Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-02-17
MAT WARD;
OR,
THE TORY'S DOOM.
A Tale Of the Days that Tried Mems Souls
BY th Author Of "rhe Scout OF the Lake, Waldo, o
Life on the Border" &C., &c.

Bv th' Author OF The Scout or the Lake, WAid0 OF
Life on the Border" &C., &c.
~-~-~--~~->~-~>--o~--~,---~~>
CHAPTER XIII.
THE SPY AT WORK.
The morning sun shone through the rude
covering which sheltered Mark and the Scout,
+ ,laaA After having partaken of their simple meal,
the search was once more resumed. Gradually
tho trait continued to grow less distinct, until
at last it ended in dark and intricate swamp,
whose recesscs had never, to the knowledge of
Mark and his companion, been penetrated by
man.
"What do You make of t?" asked Mark,
as Rand, after having carefully examined the
ground, stood lost in deep thought.
''Nothing. The trail, | confess, puzzles me,
and it will take some one more skilled in wood
craft than myself to find it,.
sit cannot be possible that they have entered
this swamp"
81 hardly think So The bushes seem undis-
turbed, and can find 10 evidence of any one
having passed beyond here.
Might we not have lost the trail, and fol-
lowed one made by others than those we seek? F"
"No; this is the same trail upon which we
started, although there is one thing which
cannot account for There are only the foot
prints of two persons here, while at first We
found three
"One of them has diverged from the others
then?"
eyes," exclaimed Rand suddenly, "and or
my soul, Lincoln, believe we have been fol
lowing this trail, while one of the men with
Mabel, has left it, to be joined by the others al
some fixed point
''Should we not have noticed it when tn,
separation took place?"
"No with so plain trail as this has been
we followed on SO eagerly that the other wa
unobserved."
"Then let us return, and note carefully tn
tracks as we CO.
Retracing their steps, they carefully scanned
the path, hoping to find the point where tn
separation had taken place. The midday SUI
found them engaged upon their task, yet tn
trail had been traced, and re-traced without ef
fecting their purpose.
''What course shall we pursue now = asked
Mark. "You have experience in wood-craft
and shall leave the direction of this affair t,
you"
know not what to answer you. 'Tis evi
dent we can hope for nothing by following thi
trail"
"Then let IFS return, and acquaint Boyde
with the circumstances.
GAS you wish. You think he can accom-
plish the task, if Mabel is to be found?'
~ do. Although as yet he can, l fear, d
nothing. In the meantime we will not be idle
but have Hopkins and yourself take the searel
into your own hands,.
1t was with feeling of despair that Mar
turned once more towards the Retreat. A
soon as he reached it he acquainted Boyden wit
what had transpired
You found the trail, you say?" remarke
the Spy, as Mark concluded.
d" Yes, but lost it again
" How far did it lead you?"
To IA swamp some two miles from the pat
which leads to Hardings."
"0ne of the men diverged ere you lost tn
trail, you think?''
"Yes, we are confident of that, although W
could not find the point
Is the swamp accessible?"
81 should judge not. find that several {
mymen, who have lived near it some year
have never entered its Depths
Did you observe any dwellings while on tt
trail?"
8" Two or three, but carefully avoided then
as they belonged to some of SINNERS men"
While on the trail, did it lead you near
log cabin somewhat larger than the others, an
recently built?'
aye, and but short distance beyond "
lost the trail"
{" Is Thomas Rand in the camp?" asked tt
Spy.
Yes-would you see hlm?"
81 would"
"Mark summoned Thomas Rand, and in
few moments the latter entered the tent
Rand, said Boyden, " do you know ma
in these parts by the name of Isaac Harmon
"No there is no one in this region by th,
name, think"
"What name did the man bear who came
your cabin on the night in which was woun
ed?"
" Forney"
g A short thiek-sst man, with black ey
and heavy beard, having scar upon his le
cheek?"
Aye" exclaimed Rand. !" You have de
crlbed him perfectly"
You know not where he is now?''
Z" do not, unless he is with SINNERS men
~ would have you find him, watch his NOV
mcnts for day or two. and then report to Il
what yon have learned"
1t shall be done as you wish. You thir
he ia connected with this AFFAIR.""
lido
Rand left the tent, and the Spy remained
lent for some moments.
You think you can find her, do you not ?
asked Mark, at length.