Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-01-21
HARLEY HARTMAN /;
The snaggers of Memphremagog.


A Tale OF the Canada Border COunterIetJers'
.,o>-,,.vy,--~-.~--,~.->~.-.~~
They had nearly reached the farther extremi-
ty of the Lake when, on looking back, they
perceived Moll in a boat headed towards them,
and pulling at the oars with her utmost
strength.
GA fyke is brewing" said McDermot.-
Leuk ayont there, Hartman, and see Moll
Ah her ee' Is on u.s. See, she has hoisted
signal We maun tack about and meet her,
and max haste twa', for belize we'se haze evil
wark to do. Leuk how she pu's gin she wad
pu' her shouthers AVA frae their sockets, and
her boat, how it jumps clean aboon the water
at ilk pu' O. her Draw arms"
"She is heading for the Shore" said Harri-
man.
"We maun do the like," said McDermot,
and following Moll, they ran into little cove
where they landed and concealed their boats
under clump of alders.
"The Bailifs are coming" said Moll, {" if
Jowler does not greatly deceive me. He has
seen or heard persons approach, | am sure
Our party are all here save Musgrave, and he
is not expected sooner than tomorrow If they
are officers of the law, we must meet them, y
said she significantly.
"Wha kens, Moll, but it may be moose, or
some sic like animal whilk Jowler may hae' been
in pursuit OF"
"Pshaw Scotch fool that you are -
"Dinna ye ca me Scotch fule, Mistress
Moll, else I wull gle ye something beside q
blaw-in-yer-lug that -"
"Well, well, Mac, don't Jowler know the
difference between man and moose, think
you? Jowler would never run for moose, be-
sides he almost says men are coming. lie look
into the woods, then growls and gnashes hi
teeth, and bites Fangs and VOLTS chains as i
he knew force that he can't match are com
ing Fangs and Wolf have had ten pounds o
meat and two quarts of blood to-day, yet Jowl
er has made them as crazy as if they had eater
nothing for fortnight, and the dogs in tn
kennel are howling like wild beasts tell you
Mac, there's danger"
"Aweel, aweel Moll, gin there's danger
mar's the fun, and mair needfu' is it that we
be on the leuk out. Sa, what's to be dune?"
Brady and Jim have gone to reconnoitre
You, Mac, must go too. Take an Eastern
course, and will send Jowler after you. TIL,
hawks WHISTLE clear and shrill, blown twice il
quick succession, is the signal that the shark
are coming. When Jowler overtakes you le
him lead and if it is only a friend, or as 20,
think, an animal, send Jowler back that W,
may know"
McDermot started on his mission.
"You, Rolph," said Moll, for by that name
Hartman was beginning to be recognized, " fol
low me, and she struck out into the wilder
ness on her way back to the Snaggers' quarters
With vigorous arm she pushed aside the op
posing branches, and with such strong and rap
id strides did she make her way, that it wa
with difficulty that Hartman maintained al
equal progress with her.
When they arrived at the Retreat they fount
the company, male and female, actively engag
ed in removing and amending every sign tina
indicated the presence of human beings. Mol
and Hartman joined with them and the worl
was speedily accomplished. The boats wer
concealed on the Lake shore beneath overhang
ing rocks and boughs the fires were extinguish
ed; the dogs, save the three we have named
and favorite of Pellets, called Bruno, wer
mllzzled and shut in their kennel, in a cavit
blasted from the solid rock, with Clovis to who's
will they were entirely subservient, as their mas
ter spirit. The vestbule, Or open entrance
the cavern was marshed with beings desperate
temper and heart; and all save Clovis, Pele
and Moll, had retired to their subterranea
quarters. The busy hum that usually prevail
ed at that hour in the day was hushed, and a
of animate nature in their Retreat was as incl
as if Supreme fat had sealed their lips an
stiffened their limbs, for the resurrection mori
ing. Moll was seated in clump of bushes O
the left, and a little in advance of the kenne
Her arms were bare above the elbows; loade
rifle was in her hands and another by her side
and the ends of the chains by which Wolf an
Fangs were bound were wound about her ancle
Pellet sat at an opposite point similarly armeC
with Bruno by his side. Not sound WI
heard except as the leaves rustled to the stealth
tread of some wild animal in quest of prey.
Long and patiently did the party watch
Occasionally it seemed as if they heard Il
faint, lingering sound of the hawks whistle; an
then they would suppress their breath and iste
for its second blast, till, doubling if their sens
did not deceive them, they would cast anxio,
gances at the dogs, whose perception was mo
acute than their own, for a confirmation
their fears. But the animals laid so quiet, al
apparently unconscious, that their judgmel
was deferred to as to the more vigiant sentinel
and Moll and Pellet relapsed into a state of pa
tial apathy 1t is said to be difficult for W
men to maintain protracted silence. On L
present occasion Moll doubtless exemplifed IL
truth, if it be truth, only in proportion
she bore similtude, in mind and features,
much the greater part of her SEX Moll,
well as Pellet, did maintain long, aud persevt
ing silence, while intense emotion, the oHspri
Of strong conviction of danger at hand W
struggling in her brain. AT length .weari
with excitement, she gave utterance to sol
round words not necessary to be repeated, a
was about to abandon her vigils when the dc