Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-25
CHAPTER XXX.
A RELIEF PARTY.

Night was approaching, and Short, aware
that Sabine and his men would be inpatient to
hear the result of his enterprise, dispatched one
of his companions to advise the others of his
success When the messenger arrived Clovis
was there. Sabine had anticipated the news
the messenger brought; and quick-sighted ap-
prchenson made Captain Bornkil anxious to
know the character Of Musgraves visitor; and
whether it should be best to hold the latter un-
der arrest. Clovis and one of the posse were
accordingly hurried forward to determine those
points, while the main body, under cover of the
night, were to approach within about Il mile
of Musgraves residence, at which point they
would leave the main road in their route to the
Retreat.
Here they were to await the return of Clovis
and Short, in the place Of the last of whom
the person accompanying Clovis was to remain
as sentry over Musgrave.
When Clovis reached the residence of Mus
grave he kept his companion back, and entered
the house alone
From domestic he learned that Musgrayc,
and a snagger just arrived from the Retreat
whose name was told him, were under arrest
They were kept aloof from, and denied any com
munication with Others of the household and
whether they were detained for debt or other
cause, the domestic did not know.
''CJmtort them with the assurance from me- !"
said Clovis, L" that in twenty four hours they
shall be securely in snaggcr's hands )" and he
lett the house. 10 -" make assurance doubly
sure" he ordered his companion to enter to
supply the place of Short and send the latter
out and directed him SO to dispose the lights
and the window shade, that those within nigh,
be observed by him from without. This order
being obeyed Clovis recognized Musgrave and {
snagger named Kemp.
.'Tell the sentries," said he to Short, g tC
hold them both, and then let's hasten to ou1
friends. Both are snaggers, and one is yer,
lately from the Retreat" Short gave his or
ders and he and Clovis hastened to moot Sabn
and his men.
Musgravc's first thoughts after his arrest wor
of u rescue; but when the presence of Shor
was exchanged for that Of third person whom
he had not before seen, he began to apprehen
that a force sufficient to prevent rescue was a
hand, and that, by the treachery of Clovis, tn
crown authority contemplated a descent upol
the Retreat. He had hitherto moved 50 fire.
from suspicion that this sudden and dsagroca
bic interruption of his plans mortified him, an
filled his mind with intense malignty towar
Clovis as the suspected cause of this calamity
Could he have had access to any of his under
lings who might know, or be able to find, tn
route to the Retreat, he would have sent order
tor the instant putting to death of Hartman
children op could he have soen remote chanc
for ovcrpowcring his guard he would have at
tempted that. But he and his fellow snagga
were bound and disarmed and they VIII
watched him were stalwart men, well arme
with I" carnal weapons - and their demeano
as well as words betokcned fixed purpose
suppress violently the first demonstration of II
sstance. Musgraye was, therefore, quiet.
When Clovis and Short reached Sabine til
party was ready to enter tho forest. They wei
, considerably in advance of tho hour named fc
: mceting; and with firm hopes and resolui
purpose, they set forth. Clovis as their guido
, felt his responsibility. He had not only to lea
them, in the darkness of the night, throug
the silent, and painless forest but he had t
admonish them, when some of his dauntless fo
overs gave way to noisy mirth, of the restlet
J vigilance Of the snaggers Or, if some lagge
occasionally, to urge them on, lest somc cmii
Sary of Ausgraye should reach their dcatil q
ton before them.