St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1868-04-17

once thought there was too much ling
ling and clatter for Il guerrilla band on a
night expedition, and presently came the
sound of a deep, resonant voice
''Silence Close up. Steady, men,
steady.' How my heart leaped into my
throat 1t was my junior lieutenant,
with detachment of our own company
| Pluu@ing into the road, at the risk of be-
ing shot down, | stopped not to inquire
how they came SO opportunely near, but,
making myself known to Lieutenant
Winters, hurried them forward at the
same reckless speed at which | had
come. Reaching corner of field some
| distance from the house, we hastily threw
/ down the fence and rode straight towards
the door. \ shot or two from the fright
ened marauders outside greeted Us as we
/ dashed up, but, needless of all save what
might be passing within, | threw myself
from my horse and followed by half Il doz-
cn sturdy troopers. burst open the door.
Never shall forget the scene. On
the table, the moose about his neck, lis
arms piniomcd tightly TO his sides, his
chest heaving from his quickcned breath
ing, his forehead covered with sweat,
pale. but erect and selt-possessed even
then, stood Captain Blake, and little
farther back, the widow; with upliftcd
finger and heaving bosom, with eager
eve, and parted lips and whole face
atiamc with cXulting LIGHT, while the sis
ter. still knccling in the half shadow.
with elapsed hands and uplittcd face sob
bed THANK Gud-Oh. thank God ="
With one exception, the hangman, the
gucrri!la- escaped in the darkness and
confusion. This one was captured rs he
was climbing through Il rear window.
and brought back ut the moment | was
releasing the captain. \ dangerous LIGHT
cleaned Tor Il moment i'll Blakc's eyes as
he saw him, but only for moment, and
waving his hand to the inquiring trooper
in charge of him. he said, quietly =
''Conduct him safely to the post and turn
him over to the proper officer" Then.
leaning heavily on my shoulder. he said
family: ''.Iohn. I'm faint and sick.
See to the ladies; get me canteen of
brandy or whisky and let me lie down
for halt an hour
Poor fellow. the tremendous mental
strain of that forty minutes had almost
broken him down. He had continued
hi forced defamation until terrified
negro rushed in and reported to the
gucrrillaS that an apparition a. tall a> 4
forest tree had killed one OF their guards
and ticd with hi, horse. y few minutes
search disclosed the inscnsiblc, blecdin.
body of one of their scntIncls and al-
moni~hcd by this. the wounded man was
sent away i'll care of two of their gang,
and the remainder turned their attention
TO Captain Blake, who had remained.
meanwhile. securely pinioncd. in the
keeping of the subsequently, captured
han@man. That tunctionarv had already
adjusted the moose. and was about to tip
the table from under Captain Blake's
feet. when his attention was arrested bv
shot or two outside, and the trampling
of boots ut the door.
Would you know how these hoof> hap
pcuci 10 be - near! Well, old Harry.
trundled so unceremoniously out of doors.
had gone limping and grumbling away
from the house, and making n long cir
cult into the pasture below, had there
caught an old horse, too poor to tempt a
guerrilla, and, without saddle or bride.
had ridden to the post through the deep
darkness with all the speed he could
command, while | had been crouching
paralyzcd in the loft of the house.
Old Harry is sitting this drowsv after
noon. in he shade of the willows down
my garden walk, calmly watching Il little
wicker carriage. in the contents OF which
the crcwhlc widow and myself claim
Joint proprictorship.
Captain Blake and his wife live in the
brown cottage over the way; and the
captain stoutly maintains to this day
that he was terribly frightened that
night, otherwise lie could not have made
SO long and vehement a speech.
a PLAIN ANswER.-Among the peo-
! pie who came to market was citizen of
west Jersey. He brought a stock of
eruS and buftpr I'm n bIU coon in tbn