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

| oO hOt Iehiuih tOo iohS' ~
turn and thwart our schemes.
" If he is alone do not fear him, but he will
not be, think.
Rand approached the door, and knocked for
admittance. A few moments elapsed, when the
door was cautiously opened, aud female voice
exclaimed
| who's there %
"Me, F" said Rand firmly.
"Who are your"
| '!Rand-don't you know me? "
! "Oh, its you, is it? It's getting duskish,
and I couldn't see for certain who it was.'
"You appear to be afraid of VISITORS said
Rand, cycling the woman keenly, as be entered
and seated himSelf
| "Some visitors are not always to be desired, ;"
replied the woman evasively,N
Especially at present. returned Rand
" Not now more than other times since the
war begun. Forney told me to be careful who
let into the house when he was gone"
Whom do you fear ?-the Whigs?"
"Not exactly the Wings, but"
The woman stopped suddenly in her speech,
while her face crimsoned
81 thought heard some one singing just as
| came in remarked Rand, as he noticed the
woman's perturbation.
Singing?' she repeated starting. g guess
twas me singing the young ones to sleep and
Mrc Enrpav 10 IA n,~h+ = xrarJn
pointed to a bed upon which two children were
slumbering.
"You have got sweet voice." said Rand in
tone with touch Of sarcasm in it. Can't
you sing me somcthing?"
No-'twas mere lullaby which you heard, y
replied Mrs Forney uncasily.
is Forney coming in to-nIght?"
Yes; it's time he was here now"
Alone?' continued Rand.
ono; two or three of the Company are
coming with him. They are going to have a
row, reckon--a perfect bedlam. torney was
up to Harding's last night, and gota jug Of
Jimaky, and the whole of them will be precious
drunk before morning
"You need not tell Forncy I've been here
"Tll call again, sometime, when he's sober
have got some business with him.
"What succesS?" asked Boyden, as RanG
rejoned him.
"The fates favor us, replied Rand. Ma
bel Archer Is confined somewhere in the house
| an confident"
Forney is absent them"
{" Yes: buths wife expects him at home every
moment. Let us make bold push, and accom-
plish our object ere he rcturns.'
But if We are deceived it will give our enc
mics a clue and put them on their guart
against our attempts to find her
g True; but have no fears for the result
Mabel is there for heard q voice just as en-
tered the house, and twas too sweet to com
from that hag of Forneys.'
You may be right. Let us enter the cabin.
Thomas Rand was about to move forward
when the attentive ear of the Spy caught tn
sound of voices, and seizing him by the arm, h
drew him into the shadow of some trees.
1--WE are too late," he exclaimed in lov
tome " Fornoy and his associates are return
ing, and what we accomplish now, must
done by stratagem.'
Boydens conjecturrs proved correct Forney
accompanied, by two men appeared in view, an
entered the clearing.
"Once let them become engaged in the
drunken revels, and it will be an easy task t.
rescue Mabel" said Rand
Perchance- Forncy is too cautious to let tn
!, liquor which he has procured, obtain the maj
terry over him. If he is at work for Joel Palm
er, it is for his interest to guard carefully again
, any attempt to rescue Mabel"
"She must be rescued tonight" replie
, Rand 81 have set my heart upon thwartin
the man who has made my life a scene of crim
and now, even the life of yon rencgades sha
t not prevent me from attaining my object
"Stratagem first, said Boyden, as he SO
r the determined look which dwelt upon Rand
Z features, a." and then if a contest is necessary
g order te effect our purpose, my arm shall not
wanting to aid you
t The midnight hour came and passed, still IL
sound of revelry issued from the cabin. Al
other hour came and went, and all was still.
g "The poison has effected its work For on
it has been instrumental in promoting goo
., cause.
. "Aye, and now let us to the work. Iw
|. enter the cabin while you stand ready at m
, ments warning to join me-
d Repeated knocks upon the door failed
! arouse the occupants Of the cabin, and Raj
;. signifed to the Spy to join him.
p j." What course shall we pursue ?" he ask
as Boydon reached him.
- +" We're confident of the state of the inmat
of the cabin, could the better answer vo
!. Perhaps the women, knowing the Importance
y their prisoner, will prevent our entrance viii
the men remain under the influence of the
# quor they have drank.
u "Then force is our only alternative. 1t mu
d come to this and It's best to use it ere the s,
shall dispcl the gloom and thus render our u
n dertaking more hazardous -
Procuring an axe which lay near him, RAJ
e raised it, and brought it down heavily upon t
|, door. A dull heavy sound wrs the only
sponse.
'e "That dooris strongly secured" he nluttere
as the sound met his ear. 9" We can accol
l. pllsh nothing in this Manner
re The roof" suggested Boyden. "Let
y try that Perchance it will afordus mode
re ingress."
1t A log was procured, and placing it agar
the cabin. Thomas Rand asconded and began