The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-03-09
VENGEANCE.
BY AxEr TEsNTBR.

not discovered the enemy newly reported to be in camp a league or 60 beyond Way land. For now were the free men of the American plantations rising to assert their liberties against the harsh misrule of Farmer George" and his short- sighted ministers.
 A few yards ahead of the horsemen their guide was steping out briskly. With difficulty Capt. Hayes distinguished him between the two guards. so thick was the night with mist and darkness. Yet something familiar about the stripling appealed to him anew. Was it the gait, the slope of the shoulders. the indistinct voice of the lad? With an impatient oath the captain, refining in his horse, called his sergeant to the front.
 Where got ye that lad. Bracy?" he asked again in an inquisitiveT voice, lean- ing somewhat towards the sergeant. By the gable end of the Three Moons in the village, sir. Twas John Noble first ciapped eye on him, and brought him astand as he was making away, with slow feet, sir, as if he cared not a doit for the redcoat. Twas the rogue him. self that freely told me of the rebels in camp by the river grounds; the flash of yellow coin ha' soon loosened his tongue. this riding path, over the bottoms here, sir, was his. A right good rogue" Hist, now, Bracey? When ye drew the change house, was it empty in all truth, petticoat and trows absenting?" Hayes asked. Where Mistress Ann. think ye? Was the whole village lying open. abandoned of a sudden, eh7'' "All lied. sir. Father, daughter, serv- ing maid,. potman and all! The Three Moons stands empty of it's people, like It's neighbors; fires burning, pots boil sv hof~ we cantered in: but, sir, not a drop O liquor to be had. All shiftedi The whole countryside must ha' ta'en to the woods. when the word ran before us of the ad- vance,"
 Devil take them all, and the Crap auds, tooI' calculated the captain. The rebels are like coveys of snipe, fond of being shot on the wIng! But this lad. thenT"
 For moment or two the sergeant paused, as if wondering to himself where fore his officer pursued the lad.
 'fWhy, sir, he is something of a stable lad, or worker auout the change house. a the man replied. ''Clitheroe says he ha' seen the lad afore, sir, when he came about the place as orderly to you, sir. He says" But now the captain, curs- ing softly to himself, had pricKed up his breath, the sergeant smiled significantly. It was a year on Martinmas tide now, since Hayes had lit the love lights in the dark eyes of Ann Prescott, these dark flashing eyes so full of the warmth and language of the SouthI High spirited Ann, the toast oI the country, notwith- standing she was but the daughter of mine host of the 1nree Moons and of a mother unknown to pubic ear; though oldsters, comrades of mine host in his wild days, had whispered now ana then that Ann came of a fair, high-born Span ish sonora taken out of a prize bound Acapulco for far-off Seville. Aye, Ann. fair, soft, and melting as any court dame of St. James in London town, pshaw! he'd have married her, aye, that he would-but over the drumsticksI A soldier had a wife in every campi Yet he would he knew that Ann was In safety. Rough-handed were the men of Regnier's horse.
 It was when his troop was far amid the swamp grounds trending towards the Concord. that Hayes drew up his horse of sudden. Intently did he give ear to men haiting precipitately. caused muf- fled scabbards to thud against half-boot. Fellow! Are ye sure the rebels lie
 to the right beside the bend, there?" Hayes asked, in rnenacing tones, as he bent down to the stripling. These cursed bottomsl Know you the way as ye were walking the change-house loor7' Know it as well as ye did the change house parlor, captaini" was the low re- ply: and the lad held forward hastily as If to escape Hayes reply.
 l So taken aback with anger was the captain that he was tongue-tied for few seconds. Then, with hot face and ready hand. he overlook the guide So dense
 was the night that he had to stoop down to make certain of the lad.
 "A thousand curses on ye, bratg he whispered, fiercely, forcing him ahead of his guards. What know you of Bdis- tress Ann? Have a care, though, lest the lash makes ye keep quieter tongue! Lift but your hand, captain. and ye pick your own path. The rebels, as ye call the honest men, lie in camp all un- awares of your advance. Ye will surely come upon them. Threaten me ye may; but touch me at your peril"
 's'deathl Here's a plantation cock erel; would crow before the dawn. Ser geant, draw the line, close up there, men, close up. Out sword, and look to your pistols. And you, young cockerel, mind you. my naked blade strikes home if ye double. Hear you that?'
 Aye, captain, know the voice full well. Often have I heard you. Softer, methinlzs, was your voice, when ye were sitting by Mistress Prescott, saying fond things, playing ombre with her father. and helping him to addle his old brains with a strong drink. Good sir, your voice Is no stranger to my earl" nut tered the lad, stepping aside Have a care, here. Please to turn sharp to the right, and to keep tight rein, for 'tis very marish.'
 Pest take ye. we're into the ooze," Hayes cried, as his horse squashed the morass under foot. Are ye sure of this | by-path, boy "
 "1e will soon find out, captain. Please you to make haste, for the old moon 4l on the rise, and the outposts of the rebels
 lie to hand, now. Think you, Mistress Ann bides you to advancei" replied the
 stripling witA a low, strange laugh.
 Hayes threw a piercing look at the
 1.-the, slender figure, vague before his
 horses head. The upper part of the
 lads body was clumsily cloaked against the biting wind, the outline of his fact still hidden.
 gro the devil with your mistress
 fool!" said Hayes. in an angry voice
 "Silence With your clacldng tongue
 Overmuch of the rebel runs in you
 veins!'
 Who would not turn against fals'
 words and deceit, good sir? In thes'
 times, there is no silence Brother slay
 brother. and lovers deceive even unt' hot hatred. You. will now to-
 That light, there, to the left. captain?' reported one of the lads guards in sup pressed, excited voice. For sure, 1t | a camp fire. Hear to the outposts' talk