Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-02-11
HARLEY HARTMAN
OR,
The Snaggers of Memphremagog.
A Tale of the Canada Border Counterfeiter
CHAPTER VIII.

Tale OF the Canada Border Counterfetters'
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CHAPTER VIII.
STRANGERS AT THE sNAGGERs' RE-.
TREAT.
The unsocial tormalities, and chilling res
tteints upon their acquaintance being now trc-
moved, Clovis and Alice, with the ready con-
sent of Herbert and McDermot, thenceforth
pursued their journey on more familiar and
agreeable terms. She found in the former an
attentive, serviceable, and exceedingly respect
full aid; and his quick perceptions disclosed to
him qualities in her, widely different from any
such as were betrayed by the female department
at the Retreat THOSE qualities, as she indulged
in a more free, yet staid conversation, began to
operate like gentle dews and refreshing showers,
on the arid wastes in his heart. Like the Lion
and the Lamb they !ourneyed together toward
the den of the former-she a frail, dependent
woman, unsuspicious of danger he an AFRO
giant, self-willed man, bent on her ruin. Yet
she, equally with him, unconscious of the way
and the work she wrought, blythe natural and
artless flow of pure sentiment in which she in
dulged, was gradually removing the vicious pur-
poses of his heart, as the clear, cool water from
the mountain spring removes impure matter and
leaves only bright and shining pebbles in the
bed which it overhows.
But we will not forget that there must be
two ends to story, albeit one of them, like an
IrishmaRs, be in the middle.
We will, therefore, introduce our party to
the Snaggers' Quarters. Half an hour, or
theseabouts, before they arrived at the Retreat,
McDermot blew shrill blast on his whistle, and
pursued his way with rapid strides in advance
of the party, toward the Snaggers' Quarters
When he arrived and announced the near ap-
proach OF the strangers, many were the signs
and words Indicative of surprise and dissatsfac-
tion. There were some, however, who received
the news with slothful Indifference, and others
seemed pleased with the number and quality of
theexpected accession Well or ILL., it was too late
) to prevent their arrival, and Moll Pellet, and
few others of the discontented ones, resolved on
making the sojourn of the strangers as vexatious,
embarrassing, and unprolifc of discovery, as
possible, till they should learn the purpose of
their journey, and hear from Musgrave. Ac-
cordingly, all signs indicative of their ordinary
pursuits were to be forthwith removed and at
titude, dress and manners, such as would be
sure to offend delicacy, were ordered to be as
sumed on the arrival of the strangers. This
was to test their quality. Discord, confusion,
tumult, unearthly sounds, harsh treatment Of
the strangers, and conduct generally suited to
an Internal caste cf character, were to follow if
the visitors should appear to be what they really
were. On the other hand, if their moral tastes
and proclivities should seem to be congenial
with the Snaggers, the most austere gravity and
ascetic forms were to be observed, till future
purpose should be determined on.
But the evil spirit in Clovis heart had been
partially subdued, and anticipating painful
disappointment for Alice, the better spirit had
prompted him, just in advance of their arrival,
to admonish her to maintain her true character
and her courage, under every circumstance, if
he did not otherwise advise her.
cit is too late now," said he " to tell YOU,
for any effective purpose, what truly feel, that
am sorry you are here. But believe these
truthful words-withom hope, without fear,
love you, and you are safe. Tell your brother
from me, when you can in secret, that | trust
he has strong arm and a courageous heart
Not now," he added, as he cast glance into
the forest, for see suspicious eyes are on u.s. "
Alice was not little agtated by these words
yet she and her brother marked his earnest man
ner, and each resolved to profit thereby.
Without entering on any further confidential
discourse they pursued their way till they
reached the Snaggers' Quarters.
Here, even the most unfavorable anticipa-
tions of Herbert and Alice, were painfully dis
appointed. Not habitation was visible except
ing few rude huts constructed of pieces O
bark Tapped Que on another, and resting against
slender poles having their base on the surface
of the ground. These were seldom divided int
more than two apartments, and were occupied
by such as preferred the exterior air to that o.
subterranean regions. They afforded suficien
protection against storms, and, in moderate sea
sons, likewise against the cold. So light was
the material of which they were built, and Sc
frail were they in construction, that the labol
of few minutes would remove every vestige O
them from the ground they occupied. McDer
mot and his wife occupied one of these huts
and it was into his domiclc that the stranger
entered just as nightfall set in.
Wearied with the days journey almost to ex
haustion depressed in spirits, and grievousl
disappointed in her expectations of the place
Alice sank down upon rude seat and wept bit
terly. Without the strange and frightful in
donations of many human voices, mingled witt
the bowling of score of dogs of "high AM
low degree," and the voices of wild animals i
the forest around made the " night hideous
both, but in Alice's trials Herbert forgot hi
own.
"My good woman" said he to Judith, VIII
was the only person present with them, "ho'
long does this concert hold?"
"Na langer nor it gree wi the players, m
swankie,' said she.
g And how long does it usually agree wit
the players to discourse such harmony, my goo
woman"