Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-01-27

you will never seek the cottage of Miss Archer
again. and all desire will be accomplished"
Doubtless, sir, by maligning my character
you could effect the rest, returned Mark, with
a sneer. "One question more, Sir Tory Has
Joel Palmer aught to do with this scheme?"
Palmer " exclaimed Skinner. with evident
agitation. "No; why do you suspect him of
me in this matter ,"
He does not know of my capture them"
asked Mark, gazing Skinner firmly in the face.
No, SIR"
{" And you have had no Intercourse with him
to-day?"
II have not"
Your absence frnm the camp creates in my
mind suspicion to the contrary
so be plain, then. you deem me an agent of
Palmer's2"
81 do" replied Mark, firmly.
You are wrong, Mark Lincoln. Do you
accept my conditions ?"
No; I spurn them as | would their author
were my hands but free"
Tis well, - muttered Skinner. "You have
sealed your doom, have given you chance
to regain your freedom, but you have refused
it. Once more give you an opportunity to
comply with my wishes-'tis your last Think
well ere you throw away your life SO rashly."
81 ask no time for thought And bark, sir
Tory. Tell the man you serve that but few
more suns will set ere he dies by the halter"
"Ha exclaimed the Tory Captain starting.
p" What mean you?"
g. 1t mattres not, sir. Should an all-wise
Providence spare your life, you will learn that
my words are true"
Skinner left the tent, and Mark, sinking back
to reclining posture, began to revolve in his
mind plans for an escape. An hour passed thus,
but as one after another were presented they
were rejected as unfeasible, and his only hope
was that Thomas Rand might by some means
procure his release. He had no hopes of life
should an attack be made by his men-which in
their reduced state was impracticable for eager
as Skinner was to compass his death, he would
not hesitate to end his existence at the first ru-
NOR of danger.
Another hour elapsed, and Thomas Rand came
lesurely towards the camp
" Rand" exclaimed Skinner, as the former
approached the place where the Tory leader was
reclining, " what meads this unaccountable ab-
sence from the camp?"
Protecting my home, sir, from the men you
sent against it"
"Wh hat mean you?"
Mean?' uttered Rand. MY meaning
should be plain enough. You sent party of
your men to ransack my cabin, in hopes of
finding an enemy of the King concealed within
its walls"
" You cannot censure me for this Rand
"Censure you? Have | ever given you rea-
son to think | was not loyal to the interests Of
the King?"
NO. yet"
"Then why did you send your villains tc
modest me? Curses on you, Skinner Once
more you have proved treacherous to the com
pact that exists between us. How often mus
this take place ere the time comes for me to ex
pose your dealings before the men?"
Carefully, carefully, Rand am in nj
mood to night to brook such language
81 care not what your mood may be; fea
you not"
Rand, the sending Of those men could no
be avoided. Forney came into the camp, rep
resenting that you had man concealed in you
cabin worth dozen common men,
"Aye, sir after basely shooting man a
midnight, because, forsooth, some one less de
, sirous OF blood should shield him from danger
he must needs point me out as that one Blu
he found him not"
, 81 know it, and am glad you were not i'm
plicated in such u proceeding"
, There has been an engagement to-day,
learn, )" said Rand.
! Yes; we met Lincoln's men this morning
Q and but for the untimely attack of the Yagers
should have captured the whole troop"
8 " 1t seems the fight was a fierce one?" cor
tinued Rand, gazing at SINNERS face.
| "Aye," replied Skinner, as he noticed tn
scrutiny, "b but we are amply repaid for tn
loss we sufered-Mark Lincoln is our prisoner.
t "Your prisoner" exclaimed Rand.
II Yes; ball from the Yagers struck hin
for moment depriving him of his senses, an
II being in the rear Of his men, we bore him o
o unmolested.'
What do you propose to do with him"
II have not decided Until see Palmer
shall not determine the course to be pursued, y
j. "Do you know his whereabouts2" /" aske
d Rand musingly.
"Yes; he has gone to his fathers, on IL
% Highlands. As soon as it is light wish
d send yon there
% " For what purpose?' ~
"It matters not, Rand"
u "As you choose. Perchance yon fear
7 trust me2"
No; but I'm sworn to privacy concernir
S. this matter. | will have message ready fl
10 you by dawn, and wish you to be especial
careful about exposing yourself to danger
W Lincoln's men are, no doubt, ON the alert to dl
cover some intelligence Of their leaders fate,
:" ! am not wont to expose myself needlessl
,e Can you not delay the matter until anoth
= day?"
81 cannot, The case demands the create
m dispatch in conveying the message to Palmer. y
toI 81 will go upon one condition"
,p "Well, | will hear it. '
es That you permit Mark Lincoln to rema
uninjured until return"
l. " That lisa strange request, Rand. He
to our mutual enemy"