Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-17


the fate of Mabel Archer. The efforts of the
Scouts had, as yet, avaled nothing Day by
day the result of the search had been communi-
Gated to Mrs. Archer, and though not murmur
escaped her lips, yet Mark could not fail to see
that sorrow was slowly, yet surely, bringing
her to life's close. At last the morning dawned
upon which the Spy was to leave the camp
Hopkins and Rand can join you, if you
wish."
"No, but one of them can be of service
Rand can join me, if he chooses to do so'
Willingly" replied Rand. "My whole
soul is in the affair. and will not give it up
until all hope isgone, or we find Mabel Archer"
g shall trust to you for guidance until we
reach the spot where Mabcl's horse became
frightened"
1t required but short time to gain the open
ing, and then they moved with more caution
until the spot designated by Boyden was
reached.
You are right-there were three men en-
gagged in this affair, - said the SPY, as he exam
ined tho spot.
81 think Joel Palmer could not have been
one of them
" No. the footprints are too large for his"
After having thoroughly examined the
ground, the Spy started on, and for some time
no words escaped him.
" We are past the spot he mutterod, as he
ceased in his walk, apd scanned the trail -
There are but two tracks here. These villains
have been careful in their work, else | should
not have passed the point of divergence"
/" Here is discovery that it is strange did
not make ere this" SAID Rand. They have
followed back in the same tracks by which they
came.'
8" You are right Rand. Now, if mistake
not, we shall soon find the other trail
They retraced their steps, but the evidence of
the others having done this, ceased, as they
neared small stream
Here we are at fault again, said Rand
"NO-he has taken the stream in order to
destroy the trail. Let us examine the banks
and we shall soon find where he has left it,"
But the search was unavaiijng. 1t was
nearly noon when they bogan to doubt the fact
of his having taken the stream at all.
"He could not have proceeded farther thar
this spot, ! think, for but few rods beyond
the stream crosses the road wdich leads to Hard
ings, and if he was bearing Mabel, he woul'
hardly dare venture into the clearing
Thus far our labor has availed us nothing.
And yet am unwilling to give up tn
search"
al have not thought of that
Again Beydcn and his companion turne,
their steps towards the trail, carefully examin
ing the banks of the stream, as they went, il
hopes that by some accident they might hav
overlooked the spot where the abductor of Ma
bel left it. Suddenly they stopped land gaze
attentively at large stone, partially overgrowl
with moss, which occupied the middle of tn
stream. Upon either side of it was narro,
channel, through which the water found it
way.
DO you see anything which will throw
ray of light upon this affair? asked Rand
after watching him moment
"Aye-you see that rock youder?"
" Yes, and if my eyes do not deceive mt
there are footprints upon it,
"And none other than the ones we are seel
ing" said Boyden, as he neared the rock. " "
| see not what this is going to avail US. "
:" He may have left the stream here
d" There are no evidences of 1T upon the banl
But hold, have it now," and Boyden spran
to the opposite bank, and began to examine
fallen tree, which lay near it, stripped of i
, bark.
F." Are you looking for trail upon that log7
, asked Rand with smile.
No replied Boyden, " but shall find on
beyond here,
" You are sure of this 4"
' 81 am. Come, and will prove to you thu
am correct.
Thomas Rand joined the Spy, and the latt,
drew his attention to large limb few fe,
, from the log, recently broken from tr,
near it.
:" He left the stream by stepping from thi
rock to this log" said Rand.
I" And by seizing that limb swung himself
lar as possible from it, 50 as to prevent his ste]
being seen. Beyond we shall find the trail"
The Spy's conjectures proved correct. A fe
feet from the tee were footprints but recent
made, and evidently with no attempt at avo
ing trail Towards the close of the afternoc
the trail began to grow iresher, and they hi
proceeded but a few rods after these new ind
cations, when an exclamation of mutual HI
prise escaped their lips, as they beheld ne,
them the house referred to by the Spy.
There was shrewd attempt to cover l
0 the trail, but it has iailed'
: aye replied Boyden. "They though
no doubt, that BY taking the stream th
should avoid all attempts to discover them. y
hufo lultt blihb tllC UuItCJ VIC bbbK ls II
I far distant" said Rand. The trail, as y,
perceive, diverges abruptly at this point al
+ proceeds towards Forney's dwelling"
"You think then, that Mabel Archer is
yonder cabn?"
y 6" 'Ts evident the trail ends there. Ii t
: person who made it was the captor of Mab'
e then she is doubtless within those walls"
Were this the case the task is an easy
k to remove her from the house"
+" Unless Forney and his companions are /
side 1t is nearly dusk, and if lie is not the
i already, twill not be long ere he comes home
"Do you think of any plan by which
y could asbertan whether Mabel is there, witho
IA resort to forcel +"