The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-08-08
CHAPTER NIL

anu dangers the SlumberS or DunW00dle
were broken and unquiet- After spending
night of restlessness. he arose, unre-
freshed, and. without awaking any Of the
group around him. he wandered into the
open air in search of relief. The soft
rays Of the moon were just passing away
in the more distinct light of the morn
ing. He strolled toward the scene OF
the SINNERS punishment, musing upon
the embarrassments of his situation, and
uncertain how he should reconcile his
sense of duty with his love- In this dis
tur-bed state of mind, the major was stop
ped in his walk by arriving at the base
of those rocks which had protected the
SINNERS in their flight. He was about
to turn and retrace his path to his quar-
tiers, when he was startled by a voice,
bidding him:
'Stand or die.'
Dunwoodie turned in amazersent, and
beheld the figure of q man placed at
little distance above him on a shelving
rock, with a musket levelled at himself
second look was necessary before ne
discovered, TO his establishment. that the
peddler stood before him. Comprehend
ing the danger Of his situation, the youth
cried firmly:
IF am to be murdered. fire! will
never become your prisoner"
mo. Major Dunwoodie," said Birch,
lowering his musket, lit is neither my in
tention to capture nor to slay.'
What then would you have, mysteri-
Gus being?" said Dunwoodie.
your good opinion" answered the
peddler. with emotion; Il would wish all
good men to judge me with lenity-
ITO you it must be Indifferent what
may be the judgment of men; for you
seem to be beyond the reach OF their
sentence"
God spares the lives of his servants to
his own time," said the peddler. solemn
ly: "a few hours ago / was your pris-
oner. and threatened with the gallows !;
now you are mine; but. MAYOR Dun
woodie, you are free. There are men
abroad who would treat you less kindly.
OF what service would that sword be to
you against my weapon and steady
haed? Take the advice of one who has
never harmed you, and who never will.
Do not trust yourself in the skirts of any
wood, unless in company and mounted"
And have you comrades, who have as
sisted you TO escapeF
Mono, am alone truly-none know
me but my God and Him"
'And who?" asked the major, with an
interest he could not control
None continued the peddler. recov-
ering his composure. But such is not
your case. Major Dunwoodie; you are
young and happy; there are those that
are dsar to you, ard such are not far
away-daager is nea-. them you love most
danger within and without; double
your watchfulness; strengthen your pa
trols-and be silent. With your opinion
of me, should tell you more. you would
suspect an ambush. But remember and
guard them you love best"
The peSder discharged the musket in
the air. and threw it at the feet of his
astonished auditor. When surprise and
the smoke allowed Dunwoodie to look
again on the rock where he had stood, the
spot was vacant.
The youth was aroused from the stu
por created by this strange scene by the
trampling of horses. A patrol was drawn
to the spot by the report of the musket.
Without entering into any explanation.
the major returned quickly to his quar-
tiers, where he found the whole squadron
under arms. The officer whose duty it
was to superintend such matters, had
directed party 20 lower the sign of the
Hotel Flanagan, and the post was already
arranged for the execution of the spy. On
hearing from the major thar the musket
was discharged by himself and was prob
ably one of those dropped by the Skin
ners, his officers suggested the propriety
of executing their prisoner before they
marched. Unable to believe that all he
had seen was not dream, Dunwoode
went to the place which was supposed to
contain the peddler.
well, SIR" said the major to the SEN
tinel who guarded the door. Il trust you
have your prisoner in safety"
HE is yet asleep" replied the man,
"and he makes such noise, / could hard
ly hear the bugles sound the alarm"
open the door and bring~him forth
The order was obeyed: but to the utter
amazement Of the honest veteran he fornd
the room IN no little disorder-the coat
of the peddler, WHERE his body ought to
have been, and part of The wardrobe OF
Betty scattered in disorder on the floor
The washerwoman herself occupied the
pallet, in profound mental oblivion. The
noise of their entrance and the exclama-
tons of the party awake the woman.
rs it the breakfast that's wanting?'
said Betty, rubbing her eyes: but pa
thence little. darlings, and yen see SIGH
fry as never was"
Fry" echoed the sergeant; "well
have you roasted, Jezebel You have
helped that peddler to escape"
"Jezebel back agin in your teeth Mister
Sargent J" cried Betty; what have tc
do with pidlers, or escapes?"
Silence said Dunwoodie. "Thi:
must be inquired into closely, gentlemen
there is no outlet but the door. and be
could not pass, unless the sentinel con
nived at his escape, or was asleep on his
post Cali up the guard"
As these men were not paraded, curl
osity had already drawn them to the
place. and they one and all denied that
any person had passed out The sentinel
acknowledged that Betty had gone by
him, but pleaded his orders in justifica-
ton.
You lie, you tief-you lie :" shouted
Betty, who had impatiently listened to
his exculpation; would zee slanderi:e
a lone woman, by saying she walks a
camp at midnight Here have | been
shaping the long night"
Here, SIR" said the sergeant, turning
respectfully to Dunwoodie. lis something
written on slip of paper"
One Of the officers read aloud: "These
certify, that if suffered to get free, it is
by Gods help alone. to whose divine aiC
/ humbIy ricommind myself. / am fore
ed to take the womans clothes. but in hel
pocket is a ricompinse.-W Witness my
hand-Harvey Birch"
What ~ roared Betty. 'has the tiei
robbed lone woman? Hang him-catcl
him and hang him. major if there's law
or justice in the land"
Examine your pocket" said one Of
the youngsters. who was enjoying the
scene
'Ah, faith" cried the washerwoman
producing a. guinea. but he is a jewel oil
a pidler Long life and a brisk trade tc
him. say / he is Welcome to the buds