Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-29
CHAPTER K.
A GnNOlra Chented.


While his comrades were sleeping. in perfect
forgetfulness of their hardships and dangers,
the slumDers of Dunwoodie were broken and
unquiet. After spending a night Of restless
ness, he arose, unrefreshed, from the rude bed
where he had thrown himself in his clothes
and. without awaking any of the group around
him, he wandered into the open air in search
of relief
He felt certain that with the execution of
Henry would be destroyed all hopes of union
with his sister. He had dispatched an officer
the preceding evening, to Colonel Singleton,
who was in command of the advance posts, re-
porting the capture of the British captain and
after giving his own opinion of his innocence
requesting orders as to the manner in which
he was to dispose of his prisoner These
orders might be expected, every hour, and his
uneasiness increased in proportion the mo-
ment approached when his friend might be
removed from his protection. In this disturbed
state of mind, the major wandered through the
orchard and stopped in his walk by
irving at the base of those T0cks which had
protected the SINNERS in their flight, before
he was conscious whittier his steps had car
ried him. He was about to tnrn, and retrace
his path to his quarters, when he was startled
by voice, bidding him
Stand or die"
Dunwoodie turned in amazement. and beheld
the figure of a man placed at a little distance
above him on a shelving rock, with a musket
leveed at himself. The light was not yet suf-
ficiently powerful to reach the recesses of the
gloomy spot and a second look was necessary
before he discovered to his establishment, that
the peddler stood before him. Compromising,
in an instant, the danger of his situation and
disdainng to implore mercy or to retreat had
the latter been possible the youth cried firmly:
"If | am to be murdered, fire. / will never
become your prisoner"
No; Major DunwOodie" said Birch, lowering
his musket, 1T is neither my intention to cap
ture nor to Stay"
What then would you have, mysterious be-
ing?" said Dunwoodie, hardly able to persuade
himself that the form he saw was not crea-
ture of the imagination
your good opinion" answered the peddler,
with emotion Il would wish all good men to
judge me with lenity.
TO you it must be Indifferent what may be
the judgment of men; for you seem to be be-
yond the reach of their sentence"
God spares the lives of his servants to his
own time" said the peddler, solemnly; "a few
hours ago | was your prisoner, and threatened
with the gallows; now you are mine; but,
Major Dunwoodie, 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 hand? 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 assisted
you TO escape and who are less generous than
yourself?"
but my God and him.
And who?" asked the major, with inter
est he could not control
None" continued the peddler, recovering
his composure. But such is not your case,
Major Dunwoodie; you are young and happy;
there are those that are dear to you, and such
are not far away-danger is near them you
love most-danger-withina and without-double
your atchfuness-strengthen your patrols
and be silent. With your opinion Of me- should
tell you more, you would suspect ambush.
But remember and guard them you love best"
The peddler discharged the musket in the
air and threw 1t at the feet of his astonished
auditor When surprise and the smoke al
lowed Dunwoodie to look again on the rock
where he had stood, the spot vacant.
The youth was reused from the StupOr which
had been created by this strange scene by the
trampling of horses and the sound of the
bugles. patrol was drawn to the spot by
the report of the musket, and' the alarm had
been given to the corps Without entering into
any explanation with his men, the major re-
turned quickly to his quarters, where he found
the whole squadron under arms, in battle array
impatiently awaiting the appearance of their
leader
We'll sir" said the major to the sentinel
who guarded the door, 81 trust you have your
prisoner in safety"
He is yet asleep" replied the man, land he
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