Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-06-20

q know to meet with folks For, to spare |
her the sight of the ruined cottage, I had |
taken her round through the fields and by |
every by path that seerned to lead westward. |
Twas safer TO journey thus; and all the way |
she practiced mans carriage and airs, and |
how to wink and whistle and swing stick.
And once, when she left one of her shoes in a
wet ditch, she said "Damnln as natural as
life; and then
We jumped over a hedge, plump into an
outpost of rebels, as they sat munching their
supper.
They were six in all, and must have been
sitting like mice, for all know of it is this:
had cl.nbed the hedge first and was help
ing Della over, when out of the ground, as it
seemed, voice shriekcd: "Run.-runl- the
kings men are on us" and then, my foot
Shipping down / went on to t.e shoulders of
n thick set man, and well nigh broke his neck
as he turned TO look up at me,
At first, the whole six we're for running, I
believe. But.seepg only lad stretched ON
his face aud a second ON the hedge, they
Thought better Of it. Before I could scram-
BILE up, ono pair of hands was screwed about
my neck. another at my heels, and in trice
there we were pinioned
search the maignanbln cried one "Ques-
ton him r. called out another; and forthwith
began a long ipterrogatory concerning the
movements Of his majesty's troops, from
which, indeed, l learned much concerning
tie late encounter, but, OF course, could an
swer nought. Twas only natural they
should interpret this silence for obstinacy.
March 'em of to Capt. StubbsN
"Haloap shouted peck marked trooper
that had his hand thrust III on my breast;
''bring the lantern close here. What's thisF
Twas, alasl the kings letter; and bit my
lip wife they clustered round, turning the
lanterns yellow glare upon the superscrip-
tl9n.
We were marched down tho road for a
mile OF more, till we heard a loud bawling,
as of u man in much bodily pain, and soon
came to a small village, where, under tav-
ern lamp, 10y the door, was man perched
up on a tub, and shouting forth portions of
the Scripture to some twenty or more green
coats assembled round. Our conductor pushed
past these, and entered the tavern. At q door
10 the left in the passage he halted, and,
knocking once, thrust us inside.
The room was bare and lit very dimly by
two tallow candles, set in bottles. Between
these, on deal table, lay a map outspread,
and over it a mnn bending, who looked
up sharply at our entrance.
He was thin, with blue nose, and wore a
green uniform like the rest only his carriage
proved him a man OF authlsrity.
This Capt Stubs listened, you may be
sure, with a Frightening eye to the sergeant s
story, and at the close fixed an inquisitive
gaze on the pair of us, turning the kings let
ter over and over IN his hands
How came this in your possessionT he
asked, at length.
THAT said l. ~ must decline to tell"
He hesItated a moment; then, reseating
himself, broke the seal. spread the letter upon
the map, and read it slowly through. Dor
the FIRST time ] began heartily to hope that
the paper contained nothing Of moment, But
the mans face was no index of this He read
it-through twice, folded it away in his breast
and turned to the sergeant.
Tomorrow at 6 in the morning we con-
tinue our march. Meanwhile keep these fell
lows secure ! look TO you for this"
The sergeant saluted and we were led out.
Thatnight we passed in handouts huddled
with fifty soldiers in u hay loft OF the inn
and hearkening to their curious talk, that
was half composed of Holy Writ and half of
gibes at our expense. They were beaten men,
and. hike all such, found comfort in deriding
the greater misfOrtunes of Others.
Before daylight the bugles began to sound
and we were led down to the green before
the tavern door, where already were close
upon five hundred gathered, that had been
billeted about the village and were now form
ing in order of Marcia soiled, battered
crew, with torn ensigns and little heart II
their movements. The sky began a colo
drizzle,as we set out, and through this sad
deuing weather we trudged all day, Delia
and being kept well apart, she with the
vanguard and l in the rear, seeing only The
winding column the objected heads bobbina
IN front as they bent TO the slanting rain, tn,
cUttagers that came out to stare as wei passed
and hearing but the hoarse words of com
Inand, the low muttsrings Of the men, anC
always the monOtonous tramp, tramp
through the slush and mire Of the roads.
Iis like bad dream to me, and l win no
dwell on it That night we passed at Chippen
ham, a small market town, and on the NOR
row went tranping again through wors
weather, but always amid the same sight
and sounds,
Daylight was failing when the towers o
Bristol grew clear out Of the leaden mist il
front, and by 8 O'Clock we halted outside tn
walls and beside the ditch of the castle, wait
ing for the drawbridge TO be let down Al
ready great crowd had gathered about u,
OF those who had come out to learn the new
fugisives had carried 10 Bristol. To thei
QUESTIONS, as TO all else, l listened like ma
in Il trance and recalled this only--that frs
was stlvering Out in the rain and soon ate
was standing beside Della, under guard of
dozeu soldiers, aud shaking with cold, b,
Meath gateway that led between the tw
wards Of the castle. Apd there, for an hou
at leaan, we kicked our heels. until from tn
inner ward Capt Stubbs came striding an
commanded us To follow.
Across the court we went in the rain
through vaulted passage, and, passing
Screen of carved oek, found ourselves sudden
ly in great hall, near forty yards long (as
reckon it), and raftered with oak At IL
fsT end, around great marble table, WEI
some ten or more gentlemen seated, who a
with Que accord turned their eyes upon US
the captain brought us forward
Tho table before them was Uttered wit
MAPS, warrants aud papers, and some Of Il
genbleInen had pens in tEoir hands. But IL
one on whom my eyes fastened was u ,.al
fair soldier that sat in the center, and he
his aajestys letter, OPEN IN his hand; wi
rose and bowed TO me as | came near.
y ha ha nf ba,