Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-07-25
THE RENEGADE'S DOOM.
A STORY or COLORADO.

4 storm had ragged all day, The below
ing blast carrying with it dirt and fine
particles Of sand, until the cloud was
not only binding, put till it was next to
impossible fer q human being to venture
from under cover without having the
very flesh decorated or peeled from his
bones. Tents lay scattered and rent in
every direction, and even some of the
''du6ien quarters had been lcvellcd with
thcu mother earth. Indeed, Fort Scdg-
wick presented much such an appear
ancc as might have been expected had a
BAND Of Sioux Indians made Il success
fiji assault upon thc place.
AS darkness came on The wind ceased
10 some extent, and then steady storm
set in, almost as terrible as was the sand
tempest of the day. 1t was dcnsely
dark, and this darkness was favorable
to the movements Of Il savage band who
lurkcd in the shallow raVine behind the
bluffs back about two miles from the
Platte River.
The bugles mt the Fort had just sound
cd the tattoo and taps, when one of the
band referred TO arose from his PROSTATE
position and as he did 50, gave vent to
a coarse and mocking laugh. lmme-
diatcly after small light shot up. lie
had ignitcd match for the purpose of
llkil iAA' lJli'N, anu
ne projected il from thc wind with his
fur cap revealed his features. He WAS
hidCOua in the extreme: and, although
painted like savage, ii was easy for an
experienced eye to detect the fact he
was not so. Then his voice and words
were another proof; for turning round
he spalle thus;
"Men, you will understand that our
work must be quickly performed. AT
the first alarm, those whom | have des-
ignated will dash into the quartermas-
ter's, the suffers, and the commissions
ers. | have business at the command
cr's quarters and this | shall perform
alone. | shall be successful; and if you
are not equally so, The fault Will be your
oWn-not NINE. In all cases of this
kind you must resolve that you will sue
coed or die and then you will never
know the meaning of tailnrc. Come,
and be cautious"
Some twenty or thirty dark forms
were seen to arise, us ifout Of the ground,
and then they slowly took their way
down the bluffs towards the Fort. Soon,
| however, the band separated, and every
one of the number proceeded singly.-
Those who had received their instruc-
lions from the master spirit simply con
tented themselves with gaining certain
positions, and avoided every sentinel
Not 50 with the leader.
! When this person had arrived within
| a hundred yards Of the hospital he
paused, and stood silently surveying the
camp, Here and there were dim lights
but barracks and tents generally were
wrapped III gloom. After time the
! man uttered:
"Everything faVors me tonight, and
| / feel like q tiger, Oh, shall succeed
! If do not, death will be the only thing
which will prevent me. DO / love that
girl? ] scarcely know. | have strange
! feelings when in her presence. Some
! thing OF the past comes up before me
! but the Recollection islike dim dream.
! am puzzled, Many is the time have
felt an inclination to spring upon her
even as the tiger would upon the young
taWn, and rend her into pieces ; and
then ! have felt as though | must fold
her TO my breast and weep. Curses up
on it-Whatis this ? Hang me if don't
think that tear drop has already start
ed from my eye and dampened my
check. PhaW! Mad Leon, the Rene
gade weep! PrepOstcrous. 1t is only
melted ice drop-meltcd by it's contact
with my warm check. But never shall
my icy heart be melted.
Slowly did the Renegade now advance
and as he approached the hospital he
crOuched lower ana lower, until he ac-
tually crawled upon his belly like a SER
pent Now he reached the building,
and then he chung closely to its walls,
still retaining his PROSTATE position.
1t was but Il moment after that foot
fall was heard, and guard passed the
:, william, who was not discovered. The
soldier was wrapped in his great-coat,
while he carries his carbine in such a
manner as to protect it from the damp,
He did not even dream that death was
hoYering so near him. A moment after