Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-04-10
CHATTER XIV.

about six miles from ROCKY Greek, and
waited for darkness to favor the consum-
mation of their purpose. Henderson,
ruuch to his regret, was now deprived of
the society of Kate Martin, as she had
continued her way homeward under the
escort of Joe Sawyer
THAT Mr.. Henderson is done for"
said Joe, sullenly.
Il Cont quite apprehend your mean
'ng, JHa" replied Kate, demurely.
Hes smashed; he couldn't take his
tyes off from you a minute" returned
Sawyer
Nonsense, joe"
You can say nonsense as much as
you please, but that won't convince me
that Henderson don't love the ground you
walk on" added Sawyer, obstinately.
Come, l shall be angry with you"
Faid Kate.
That won't make no difference to me"
onswe.ed Joe. II shall stick &c you just
the same. Ny gratitude won't be put ont
by petty show of anger on your part
"Shul you go to the Tory rendezvous
tomorrow" inquired Kate, evasively.
Il shall go if you do
BE assured that ] shall not. But here
we are at the settlement. What will
you d."
TIN my horse into the pasture, and
let those who love to fight, go. to war.
When can serve you, 1 shall be ready
and proud to do so,' was the rejoinder.
1t WAS dark when Kate reached home.
Her return was anxiously expected, and
occasitned much joy.
Nothing of particular interest had
Trar ii ;of ,ke r.
Martin called her his brave girl, and
his heroic Kate :" while the good horse,
Victor who had proved so faithful a ser
want, as suitably cared for.
Kate related the story of her adven-
lures 20 attentive auditors, partook of re-
freshnrnts, and was about to retire when
an unexpected and painful scene occur
red. There was a loud knocking at the
outer ..oor, and Mrs. Martin opened it.
A man wearing the uniform of subal-
tern o.iicer entered, followed by ten or
dozen Dragons. Their entry was hurried
and unceTemonious and their looks unpre-
possessing. Kate and her mother grew
pale, Int the pastor remained calm.
Looking at the anxious group before
them, with a glowering eye, the officer
said, interrogatively and not very courte-
ously
Your name is Martini
ut u.s." replied Mr. Martin.
You're the man we're after" said the
officer. laconicaIly.
"Fc' what object" asked the pastor.
ITO punish you for your canting by
pocrisy," returned the man, impatiently
Several of the dragons moved forward
Kate ipterposed her own person between
her father and the ruffian crew, and com
manded them to offer him no indignity,
if they made any pretensions to the name
of men and Christians.
-tand away. miss; your advice amt
wanted at present" added the leader,
with sneer, though not a little surpris
ed at the beauty and heroism of Kate.
By whose orders do you actT she
asked firmly.
by Col. Ferguson's," replied the man.
"Then go and tell him that you find
here oriy two defenseless females, and a
venerable servant of God" rejoined Kate,
theoretically.
And get put under arrest for my
trouble?" said the leader with a sneer.
We didn't come here to hear you or
your father preach sermons, my pert
damsel. Men, seize the rebel and bind
him"
"Stand aside, my dear Kate" said Mr..
Martin, embracing her afectionately
when we cannot resist injustice, we
must suffer it with Christian meekness.
must submit to these men, no alterna-
tive remains. Your eanest appeals will
but provoke their malice. Soldiers am
ready, like Paul not only to be bound,
hnf 70 in ha ~ nd
righteousness"
While the good pastor was speaking,
he gently put Kate from him, and the dra-
goons instantly seized him.
The house was searched, and everything
that was eatable dispatched without cere-
mony. Many small articles of trif]ing
value were also appropriated by the SOL
diers, and concealed about their persons.
One of the boldest of the party demanded
Hates finger rings; and another attempt
ed to pull the plain gold ornaments from
her ears a piece of cruelty which the
maiden barely escaped. She Immediately
unfastened the baubles and threw them to
the fellow who had resolved to possess
them; remarking as she did so, that he
must be unworthy the name of soldier
who could descend to the meanness of
robbing women of their personal orna-
ments; and that cause must be indeed
bad which is defended by men of such
principles"
The leader here interfered, and ordered
the ornaments to be restored reminding
the nien that they were ordered not TO
take anything away; but every moment
they became more dangerous. and finally
1T was proposed that they should shoot
Mr.. Martin on the spot.
This proposal was hailed with shouts
of applause by the majority; and the
leader on the whole thought it would give
very good satisfaction to Col. Ferguson
"The country hereabout can't never be
safe while he spouts rebellion" observed
one. Come, my old gentleman, say
somethin'; your times come, and no
mistake"
Kate threw her arms around her fash-
er and solemnly protested that she would
die with him, while Mrs Martin attempt-
ed to demonstrate with the soldiers: but
she might as we'll have spoken TO the
winds of a mad tempest; opposition but
infiamed their desire TO perpetrate some
thing horrible.
Cant you drag the gal away, some on
YEP asked one Of the soldiers.
"Of course we can" replied one of his
comrades.
stand back. miscreant !'' cried Kate
drawing from her bosom one of the pis-
tolls which Sawyer had given her. "Ad-
vance another step, or presume to lay
your infamous hand on my person, and l
will certainly FIRE ="
The soldier paused and looked wonder
ingly at Kate, whose hand did not trem-
bic, and whose eyes did not cease 10 fash
with determination.
Don't stir, my man, or she'll do it
It's in her eye - cried the commander OF
the party, in a warning voice.
One of the Dragons now cooked his
musket, but instantly. before he had time
TO accomplish his fell purpose upon the
pastor without endangering Kate, Mrs
Martin placed herself before him. 1t is
impossible to tell what would have been
the result of these proceedings. had not