Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-04
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, THURSDAY,

POiooh Wdo dppIodcHiu5 db 1 uiooonoo, "''N
heard. They stopped, looked about them, and
directly youngerly man of great compactnesi
of frame, and personal beauty, in ordinary
dress, stood before them. 1t was Clovis
For several minutes neither spoke Clovis
measured the well-knt and manly form of Her
bert at a glance, e,-then casting his eyes on AL
ice, various emotions struggled in his BRAIN
The whole history of his life was spread out be-
forc him. Inwardly he cursed the Snaggers'
Gang-from the bottom of his heart he cursed
Musgrave and then an evil spirit would come
to his rescue-and I" Long life, and merry one
for the Snaggers " were almost articulate up
On his tongue. Fear did not emoarrass Alice,
for she believed she had met trusty guide and
friend and as she stood with eyes cast down
submissive to Clovis astonished and admirine
gaze, the tide of joy that was yelling in hcl
heart, burst its barriers and flowed in unres
trained and copious tears down her fair, round
rosy checks.
" Sister " said Herbert as he misinterpreteC
these signs, and throwing his arm around hel
neck he pressed her check to his.
Oh God reveal to m)if havea sst r." in
wardly calculated Clovis, as he stepped forward
and took the small white hand of Alice in hi
hardened palms,
:" You griove, Lady! Are you faint? hun
CRY? tired?" said he, speaking for the frs
time since they met, and in tone of voice rich
ly musical and sympathetic.
No, no." said she in a voice equally sweet
perceving that both her companions had mis-
taken the passion she revealed, "no, no, bu
joy for the prospect of relief has made me ac
this foolish part. l am not sick, Herbert, no
tired, hungry, nor faint"
IF you are SO, Lady," said Clovis passion
ately, these arms are stout enough to carr,
you whithersoever you would 60, and God neve
made them to bear more precious BURDEN
But did not think" he continued-'' you ar
grown to womanhood now, but by my faith
Miss, envy the nurse who rocked your cradle
and tossed you in her arms in your infancy
And this is your Brother? That shall max
me his friend. IF my friendship do not serv
you, the fault will be other than mine.''
Indeed said Herbert, your friendship i
what we stand in pressing need of now, and i
shall be well requited too We are lost in thes
woods. Weset out this morning from D
in pursuit of a settlement which it seems to M
must be near The guide furnished us by tn
Landlord mistook his course, separated from us
and since then we have been wandering W
know not where
Clovis heard this relation with surprise. H
thought at the moment of no other settlemen
in the forest than that occupied by the Snag
gers, and believing from the near approach 0
our travellers to the latter point, and Herbert
reference to the Landlord, that they had follow
ed guide partially acquainted with the local
ity, and who, from its intricacy, might hay
mistaken the true course, and desiring close
acquaintance with Alice; he was willing, at al
most any hazard, to believe the Snaggers' Re
treat was the place they sought, and to lea
them thither.
" In the name of Heaven, who sent yo
here?" said Clovis.
We came of our own free will,' answere
Herbert.
" But by whose direction-or for what pul
poso?' asked Clovis somewhat imperiously.
" am not bound to guide you where you will
free as the deer in these forests, know n
master, and serve none but as choose SO AM
wer me, who sent you here? or where I foun
you, there I will leave you"
"Were to tell you Musgrave sent us woul
that satisfy you, my friend?" said Herbe
artfully.
{" 1t would, and please me too" said Clovis
Lead on then," said Herbert resolutel,
" and if Musgrave deny it, | will answer to hi
and you"
8" will take you at your word, but remen
Der that tell you Musgrave is a man not to
trihed with. Stay here few minutes ;-direc
ly will return and lead you among the Sna,
gers"
So saying Clovis left them to seek McDerm
in whose company he was travelling when the
heard indistlnctly the sound of Herbert's vol
calling for David. Apprehending the approae
of intruders they separated in pursuit of IL
wanderers whom Clovis overlook. A shri
blast on hawks whistle blown by Clovis aft
be left our party, was presently answered
the same token from McDermot
We judged rightly, Alice" said her Brot
er,--" we are going among the Snaggers."
IF they are courteous as this man sha
not fear, but if we do not find our father, He
bert, l shall die of despair"
L" Be careful, Alice; let no one know but tn
Musgrave sent us, aud leave it to me to divul
the object of our journey"
Thus Herbert and Alice, now confident
their destination, availed themselves of the a
sence of Clovis to concert means for the succe
of their enterprise, and to avoid premature di
covery.
While they were thus engaged, Clovis ~
McDermot were discussing the expediency
guiding the wanderers to the Snaggers' Retrea
"Aweel, Clovis" said McDermot who foul
expostulation vain, 81 dinua ken what WI
come OF, but ye may depend ye Gamma fling Il
glaiks in a. the folks cen at the Retreat. ,
may be right, and ye may be wrang-I dim
care to tax it on myself to say ;-natheless a
ye wull, then gang yer ain gate, but ye ma,
ken yer sticiktt minister and his lassie wull r,
a bauld rigg to gang amang the Snaggers. F"
"Run bold rigg What have they to fa
McDermot2 If Musgrave sent them, sure
nothing"
But an Musgrayc did ma send them, tn