Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-19

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was always in immediate communication with
the Captain below. 1t was an Herculean task,
but after an almost incredible amount Of labor,
was successfully accomplished whole form
ing an establishment we'll adapted to the re-
quirements of an extensive outlaw business
Having thus completed these preparations for
immense plunder, Capt. Alberto gathered his
followers in the great hall, and after delivering
to them laws by which they were to be govern
ed, and binding them TO fidelity by the most
solemn oaths, proceeded to initiate, by more
mysterious but impressive ceremony, each one
separately into the order of Night Hawks.
For three years they had been successfully
carrying on their villainous business, at the
time Howard was cast upon the rocks.
"Hi!"
What's up now, Jimmy?"
This passed between the lookout and the
Captain, on the morning succeeding the storm,
through the tin tube connecting the two apart
ments.
"Skowger on the rocks"
"Alone? ?" asked Alberto.
Yes. Dead. I guess
Dead Impossible. Is the coast clear "
" Entirely SO. Not craft to be seen in any
direction
I" Weather ?''
''Stiff breeze from the nor west cloudy
and cold; waves run high bank Of fog to
the sou west, but safe round the rocks for
Comet
Comet was large black skif, built expressly
for rough weather.
81 shall use Comet. Keep good lookout
in every direction, and report immediately
Watch close, and signal the boat, p said Alberto.
The Captain then went to desk in one cor.
ner of his Office, and pulled cord which was
attached to bell in another apartment But
a minute elapsed before the summons was
answered by Manelli, in person, q small, wiery,
cautious, cat-like individual, with ia prepossess-
ing personal appearance, and Q. man Of evident
abilities.
Look you, Antonio Manelli," said Don
Alberto, motioning him to a SCAT, "the look
out reports man dead, or apparently SO, on
the rocks, and although 1t is strictly against
our rules to go out of the harbor in day light,
| have determined to go with you and make an
examination"
" An examination of what? In the name of
common sense, what are you thinking of, Cap
tain Examine dead skowger on the rocks
Bah! Some fisherman caught in the storm of
last night, no doubt, and not worth the ammu-
milton 1t is altogether too much risk for old
clothes, think" said Maneli, with an air of
Importance.
And I don't," said Alberto quickly, with a
tinge of anger in his manner. 81 am aware
that it is contrary to our regulations, but in
this case | think the prospect of reward over
balances the risk we run, and for the time, at
least, this rule must be suspended. | don't
presume to command you in this matter, but
think if you will be calm for a moment, that
can convince you that it will be for your inter-
est to go with me ard make an examination. -
" Perhaps so. II you do, you understand
that am the last man to lay by on account of
the risk. 1t must, however, be something
worth the while, or shall not venture to pop
my head into daylight in this region" said
Manelli.
81 have reason to believe" said Alberto.
moving chair close up to the side of Manelfi,
seating himself in it, and speaking low, in order
not to be heard by the lookout above that
the skowger is q man of some energy and tact,
and if alive can be made of great use to us in
the prosecution Of our business. Ii he is dead,
have reason to suppose that a considerable
amount of gold and silver may be found about
his person"
" What reason +? y" asked Manelli, apparently
for the first time interested, and inclined to con-
slider favOrably Albertos proposition. "What
reason for thinking he has gold on his person ~
Why, just this found letter in the
ledge, last night, from Slocum, saying that John
Howard, to whom he had just paid five hundred
dollars in gold, was seen to embark with q
couple Of Frenchmen, and sail down the lake,
at about eight O'Clock yesterday morning. If
this should prove to be him, as quite likely it
may, we shall get we'll rewarded for our risk
and labor" said Alberto.
why, in that case-yes, y said Manelli, mu-
singly, " but in case it turned out to be some
miserable fisherman, with only a pipe and to-
bacco knife, it would be considerable risk for
the property"
g And tell Won Il is no fisherman Manall;