Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-09-15

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GOOD night to yow, sergeant, and better
lack"
forced it. I have given Won my word.
Now snuff tho candle and lead to the
door l can see you by tho MOON"
He made some dcmur, but finally did
as l babe him. saw he was one of
those strong men who lose their wit in
emergency. So he led as l ordered into
the hall, outside into the moonshinc,
not once crying out, for, as I had sur
missed, there was no one in the house to
answer
ITO Pringlc's, said in tremble,
for hero was the new hazard
"To Pringlo's:' he said, turning.
so l said, colonel"
lyon know the direction"
You can't mi snad me, " said grim
ly. 81 know this town now that have
my wits gathered.
you have been herc?" said he as we
stood there, two figures outlined clear
in tho moonshine.
Once" said 1, eff in the rush of
flight 1 had forgotten it. But on, sir,
out of the moonshine. 4"
For moment he looked at me, and
then he sprang toward me. Rage and
desperation werc in his muscles that
moment, and l dropped my pistol. /
could not use it against him for all my
threat, for all the determination had
u few moments before. l thought no
would raise cry, but he failed to.
Rage had taken the power of shouting,
and We met and wrcstled for n moment.
He was strong man indeed, but l was
more supple. had that advantage, and,
having him down in IA moment, jump
ed up from Kim and seizing the pistol
stood above him.
Il am sorry" said, "but you must
go with Inc.
Then sullcnly he rose.
ut seems it must I've 30. But He
paused. Your promise?"
'To see that you are returned if we
cross the river. 1t is given, sir. D."
Then he rose and went on, follow.
ing, wondering at the chance of our
having aroused no one. l felt easier
presently, as we passed into the shadow
of the trees and pushed along into the
path and more quickly down the road.
The night was filled with it's noises as
wc thus silently passed on from shadow
| to stretch Of moonshine, and as the
slope fell we came on the cobbler' S
cabin.
l was in a cold sweat that moment,
wondering if Pringlc indeed might be
there What if he shouldn't be? But,
keeping my eye on my prisoner, /
knocked at first regularly and then
moro insistently.
l believe there is fortune favoring
him who dares, for presently u voice
sounded:
who's thore?"
81, Mordaunt. You know re, Prin-
gle?'
He knew my voice indeed. The door
fell back, and little wiry man looked
out on MS, at first starting at sight of
my prisoner
"The colonel" said I.
eyes, l, Pringle. I'll have you hung
some day"
mot today, SIR" said tho cobbler,
motioning us in.
II am his prisoner, said the colonel
rather savagely.
In New York" said Pringle.
Eyes, if you get away" he said.
ITS my business to attend to that, "
tho cobbler- rotorted, "As it is 1 was
about to cross in an hour"
But your boat?" the prisoner asked
wonderingly.
IT'S down there in the bushes" he
said,
but the patrols?"
II know the password. I'm on Sir
Henry's business
What treachory!" no cried "What
treachory!"
"You can't depend on men in town
so divided as this, Colonel Van Halo, "
tho cobbler said grimly, land the mean
ing of that wore ,reachery depends on
the side you're Oh"
"I've found that out" said the pris-
oner rather bitterly. II can't call them
all set of rascally traitors when fam
lilies like tho Mordaunts are SO much
concerned, and he bowed courteously
to mo,
l bowed back, acknowledging his,
and wo stood together in that cabin, an
oddly assorted trio. Hero was tho little
cobbler himself-one of those whom civ
il war makes into daredevils; hero was
the proprietor prisoner in our hands,
and hero was tho still uncertain enter
prise of taking him to tho boat and of
getting the boat across to Paulus hool.,
That moment, as well rs chance had
carried the enterprise. twas nothing to
gamble on.
Tho colonel's bright spprehensive
eyes studied us as we talked it over to-
gether. Now l wonder If l have made
his resistance to mo appear too small