Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-01-20
CHAPTER XVII.
DANGER.

DANGER.
" Have you nosuspicion as to the cause of this
attack" asked Rand.
81 have, and yet they are mere conjectures,
and may be wrong My life has been attempt
ed ere this, and when poison does not effect its
purpose, it seems they resort to other measures.
"poison =" exclaimed Rand, starting, and
moving the light nearer the bed, and gazing
earnestly into the wounded man's face,
Eyes, sir They attempted toposon me, but
by miracle, almost, discovered the design in
time to thwart it,
"Whcre did this happen, sir.
"At the house of widow by the name of
Archer"
ARCHER? Man. you are indeed in danger,
and it were not strange if ere the morning
dawns, we have the whole gang of SINNERS
men upon us
50 You know me, then?"
Know you! Yes. And did some in this
region know that Boyden, the Spy, was an in
mate of my cabin, my life nor yours were not
worth the asking"
"It seems that you arc aware of the circum-
stances which transpred at Mrs, Archcrs. How
did you learn of this ?" asked Boyden, giving
the Tory searching look.
81 know your thoughts replied Rand, meet
ing the others gaze without finehing. I" You
think that I was in some way connected with
that transaction, but you are wrong. know
the man, and motives too, perhaps, which in
/ fiuenced him to attempt your life, but it was by
chance that gained this knowledge"
"And now what do you propose to do? If
the man who attacked me has escaped, he will
guide my enemies here .
81 hardly know. Would that had conceal
ed you elsewhere, and Chen r might have
thwarted them till help could be obtained"
Grand SAID Boyden, g must not die by
these ruRians hands. Life is TOO dear to me to
yield it up at an hour when need it most
Cannot you conceal me in the woods somewhere
after the Skinner visit :? -"
" Conceal you? No 'Twould kill you to
remain IN the woods tonight. The thought is
an idle ones
" But if they come there is no escape You
cannot defend yourself for moment against
such odds
"True, but dare not leave you to obtain
aid
q" Yet, if you remain hcre tbs certain death
Go, and if possible, find some member of Mark
Lincoln's company and bring them here
" No doubt ere this they are within theil
swamp retreat where the evil one himself could
not find them.
' Our case is hopelesss then"
) " Not altogether 50. There is one chance by
. which we may save ourselves from the tender
merces of SINNERS men.
/" Name it. Time flies and action is needed ,
, - 1t is possible that Mrs. Archers negro car
0 guide me OF go himself to Lincoln's camp. HI
has been detected several times near what is sup
A posed to bo the opening which leads to the Re
r treat,-but bribe or threats could not Undue
! him to own that he knew anything concernin,
Lincoln or his men,
t "Do not daily a moment then, but go, AM
e Heaven grant you may prove successful
| 81 will lay your weapons where you ca
reach them, SO that in case Of emergency yo
i can defend yourself. Should any one attemr
e to gain admittance, be careful about moving, s
that they would suspect the cabin Of contanin
a any one
Rand now placed Boydens weapons upon tn
, bed, and drawing up the ladder which led t
d the loft, he sprang lightly down, closing th
n door as he went. Removing a portion of tn
Y logs which, to the eve of the casual observer
r presented an unbroken appearance, he thrust OF
his rife, and then issuing himself from tt
It aperture, he drew the logs into their origlni
d position, and started orsNIrs. Archer's cottag
|. A few moments walk brought him to the cabi
,e of one of his Tory friends, where bright ligl
attracted his attention, and with a careful ste
,e he approached the house.
y Something UNUSUAL to see light there at th
time Of thu night" he muttered, and placing h
ID ear to crevice, he listened to see if he eou
catch the sound of voices within Hardly, no,
ID ever. had he done SO when the sudden cracklir
W Of limb near by betokened the presence
r another besides himself in the vicinity of Il
I'd cabin Instantly turning in the direction
the sound he beheld the form of man ca
IS tiously retrcating in the shadow of the woo
= and endeavoring to screen himself from observ
I'D ton. Leaving his post at the crevice, he spral
lis forward and soon overlook the fugitive, VIII
n seeing it impossible to escape, turned and co
fronted him.
III " Villain !" exclaimed Rand, " who are yo
that thus dog my footsteps?"
ed .T'l let you know, you sneakin' renegade
retorted the man addressed, presenting pist,
be :, You've fooled me once, and now darn me e
don t let lttlerof that moonlight yonder TIN
re your vile carkis."
i" Hold " exclaimed Rand, as in the pers
ok before him he recognized Mark Linooln's Scot
he :, You are the man of all others most wish
OK see.
"A good ways of, reckon, F" said Hepkil