Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-02-12
CHAPTER Nv.

standing alone on the bank Of the river,
endeavoring to unravel the tangled web
Of emotions which her interview with
Fritz had woven but as night was fast
gathering its sable folds about the earth,
she tarried not long, and on turning to re-
trace her steps, uttered cry Of alarm, on
seeing Immediately before her, the form Of
man, magni6ed, by her fears, into the
proportions of giant. The intruder, was
however under the medium size, had pass
ed middle age, and began to show some of
the symptoms of old age. These things
Bell did not observe, because there was
not light enough, even had not her want of
presence of mind disqualified her for such
close observation. He was dressed as
a man of peace-carrying a staff instead of
rife ;and his voice was gentle and re-as-
suring.
"Be not alarmed, fair ladyl" He said,
II am man Of peace, and my mission,
also, is one Of peace and good win to all
the dwellers in the fort. But as strang-
ger may not be welcome without vouchers
for his character, will you not do me the
favor to bear a message to young officer
within?"
"Certainly, Sir" she answered, hurried
ly, "But be quick, Sir.--I must hurry on
1T is getting late and I shall be missed"
"Thank you Miss; and all desire of
you, is to tell the officer, so often employed
as scout, that friend wants to see him,
within an hour, on important business,
and will wait for him where the little
brook empties into the river"
"IsitLieut. Wilmer that you mean, Sir2"
~ know not his name, lady but he is
known to the traders as the scout, and to
the Indians, as the evil eye," for they say
none survive upon whom his keen vision
falls" r.s
"It must be Wilmer, Sir" she remarked,
"though 1 know nothing Of any such nick
names. To him ! will deliver your mes
sage but should he ask me who sent it,
what name shall 1 give?'J E fl7e.r
"None, Miss have no name now.
Tell him am friend" And howing re-
spectfully, he stepped aside and motioned
to Bell to pass on, a sign which she gladly
obeyed, and lost no time in getting into
the fort. Itwas not, however, until after
his renoontre with Fritz, that Bell deliver
ed the message to Wilmer, who CROSSE s-ques-
toned her closely, but learned nothing be-
yond what is known to the reader, of the
character, or designs of the stranger. He
hesitated for some time-not knowing what
course he should adopt under such pecu-
liar circumstances but an utter indiffer-
ence to danger, and love of adventure
at length overruled the suggestions of
prudence, and he resolved to encounter
whatever hazard might attend the meeting.
And arming himself with pistols and sword
he set off, avoiding observation, and pass
ing the sentinels by means ofthe counter
sign.
Getting beyond the closure, he was
aided by the light of the rising moon to
tread the narrow and rather precipitous
path that led down to the mouth of the
brook, and passed over ground admirably
calculated to subserve the purposes of a
lurking enemy. Wilmer was aware of this
and with careful step and watchful eye,
he descended the hill, every moment in
creasing his confidence that there was no
danger. On reaching the narrow strip of
level bottom, intervening the hill and
river, Wilmer saw the stranger leaning
upon his staff, and unprotected by shrub
or tree--an evidence of deep cunning, or
of the fullest confidence in his own safety.
The latter supposition was most consonant
to Winners own generous nature, and,
without pause, he advanced, and was met
by the stranger, who said ; t#
"You are the man expected see, Sir
Il should have known you among a
thousand"
81 was not aware that We had ever met"
Wilmer answered; Sat least have no re-
collection of having seen you BEFORE"
"Perhaps not, sir; but l have seen you,
several times, in forest and prairie, and once
or twice was near enough to have taken
your life, had desired it; and you had no
idea that any one was in reach"
"That is very possible" Wilmer re-
marked "but had you been an Indian,
your presence would have been known TO
me long before you were within riAe-shot.
My horse never fails to warn me Of the
proximity of savage, night or day, and
A. n n =