Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-08
HARLEY HARTMAN
OR,
The Snaggers of Memphremagog.
A, Tale of tho Canada border Co,anterfeitors.
CHAPTER XIII.

CHAtIEh AAlli.
THE DEPARTURE.
They who assailed the snaggers were men
who were accustomed to indulge respect for all
the ordinary decencies of life, and under a
somewhat rustic exterior, they carried hearts
which warmed in sympathy to helpless suffer
ing, whether of friend or foe. After having
performed the last solemn duties for the dead,
and gathered abundantly of the worthless
spoils of their victory, they set about preparing
a sort of half hammocks for the removal Of
disabled comrades and snaggers.
When they had completed these arrange
ments, and each man was burdened with his
helpless fellow, or other material deemed nee
essary to be removed, with their down-cast pris-
oners in advance, and Alice on foot with Nc
Dermot by her side, followed by Hartman,
Herbert, Clovis, William Belden, and Others as
inferior mourners, they set forth. Through
the deep and majestic forests they progressed In
solemn funeral march, The death of Judith
had been to McDermot and Alice a painful WIS.,
itation, and the grief they indulged was par
ticipated in, and respected by all.
Their progress was necessarily slow in conse-
quencc of the various obstacles they encounter
ed, and the burdens by which they were encum-
bered. The rejoicings natural TO their triumph
and their return, were saddened and restrained
from exuberance, by the melancholy incidents
connected with their victory.
Before they reached the settlements, Clovis
had communicated to Mr.. Sabine the fact that
Musgrave had in his possession papers which
were vitality important to William Belden. and
Of right belonged to the latter; and he re-
ouested that the earliest and most energetic
means might be adopted to secure to William
the possession of them. Sabine was anxious
to know the subject matter to which they re-
lated. Clovis disclosed to him 50 much of the
conversation which he had heard within the pre-
cnct of the Third Concessiones as to satisfy
Mr. Sabine that the history and fortunes of the
boy were enveloped in a mystery which Mus
grave only had the means to reveal. There
was 50 much of mystery, and withal so
much of vagueness and uncertainty in the
account which Clovis gave, and the dark hints
he threw out concerning Musgravc, that the Gu
riosity of Sabine and Captain Bornkil was
highly wrought, and they determined on gain
ing from Musgrave Immediately, all the expla-
nation he had power to convey From William
Balden they could learn nothing, for he knew
nothing excepting what Clovis had impaired,
and that he was positively enjoined to conceal !;
and from Clovis they could gather nothing more
than he had already communicated, save that
he INDUCED certain suspicious which he de-
cared he would not reveal until he should
reach England in company with William Bel
den.
When they reached Musgrave's residence they
found him greatly depressed in spirits, for it
had been nosed abroad, and the rumor had
come to his cars, that party sufficiently strong
to overcome resistance, under the lead of al
unerring guide, had gone to the snagsers' quar-
ters. And he felt a strong prescntiment tha
his hour had nearly come. Moreover, he wal
kept under strict watch, and had no opportu
nifty afforded him to communicate with Others
save through the medium of his guard AM
they, faithful to their trust, would permit n
message to pass until they had considered de
liberately the import of every word.
Hartman, as he neared the settlements
longed for an opportunity to meet Musgrayc
for there was rancour in the heart OF tn
former, which made him desire to pour its BIZ
terness on the head of the man who had mad
a waste of so large period in tho current {
his life. But when he reached the King higf
way, his thoughts and inclinations tended s
powerfully to his long deserted home, as
there was conjuror at the other extreme
draw them thither, and such there was, that /
needed no appeal from Alice to make him tur
his back on Musgraye, or speed HIM on his wa.
impatient of delay, he called Clovis and VIII
lam Belden, among Others, to take his leave
To the former he acknowledged his great il
debtedness and exacted from both promi
that they would visit him ere long Villa
had promised almost before the demand WI
mad.. Clovis was grave and thoughtful, al
the response, if anywhere, was choking in h
throat.
ssClovis dear Clovis " said Alice, in
manner entirely artless, and In tremblir
tone, percsiving, as she thought, his determin
tion that their separation then was to be fna
and fearing for his future life, " come, do com
and see us.
Still he gave her no assurance, but was pc
siye as before, and the shade OF melancholy
his countenance, if aught of change could
seen, was deeper than at first. Alice watch
him as if she sought to penetrate some hidd
sorrow, and reveal its source. There were e
pressions more tender than kindness in his ey
mingled with woe. Grateful emotions VIZ
springng up in her own heart, sitting h
voice and bedewing her cheeks
Clovis Dear Clovis " at length she
poated, at the same time clasping his hand
hers " my debt is larger than can ever
pay. You found me in peril; you led me to /
father; you protected me in danger from inst
and wrong you have guided ussafely hither
owe you my happiness, my life. Come the
Clovis, where my thanks shall be oftener rene