Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-14

ling his brow. "This too is some of that
thrice accursed Palmer's work.
81 reckon you're right there, because you
see they mentioned his name, and the man
what was talking with Skinner had jest come
from Palmer He had little bag of the yell
low boys, and he give these to Skinner, who
swore big oath he'd hang you the first chance
he could get
Mark Lincoln bowed his head as Watson
paused, and an expression of pain passed over
his fine features. 1t rested there but a moment,
however, and when he looked up his lips were
tightly compressed and his eyes cleaned with
unwonted brilliancy.
" And this was all you learned Watson?"
asked Mark, as he played nervously with the
hilt of his sword.
g Every bit, Capn. should have heard
more, but all at once heard Sich an unearthly
noise behind me that jumped like had been
shot. That started Skinner and the man he's
talkin' with, and l thought twas about time
was maxim tracks for the woods
" What caused your fright"
Nothing more nor less than that crazy crit
ter that's been prowlin' round here since the
war begun
"Mat Ward %
/" Yes'
" But what object could he have in appear
ing there?"
'' The Lord only knows. I've heern tell
that he want noways so crazy as he pretends
to. May be he's a British spy, and come to
think ont, the SINNERS didn't mind anything
about him
Your conjectures are wrong, Watson,
wholly wrong. His reason is dethroned, but
there are times when he is as rational as you or
[. No wonder the Skinners did not molest him.
Hardened as they are in crime, they would not
harm Mat Ward"
"Id give considerable to know exactly
who that chap was afore he's crazy" and the
Scout gazed inquiringly into Marks face. 1t
was plain he thought his leader might enlighten
him upon the point he sought, but seeing he
did not seem inclined 50 to do, he did not press
the subject
Do you think they recognized you as one
of my company?" asked Mark
81 reckon they did, for hadn't gone fur
when the hull gang came after me. | kept
close till they got by, and then taking a cross
cut, struck the path half way in.'
"You think they'll dog my footsteps. do
you, Watson?"
Il know it, and if l was in your place I'd
keep the Retreat day or two. If he should
only git hold of you he'd string you up with
out SO much as time to say yonr prayers y
"Would to Heaven, Watson, our force were
stronger, and then, mounted though they be,
I'd teach these minions lesson they'd not soon
forget"
- Every man in the Retreat is with you.-
Jest say the word, and they'll foller you to
death"
81 know it, Watson, / know it, For my
own life | care not, but | cannot peril the
lives of those of my men who have families
depdndant upon them for support. No, the
idea of attacking Skinner with our present
force is impracticable. You can 60 now"
A troubled look rested upon Mark Lincoln's
features as his Scout left the tent The news
he had brought was of character well calcu-
lated to raise the most terrible apprehensions
in his mind for the safety Of one who was dear
er to him than life. He tried to console him
: self with the idea that the marauders would
not so far forget the claims of humanity upon
J them as to injure helpless women. He would moi
believe that even Skinner himself, whose name
} was a synonym for all that was base and cruel
would permit his followers to molest those
whose very helplessness should be a shield tc
protect them against insult. Hour after houl
Mark Lincoln walked his tent, until the sum
mons to the evening meal aroused him from his
revere. Leaving him to partake of thC
viands, we will for a moment follow Skinner
who was so unceremonously aroused by thC
t appearance of the maniac. With an oath h'
y sprang from his seat just in time to see th,
e form of Watson disappearing down the road.
o Lincolns Scout, as sure as fate Out ant
after him every man of you. Five guneas t.
a the one who takes him alive "
1t The men sprang from the Inn, and mount
L ing their steeds, headed by Skinner, rode at
1t rapid pace after the fugitive, who was no,
sr seen but few rods ahead of them exerting hi
utmost powers of locomotion to gain the woods
le 3" Ride for your lives, men If you can
S get him alive, shoot him down. He may hav
30 papers about him worth more than his car
cas- would be alive"
On, en- they went, and every moment the
gained upon the retreating Scout. At las
10 they came to an abrupt bend in the road, Will
"a but few rods distant was the woods As Wa
son turned this point, his form was for me
II mont hidden from his pursuers.
y, Z" Now for it, my men +" Skinner agai
20 shouted. ''If he reaches those woods he's ,
,d good as lost to us. Ten gunieas if you get hi
'' alive -
With this incentive the men urged the
horses to greater speed, leaving their leader Fl
g behind. The point was turned, but the form
:. the Scout was nowhere to be seen
- Escaped " cried Skinner in rage, as
:, rode up. z" 1t seems to me the followers
this Lincoln are gifted with charmed life
We want over minnt turning this pin
~ : but when we got round he was clean out
'"' sight"
Nv Such cussed luck as we've had lately
- - enough to make II parson swear and then
:. crown the days work, lose Llncoln's SEQ
when he was almost within our grasp. But
~ them come out of their burrows in the swan