Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-12-27

Frederick saw the dusky foliage of
the pines close before him, already
he deemed himself to have escaped
his unjust doom, when suddenly he
sank up to his hips, and, by his next
snow, which had drifted into a iisure
in the earth. In vain he strained
every muscle to extlicate himself.
In few minutes his pursures
reached him, grappled him unmerci-
fully. and pulled him out of the hole
by his arms and hair. Driven for
ward by blows from fists, Frederick
was dragged, rather than walked,
back to the place appointed for his
death. He looked anxiously around
for Henry, but he saw him not; he
evidently was not yet captured. The
hope that his friend had finally eff
fected his escape comforted Freder-
lex, although he felt that death, now
he was alone to meet it, was harder
to endure than when he was sustained
by the companionship of the gallant
Henry. He was now again at the
post to which two soldiers secured
him with musket-slings, his arms be-
hind his back. The sergeant stepped
up to him with a handkerchief in his
hand to bandage his eyes. AS the
sergeant secured the cloth over his
eyes, Frederick said: "Comradel
you viii not refuse me last friendly
service"
He was interrupted by several
m usket- shots close at hand.
4 90 oil Ixvc ;<1
Frederick-for the sergeant had let
go the handkerchief, now secured
round his head, and stepped aside.
For sole reply he heard him exclaim
--The devili what is that?" and
sprang forward. At the same time
arose a confused cutlery and hustle,
and again shots were fired near by
one bullet whistling close to his
head. He heard horses In full gallop,
whilst mixture of words of com
mand, shouts, clash Of steel and re-
ports OF firearms resounded on all
sides.
Forward" cried the voice OF the
sergeant. "Close your ranks l-fire."
A platoon fire rang In Frederick's
ear; he imagined the muzzies were
pointed at him, and an involuntary
tremor made his whole frame culver.
But he was still alive and uninjnred.
The complete darkness in which he
found himself-the bonds that pre-
vented moving-The excitement and
tension OF his nerves, caused q host
OF strange ideas to fit across his
brain. Hearing upon the left the
stamping OF hoofs and shouts OF
charging horsemen, he thought for
moment that Rasinski and his men
had come to deliver him. Then passed
a few minutes OF agonizing suspense,
when on a sudden rough hand tore
the cloth from his eyes.
Thunderstruck he gazed around.
Three men with long boards, whom
he at once recognized as Russina
peasants, stood before him, stariug at
him with mixture OF scorn and
wonder. On the ground lay several
muskets and the bodies OF four
French soldiers. Frederick saw
himself in the power of his enemies,
whom a strange chance had converted
into his deliverers-
With the slightest knowledge only
OF the language, and stunned by the
circumstances in which he was
placed, he was at loss for the words
TO procure his liberation. At last one
of them drew forth a knife and cut
the sings with which he was bound.
he was freel The peasants laid hold
of him as prisoner, compelling him
to go forward into the forest. In IA
few minutes they reached the wood,
when the men halted at a spot where
already some OF their friends awaited
them. By-and-by came others from
the direction OF Smolensko-many OF
them with French soldiers as prison
ers. He looked with deep interest
about him, to ascertain IL Henry was
amongst them-but he could not de-
tect him in the confusion OF the
crowd, but presently the party
opened its ranks; and to his very
great establishment, he beheld Beau
caire and st. Lucas, half naked and
trembling, In the hands OF their ene-
mics.
The eyes Of the newly arrived cap
tives in turn fell upon Frederick.
st. Lucas concealing his face with
both OF his hands, stood silent In fear
and trembling. But Bea lcaire
ground his teeth with feroc.ous rage,
and muttered curse, and the words
traitor and spy.
Frederick replied: ~You are mis-
takenl L am but captive even AS
yourself. God has sent you your
punishment"
The Russians were almost all
armed peasants. They col ected
their captives in one body, and dis
posed their force around then, and
resumed their march deeper into the
forest.
Without the loss OF a momert. or
looking behind him, Henry re ,ched
at full speed the angle OF the forest.
His pursures were close upon him,
but the golden prize OF liberty that
glittered before him gave him wings.
Gods hand protected him; for al
though some bullets, in passing by,
nearly grazed his head, yet none
struck him. Now the thicket co vered
and concealed him. Bending for
ward, he rushed headlong onward,
not caring for the shrubs that LAGER
ated his hands and face. 1t was not
long before he reached a dense thick
ct near the hill on which stood the
three pines. Suddenly he heard the
firing OF shots. He stood still, again
heard the sound Of shot. my God
can it be possible that they have
seized Frederick AGAIN." exclaimed
Henry mo, it is impossible." But
he felt quite unable to explain this
firing as it was mingled
with confused clamor, which reached
MIN but partially and heavily through
the still forest. He hurried towards
the edge Of the forest, but before he
had reached 1t, the firing and alarm
was over. He retraced his steps,
and fled speedily on bis way to the
place agreed upon for the meeting.
After half an hour he reached the
spot. The pines stood alone upon q
height, surrounded only by low
Il