Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-02-05
WHOLE NO. 423.

e information as to the colonel's proceed
: ings at the Ferns perhaps might even
# persuade him TO convey note TO Lefty.
:, Telling the Hindu to follow, I went
straight TO the bar Of a country inn upon
Q the Bayfield, road, and administered a
- strong dose of the liquid bribe. 1t proved
: only TOO etfectual. His weak head was
o unable to bear the liquor; and although
: ! gained the intelligence / desired, I saw
it would be too hazardous to intrusi him
: with anything which, in his intoxication,
he might easily betray.
Q That same evening, shortly after dusk,
|. | set out TO Teconnoilre the enemy's posi-
: lion, for you may easily suppose I was
y lot to be deferred by Col. Siark's threats
I from attempting to gain an interview with
Lefty. walked slowly down the road,
and it was dark when i passed the swing
gate on the path leading to the Ferns
Treading very gingerly-partly from pro-
lessional caution, partly from dread of
man-traps--I approached the house,
F Lights shone from the dining room win
dows, lights streamed from the easements
of the servants offices. Cautiously
stepped up to the dining room, ard brea-
thing upon the rime clothed panes, peep
ed in.
The enemy was seated at the table,
alone over his wine, big and burly. Be-
hind his masters chair stood the Hindu
with folded arms, his dark features glis-
lening over bis white robes and beneath
his gaudy turban, the light falling upon
the yellows of his cleaning eyes. Some
thing had evidently put the colonel in
high good humor; perhaps he felt pleas
antly replete with dinner perhaps hs
was meditating upon the success with
which he had that morning repeled my
uncle. Whatever the cause, he laughed
aloud, and called to Johtee TO bring him
the big bamboo.
The Hindu glided TO the corner where
q this instrument was usually kept, raised
it reverentially between his palms, and
laid it, with low salam, before his mas
ter. The colonel took the bamboo, poised
!, il like scepter in one hand, and ordered
his slave before him.
: Now, Johtee, you see this p said the
colonel.
'Iss, Sahib.
We'll, then, now listen to me. IF ever
you come home drunk again, Johtee, as
you did this morning, or carry any mes
sases, or letters, Johtee, except for me,
or break any of the rules or regulations
OF this garrison, Johtee, do you know
what'll happen to you, you scoundrel,
eh ?
'Nn.n-no, Sahb,' suffered the trem>
bling wretch.
why, I'll fog you within half an inch
of your life first, then clap you in Jail for
five years, and have you blown from a
gun afterwards. Dye hear, ye rascal?'
roared the colonel, as he brought down
The big bamboo upon the table with
rap that male the decanters reel
Iss, Sahib,' stammered aifrisbted Joh-
tee, with lower salam than ever, as he
received back the instrument Of torture,
and reconyeyed it humby to its appoint
ed place
Leaving the colonel to the magnani-
nous amusement Of practising upon this
wreiched creatures fears, slid on tiptoe
round to The servants offices, and looked
in at the kitchen windows. The pros
pect here was not more promising than
IN The dining room. The evening being
cold, the servants were gathered about
the fire in group. How was | to gain
speech Of one Of them alone? Fortune
here stood my friend. The man de-
sired TO speak with was the GARDENER
Lefty was fond of flowers she must be-
often in the green houses and gardens;
this man would have frequent opportuni-
ties of conveying note As | was
thinking how to get hold of him, the man
rose, G milling that he must 90 out in
The cold to look after his fires. He light
ed lantern, opened the door, and STEP
ped into the garden-I followed. When
he was a little distance from the house, 1
called him in low voice. The man
turned, held up his lantern, saw my fg>
ure lponing large through the darkness
advancing towards him, was seized with
sudden panic, and fed with shout back
10 the house.
Thieves thieves! murder robberyp
yelled the gardener, as he burst into the
kitchen, arousing a chorus of shrill
screams from the terrified women. An
athematizing bis cowardice, 1 beat hasty
retreat, and retiring behind the shelter of
a friendly bush, awaited what should fol-
low. To the voices of the frightened
women were speedily added the gruff
tones of Col. Stark, cilling to Johiee to
L.