Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-11-04
MAT WARD;
OR,
THE TORY'S DOOM.
A Tale of the Days that Tried Mems Souls
By the Author Of The Scout of the Lake Waldo, or
Life the Border" &C., &c.
CHAPTER vi.

Life the Border" &C., &c.
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CHAPTER VI.
THE SCOUT AND HIS CAPToRs.
Closing 'his eyes again, the Scout lay still
and listened to the conversation which was go
ing on between the Captain of the SINNERS and
Thomas Rand. The burning sensation increas-
ed, and at times dizziness come over him which
rendered it impossible to hear what his captors
were saying. There was but little pain IN his
system, and he was conscious that by some.
means he had been drugged.
'' How did you know it was one of his COM
pany ?" asked Skinner.
"I didn't know certain. but wormed it out
of him without his ever so much as mistrusting
but what all was rights at last though at first he
was mighty skeery about telling whether he
was Whig or Tory
'If he belongs to Lincoln's company, why
didn't he carry the letter instead of following
I the road to our camp?"
sAEhat's just what I'd like to know myself,
and I'm blamed if can think what he was up
ID.
Y may be that he is a spy upon our move
lnents'
~ reckon not. Theresa chap by the name
%of Watson what does that Dizziness for Lincoln,
and he wouldn't 60 to sleep side of the road,
grunting and snoring like hog, to let folks
know where he was. A rail Scout, what has
had experience never does that"
Hopkins groaned as these words fell upon his
ear. 1t was not pain that made him do So,
but the consciousness that he had lost his repu-
tation as Scout, which to him was almost as
dear as life itself.
Darn 'em " he muttered between his
teeth ' eff don't show that sneakin' Tory a
trick he don't dream on afore mornin then I'll
break Betsey intew, and never follow another
trail
"They're short ont for good Scouts, then, "
replied Skinner to Rands remark " for it was
this same Watson we came near nabbing up to
the tavern
He want too blame there, for your secrets
would have been in Mark Lincoln's camp afore
night if it hadn't been for that ar crazy chap"
He heard a part of them, and now | see
through the movements of the man we We got in
our possession exclaimed Skinner starting up.
Let's hear the upshot of the matter"
1t is just what suggested at first; he's a
spy upon our movements, and was watching for
an opportunity to bring the gang of Mark Lin
coin down on us when we were not prepared for
them
"I'd like to know when that ar might be.
Amt we alters ready to whip out all he can
fetch agin us. There aint moren thirty men,
all told, in the company
"But they are better armed than ourselves. -
''And haint got horse in the hull troop.
If we can't fight, reckon we can run"
But do not wish to run, Rand. | mean
to have the pleasure of putting a bullet through
that rascally Lincoln, and, by -, will do
it,
The Captain brought down his hand upon his
companions shoulder with a force which, to
proving pleasant
" That arr easier said than done, 'cordin' to
the notion I've got of Lincoln. Ten chances to
one, he'd have bullet through your wizzen
afore you 80 much as mstrusted he was nigh "
I'll risk my head against his own All !
ask IS to meet him in fair fight
Which faint likely you'll be lucky enough
to do without he's bigger fool than think he
is'
''Then I'll drive him out of his swamp re
treat, and compel him to fight"
IF you only knew where that ar retrea
laid,' suggested Rand
1T can be found, and once known will ne
longer serve him as a hding-place."
g Who's going to find it? "
6 You, Rand. What is Scout good for
he cannot find out the secrets of the enemy
camp?"
80 Perhaps you'd give me an ldee how I'm t.
begin on sch FOOLS errand," said Rand con
tcmptuously.
g Bagin?' exclaimed Skinner. Searcl
the swamps in this region until you find it,
With the secret in our possession, he is just a
good as in our own hands,
g A bird in the hand is worth two in tn
bush, and plannin and dewin s;ch thing a
that is tew things. IF you think Tn goin' t
trust myself on sch scout as that, lettn th
cussad Rilemon have my body for a target
yoA're mighty mistakened. Thar aint a moo
or corner they don't know, and I'd stand nal
rer chance ofA gittin' out of the swamp, II
thinkin'"
Perhaps you are right, Rand, but it look
as If you were --''
" Afrad?" added Rand.
81 didn't say you was afraid, but
g You was goin' to" said Rand, his ey,
flashing. 81 aint coward, Skinner, any MOI
than yourself, when there's even chances ft
life, but when the odds are agin me, I'm cnsse
if you, or any other man, is going to drive III
to run my neck into halter
g You are not going to take offence at what
said 2 " asked Skinner, eagerly.
Maybe am, and maybe | aint-depent
on whether you have over any more sich. >