Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-11-18
he hands Of the Tories, and nust rally out

i
my men to the rescue"
There will be an engagement then "
"Yes; it cannot be avoided without the sac
rifce of Hopkins life, and this shall not be
done without at least cne effort to prevent it,"
Hopkins, did you say?"
" Yes +; do you know him?"
Sc do. He is rough and upcouth, but pos
ssses noble soul You will ever have a
friend in him. How regret that blood must
be shed. viii they go SO far as to hang him."
"They will unless he is rescued. 1t was
Skinner who sent the spies here this evening
If mistake not, their object is p induce him
by promises Of release, to reveal our hiding
place in the swamp"
(which he will never do -
." You are right; hswould psafish first. If
there is danger near you, Mabel, send Cato to
the camp, and if possible, will come to you"
If there are spies, he might be taken7"
True, did not thiuk of that. | have an
other plan, however. You often ride through
these woods, think?"
eyes; almost daily"
"Have you ever noticed large oak, a mile
from here, which is partially decayed? -
81 have frequently seen it,"
I" You could easily deposit note i'll the cav
ity and conceal it with moss
and if you come safely through this con-
test with the Tories may look for note there
to tell me of it?'
You may, Mabel. And now | must bid
you adicu, for duty calls me away"
He imprinted "a kiss upon her brow, and left
the cot. He struck into the forest, and contin-
ued rapidly on his way, for he was confident
from what Mabel had communicated that Ills
foes had ceased their vigilance tor the night
As he once more neared the Tories camp, he
stopped to look for the Scout, and as he did SO,
he saw him at his meal which Rand had furn-
ished
son my soul, that was artfully done " he
exclaimed, when Hopkins, as Rand for mo-
ment relaxed his vigilance, partially severed the
cords which bound his limbs. 1T is evident
he intends to elude them, and must have the
men ready to assist him should he succeed in
getting away from the camp"
He started on with increased speed, and soon
arrived at the entrance which led to his camp.
Just as he was about 10 plunge into the thicket.
he heard the cracking of brush near him. 70
enter the path with an enemy near him. was
only to reveal the entrance to the rcteat, to find
which had hitherto bahled all the efforts of the
Tories. He cast his eye quickly around him,
and started in the direction from whenc the
sound proceeded, but it was only to hear the
same sound, evidently few feet before him.
With bound he sprang towards the place, but
no enemy was visible, and he waited in vain for
repetition of the noise. Drawing pistol
from his belt he stood prepared for any emer-
gency that might take place. He dared not enter
the path ,and to sound the call for his men might
: bring his foes upon him. Again the crack
, ling of the underbrush was heard, and it SEEM
ed as it some on was approaching towards the
, spot where he stood. Just as he Thought he
saw the form of man q few feet distant, q loud
shout, which he at once recognized as coming
from Hopkins, and the tramping of horses
reached his ear. Forgetting for moment the
caution he had exercised, he placed the bugle tc
his lips--a shrill call, and then eagerly
Q awaited the Scouts appearance. A few mo-
ments passed, when Hopkins, upon hors'
: reekng with foam, dashed up.
"You are followed?' said Mark, as HI
, grasped the Scouts hand.
81 reckon lam, but not by them ar cusset
t heathens what tied me up"
Q "By whom then ?"
Every darned horse in the camp. They'll
r be here in a minnit, 50 sound your bugle, rail-,
out the men, and then we'll mount and Civ
:, the Tories the all-fredst thrashin' they've ha
in the hull war"
TO BE CONTINUED.