Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-07-30
CHAPTER XIV.

1t was with difficulty they could credit
their senses. They both relied so implic-
lily on the success of Dunwoodie's exer-
hons, that they thought the act, on the
part of their relative, extremely impru-
dent: but it was now too late to mend II.
While listening to the conversation OF
the officers, both were struck with the III
creased danger of Henry's situation, II re-
captured, and they trembled to tnink VI
tile great exertions that would be mace ~
accomplish this object. Miss Peyton con
soled herself, and endeavored to cneer her
niece, with the probability that the Iusf
tives would nursue their course with I'M
remittine diligence, so that they might
reach the Neutral Ground before the horse
would carry down the tidings OF their
fight. The absence of Dunwoodie SEEM
cd to her all-important, and the artless
lady was anxiously devising some project
that might detain her kinsman and thus
give her nephew the longest possible time
But very different were the reflections or
Frances. She felt certain that, instead
of flying to the friendly forces below, her
brother would be taken to some mysteri-
Gus hiding place to pass the night.
Frances and her aunt held long and
animated discussion by themselves, when
the good spinster reluctantly yielded to
the repres entation of her niece, and, fold
ing her in her arms, she kissed her cold
cheek, and fervently blessing her, allowed
her to depart on an errand of fraternal
love-
The night had set in dark and chilling
as Frances moved through the little gar
den that lay behind the farm house which
had been her brothers prison, and took
her way to the foot of the mountain
Young, active and impelled by her gener-
Gus motive, she moved up the hill with
elastic steps, and very soon emerged from
the cover of the woods into an open space
of more level ground, that had evidently
been cleared of its timber for the pur-
pose of cultivation.
The white tents of the militia were
stretched in regular lines Immediately be-
meath her. The light was shining in the
window of her aunt, who, Frances easily
fancied. was watching the mountain, rack
ed with all the anxiety she might be sup
| posed to feel for her niece. Lanterns were
playing about in the stable yard, where
she knew the horses of the dragons were
kept, and believing them to be preparing
for their night march. she renewed her
toll.
Our heroine had to ascend more than a
quartert of a mile farther, although she
had already conquered two-thirds of the
height of thh mountain. But she was
now without a path or any guide to di-
rect her in\ her course. Fortunately, the
hill was cohical. like most of the noun
tains in that range, and by advancing up
ward, she was certain of at length reach
ing the pinnacle. Nearly an hour did she
struggle with the numerous difficulties
that she was obliged to overcome, when,
having been repeatedly exhausted with
her efforts and, in several instances, in
great danger from falls, she succeeded in
gaining the small piece of table land on
the summit.
Faint with her. exertions, which had
been unusually severe for so slight a
frame, sac sank on a rock to recover her
strength and fortitUde A few moments
sufficed for this purpose. al of the
neighboring hills were distinctly visible
by the aid of the moon, and Frances was
able, where she stood, to trace the route
of the highway from the plains into the
mountains.
The chilling air sighed. through the leaf
less branches of the gnarled and crooked
oaks as, with step so light as hardly
to rustic the dry leaves on which she
trod, Frances moved forward TO that part
of the hill where she expected to find
some secluded habitation; but nothing
could she discern that in the least resem-
bled n dwelling of any sort In vain she
examined every recess of the rocks, or
inquisitively explored every part of the
summit that she thought could hold the
tenement No hut, nor any vestige of a
human being. could she trace. The idea
of her solitude struck on the terrified
mind of the affrighted girl, and approach
ing to the edge of a shelving rock, she
bent forward to gaze on the signs of life
In the vale, when a ray of keen light daz-
zled her eyes, and warm air diffused
itself over her whole frame. Recovering
from her surprise, Frances looked on the
ledge beneath her, and at once perceived
that she stood directly over the object of
her search. A hole through its roof of
forded a passage to the smoke, which, as
1t blew aside, showed her a clear and
cheerful fire cracking and swapping on
a rude hearth of stone. The approach
TO the front of the hut was by a wind
ing path around the point of the rock on
which she stood, and by this she advanced
to its door.
Three sides of this singular edifce, IL
such il could be called. were composed of
logs laid alternately on each other, to a
little more than the height of a man
and the fourth was formed by the rock
against which it leaned. The roof to its
caves, the assures between the logs had
been stuffed with clay, which in many
places had fallen out, and dried leaves
were made use of as substitute to keep
out the wind. A single window of four
panes Of glass was in front. but board
carefully closed it, in such a manner as
10 emit no light from the FIRE within. At
ter pausing some time to view this sin
gularly constructed hiding place. for such
Frances we'll knew it to be, she applied
her eve TO crevice to examine the in
side. The blazing fire of dry wood made
the interior light enough 20 read by. In
one corner lay a bed of straw. with pair
of blankets thrown carelessly over it.
Against the walls and rock were suspend
ed. from pegs forced into the creviceS,
various garments, and such as were APP
parently fitted for all ages and conditions
and for either sex. British and American
uniforms hung peaceably by the side of
each other and on the peg that supported
gown of striped calico. such as was the
usual country wear, was also depended
well powdered wig; in short, the attire
was numerous, and as various as if a
whole parish were to be equipped from
this one wardrobe.
In the angle against the rock was an
open cupboard. that held plate or two,
mug, and the remains Of some broken
meat. Before the ire was a table made
Of rough boards. A book that. by its size
and shape. appeared TO be a Bible, was
lying on the table. unopened. But it was
the occupant of the hut in whom Frances
was chiefly interested. This was a man.
sitting on the stool. with his head lean
Ing on his hand. deeply occupied in ex-
aiming some open papers. On the table
- and -SahTx