The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1877-08-15

time luI utClIftIallols eNltt MS umNl-
ling by force, and make him your
prisoner. Spread yourselves for this
purpose, while / shall descend TO the
shore with q deputy, 10 take charge
of that point; and all communications
must be made directly TO me, under
the bank in front OF the hut, where ]
shall station myself, aud remain in or
der to receive them"
When the Sheriff thought time
enough had elapsed for the different
divisions of his force TO arrive at their
stations, he raised his voice i'm the
silence of the forest, and shouted the
waich-word. The sounds played
among the arched branches of the
trees in hollow cadences; but when
the last sinking tone was lost on the
ear, in place of the expected howls of
the dogs, no other noises were retured
but the cracking Of the torn branches
and dried sticks, as they yielded be-
fore the advancing steps of the officers.
Even this soon ceased, as if by COM
mon consent, when the curiosity and
impotence of the Sheriff getting the
complete ascension over his discretion,
he rushed up the bank and in a mo-
ment stood on the little piece of clear
ed ground in front Of the spot where
Natty had so long lived. To his utter
amazement, inplace of the hut, he saw
only its smOuldcring ruins
Not q voice was raised in inquiry,
nor an exclamation made in astonish-
ment. The transition from excite
mcnt to disappointment was too pow
erful in its effects for speech, and even
Richard lost the use of an organ that
was seldom known to fail him.
The whole group were yet in the
fitness Of their surprise, when a tall
form stalked from the gloom into the
circle, treading down the hot ashes and
dying embers, with callous feet, and,
standing over the light, lifted his cap,
and exposed the bare head and wealth
cr-bcaten features of Misunderstanding.
For 4 moment he gazed at the dusky
figures who surrounded him, more in
sorrow than in anger, before he spoke.
"What would we have with an old
and helpless man." he said. "You've
driven me to burn these logs, under
which Pve eaten and drank, the first
of Heavens gifts, and the other of the
pure springs, for the half of hundred
years, and to mourn the ashes under
my feet, as q man would weep and
mourn for the children of his body.
You've ranked the heart of an old
man, that has never harmed you GTr
your'n, with bitter feelings towards
his kind, at time when his thoughts
should be on better world and
you've driven him to wish that the
beasts of the forest, who never feast
on the blood Of their own families, was
his kindred and race; and now, when
he has come to see the last brand Of
his hut, before it is melted into ashes,
you follow him up, at midnight, like
hungry hounds on the track Of worn
out and dying deer What more
would We have? for am here one
to many. l come to mourn, not to
fight, and, if it is Gods pleasure, work
your will on me-"
When the old man ended, he stood,
with the light glimmering around his
thinly-covered head, looking earnestly
at the group, which receded from the
pile, with an instructive and involun-
tary movement, without the reach Of
the quiyering rays, leaving Il free pas
sage for his retreat into the bushes,
where pursuit, in the dark, would have
been fruitless. Natty seemed not to
regard this advantage, but stood facing
each individual in the circle, in sue
cession, as if to see who would be the
first to arrest him. After pause of
a few moments, Richard began to raj
ly his confused faculties, and advanc-
ing, apologized for his duty, and made
him prisoner. The party now col.
lected, and, preceded by the Sheriff,
with Natty in their center, they took
their way towards the village.
During the walk, divers questions
were put to the prisoner concerning
his reasons for burning the hut, and
whittier Mohegan had retreated, but
to all Of them he observed a profound
silence, until, fatigued with their pre-
vious duties, and the lateness Of the
hour, the Sheriff apd his followers
reached the village, and dispersed tc
their seyera! places of rest, after turn.
ing the key of a Jail on the aged and
apparently 1riendless Leather-stock.
ing.
The long days and early sun Of July
allowed time for gathering of The
interested, before the little bell of the
academy announced that the appoint.
ed hour had arrived for administering
right to the wronged, and punishment
to the guilty. Ever since the dawn O.
day, the highways and woodpaths thai
issuing from the forests, and winding
along the sides Of the mountains, cen.
tered in Templeton, had been thronge(
with equestrians and footmen, bounC
to the haven Of justice.
, BY ten o'clock the streets of tn,
| little village were filled up will
, groups of men with busy faces, som,
talking of their private concers, som,
listening to popular expounder 0
political creeds, and others gaping il
at the open stores, admiring the finery