Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-12-30
MAT WARD;
THE TORY'S DOOM.
Bv the Author Of The Scout Of the Lake, Waldo, or
Life on the Border" &C., &C.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE WARNING.

CHAPTER XIV.
THE WARNING.
For some time after Mark and the Scout left
the Inn there was no words passed between
them Marks head was bowed, and he was
evidently attempting to solve some problem IN
his mind. At last he looked up and saw Hop
kins gazing intently at him.
"Hopkins," i" he said in slightly agltated
voice, :" did you notice the remark which HICKS
made to Palmer as their conversation was near
ly ended?"
"'Bout bein careful O. this and luther busi-
ness he's engaged in?"
"Y Yes; tits that refer to. Have you any
idea of the nature of the business spoken OFF,
" Not bit of one. Some of his tarnal
.,rascally plans he's alters up to, reckon"
!" That mair>is capable of committing any
crime" said Mark.
"You're right thar, anu IT was you
should be mighty skeery about his visits to the
Widder Archer's.'
"What do you mean?' asked Mark starting,
as he saw thoughts similar to his own occupied
Hopkins mind.
s.That if he aint prevented, he'll make Mabel
Archer his wife by some cussed mern trick or
other.'
He car never do thls-they have forbidden
him to enter the cottagt again
(which amounts to jest nothing he'd go
now as soon as ever"
"Do you believe he would resort to force to
obtain possession of Mabel? ?"
"Believe it? know it. He's snake i'll
the grass, and will strike without warning
You may depend ont, that if he's set his heart
on havin' Mabel Archer, he'll do it,"
"Not if it is in my power to prevent it, ex
claimed Mark.
q Bus il aint You aint alters there in case
he should attempt to carry her off.
''Do you think he will attempt that?
eyes, do
81. there no way to prevent this? Your
brain is fertile one, and can you not invent
some stratagem to foil him in this thing
"Thar's Jest one, but reckon you wouldn t
use it,.
.'Name it. | will do anything to thwart
his infamous designs
g Even to the risk of your lifo?' asked the
Scout
"Aye even were it ten chances to one that
should lose it,
"Well then," said Hopkins in significant
tone, g don't you think you could hit his ras-
cally body at ten PAGES
You wish me to challenge him?"
Exactly. Thar's equal chances in such a
fight, but as it stands now, he's got the advan-
tage of YOU
He will keep it ere I disgrace myself by
sending him challenge. No, Hopkins, if
there is no other plan but that in your mind,
We must trust to Providence for the result"
@ didn't think you was 50 delicate on sich
things, Lincoln. It's all owin' to your edca-
ton"
I" 1t is recognize dueling as nothing more
nor less than an attempt to murder the man
you hate
What are you going to do about the news
we got up to old Hardngs to-night?'
g Transmit the information we have obtained
to Washington Immediately"
" How are we going to do it?"
"Send it by Watson to Putnam's camp, ant
lot him forward it to headquarters "
. narsn't you trust me with the dokey
1l...~s r. asked Hopkins.
'sTrust your yes, if there was danger of be
ing apprehended, but Watson can as well d'
this want you with me to assist in fndin,
Palmer and the plans he has formed"
you a'int certain that he 8 formed any, ar
you?"
No but am confident that he has, and
that they are intended to be executed in con
junction with this Infamous plot, in which h
and Hicks are engaged
THAT ar's jest the conclusion I'd come tc
But let us be movin' a little faster, for fe,
jest as though wanted wink o. Sleep"
As soon as Mark and the Scout reached tn
Retreat, the latter threw himself upon couc
in Marks tent, and was soon asleep. Not $
with Mark Lincoln. His first business was
write brief statement of what he had di
covered, and then calling Watson, gave him h
orders in regard to its conveyance to the cam
of Putnam.
You are aware, Watson, of the importan,
of having this carried safely to its destination ?
81 am, replied Watson.
"And you think you can do ths?"
"Try mc--if fail, my life shall be Il
forfeit
1--WE do not wish your life, but you kno
that your fondness for rum is sometimes stron
er in its influence, than convictions of duty"
'Dont mention that. You don't know ho
much I'vc suffered, Mark Lincoln, since can
kao nigh being caught at old Harding's kne
you'd lost all confidence in me as Scout, b
jest try me this time, and if don do my dut
its the last you I'll see of Lem Watson"
+" You arc good Scout, Watson, when III
is out of your reach. Now just promise l
that you will avoid Harding 8, and abstain frc
drinking while on duty. and you can go'