Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-07

iooo S-iVSo tne trall OF Wnlte man, when We
followed an Injun as far agin as this thing goes.
Ef it wasn't for the darned underbrush now I'd
find the trail less'n no time, but brush or no
brush I'm bound to find it before dark. Hal
loo !" suddenly exclaimed the speaker" !" there's S
an openin' in these ere confounded old woods
after all +, SO I'm in luck any how. Wall, here
goes for finding out what sort of chaps camp
out in sich an outlandsh place 'mongst paint
ers and sch like varmints." "
Pressing aside the bushes which stood in his
way, the speaker stepped into the opening He
werea homespan frock, net unlike that Of the
company concealed near him, confined at the
waist by belt His legs were encased in deer
skin, and pair of moccasins, the worse for the
service they had seen, covered his foet. A coon
skin cap adorned his head the tail depending
from behind, giving HIM a grotesque appear
ancc. In one hand he carried heavy rifle and
the handle of hunting knife was visible amid
the folds of his tunic His face was eminently
an unique one; the most Distinguishing trait OF
it being pair of keen grey eyes. The cheeks
were high and prominent, somewhat like those
of an Indian; his forehead broad, and his nose
one which even Napoleon would have been sat
isfed belonged to man who could plan and
execute an undertaking unaided by counsel
from others. His mouth bore about it the evil
dence of genial nature and altogether, de-
spite his rough looks, he was well calculated to
make friends wherever he went.
"It's clear they We vamoosed this ere camp,
but not long since, I reckon, seeing there's a
fire only half burned out. Ef | thought there
was anything in that tent what famshing
chap might eat, I'D go in and take bite, for
I'm darned eff | haint hungry enough to eat a
catamount steak, eff so be | couldn't find moth
ing better Them are blasted woods have GIN
me powerful appetite, and here is for filling
up the cavity which exists in my stomach at the
present time"
He looked at the priming of his rifle, as he
started forward, and placed his hand upon his
knife, as if halffearful that the woods might
contain some lurking foe
wall, now," he continued, as upon enter
ing the tent his eye fell upon some dried venison
suspended by cord, " there's something which
makes my mouth water, and amt sure, if
can only find some bread to 60 with it, but that
/ have come into a land flowing with milk and
honey, arter all. Some folks now might call
this ere stealin', but when a chap is nigh about
collapsed for want of something to fill up with
inside, l reckon it's his bounden duty to eat
whatever he ken lay hands-pn."
Helping himself to generous slice of the
venison, the new conner was about to extend his
search further, when the sound of footsteps out
side the tent arrested his attention. Cooking
his rife, he sprang out, but oil further progress
was impeded as the muzzles Of thirty rifles met
his gaze.
"Thunder " exclaimed the intruder, as he
gazed with surprised look, in which were nc
signs of fear. Where on airth did you come
| from SO tarnal sudden!'
"Deliver your arms, sir" said Lincoln
without replying to the others question.
Couldn't dew it no ways, stranger. This
ere weapons been in more rough and tumble
| fights than you're years old, reckon-couldn'
part with it on no account"
"Unless you deliver it into my possession
peaceably, sir, you will be forced to deliver
it."
By your" asked the other, while look o
contempt rested upon his face, as he regarded
the Captain of the RAemen
" Yes. by me,' said Mark, in a vexed tone, al
he witnessed the nonchalent manner in which
the intruder replied to his demands. 'Atten
ton men-aim ! "
In an instant those men who never misset
their aim, brought their weapons to bear upoI
the strangers form.
81 say, you amt going to let them chap
make mince meat of me, be you? ?"
mot if you comply with my request"
"Then you are the Captain of this com
pany."
81 am" replied Mark.
Here's Betsey, then, Be careful of he
now, cause you see she's done me many a sar
vice, and bein' named arter the old woman
wouldn't have her hurt for nothin'"
81 will take good care ofyour weapon, )" sal
Mark, with smile at the strange earnestnes
of the other. "Now, sir, who are you, an
how did you gain access to our camp"
ga human being reckon, notwithstandin
the skin of a varmint covers my 'stremities,
replied the intruder, producing roll of tobac
co from his pocket and depositing portion bt
tween his capacious jaws.
That you are human is evident, but W
wish to learn your name"
"Wall, seein' it's got to come, my name
Lige Hopkins. I'm an independent ranger,
British spy, or an Injun scout-anything 20
please; which II you hey? Whoo whoop !
Thar, Cap'n, is a regular war scream
A puzzled expression crossed Lncolns fci
lures, as Hopkins made this indefinite answer
GAS British spy said Mark, at lengtl
"you have come to the wrong place to fin
friends.
g You don't say so ~
Z" This, Sir, is u volunteer company Of Anne
ican Ritiemon."
"By the horn spoon, I'm in luck again.
say, Capn, you don't take me for British
now, do your"
Il had not made up my mind as to yo'
character" replied Mark.
"Ef you had now 'twould have hurt IL
feelings awfully No, sir, amt Britishe
I'm born Yankee, andilate the red coats Ii
| do the devil. You hain't got anything for
feller to eat handy, have you?"