The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-05-03

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piled with an air of satisfaction.
''Isn't dinner nearly ready'' inquired
Smith, who began to feel a little uneasy,
but was determined to hide it from the
old man.
"1'he cars will leave Summervillc be-
tween three and four o'clock, and it was
not our intention to remain out in the
country over night"
at will be ready in few minutes"
and at the same time glancing down to-
wards the woods, as though he was ex-
pecting some one to come.
After remaining and talking for at
least one half hour longer, Turner remark
cd
''We had better not wait for dinner,
am afraid we will be too late for the car" "
every good" replied Smith, ''if you
think it best, we will start at once"
''Oh no, you had better have dinner
before you go gentlemen, it is all ready
now. Walk in to the dining-room.
The old man led the way and took
seat at the head Of the table, seated the
Yankees, one on each side of him. lie
then bowed his head and invoked short
blessing, in n low mumbling voice, but
the words he used could not be under
Stood and were lost to the world.
''Now help yourselves gentlemen TO
the sweet potatoes, corn bread, bacon and
greens. 1t is the best.I can do for the
present"
NO apologies sir, the dinner is quite
good enough for any hungry man"
From the appearance of the table, the
dinner had been ready for at least three
| quarters of an hour, which made matters
look more suspicious than ever and our
friends began to think that trap was
being laid for them.
"ihere's two Yankees on our planta-
ton, trying TO pursuade our niggars
away.' said young Murray, nearly out
of breath, as he dashed up TO Il little hut
in the woods some distance from the rail-
road.
"Why didn't you shoot the villains !"
replied Il TALL pale, savage looking rebel;
who, from the appearance Of his long
beard and halr, had not seen barber for
the last two ycaIs.
''Ohoot them! That is easier said
than done, when there were two of them,
and alone Besides, they were armed
to the teeth with six-shooters, and no
doutt there's plenty more OF their gang
not far distant. But Fitch, where is the
rest of the crowd? see yon are here
alone"
"They were sent Cor about two hours
ago, to go and regulate 'hings at the place
we were at last Sunday night; you
know" q
"Yes, | understand. But what's to
be done about those Yankees On our
place ?"
"Whcrc are they from ?"
81 couldn't say, but l should judge
they come up on the cars, for they came
on the plantation from that direction
'Thcn they have got into scrlpe
that will be difficult to get out Of" said
Fitch triumphanily, IN jump ON my
horse and cut down the railroad to the
big swamp about TWO miles from SUM
merville where we have few men hid
in tue woods; and if | find they have
not passed there yet, by IIeaveLs they
never shall, alive"
The excited man sprang into his saddle,
and bidding Murray TO keep sharp look
out, dashed off, and was soon out of sight.
"Tour dinner was very good indeed,
we have Jared sumptuously," said Smith,
''what's to pay p
Oh don't charge you anything, gem
tlemen and | am sorry l have kept you
50 long"
swell here is dollar in Green Back,
will that satisfy you :"
"Oh certainly, certainly, said he, ex-
tending his hand for the moley, don't
wish to charge you anything; but I'll
accept this as matter of curously, as
it is the first Green Back that have
ever seem"
snow let us make tracks and get TO
Summerville as soon as possible" said
Turner as they turned the corner and
came into the road.
"Not too soon, for I'll be bound that
the old hypocrite will watch us until we
get entirely out of sight"
The two walked on leisurely for a
short distance, then suddenly turned into
the woods, and with rapid pace, soon
struck the railroad about three miles
from Summerville.
swell twas a good joke after ALL"
said Smith laughingly, ''the idea, of
going on an old Sectsh's plantation to
recruit his negroes, then sitting down at
his own table and dine with him"
sit may be a very good joke for you,
but as for my part, | regard it as very
serions matter. And | am not satisfied
that we are yet out of danger"
"There is fresh horse tracks going
down on the railroad, I'll admit, which
appears as though some of our qood
friends back here, had got the start of u.s."
"Yes, | have been watching them ever
since we struck the railroad; and
should judge from the way the ground is
torn up, the rider wasn't going 50 fast for
nothing"
"Perhaps he is after u.s." said Smith,
with dry laugh.
"That is just what am afraid OF, and
if ! can only get out of this scrape, you