The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-02-10

crushed the power of Berkley, and that the
way was clear for the release of Orlando.
The villain whom he had left leashed in the
woods he intended to take with him to
jamestown, and through the influence Of
Sir Oliver have him at once lodged in Jail.
With such thoughts passing through his
his mind and occasionally murmuring, in
broken hurried sentences, to himself, the
hunter hurried on. AS he approached the
spot where he had left Gilman he stopped
moment to hear if the villain was yet ours
ing, but all was quiet, even to deathly
stiffness, and with the sudden thought
that his prisoner had escaped, Chiron darted
quickly forward.
AS the old hunter approached the tree
the sight that met his gaze made him start.
There lay the stiff, extended form of Gill
man, his face all black and swollen, his
eyes protruding from their sockets, and his
head bent forward upon his breast. The
villain had attempted to escape by working
his body downward SO as to clear the thong
that bound him to the tree. He had set
tied his way down until the thong had
slipped over his breast, but here his feet
appeared to have slipped out from under
him, thus bringing the whole of his weight,
upon the relentless Sthong, directly across
his neck The ground was gently sloping
from the tree, and though the green, messy
turf showed marks of fierce struggle for
the regaining of his former position, yet
the doomed man appeared not to have gain
ed single inch of vantage.
For several minutes Chiron gazed in ST.
lence upon the fearful scene before him,
for it seemed to be the work of a power
higher than his own.
"Master Gilman" murmured the hunter
to himself, "the hand of an outraged
God has settled upon you. meant not
that you should have died yet, for had
use for you, and was willing that your
insulted country should have had the hang
ing of you. But it's done, for you've hung
yourself, and my soul is washed from your
blood"
AS Chiron spoke he drew his knife from
its sheath and cut the thong. The body
rolled heavily down the slope, and as it
settled at the hunters feet he grasped it by
the collar of the frock and dragged it with
in the bushes, and having covered it over
with leaves, he started once more on
his way. The more Chiron thought of the
strange manner in which Gilman and
Cotton had come to their deaths, the more
he was satisfied with the result, and by the
time he had reached the spot where his
canoe had been secured he thanked his
fortune that he was thus rid of the two vii
lians.
With powerful strokes the hunter pro-
PEELED his frail bark down the river, and
upon reaching the residence of Sin Oliver
he urged his canoe in shore and leaped
upon the sand. He found the baronet in
his study, together with his wife and
daughter.
"Ah, Sir Oliver" exclaimed Chiron, as
he had answered the compliments with
which he was welcomed, "the work goes
nobly on. l have the villain fast, and to-
morrow may need your assistance. This
day sir, has been the scene of strange occur
rences, and tomorrow, with your assist
ance, we viii have young Chester released
from his prison."
Released Tomorrow uttered Sir
Oliver.
" Yes, and why notP'
"Why notP Did you not release him
last nightP'
who ?''
! "Orlando Chester"
go, no when spoke about releasing
him, meant not to do it as soon as that,
for shall need your assistance"
And do you mean to say that you have
not released him 9'' said the baronet, in an
earnest meaning tone.
"Of course have moi, returned Chiron
in surprise. "since saw you last / have
not been below here, But what mean
you ?"
"Orlando Chester has escaped from the
jail, that is certain" answered Sir Oliver.
No, no That were impossible p ex-
claimed the old hunter, as a sudden shade
Of anguish passed over his features. "You
must have been misinformed."
"'Tis true" iterated the baronet, with
a troubled look, "for couriers have already
been dispatched in search of him. This
morning his cell was found empty and the
bars of his window had been forced from
their sockets"
But he could not have escaped unaid-