Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-14
CHAPTER II.
THE SCOUTS NEWS.

Well, Watson,' exclaimed Mark Lincoln,
as his Scout entered the tent, " what news?'
Not much, Clp'n, and what | have got
amt what'll please you
"Never mind that mans pleasure is of
but little c)nsequnece compared with his duty
in such a time as this. To bagIn-how came
Skinner and his Tory minions to discover you -
81 couldn't help it, Cap'n,; sartain as you
live, I coubln't," said the Scout trembling
That is not answering my question, sir,
exclaimed Lincoln sternly. Why did you per-
nit thu Tories to s,e yol? Answer M truly,
and don't att,mpt to equivocate."
"Wall, Clp'n, suppose it must come, but
don't b, hard on me l. want to DO right but
the Jimaky-"
Then y)u'v9 been drank again, have you,
Watson?"
No, sir. haint had only one god horn
since left the Retreat, but twas the rum,
arter ALL what brought them ar Tory devils
down on M, You SEQ kept the woods till
got up as far as the crotch of the road, and q
powerful temptation came over me for glass
of the critter-"
"Anl for single glass of rum you lost the
opportunity to g,in the intelligence | wished,
besides nearly giving them clue to our camp
Fool bJl why Gun you not deny yourself
at least, when so much is at stake?"
The Scout hung his head, while a look OF
modification and regret passed over his tea'
lures. He had evidently lost the confidence o
his leader besides being disgraced among hl'
companions on account of his imprudence.
"Go on, Watson" said Mark, seeing the
other did not seem inclined to speak.
"I'd jest g,t swig O. the Jimaky, when
turned roand, and looking out of the window
saw Skinner and his gang coming at full speet
down tn, r,al. knew 'twouldn't do for 'em
to see me, 50 got out the back door, and hat
jest hid behind pile of logs in the yard al
thoy stopp,i AFTER they had tied their tosSe'
they went into the room, and in less an houl
they were pretty we'll along with the Jimaky
thought might jest as we'll hear what they {
got to say, so crept up to the house and get
ting my eAr to a crack, heard 'em talk owe
their devices. Skinner was in an awful pas
sion, and sworo like a pirate because they
been 50 all-dred unlucky in the toray. The
was pretty much gin out, had lost three or fou
men in fight with the Tagers*, besides havin
number of their beasts stolen"
n D,I, th thann thnn ? ~
!" Not as could see."
Was this all you learned /? ,
"No, 'twan't all, bya long shot, and tn
rest is such n3ws as reckon the settlers abov
wont be noways glad to hear"
g Then they are going above said Mark.
Eyes; and cansidderin tho passion Skinne
was in, reckon twill go hard with the fam
lies that aint got relations what belong to hi
gang
"They cannot be SO inhuman as to harm th
settlers who have given them sshelter and foo
many times since the commencement of hosti
tiles"
g 'Thlr's no known Cap'n; friends and foe
are all alike to him when his danders up"
" How many of them were with their leader
I" Fifty or sixty, should guess, all armed
he t}.ti."
g 1t is useless then for our men to think
contending against such Odds and yet, if thu
were mounted, they should at least have o.
chance TO battle with the villainous crew.
on Watson
g AFTER they d drnked, and played kairds
spell, Skinner took out one of his men and s
down on the pile of boards, where hid wher
see him coming out, and begun to talk abo
one of the families above. A widow and h
daughter was mentioned"
g The name, Watson-did you hear
name?" exclaimed Mark, grasping the Scou
arm like wise, while the lines of his ia
worked with the most intense emotion.
"It was-confound it all, could tell in
minnit, Capn, if | should hear it,
:" Archer?" suggested Mark, gazing in
the Scouts face as if he dreaded an atiirma ii
reply.
That's it: strange I'd forgot it SO soon, b
/ was mighty afeared They'd see me and
Never mind about your fears, but come
the point at once, and toll me what you earr
in regard to the family mentioned
"Wall, didn't hear much about the fam
twas about you mostly that they were tn
ing. Darn EN-, I'd like to have given each
'em an ounce Of cold lead ont Of my old riff
"Maka no more pauses till you finish y,
tale, or by my soul, Watson, you shall rue i
exclaimed Mark impatently.
:" reckon on the hull that it was G
thing stoppol Tor the Jimaky, for | mi
have snaked it in the woods a hull week
not hrnt anything. II seems they've got W
some way or nuther that you was at the v
der's pretty often, and Skinner sworo thai
he catched you there again he'd hang you if
died for it,"
"Hang me?" uttered Mark, a flush mG
"A Accompany of Tories who wsred alike on the Am
cans aul English.