Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-21

the women folks, aint thar?'
There is. Do not under any circumstances,
be seen near the house by any one, for it might
excite the suspicion that you were in some way
connected with my company, and cause your
arrest"
" That ar is a mighty nice specimen of Il.
woman, > said Hopkins, gazing at Mark with a
comical look
" Mrs Archer is certainly very fine woman.
All who know her unite in saying this -
" Darn it all it amt the old woman, it's
the young one. Bless you, sir, when Bctsey.
WIS gal -oaought sio h the handsomest per-
son ever sat eyes on. but she didn't begin to
come up to the widder's darter, May be you re
interested there? " said Hopkins.
" prize the friendship of the family very
much, SIR replied Mark, not exactly liking
the manner in which the Scout questioned him.
J." She'sa beauty, sir, and they say she's Il
reg lar Wing, too; and eff so be she is, you Il
git woman worth more II all the gold in King
Georges Golfers ~
Mark smiled. The Scout, in his peculiar
manner, had but told the truth in regard to
Mabel Archer. She was indeed a prize to any
one who was fortunate enough to win her for a
wife.
"Thar's one thing chat struck me- when
fust come into this camp would b9a powerful
benefit ef you only had EN-.
{" What might they bc?"
" Horses
81 know it; but it is impossible to obtain
them. The SINNERS and YagersF have stolen
nearly all the horses belonging to the inhabit-
ants in this region, 50 that there is not sufi-
cient number left with which t. furnish my
company
" I've an id9o that we could git the hosses
back el we was a mind to-"
I" In what mannor?'
" Take EN- without saying IL word to the in.
fernal scamps."
'' You mean, in other words, steal them ?"
'Cordin to my notion, thar aint no stealn' ;
about it, We've a darned sight better right to
EN- than they have, sir. a darncd sight. May
be thar are men in your company what have
had their beasts stole ?"
" There is scarcely nun but has suffered in
this way"
"rhen you are a blamed fool-5og your pr
don for saying it-of you don't take 'em.''
g 1t would be q task of no little difficulty to
do this without an engagement
" Ef you'll give me ten of your met I'll git
the hosses in less than week.
"Not at the present, Hopkins. think we
can manage a surprise after learning their in
tended movements
{" Jest as you say. But I'm 3lssed eff don't
ride off with one of them ar hosses when git
a chainco When am tostart on my tramp? .
" As soon as the sun rises.
The conversation now turned upon other
subjects, which was continued until the first
ray of the morning sun cast it's light over the
camp.
wall, Captn, are ther any more structions
you want to give?'
"None," replied Mark g You know how
to proceed, and do not risk too much to gain
the information seek.
81 sha'n't run my neck into IL moose if kin
help it."
"Stay moment" said Mark, as the Scout
was about to start. lie stopped, and Lincoln
entering the tent, soon re-appeared with paii
Of small pistols, which be handed to Hopkins
Take these weapons" said Mark; they
are smaller than your own, and if you should
get into trouble, easier concealed" E"
"I'm 'biged to you Capn. Here's m.
barkers. They're rather heavy, but will d'
good sarvice in a skrimmage. | shan't com
back till git what I'm after, 50 you may res
. easy that nothing's happened if I'm gone
week"
Hopkins shouldered his rifle, and concealin
the pistols in the folds Of his hunting shirt
took his way from the encampment.
81 reckon, said Hopkins, q eff these darne
Tories run afoul of me thar'll be one less of til
the bloody wretches Ef don't have one
" them hosses, then my name aint Ligc Hopkins
kin git one on EN- easy, but how in the nan
of thunder be goin' to git it into that COZ
founded swamp"
y The lapse Of half an hour brought the Sco
in close proximity to the road.
d 'Iaint alters best, Lge Hopkins" he col
1t tinucd speaking to himself, s. tew be tew DO
on Scout leastaways, I've come mighty nie
re gettin into scrapc aiore now in doln' it. Bl
| hate to sneak like Il culprit when I'm in
y free country, so here 80 for the road.
y lie walked to tie edge of the wood, and ga
VI ing up and then down the road, seemed satisli
with his observations, and entering it, walk
y. on at rapid pace. lie continued this until
> had left the vicinity Of the swamp, and tn
s ss walked more loisurely along.
), "Thes3 tracks here" he muttered, as he cal
fully examined the road, " was made about t
is time the Skinncrs went along. But wletl
he's in pursuit Of 'cm or not, thar $ no tellir
'Mint one of the Tories, that's plain; for t
ro tracks are too small for that. Here's mys
,r. ry now Ligc Hopkins for you to read, 50
your wits to work and see if you can't find {
,,, about these ere tracks,
He continued his walk in silence for
,,t moments.
md 'Taint no USE he exclaimed. &" ca
wa mistrust who twas that loered them, but II
ccs be I'll find out il [ git a sight of the camp.
The sound Of footsteps caused the Scout
look quickly around. but no one was visible.
ovo 81 reckon they've diskivered me--the darl
ON tWrongly spelled Tasers in last weeks paper.