Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-01

about the same instant that his eye fell on a
number of the latter, the quick eye of Clovis
caught the snagger. The latter believing him
self lfunperceived turned and began to move eau
tiously away. Clovis called to him by name
He began to mend his pace. Two or three of
Sabine men in advance of the main body fol-
lowed rapidly, urging him to halt, till he had
nearly gained the "opening" in the woods,
when rife bullet whizzed through his brain.
The sound was startling to all within the snag-
gers quarters. Men and women hurried from
their subterranean retreats wi.E strange and
uncouth visage and attire, as if, at some unex-
pected summons, they had come suddenly and
unprepared, from the charnel-bouse of the
damned.
Clovis knew that the report of rifle in such
close proximity to the Retreat would alarm the
snaggers, for their rules prohibited the discharge
of firearms in its immediate vicinity unless to
warn them of danger at hand; and he sug-
gested the necessity for instant and rapid
march.
On!" cried Sabine in sharp and imperi-
Gus tone, at the same time advancing.
" On answered the energetic Captain Born
xii, and with tumultuous uproar the party rush
ed toward the opening
On the first alarm one or more of the snag-
gers hurried toward the kennel to rally the
dogs. The spectacle there presented at once
confirmed their fears, and "Treason Trea-
son " rung wildly through the camp Who
were its aiders or abettors, none save Hartman
and his coadjutors knew and they, attaching
the concerted badge to their caps, caught the
word and echoed itwith as much of outward zeal
and clamor as the rest
In the hurly-burly that ensued Moll was con-
spicuous. As if pride was her ruling passion,
and the shame of defeat, rather than the fear
of punishment, constrained her, she seemed as
if gifted with ubiquity, to be everywhere at
once, the controlling and inspiitring genius of
the gang. As if her eye, at glance, embraced
each individuality, and her mind comprehended
each danger and suggested all needful or posi-
BE relief; while her physical powers were
tasked with tremendous energy on apparently
distinct objects her harsh and sonorous voice
was heard, like bird of evil omen, high above
the storm, commanding one, summoning others,
exhorting all. And her followers, for they
were ,he followers Of Mellsn,ehst da9, swayed,
moved, desisted, and were impelled, inspired
with hope, fear, or desperate vesolve, by look,
word, and gesture of hers.
The snaggers had operated for long time in
conscious security; and the pressing danger
which now beset them, coming unawares, pro-
duced no small degree of confusion in their
camp. Before they could organize and arrange
themselves for the most effective resistance, Sa-
bine's men had presented themselves, in toler-
able order, in the open area the snaggers occu-
pied.
Captain Bornkil advanced few steps, and in
the name of the Royal authority demanded
their surrender.
g Let loose the dogs! - cried Moll. g Fire,
knaves Fire Fight like devils, or you are
hanged, all !"
" Fire " cried half a dozen voices. and sew
cral triggers were pulled Some of the guns
missed fire, and others were discharged with ia
tai effect.
Sabine ordered his men to fire. They poured
in volley upon the snaggers.
Now on " he cried, and, as if anticipat-
ing an easy victory, or thoughtless of danger,
he rushed forward. His men followed him with
savage cries for revenge. The snaggers wero
for the moment surprised, and scattered. The
long-legged Mr.. Short, having advantage of his
comrades in locomotion, '' walked nto'' a
snagger before the latter was aware of the
fact; and, as if he believed feshly weapons
more humane or serviceable than the " shootin
iron " he carried in his left hand, he smote the
fellow blow with his fist which affected {" the
end he aimed at, in a manner quite satisfactory
to Short. But the snaggers after momentary
panic were gathering again, and directly the
two parties, mingled together, were fighting
single-handed and pell-mell.
Herbert and Alice were regardeS6y the snag.
gers as the cause of the present irruption, and
toward them vindctive malice was indulged
Pellet had singled out the former who, with such
weapons as he could command, was doing mas.
terly service among gang of three or four as
saiants and sweating under his tolls, and
taking deliberate aim, the villain fired.
slight motion of Herbert, as Pellet pulled the
trigger, relieved him from the effect of the shot
and it passed through the body of snagger-
Pellet rushed upon Herbert just as Clovis, fol
lowed by the dog Sirius, hurried to his rescue
Clovis was checked by some of his former com.
rades, and Pellet and Herbert grapped. Tn,
latter had not met his match before, and though
it seemed as if his efforts for half an hour pre-
vious had put all his powers in requisition, vel
when he felt the weight of Pellets iron gras,
upon him, and saw the massive +" "bud " of thu
man, he felt his own cords drawing tighter thar
before.
All, ha !" cried Herbert. NO,c it's yor
or T."
Pellet made no answer but struck at his an
tagonst with sheath knife. Herbert wardet
off the blow, and seizing the villain by thu
throat, attempted by the force of his owl
weight to press his adversary down. Pele
sturdily resisted him, and feeling force il
Herbert's arm which he did not anticipate, he
redoubled his own efforts, and had well nigh
overcome his adversary when Clovis, who hat
been relieved from his antagonist by well-di
rected blow from William Belden, saw the dan
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