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

" On my word, Hopkins, every moment stay
here is endangering the life of one who is worth
ten common men to the cause of Liberay.'
80 The cause of Liberty reckon you know
good deal about it when you are fitin agins'
your country Who dye mean -
" Boyden He is in my cabin in the woods
above here. and in danger every moment Of an
attack from Skinner men. As you value his
life, rally out Lincoln's men, and join me at the
cabin. You know the spot"
/" Reckon do, IF he's thar, as you say,
why don't he make tracks for place o. safe
ty?"
"Why? because he has been wounded by an
unknown enemy. Hopkins, believe me for
once and do as bid you"
"If you want such a cussed liar should say
you was in airnest, but I haint forgot that
trick you served me about the letter"
"And you will not go as wish ?"
:" Yes and that aint the wust ont I'm
Jest going to pepper you with an ounce o lead
before leave"
Can nothing induce you to believe mop"
Nothing short of Il miracle and as we
don't hev them things nowadays, I'm bound
to conclude you're lying
/" You are wrong, Hopkins. was but doing
my duty as a Scout when trapped you before.
Now would serve the cause have been fight
ing against"
" That's easy enough said, buta Tory amt to
be believed in war time, no way
As proof that I am sincere, take my
weapons" and drawing his pistols, cast them
with his rife at Hopkins feet. As he did so
the light was cxtinguisqed in the cabin, and a
sound as if of some one issuing therefron,
reached their ears Hopkins sprang for a tree
as he stood where the light of the moon would
have rendered his form visible to any one who
might pass near
"Why didn't you grab them ar pistols? -
asked Hopkins, as Rand followed his example
leaving the weapons upon the ground.
To show you that I am using no deception,
The men in that cabin would give purse 0
gold to know that you are so near them, and ;
word from me would bring them upon you.-
Will you not throw aside this distrust ant
place confidence in my word '
'Im half tempted to-but hist ther
come the two chaps from the cabin
As the Scout said this, the two men appeare
in view, and passing near the Scout, halted bu
few feet from the spot where he was con
cealed.
You say you are sure that it was Rand wh
fired at you? " said one of the men.
), Yes, and reckon he's got the wounde
man In his cabin too"
" What makes you think so? "
Wall, come along the road by the spo
where the wounded man was shot, and he wa n
nowhere to be seen. Then there was a piece G
Rand ds shirt ON the ground with which, meybe
he bound up the wound It's pity the bal
didn't strike his heart
- And pity, too, that he should fall int
the hands of Thomas Rand"
Wall, never mind we'll have EN- bot
afore morning, or thereabouts. I've got AN al
rant above here II piece, and then I'm going t
rout out the SINNERS, and we'll see if Rand
, going to conceal friend Of such men as Fu
nam and Lincoln
, "Stop when you come along, and I'll joi
you"
~ will Remember and keep this ere affa
y dark
, Never fear" replied the other, and turning
he re-entered his cabin, while his companlo
d went bis way.
"Now you are convinced, | trust" So
n Rand, turning to Hopkins, who had listened
the conversation between the two Tories.
It "Wall, am; and may live on catamoul
o steaks the rest o my life If Lincoln's men all
q thar ready for the sneakin' varmints Je
you 20 to the cabin, and hev things read
10 while start out the men,
o g Hasten them, for everything depends
IL getting your men there ere Skinner arrives
% lin off like streak O. chain lightning
r. and shouldering his rife, Hopkins plunged In
# the woods in the direction Of the Retreat, VIII
,e Rand retraced his steps toward the ca in.
Al Having entered it, he proceeded at once to t
{. loft, where Boyden, overcome by fatigue a
in loss of blood, had fallen asleep. He awoke
At the rays Of the light struck his face, and {
ID gerly asked
90 Wbat S,.o.asoC.,
;s 81 was fortunate enough to overtake SEQ
: of Lincolns, and the Ri6emen will be here
"a time 10 protect you"
:. The Spy clasped his hands and murmured
10 prayer Of thanks, and then turning to Rar
e said, in voice tremulous with emotion
he ~ have nothing in this world to bestow up
of you, Rand, to show the gratitude which 4
u my soul for the service you have rendered u
d., You cannot realize, how much you have ct
a. ferred in thus saving my life, but should t
no war terminate in favor of the Colonies, | v
10. reveal to you tho nature of the favor done \
n 'Tis not merely my life that am grateful I
and"
NJ " Enough | want no thanks. | only W
to show you that have feelings as we'll
:" those who have told you of the fendish nat
Il. possess. | have done too much to wipe fir
fl my name the stains that rest upon it, and
ro' time may never come when men will resp
me; but when you hear my name mention
on with contumely, tell them that Rand, the L
,t renegade, saved your life at the risk of his owl
TO and with frame trembling like an aspen,
descended to the room below ere Boydeu