Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-08

we'll knOw whether you believe yourself"
"ThiS aint jest exackly tho time for hard
words" said old Nathan, coming up from the
rivers bank ; " eff ennybody wants to drown'd
themselves let 'em do it without let or him
drence, but all them that wants to save their
bacon, jest gether round here in ring, and less
talk matters and things over leetle. I've got
kind ov plan in my head, thatll probably
save some on US; but pr'aps some on yer can
think ov some better way. Cap'n what do yer
think ="
That we are well cornored, and pretty sure
game, but that don't argue that it's best to throw
ourselves away, by any means. I'm for fighting
as long as there's any blood left in our veins,
but should u good deal rather fight battalion
of the grand Mexican Army. This is kind of
business that don't understand very much, and
I shall therefore beg to follow your orders. Do
you understand our location?"
WALL middlin. amt exactly positive. but
I know pretty well that that stream what we
seen off to the right was the Sacramento, and
this here must be the Calaveras!''
g How wide?"
g Wall, somthin like sixty yards here, and no
current at all. On 'tothef side there's strip
O. timber three or four rods wide, and about a
mile to the left is the road to Sanborn's Mills,
where we'd be as safe flea n a hay NOW
L IL 1
dore.
"Not more'n fifteen miles. went it last Oc-
tober in an hour and quarter, easy. Ef we
was only safe acrost the river, and no injuns to
scalp us the mint we got over I'd resk the rum"
"Just what was about to PROPOSE" said
the Captain.
"We must do something quick, and consider
ing all things, I think we stand quite as good a
chance to dash our horses into the river and swim
to the other shore, as in any other way. If
there is no Indians there to meet US, why then,
we're safe for the mills, and if there is Indians
why we're as likely to overcome them there as
anywhere else, for aught that see, said an
other.
" Yes,' said Leon, who was uneasy at mo-
ment's delay" let's dash in with our rifles
cooked, ready to give them what we can, and
clear for the mills. We lose by delay"
Several other members of the party expressed
themselves to the same effect.
For myself, " said Nathan, &" shall go whar
the majority say go, and stan my chance with
the rest, but I'm rather O. the mind that we shall
fall into the vary trap what the cuss'd red dev-
ills hev set for u.s."
$50 Ithink," said Theodore Doke.
"'Spose we jest send over one or two, jest to
be sure, and eff things is all right they ken keep
jest as still as silens; but eff they ar scalped jest
holler like thunderation 20
Rather cool proposition - said the Cap
tain.
"But good one, nevertheless" said TheO,
dore Doke "Heres my friend Slinkton for one
who"-
"No-no sir, - interrupted Slinkton, E" l don't
understand it-somebody else will do better"
go, it's nothing, Mr.. SlinktOn, just the easi-
est thing in the world. Keep still if there's no
trouble, and holler like Jerusalem if you are
sealped You know-very easy-here's Stink
ton for one, who''-
81 shan't co." said Slinkton, backing out Of
the ring.
"Ah! Mr.. Slinkton declines," continued
Theodore. Who volunteers?"
Half dozen voices were heard around the
ring, two of which were selected for the peril
GUS undertaking, couple of brothers from Tex
as. by the name of Durgee, brave to fault, and
endeared to the whole party for their many no
BILE traits.
AS there was no time to be wasted, they shool
hands with their comrades in silence, and dashed
into the river, which might conduct them tt
home, or grave.
, From the moment of their departure, the re
naming band maintained the most perfect 81
/ lence. On the brink of the water, their ear
turned to catch the least sound to indicate tina
they had suffered the penalty of their bravery
: they stood in the most solemn silence, and th
r most agonizng suspense. Old Nathan dismount
: ed, and laying his ear within almost six inche
. of the water, awaited with feelings, such as tn
r brave in deadly peril only can feel, the denout
q ment OF this singular but most necessary expel
+ iment.
0 Side by side, with their hands sjoined, thnt the
Q might not get separated in the darkness, the
went over the river. As they neared the shor