The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-15
LTTERATUAn.


victims which is maddening to think of. They can.
not be Indians or they would carry the scalp away;
and yet scarcely bring myself to believe that
any white men could be found who would thus
make themselves aavages."
"Oh," exclaimed De La Luzerne, the French
Envoy, sis itnot worse to kill man than to scalp
him."
"But to scalp their victims adds to the atroclty
Of the crime, !" cried Knox.
my friends,' said Lafayette, at is a painful
fact, not only that civil war is more bitter than
all other wars, but that the civilized man far
passes the savage in excess of cruelty when he
enemies stop at nothing, and not content with hir-
ing savages to fight for them, they rival the savages
themselves in cruelty"
"Oh, for the hour when we shall close with them
finally" cried Knox.
at is not far distant" said Lafayette.
"Our combined forces will be irresistible"
land all the more so since they fight the battles
Of glorious freedom.
eve have had some glorious triumphs, but the
greatest Of them all is yet to come"
Eyes, in our present state, when we meet them,
victory will be certain
But, confess, would give more for the ami
hilation Of these gangs of assassins than for vic
tory over the entire British army"
Let us achieve the greater first, and then we
can accomplish the less.o
81 hope our glorious Arnold will have his part
to perform said DE La Lucerne, who had deep
admiration for that general.
" His fiery nature" said Lafayette, "has unfor-
tunately made him many enemies; but in battle he
is a hero'
Yes; in battle cried Lucene, he is Bay
artisans peur, ct sans reproche.n
His troubles have been bad for the common
cause.n
And they have greatly embittered his own
sOul''
Meanwhile the leader of them all sat quietly
among them absorbed in thought. No man ever
impressed others with such deep feelings of reve-
renee rs did Washington. All bowed to him with
involuntary confession of his superiority. His
calm and comprehensive spirit seemed to dwell
upon plane above the reach of common minds,
whence he could look out upon wider field Of
view than could be grasped by others. This large
insight INTO men and things gave him knowledge of
all the difficulties before him, but also showed him
the distant goal, clearly and plainly.
Gentlemen, said he, "a few assassinatiops may
startle us, but need not make us despair There
are more dangerous things than murders. find
that, by some means OF other, some of our most
vital secrets are diyulged to the enemy
The whole company gave an involuntary start.
Secrets, gentlemen, which should only be
known to a very few Of us, are already quite fami
liar to Sir Henry Clinton. 1t would not be 80 bad
were these gained from dispatches that the enemy
may chance to take. But there are certain things
which have never been committed to dispatches
or writing OF any kind, and these have been in
some way communicated to him. Traitors must be
around us, and spies in our midst, whom we do not
dream Of And yet who the traitor is battles my
comprehension; ! only know that the thirg must
be. Time only can tell us more. Meanwhile we
will have 70 be more than ever on the wateh!"
Al this intelligence deep silence fell upon all.
Washington resumed in a kind Of half soliloquy:
"The easiest part OF this war is that which
wage against the British the most difficult and
dangerous that which is carried on among our
selves. To meet in battle, to guide armies, to at
tack, or to defend, all this is easy and inspiring.
The soul grows strong with such an exercise. But
to battle with prejudice, jealousy, envy and dis
couragements Of every kind, to find apathy instead
Of zeal, and sullen discomfort instead of earnest
support-t0 be checked, thwarted, betrayed in
every way and to see ten new difficulties rise up in
place of every one that has been removed-ths,
my friends, is Q hard and terrible fight"
'Yes," said Lafayette, whose generous and SYM
pathetic nature entered instinctvely into all the
difficulties Of his great assOciate-"Y es-and il is
q struggle that gives no fame. Ii we are overcome
we are disgraced and if we conquer them we gain
glory, Tor this kind of enemy not visible 10 the
general world.o
Concerning these secrets, gentlemen pursued
Washington, (which have been divulged to the
enemy, have been forced TO one conclusion, and
it is rather fearful one. Each branch Of this
reasonable correspondence may seem to be isoa-
ted and unimportant But am sorry to say that
it is not so. They seem to be the scattered out
works of one grand and comprehensive plot. That
plot has not yet been completed although il is ra-
pidly developing ITSELF What may be the inner
core and essence of this cannot tell, but have
already imagined the result, If it is successfully
what, what!' cried all breathlessly.
'Ruin," said Washington with impressive tones.
Deep, and utter, and lasting ruin to us and all our
hopes"
The company eyed each other in dislnay. Such
language as this from such man sank with fearful
weight into their hearts. 1t was all the worse
since he finally confessed that he could not even
imagine who the traitor was, or what was the cen
trail aim of all these minor treacheIies.
II have tried to discover messengers, but in
vain. / have wondered whether this new gang
that calls itself the Triad may not be concerned
in it. But who knows anything abont the Triad?''
mo one" said Knox, mo one. Every one who
has seen them has died, and received their Ral X
1T will never do to let this thing go on in this
way" said Lafayette" if this band IS so DANCE
rOus, eXterminate it,"
At this Harry Temple started.
This gang unites the cruelty Of the savage
said Washington, with the skill OF the white man.
Do you not see, gentlemen now they are already
affecting the minds of the people? The leader Of
this gang has evidently heard Of the ancient Web
megercht' "
1.-THE Vehmegericht!'' cried Lafayette, so it
is. II is arising again on small scale in Amc-
rica.'
..Smal now, but who knows where it may end. {"
Their leader evidently understands the minds Of
men. Mystery, and cruelty, and darkness, can al
ways excite the fear Of the multitude
BY this time Harry Temple had canght the eye of
Washington, who saw that he wished 10 srcak, aud
90 ii men could be spared" said Harry. in mo-
dest but eager tones, 90 woud Ike to lead com
pany to find ont these miscreants--l know some
bold spirits that would accompany me, and think
we could learn something Of them"
The company listened approNingy -Washing ton
alone did not seem to assent.
IF our men, said he, were more numerous !
would let you go ateonce this duty. But they
are few, and every man is wanted for the coming
conflict"
Harry Temple understood The Generals meaning
and bowed.
Perhaps, however," said Washington, after
this present movement is made we may have some
time to devote to these fellows anu then the com
mission shall be yours
Harry Temple was overwhelmed with delight a;
the appreciation of his Abilities though Gisappo!nt
ed at not being able to them Immediately. Oil.
err thoughts, however, soon took possession OF his
mind.
In little while he took his departure and went
out into the streets. With frightened eye and
quick step he paced along.
81 wonder how she will receive me- said lie
And with this thought he knocked az the door OF
line mansion in the upper part OF the city.
us Miss Wells at homer
"Yes,' replied the servant, and the young OBI
Ger entered
CHAPTER ".
THE LOVERS.
After waiting for few moments in the prncipa
room the door opened, and young lady entered
Her graceful figure and lovely face ght well hav,