Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-11-11

twas gazing with apparent wonder upon the
scene.
"I'll be erevenged-you cannot escape me-"
f" For what 2" asked Hopkins innocently.
" For deceiving me-
4 did jest as agreed. Amt you goin' tew
dew as told you?"
Fures " exclaimed Rand, stamping the
ground with vexation. care you a fool, that
you think me one? You guide me to Mark
Llncoln's camp! But come, Skinner, assist me
to bind his hands, and then we'll leave this
IDIOT"
I" If you tell him, shan't dew it," shouted
Hopkins, as they moved away.
The Tory did not stop to reply. He wonder
cd however, if the Scout was sincere in think
ing he would be SO insane as to accept the Offer
which he had made
" The sneakin' cuss - muttered the Scout
us the forms of his enemies disappeared from
view, " to think I'd betray Lincoln and his
company into the hands of pack of thieves
When think ont my blood bes like thar was
furnace inside. Eff my hands want tied, I'D
show that ar Rand trick worth dozen of his
Ef stay till mornin' reckon I'm gone fort
and II they ketch me tryin to git away it can I
be any wus."
He cautiously surveyed the ground, his keen
eye taking in almost at "a glance the arrange
ment of the camp, and the best points o
egress. A few rods from him, In the rear ol
the Captains tent, stood his trusty rifle leaning
against tree. 10 the right and left of this
the Tories had disposed themselves for the
nights rest, while between himself and the
tent stood a sentinel. The FIRE, whose dying
embers cast feeble glare upon the group, was
but few feet from where he was lying. As
the Scout was engaged in surveying the camp
the sentinel approached and stood gazing at him
You haint got any pipes and tobaccer about
you, hev you?" asked Hopkins.
Yes, replied the Tory
Pass 'em along then. l shouldn't 60 tc
sleep for a week eff didn't smoke
Il cannot unite your hands without leave
from the Captain
"Wal, if you're afraid of chaps running
away with his feet tied like mine be, you need
mt dew it, said the Scout contemptuously.
I" If don't give you chance, there wont bt
no risks to run"
"l'd look we'll runnin' with my legs tied
wouldn' 2" and Hopkins laughed. " P'rap'
you don't know what they're keeping me for, >
continued Hopkins.
81 don't, but guess you'll be strung up"
Thar you're wrong. Dye ever hear Thorn
as Rand speak of a brother o. his'n what live,
in tlo north part O. the province, somewhar? >
Yes
wal, Lincoln's got him snug and safe il
his camp, whar the devil couldn't find him i
he undertook the job; and they're keepin M,
till they kin send "a chap in and ask Lincoln tev
exchange. Ef should take a notion not to le
em know how to git intew the camp, his lif
wouldn't be worth the askin'. -
What's that to dew with ontying you
hands and giving you the pipes and tobacco
81 reckon you wouldn' want Thomas Ran'
for an nemy?"
"Id as lieve have the devil, tween you an,
me, replied the man quickly.
Wal, eff the pipe and tobaccer ant comm
in about tew minnits, swar wont tell the wa
to the camp, and if Rand should find out tn
reason, | wouldn't be in your place"
The sentinel hestated moment, but the fea
of Thomas Rand's anger seemed to decide him
and producing the pipe, he released the Scout
hands, watching with "a keen glance each move
ment the other made. The Scout talked an
smoked by turns, until it was evident to hir
that the Tories were all fast locked in sumbel
"I'm obleeged to you" said the Scout, as
knocked the ashes from the pipe and leaned fol
ward to hand it to the other The Tory di
not notice that in this movement the Scou
changed the pipe to his left hand, leaving I'll
other unemployed.
&C. If Skinner should find this cut it -
These were the only words he uttered, for {
that moment the hand of the Scout was claspe
fast upon his throat, effectually preventing h
speech. He struggled for moment, but tn
soon ceased, when the Scout released his holC
1t required but feeble effort to snap the corr
which confined his limbs, and with these |
bound the Tory's hands A portion of tt
hunting tunic worn by the sentinel was severe
and thrust into his mouth 1t was compar
lively easy task to obtain possession of his riff
and keeping in the shadow of the trees to pr
vent being seen should any of the Tories
aroused from their slumbers-the fire not ha
ing wholly died out-he neared the spot whc
the horses were confined. Rapidly running h
eye over the group, he selected one which fro
Its splendid proportions and fnely-turned limb
he knew belonged to the Tory Captain, al
!, having adjusted the bride, he threw it over
limb and proceeded to cut the remaining beas
, free. This done, he sprang upon the beast
had selected, and giving wild whoop he stai
ed in the direction OF the swamp in which MAJ
Lincoln's camp was situated.
Startled by the shout of the Scout. the Tori
sprang to their feet just in time to see the for
of the Scout disappearing in the distance, al
the beasts they had supposed secured firmly
the trees, following him at swift canter
vain they attempted to stay the progress of I'll
horsos-thelr words only seemed to increa
their speed. With muttored imprecations tn
: endeavored to ascertain the cause of the see
they had just witnessed, when the eye of t
Captain fell upon the sentinel, who having b
come conscious, was vaiuly trying to speak.
: TO BE CONTINUED.