkin', as usual.
: But what have you done!"
Y Just the best yon could imagine.."
"Get in all safe!''
"As a cricket i'll chmney-corner.''
"HOw long afore we sLall begin to ope-
5 ratel"
: 20, we mustn't be in too big hurry--we
e couldn't gain anything by crowdin' matters
:, 'TwUu dn'l do TO commence afore day aitel
r. tomorrow, or next week"
: you'll see us sgin afCre then, of courseH
5 'Sartin. ] wouldn't dare to trust it to
h letter; besides, | was never much TN lette
C writin'. All you We got to do is to jess keei
y quiet. Is them iellers of Berks!ord's here
yet! kind OF expected 'em to-day.
l. "No! | don't suppose they'll be along
ID till jest the last minnit--lhem cussed RET
coats is SO all KILN SLOW in their opera
r tons! s'pose we can't do anything til
7. they comer'
IL "No-the Cap'n wouldn't stand it n,
how. He wants the chap in his hands, ant
wouldn't trust it to u.s.
ofl The comrades had heard all they desired
r and silently retreated their way tLroug
the tangled grass of the meadow, and gain
ed the woodland unperceived. The fac
was now apparens--their new voluntee
W tory spy! They walked on for som
- moments in silence, but when they wer
e. fairly from the scene, Will exclaimed:
We "Good. So it seems that our new CON
r rade is Joe Robinson in disguise We car
not match him too well, Harry--there coul
III not be more dangerous man among us.
m They had now reached the border OF thei
at camp. With a word of recognition to tn
es sentry, they passed on, and without a mt
n ment's waiting, they directed their way I
the tent of Colonel James, and were adm
er ted. A long conversation followed, and
n was late before either Henry or DunLaI
sought their TENS, YET when they did, it VIZ
err with sn expression of triumph upon the
w features, which told tina: they did not fei
he the result.
de
CHAPTER XII