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diff --git a/old/65587-0.txt b/old/65587-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 327375a..0000000 --- a/old/65587-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4414 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Wild Nat, The Trooper, by William R. Eyster - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Wild Nat, The Trooper - or, The Cedar Swamp Brigade - -Author: William R. Eyster - -Release Date: June 10, 2021 [eBook #65587] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: David Edwards, Susan Carr and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (Northern Illinois - University Digital Library at http://digital.lib.niu.edu/) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILD NAT, THE TROOPER *** - - - - - WILD NAT, THE TROOPER; - - OR, - - THE CEDAR SWAMP BRIGADE. - - BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER. - - - NEW YORK: - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1875, by - BEADLE AND ADAMS, - In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - - CONTENTS - - PAGE - I. CATHERINE VALE. 9 - II. THE TORY SPY. 14 - III. GOING OUT TO SHEAR, AND RETURNING SHORN. 19 - IV. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. 29 - V. CEDAR SWAMP. 34 - VI. HOT WORK AHEAD. 38 - VII. THE ASSAULT UPON THE BARN AT BLACK RUN. 46 - VIII. TIMOTHY TURNER AFTER HIS GAME. 50 - IX. THE CONSUMMATION OF THE CRIME. 54 - X. AN UNWELCOME RECOGNITION. 64 - XI. THE CAPTOR AND THE CAPTIVE. 70 - XII. IN PERILOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. 76 - XIII. FOILED. 82 - XIV. THE HAPPY CONSUMMATION. 93 - - - - - WILD NAT, THE TROOPER; - - OR, - - THE CEDAR SWAMP BRIGADE. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - CATHERINE VALE. - - -There was a time in the history of our country when the stoutest -hearts were filled with despair. The defeat of General Gates, -followed by the overrunning of the Carolinas, the treachery of -Benedict Arnold, and the general bad condition of our army, did not, -certainly, tend to cheer those thousands of noble souls earnestly -praying for the success of the American cause. It is of that period, -of that darkest hour, which precedes the day, that we purpose to -write. - -Toward the close of a long, disagreeable day, two women sat by -the fireside of a dwelling some fifteen or eighteen miles from -Charleston. The two presented a contrast, indeed, even though their -features were alike. One was an elderly woman, with hair sprinkled -with threads of gray, though she yet retained much of her early -beauty. The other was a young girl, whose age could not have exceeded -nineteen. Although not absolutely beautiful, there was that about -her which made her fascinating. With features finely molded, and -a graceful carriage, her figure was a model of physical grace and -perfectness. Her hair was of that golden hue, so seldom seen save in -poet’s dreams. Her voice was as musical and clear as the notes of a -flute. Not in all that land of fair women could be found a more truly -lovable woman than Catherine Vale. - -Catherine and her mother were conversing earnestly together. - -“It is not for me, Kate, to judge of the heart of a man; to say that -this one is to be trusted, and that one not, without an acquaintance -of longer standing than that between myself and young Ernshaw. -Without having heard that he was vicious, it has often been told -me that he was of unsettled disposition; that he is known to the -neighbors as ‘Wild Nat.’ Such a name would never have been given a -man of reliable and good character.” - -“Whatever you advise, mother, that will I do; for your wish is law, -with me.” - -“Do not speak of law, Kate; all I do is for your own happiness. If I -thought you would be happy with Nat Ernshaw, I would advise you to -receive his addresses; as it is, I say _wait_. Be not too hasty, for -time and circumstances will do much to place all things in their true -light.” - -“I will, mother; I will try him, and prove the strength of his -affection. These are perilous times, and times, too, that bring -out the good in a man’s character, if there is any good in it; and -something _may_ happen which will give you more favorable impressions -of Nat Ernshaw, than you appear to entertain now.” - -Catherine turned away and busied herself with her household duties. -Mrs. Vale gazed with pride upon her daughter, and sorrowfully -murmured, “It would be a sad thing for my dear child to throw herself -away on such a fellow as ‘Wild Nat.’” - -Mrs. Vale’s husband had been dead some fifteen years. He left her the -legacy of two fair children, upon whom all her hopes were centered. -The son had now grown to be the hardy man of two-and-twenty, and -Kate, the belle of the region, had, for several years, been among the -young women sought for by the beaux of the country. - -Nat Ernshaw had been on intimate terms with the family for some -years, and had long cherished a feeling of great regard for Kate. -He had an unpleasant reputation, however, among the more staid in -the neighborhood. Not that he was absolutely vicious, or wedded to -habits of dissipation, for he was neither; but he had a number of, -to say the least, negative qualities, which made that prudent and -self-pious class, who have the morals of every community in their -keeping, predict that he would never come to any good. Catherine -was slow, however, to credit either the reports of the busy-bodies, -or the prophecies of the elder ones, for she had a woman’s subtle -intuitions, sharpened by a cool, clear judgment, and she was fully -conscious of all the lights and shades in Nat’s not well-defined -character. That he was one of those who let their good qualities -remain latent until called out by some important crisis, she -perfectly realized; and she had full faith in the future. The word -“wait” had no terrors in it. She therefore resolved to abide by her -promise; but, like an upright, conscientious girl that she was, she -also resolved that Nathaniel should know how she felt toward him; if -he could satisfy Mrs. Vale, and prove his affection real, and his -character above reproach, she would have no objection to receive him -as her accepted lover, and future husband. - -The frugal meal was at last ready. Catherine moved toward the -door, but before she reached it, the latch was raised, and a tall, -straight, well-featured young man entered. - -“Sit down, John; Kate was just going to call you to supper.” - -“All right, mother; I feel hungry enough; and, after awhile, I want -to go over to Squire Stoddart’s. I will be back early, though. I -guess you and Kate will not be afraid to be left alone for a little -while.” - -Mrs. Vale smiled as she answered, “I think not; but, John, it seems -to me that you want to see Squire Stoddart rather often. What has he -got that is so attractive? Can’t you enlighten us?” - -“Certainly, mother, if you will tell me that you are really ignorant, -and ask for the sole purpose of finding out what it is, and not to -plague me.” - -“I can’t say that; so I suppose we will scarcely get the requested -information from you. Mary Stoddart is a fine girl, John; and, if the -country ever gets settled down, I would have no objection to calling -her daughter; but, now-a-days, marrying and giving in marriage, are -things which had best be deferred.” - -“If we wait till the country gets settled, I am afraid we will all be -old and gray-headed. I am not one of those who believe in deferring -to some future time what can be done now; and as soon as Mary -will consent, you shall call her daughter. I know you will have no -objections.” - -Running on in this manner, the three kept up the conversation until -the meal was over; then John, after finishing up his evening’s work, -wended his way in the direction of Mr. Stoddart’s. - -Hardly half an hour had elapsed, when the sound of a horse, coming -at a full gallop along the road, was heard. The traveler, whoever he -was, reined in at the widow’s door. Dismounting, he tied his horse to -a tree. To the surprise of Mrs. Vale, who had answered the knock, the -person was none other than Nat Ernshaw. She greeted him kindly: - -“Come in, Nathaniel; come in. We have seen no one who could give -us any news for over a week; and, as you seem to have come from -Charleston, you can tell us what is going on.” - -“I am ready enough to come in; but as for giving you any news of -what is going on in Charleston, it is something I am unable to do. I -haven’t seen the inside of the place for three or four weeks, and I -don’t expect to see it until these Britishers are driven out.” - -The good dame closed the door as he entered, and motioned him to a -seat. - -“I’m much obliged to you, Mrs. Vale; but, to tell the truth, I hardly -have time to sit down. I called to see John, and have a few minutes’ -talk with him. If you could tell me where I can find him I will look -for him, as I see he is not in the house.” - -“What do you want of him, Nat? I am afraid you want to lead him into -some mischief.” - -“I can not say whether you will call it mischief or not; I am willing -to tell you what I wish to do, and I think you will approve of it. -These are stirring times, Mrs. Vale, and it’s the duty of every one -to do something for the country. The wolf is at our doors, and it’s -our duty to drive him away. A number of us are about organizing a -troop to fight for our homes and liberty. I know that you and John -believe, as I do, that the colonies are in the right; and I came over -to-night to see if I could not get John to join us. Every one is -joining one side or the other; and, unless we make a vigorous stand -_now_, it will soon be too late.” - -“Nathaniel,” said the widow, “you know that John is the main support -of my old age; that he and Catherine are all that keeps me here. Were -they gone, I would not wish for life. Is not the cause of freedom -hopeless? Have not our countrymen been beaten at all points? Is there -a chance of success left to hang a single hope on? What good, then, -will it do for John to risk his life for the sake of continuing a -little longer a struggle which must soon end disastrously?” - -“‘While there is life there is hope,’ as the doctors say, Mrs. Vale. -You speak truly, when you say the case is desperate; but that it -is hopeless, I deny. While there remains a thousand swords and a -thousand stout arms to wield them--while there are a thousand brave -hearts that pant for liberty, and liberty only, the cause of American -Independence will not be given up without a last grand struggle. We -_must_ be successful; and, though our lives are given to establish -the nationality of the colonies, the sacrifice must not be grudged.” - -“Nathaniel Ernshaw, you speak like a patriot, and you must feel like -one. I but tried you when I spoke of our cause as hopeless. John is -anxious to go to the fray; but his love for me has kept him at home. -He shall be kept here no longer. Count on him as one of the company, -and, if he falls fighting for liberty and his country, think not I -will ever reproach you for having asked him to enter the paths of -danger.” - -“I thought you would feel so, and I believe John is as enthusiastic -as yourself; but his love for you had kept him from joining the army, -knowing that, at any moment, he might be ordered away from you. Now -the case is different. The foe is in our midst. We can see them from -our own door-steps, and we _must_ battle for the defence of our -firesides.” - -At this moment, Catherine, who had been in the other room, entered. -With a pleasant “Good evening,” she shook hands, and, taking a seat, -she resumed the knitting which she had relinquished to prepare supper. - -From a discussion of the state of the country, Nathaniel turned to -talk of other matters, spoke of what was going on about them, and -thus passed a pleasant half-hour. Finally, he rose from his seat, -remarking: - -“To tell the truth, I _must_ leave now, although I should love well -enough to stay here a little while longer. If I was certain that John -would be home soon, I should wait for him: but, as it is, I think -I shall ride over to Squire Stoddart’s--where I take it he is--and -have a few words with him. It is important that I speak about the -organization now, as we will hold a meeting to-morrow night.” - -Catherine accompanied the young man to the door, and remained talking -with him for some time. When she returned, the color had risen in her -face, but she quietly took her seat, while the clattering along the -road told that Nat was making all possible speed in the direction of -the squire’s. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE TORY SPY. - - -No man is so base as he who deliberately takes up arms against his -own country. Such a one is fit for any deed, however mean, cowardly, -or wicked. Unfortunately, traitors have been found in every country, -in all times; nor were they wanting during the American Revolution. -While there were a number of honorable men who, believing that the -colonies were wrong in revolting from the king, did not take up arms -against them, on the other hand there were numbers of base, sordid -wretches, who were willing to cling to any side so that it was the -strongest--to support any cause so that it was one which promised -them booty. Such a one was Timothy Turner, who followed the fortunes -of the British, who was devoted to their interests, who had, in -short, sold to them his very soul and body for paltry gold. - -Although the character of this young man was not fully known, yet -suspicion rested upon him, and the Whigs had formed unfavorable -conclusions which were not long wanting a justification. He lived -in a small cabin, about half or three-quarters of a mile from Mr. -Stoddart’s; and, though ostensibly he supported himself by tilling a -small patch of ground, yet the dullest mind must have perceived that -a support from such a spot was simply an impossibility. - -On this night, Timothy Turner was wending his way home from a tavern -which stood on the road about three-quarters of a mile from his -house. As he turned from the door, he thought he heard the sounds of -a rapidly approaching horseman. Pausing for a moment, to see whether -his ears did not deceive him, he discovered the dusky figure of the -rider. As he passed the tavern, and by the light which streamed from -the door, Turner caught sight of the man. It was Nathaniel Ernshaw. - -“Ha! curse him, what is _he_ doing, riding about at this time of -night? It’s no good Wild Nat is after; blast him, if I could but lay -my hands on his carcass, I would show him a touch of my nature. If -ever I get the chance, he shall pay dear for what he has done.” - -The ruffian kept on his journey down the road, straining his eyes to -follow the fast-flitting figure before him. When Ernshaw came to the -lane which led in to Mr. Stoddart’s dwelling, he reined in his horse, -and, dismounting, threw open the gate. Turner, who had followed -as closely as possible, on seeing the direction of Nat’s errand, -stealthily drew near to the spot. - -Nathaniel drew up to the house, and knocked on the door. The knocking -brought a middle-aged man to the door. Holding a candle above his -head, he took a careful survey of the visitor. - -“Why, Nat, is it you?” said the squire. “What brings you here at this -time of night? Come in.” - -“No, I thank you, squire. For once in my life I have business to -attend to. I was over to see John Vale, but found that he was not -home. If he is here I wish you would ask him to step to the door for -a few minutes. I have something important to say to him.” - -“Well, he’s here, sure enough; and if you won’t come in, why I will -have to send him out--that is, if he is willing.” - -The old squire then entered the house again, to make Nat’s -requisition known to the son of his neighbor. Timothy Turner had, -in the mean time, approached to within hearing distance, and now -stood ready to note every word that was uttered. He scented gold and -revenge in the issue of that interview. - -John Vale soon made his appearance. The two young men shook each -other cordially by the hand. The conversation which ensued it is -unnecessary to detail. Every word of it was overheard by the spy. -When, at length, John expressed his determination of joining the -company which his friend was raising, Turner rubbed his hands in high -glee, as he muttered to himself: - -“You shall find out, Mr. John Vale, and you, Mr. Nathaniel -Ernshaw, that Timothy Turner is not the proper man to slight. This -intelligence is worth ten golden guineas to me, and the revenge -besides.” - -“As my mother approves of it, I’m with you, Nat. When and where do we -meet? Let me know the rendezvous, and trust me but I’ll be there.” - -“There was some talk,” replied Nat, “of meeting in the swamp, but -that is too far for the most of us. So that is out of the question; -but you know Clingman’s mills and the pine woods that run back from -the creek. If you enter the woods by the path immediately opposite -the mill, you will find a small clearing. That is the spot. Be on -hand by ten o’clock to-morrow night, and I promise you that your eyes -will be gladdened by the sight of thirty young men, all good, stout -patriots--ready, if need be, to die for their country.” - -“And I can assure you,” said Turner, to himself, “that you’ll see the -greater part of them do so, unless something very unexpected prevents -it.” - -“You can depend on me, Nat,” said John. Again shaking hands, Ernshaw -mounted his horse, and galloped away. - -Turner waited until the clatter had died away, and then silently -hastened in the direction of his dwelling. Arriving there, he sought -the shed which covered his horse. Hurriedly saddling the beast, he -rode off toward the city of Charleston, twenty miles distant. - -Gen. Clinton, the military commander in Charleston, had scarcely -arisen, on the following morning, when his servant announced a man -waiting to speak with him. - -“Who is he?” was the general’s inquiry. - -“He says that his name is Turner--that he rode twenty miles last -night to bring you an important piece of news.” - -“Turner? Then I think I know the man. He is one of those tory hounds -we find it necessary to use. I’ll vouch for it, he is planning some -piece of rascality. Admit him.” - -The servant retired and returned with Turner. Gen. Clinton surveyed -the fellow for a moment, then addressed him rather sharply: - -“How now, sir? What have you to say? It should be something of -importance to cause you to journey so far and fast.” - -“It is of importance,” rejoined Turner. “I heard at a late hour, last -night, of a meeting of rebels which is to take place this night. -There will be thirty or forty of them, and their purpose is to form a -brigade to act with Marion, Sumpter and others. I know the names of -but two; but, if the rest of the men are as good as they, the band -may do much injury to the king’s cause.” - -“What are the names of these two of whom you speak?” - -“Nathaniel Ernshaw and John Vale--two most desperate men, and fit to -do any thing against the followers of the king.” - -“Ernshaw? I have heard that name before--where, I can not say. This -thing shall be attended to. I will see that measures are taken to cut -them off; but where is this meeting to be held?” - -“About twenty miles from here there is a building called Clingman’s -mill. In a wood immediately behind this the rebels are to assemble. I -will lead any troops which you may send to the spot.” - -“How many of them did you say that there would be?” - -“Between thirty and forty. Whether they will be armed or not, I can -not say, but I do not think they will be. Some of them may have their -rifles, but I have no doubt fifty of your men could take the whole of -them alive.” - -“Be in readiness, then, to act as guide. Or stay; I will see you -again this morning. Come an hour before noon. If your intelligence -proves correct you shall receive a suitable reward.” - -Gen. Clinton rang the bell for his servant to show the tory out. -The man who performed this duty was a negro whom Gen. Clinton had -received into his service since his arrival in Charleston. He was an -intelligent-looking black, who had ingratiated himself into favor, -and now seemed to be almost a necessity with the general. - -As Sampson opened the door for the exit of Turner, he shrugged his -shoulders in a manner which told that it was displeasing to him to -be compelled to do any service for such a man. Hardly had the body -of the tory crossed the threshold ere the door was violently closed -behind him. The black returned to his master, and busied himself -preparing for his master’s breakfast. Having partaken of this meal, -Gen. Clinton left the house, turning his footsteps in the direction -of a dwelling inhabited by a rich and influential tory. - -Sampson passed quickly out by the back door, and, crossing the -garden, emerged from it into the street. Walking rapidly along for -some squares, he at length turned into a somewhat obscure alley. A -few steps brought him to the front of an humble-looking dwelling, at -whose door he gave a few taps. His summons was quickly answered, and -a middle-aged woman threw open the door. - -“Is it you, Sampson?” said she. “What brings you here at this time of -day? Any thing important?” - -“I guess mebbe it is. Whar is Simon? I got suthin’ to tell ’m.” - -“Simon is here, if you would see him; so come in.” - -The black entered the cabin, and found himself in the presence of -the person he was seeking, an honest-looking mechanic, whose eye and -bearing betokened the fearless man. - -“Whatever brings you here must be of importance, Sampson; so tell us -at once,” said the mechanic, or Simon Hunt, as was his name. - -“Thar’ ar’ no one here who oughtn’t to har a secret, is thar’.” - -“Trust me for not harboring any such about my house.” - -“Listen, then. This mornin’ that Timothy Turner came to see the -general, an’ tell him ’bout a meetin’ o’ whigs that was to be held -to-night, and so the general ’l send down a lot o’ his sodgers and -chop ’em all up. If you kin send ’em word you’ll be doin’ a good -thing for de blessed cause.” - -“All right, where is this meeting to be held, and who is to hold it? -I must know who to send word to. Give me that, and they shall know -the game before night.” - -“He on’y knows two--they be Masser John Vale and Nat Ernshaw.” - -“What? Nat Ernshaw turning whig trooper? That’s unexpected, but I -always thought there was good in the fellow, if he only had a chance -and would show it. I’ll send my boy straight off. If he puts the -spurs to the old roan’s sides he ought to get to Ernshaw’s before -dinner. Then they have the whole afternoon in which to warn the boys -not to come to the meeting. The two that were mentioned, though, will -have to keep dark, or they will find the country too hot for them.” - -“Well, Nat kin take care on himself. Take smarter men dan de -Britishers to ketch him asleep; and he take keer o’ Massa John, too; -but I think I better go. It might ’pear s’picious if any one see me -here. Good mornin!” - -“Good morning,” answered Hunt. “There goes a noble fellow,” continued -he, speaking to his wife. “This is the third time he has brought -important intelligence of the movements of the British. Where is -Simon? He must start directly.” - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - GOING OUT TO SHEAR, AND RETURNING SHORN. - - -It was about one o’clock in the afternoon, when fifty British -soldiers, under the guidance of Timothy Turner, set out for the -rendezvous of the Whig partisans, going with the avowed intention of -“driving them like sheep before them into Charleston, or else leave -their mangled carcasses to rot on the spot where they fell.” - -Plenty of time was before them, for the troop was well-mounted and -could get over the distance in a few hours; but there was danger -of getting to the spot too soon. Well acquainted with the roads -thereabouts, the tory determined to lead the men by a circuitous and -rather unfrequented route, which, though it was some miles further, -afforded this advantage--none of the whigs would thus see the body -of horse, and consequently, could not give the alarm which should -prevent the patriot muster from taking place. By it, too, he could -penetrate through the pines and station the whole force so as to -surround his unsuspecting countrymen. - -Having settled his mind on this point, Timothy took the lead, mounted -on a fine horse furnished him for the occasion,--his own being too -fatigued by his morning’s journey to permit him to take the field -with it. - -John Vale was just sitting down to his dinner when the boy Simon -reached his house, bearing the important message with which he was -intrusted. John immediately recognized the lad, for he had often seen -him before. Judging that he had some very special news to tell, he -rose from his seat and followed the lad into the yard. - -“If you have any thing to tell, speak out, Simon.” - -“Father sent me here to tell you to warn every one not to go to the -meeting in the pines back of Clingman’s mill.” - -“Indeed,” responded John, with an accent of astonishment. “Can you -tell me how your father learned a meeting was to be held there? I did -not know of it myself until late last night.” - -“Timothy Turner found out about it, and rode over to Charleston last -night. He had a talk with General Clinton, and the general is going -to send forty or fifty soldiers to take you all. Sampson, the servant -of the general, heard Turner telling General Clinton about it; so -he told father, and father sent me down here to tell you and Nat -Ernshaw. You are to tell the rest, so the Britishers will have their -ride for their pains.” - -“Your father has done well, and you’re a patriotic fellow to take so -long a ride to warn us of our danger. Come into the house and get -some dinner, then we’ll go over to Ernshaw’s together.” - -Simon was tired, and a good hearty meal was most acceptable. When he -had done, the young man took down his rifle and powder-horn from the -hooks, and swung them over his shoulder, then, turning to his mother, -he remarked:-- - -“Perhaps you will not see me again to-day, perhaps not for weeks. -From what I hear, there is a good chance for us to begin the -campaign, and when we once take to the field, there is no telling how -long we shall be compelled to keep it. Remember, though, that I am -fighting, as is my duty, for my country, and if I die, that I die in -a good cause.” - -“You know, John, that I love you and would do any thing to shield you -from harm or danger; but I rejoice to see you going. The nation has -need of such as you--those with strong arms and brave hearts. Go, and -may our Heavenly Father guard and bless you.” - -John kissed her and his sister, then left the house, turning to the -stable. He soon led out his gallant steed. Mounting, he led the way -to Nat Ernshaw’s. Nat was at home, and catching sight of the two at a -distance, surmised that they had important business with him. - -“What’s in the wind now, John?” inquired Nat. “Simon Filby, there, -looks as though he had been riding all morning, and, I guess, if the -truth be told, he was--” - -“Matter enough. He has ridden from Charleston this morning for the -express purpose of saving us all from capture or slaughter. Relate to -Nathaniel the message which your father instructed you to deliver.” - -The boy proceeded to repeat his story and message. Nathaniel was -astonished; it seemed to him incomprehensible how Turner had obtained -his intelligence concerning the contemplated meeting. - -“There is something strange about this,” said he. “There can hardly -be a traitor among us, and how else the secret could have leaked out -I am unable to say. I particularly cautioned them not to speak of it -even among themselves. But stay! I think I have it now. You say that -Turner arrived this morning?” - -“Yes, sir!” answered Simon. - -“Now that I think of it, I have the impression that I caught a -glimpse of him coming out of the Royal Arms, last night, as I passed -on my way to Squire Stoddart’s. He _may_ have followed, and by -sneaking up, may have heard the conversation that look place between -you and I. We have no time to lose. There is much for us to do.” - -“I agree with you,” responded Vale. “It would be well for us to hold -a consultation. I think that, if rightly managed, we can turn this -to advantage. Our troop can be, at the best, but poorly armed and -mounted. To be of any great service, both of these defects must be -remedied. Here is the opportunity!” - -“By heavens! you are right. If we could capture or disperse this -force that is to be sent against us, we could secure what we most -need, horses and arms. Besides, it would give the men confidence. -Here is a list of names,” continued Ernshaw, drawing a paper from his -pocket; “do you hurry and see the fifteen whose names are first on -that paper. Tell them the particulars, let them know the force that -is coming, and then fix a rendezvous at the Black Rock, a mile this -side of the mill. They must be there at sundown, armed. Leave your -rifle here, for you will be back again before night. You are well -mounted, don’t spare your horse. As for Simon, here, he had better -stay until his nag is rested, then get back to Charleston as soon as -possible. He might be missed.” - -It was by no means a light task to accomplish, this visiting thirty -persons at as many different houses; leaving it undone might prove -fatal. With their patriotic enthusiasm kindled, they bent themselves -to their duty. Every one with whom the young patriots spoke felt as -they did. An opportunity was now offered to strike for their country, -and they were willing to seize it. - -Such was the expedition used, that John Vale had returned to Nat’s, -and was conversing with old Mr. Ernshaw by five o’clock; half an hour -later Nat himself returned. - -In answer to Vale’s question--“how did you succeed?” he answered:-- - -“Oh, admirably. Not one has shown any signs of backing out. If your -success has been equal to mine, thirty as resolute fellows as ever -looked through the sights of a rifle, or wielded a broadsword, will -be assembled at Black Rock by sundown.” - - * * * * * - -Near the hour of sunset, an observer, had he been stationed near the -Black Rock--a spot so called from a huge black rock which lifted its -head from the waters of Cedar Creek--might have noted the approach -of a number of young men, all hurrying in one direction. Some were -mounted, and others were on foot; all bore weapons of one kind or -another--rifles, muskets, fowling-pieces, and a few swords. - -They came, too, from every direction, by twos and threes, talking -together, and apparently discussing some important question. When -the sun had finally disappeared and the twilight had settled over -all like a friendly cloak, thirty-two men were gathered on the banks -of Cedar Creek: among the number were Nathaniel Ernshaw and John -Vale. The majority of the company were young men, none of them over -thirty,--all broad-shouldered, deep-chested, bronzed with exposure -to the weather, and as spirited as the winds which played over their -hills and valleys. - -Ernshaw addressed his companions--stating that they were well -acquainted with the object which brought them there;--were they -willing to enter into a conflict with a body of men larger in number, -better armed, more used to such scenes of blood and carnage? If they -were willing let them say so. A low but distinct “We are!” passed -around. Nat continued:-- - -“The soldiers were to start from Charleston at an early hour this -afternoon, before this time they should have accomplished the -distance. There is another road which they must have taken. Timothy -Turner,”--at the mention of this name a shout of execration burst -from the lips of all--“I say, Turner knows the other road, and that -it leads near by the spot where we would have held our meeting. -I think I know the exact spot where the dragoons are this moment -stationed. By going three-quarters of a mile out of our way, we may, -by a third path, come upon them unawares. Shall we venture?” - -No one raised a dissentient voice; all seemed anxious for the fray. -One, however, a hardy-looking six-footer, begged leave to say a word -before they started. - -“You see we’re formin’ into a troop that’s goin’ to give thunder and -brimstone to every bloody, stealin’, cut-throat of a Britisher that -we come across. You know who started this here idea, and got it into -motion, an’ all that ’ar; but thar’s one thing that ain’t settled -yet, an’ that is, _who’s_ captain? It’s purty generally understood -that Nat Ernshaw is goin’ to lead us, but we hain’t actooally given -him the legal authority yit; so I move that he be constitooted our -captin’, an’ we all agree to be under and obey his orders, regular -soger fashion. Whoever’s in favor of this let him speak out and tell -it.” - -A simultaneous and unanimous “ay!” announced that Nat Ernshaw was the -accepted and willing chosen commander of the patriotic brigade. - -“Three cheers for Ernshaw’s brigade!” shouted one whose patriotism -had overcome his prudence, and the three cheers were accordingly -given with a will. Then the whole band took up its line of march, the -men handling their weapons with eager impatience. - -Nat was busy in laying out his plans for attack. The principal -difficulty which presented itself seemed to be, how to open the -battle. He might, he felt assured, steal upon the dragoons and -shoot down a score or more of them before they could rightly tell -from whence their danger came; but there was almost an insuperable -objection to this plan--it seemed too much like murder. After due -deliberation he settled on the course which he intended to take, and -which seemed to be most safe as well as most honorable. What it was, -the reader will hereafter learn. - -When the Americans reached the path which led through the woods, the -captain addressed a few last words to his men. Then they pressed -on with noiseless steps. When Ernshaw found they were within a few -rods of the spot designated, he left the troop and went forward to -reconnoiter. Carefully peering through an opening between the pines, -he looked out. It was a clear, moonlight night--so light that he -could easily distinguish the forms of some forty or fifty horsemen, -who occupied the area before him. Wishing to draw closer to them to -mark their disposal, a cracking stick betrayed his presence. Every -one of the waiting enemies were startled--the captain of the troop -calling out, “Here comes one of them at last. Into the woods after -him, half a dozen of you, but don’t use fire-arms unless it is -absolutely necessary. It will give the alarm.” - -Instantly seven of the privates threw themselves from their steeds -for the pursuit; but they had scarcely touched the ground when a -command, given in a quick, clear-ringing voice, riveted them to their -places. “Hold! Not one step or you are dead men. Surrender to Nat -Ernshaw’s Carolina Brigade, or your lives shall be the forfeit!” - -For a time a panic seemed to thrill the hearts of the Britons--this -command so unexpectedly, so sternly given. - -“It’s but a ruse my men,” shouted the captain. “First rank fire a -volley, then charge into the woods.” - -“Fire away. We will return volley for volley, and the man who stirs -from his tracks dies,” responded Nat. Then turning to his men, -who had ranged themselves in solid rank behind him, he gave the -command:--“Make ready, advance, take aim, and be ready.” - -A murmur ran along the ranks. The clicking of thirty rifles sounded -out on the still air. The British troops had quickly formed, and, at -the word of command, they sent a volley from the carbines with which -the dragoons were armed, into the patriot ranks. - -“Fire!” shouted Nat. The combined crack of the thirty rifles rang out -with a fearfully startling sound. The hail of lead was deadly in the -extreme, though its effect was not as severe as it might have been -had it gone hurtling forth in the daytime. Many a bullet proved a -messenger of death to the mercenaries of the foreigner. - -Sixteen of the troopers dropped from their saddles, dead. The -captain received a ball through his shoulder. Eight others were -severely wounded. With that marvelous celerity gained by practice, -the Americans had reloaded their rifles. “First division, fire!” -commanded Ernshaw. Another volley sped on its mission of blood, and -half the remaining troopers tumbled from their saddles, while their -maddened and frightened horses flew wildly away into the woods. - -“Fly,” screamed a Briton. “We cannot remain longer here and live!” - -“Hold!” cried the leader of the Americans. “Throw down your arms and -surrender and your lives are safe; attempt to flee and we give you -another volley.” - -Hardly had the summons to surrender been given, when the few of -the soldiers who still grasped their arms threw them down, and the -captain, faint from the loss of blood, answered:--“We agree. Come -forward and receive our surrender.” - -The Americans stepped from the shade of the woods and stood in a -line, waiting for the commands of their captain. As Ernshaw appeared, -the crack of a pistol was heard, and a bullet whistled by close to -his head. - -“Missed! by the infernal!” shouted a voice, easily recognized as -that of the tory Turner. He plunged into the gloom of the woods, -unappalled by the dozen bullets that followed. - -“The tory, Turner!” remarked one of the men; “let us pursue him. His -capture is of more importance than all else we have done.” - -“Not so,” replied Ernshaw; “let no man go in pursuit. It would -be impossible to come up with him, and our force would only be -separated, which must not be.” - -A little murmuring followed, but all soon saw the wisdom of obeying -the captain, and, accordingly, quietly acquiesced. - - * * * * * - -General Clinton was sitting in his chamber, busily engaged in -examining a number of parchments which lay exposed on the table -before him. It was now well on toward noon. Though apparently intent -on his work, his mind evidently was not at ease. “It is strange,” he -muttered to himself, “that nothing has been heard concerning Captain -Morgan and his troop, whom I sent out to capture those rebels. I told -him to endeavor to take the young man, Vale, alive, if possible, and -send me word immediately. One of his men would have arrived, ere -this, had he chosen to obey my commands. I will see, though; perhaps -there is some news stirring without.” - -He advanced to the door for the purpose of calling his servant, when -a loud knocking arrested him. He stood for a moment listening, and -then sank back in his chair, remarking, “There is some one at last.” - -The door was flung open to admit the tory spy, Timothy Turner. With -a pale face spattered with blood, and his left arm supported in a -sling, he strode across the floor, and stood confronting the general. -For a moment Sir Henry looked at him with a countenance indicative of -surprise and apprehension; then he burst forth: - -“How now, sir? What brings you before me in such plight? Speak, man!” - -“It is easy to tell the whole story. We went out to shear, and come -home shorn--or, rather, _I_ do, for I am the only one who escaped. -All the rest are dead, or prisoners!” - -“Then you deceived me, and I shall see that you receive your reward -for so doing. Without there, Sampson!” - -“You needn’t put such a sorry face on the matter, general, for the -information I gave you was correct enough. The trouble was, that -the rebels got wind of our intended attack, hid themselves in the -woods, and, when the moon arose, came down on us as they would on a -covey of partridges. If I had wished to deceive you, I should have -taken better care of myself, and this left arm would not have had a -rifle-ball through it. I remained till every thing was lost, fired -the last shot, and then cleared out, with half-a-score of balls -flying around my head. If that looks like treachery, then call in -your men and do as you like with me.” - -“Probably it is as you say, and I was overhasty. The king can not -afford to lose such friends as you. There is gold to heal your -wounds. Leave me, now, for I have important business to attend to.” - -Turner pocketed the purse which Sir Henry threw upon the table, and, -making a low bow, left the apartment. - -Ten minutes later, Sampson, the black servant, entered, bearing a -card, with the name, “Captain Reginald Preston,” written thereon. -Receiving the command to admit him, the gentleman soon made his -appearance. He was still a young man, not over thirty, and, by some, -would doubtless be called good-looking; but a close inspection would -tend to dissipate any favorable opinion which might be hastily -formed. Though well dressed, with all the appearance of being a -gentleman, his features wore the stamp of a life of profligacy, the -effects of which, the strength of a good constitution was unable to -ward off. Of good family, though a younger son, he had once been -possessed of quite a fortune, which he squandered away amidst the -splendid gayeties of London life, and was now recruiting his health -and fortune in the service of the king. Such in appearance was -Reginald Preston, the visitor of Sir Henry Clinton. - -He approached the general in a careless manner. Shaking hands with -the superior officer, he took a seat. - -“I received your note,” remarked Preston, after a silence of some -minutes, which he spent in curiously eyeing the papers on the table. -“I could not quite understand the drift of it, but here I am to -receive the explanation, which you promised when we should meet. -I send out my application for exchange by the next ship, and have -a fair prospect of leaving this miserable country; so don’t send -me where I will be killed off before I get a chance to enjoy this -fortune of mine.” - -“Perhaps it may be as well to stay here. You never could live in -London without money, and your pockets are not particularly replete -with _that_ article.” - -“I know they haven’t been; but this little fortune I was speaking -about is sufficient to keep me floating until I can carry off a rich -wife. Three thousand a year is not such an insignificant sum.” - -“It is concerning that ‘small fortune’ that I wish to speak. If -you will take the trouble to recall the words of your letter from -Thompson & Smith, you will remember that they stated the fact in -nearly these words: ‘Although, at the present time we can scarce -speak with absolute certainty, yet, we have the pleasure of -announcing, in all probability you are heir to an estate of three -thousand a year. We would not advise you to announce this as a -_fact_, until we discover whether there be any nearer relatives to -the deceased than yourself. At present, we know of none.’ Are not -these the words?” - -“I must confess that you are better posted in the matter of the -letter than I am. If you ask my opinion, I should say they are the -precise words.” - -“Well, then, listen. By these papers which you see upon the table, -it is announced that a nearer relative to the gentleman who left -the property _has_ been discovered, and that your chances of again -shining in London life are decidedly slim--for the present, at least.” - -The careless expression which had been resting on Preston’s face, -suddenly vanished under this, to him, remarkably unpleasing -intelligence. - -“Good heavens, general! You do not mean to say that all my plans are -to be disarranged, and hopes blasted in this shockingly disagreeable -manner. Those Thompsons and Smiths must be a set of thorough-faced -rascals. As to my uncle’s leaving any relatives _outside_ of our -family, and nearer than myself, I am sure it’s a mistake, or else a -trumped-up claim. His wife died forty years ago, and his only son was -killed among the Indians, nearly as long since.” - -“You have hit the right nail on the head, to use a vulgar expression. -That son is the person to whom I refer. It seems that he was _not_ -killed by the Indians, and lived long enough to raise a family. He is -dead _now_, but there remains a son and daughter, not to speak of his -wife. Your uncle took it into his head to turn this only son out of -doors; that was what caused him to come to America; but, as he left -no will, the estate naturally enough reverts to his grand children.” - -“And who are these grandchildren?” - -“The grandson is John Vale, one of the rebels whom we endeavored to -capture yesterday night.” - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. - - -“So, he is nothing but one of these cursed rebels, after all. If -_that_ is the case, my chances are not so desperate as you seem to -think. If Captain Morgan succeeded in doing his duty, he is doubtless -in custody now, if not dead. Of course I speak of the young man; I -have no fears of the old woman and her daughter.” - -“Captain Morgan did his duty to the best of his ability; but I am -sorry to say that John Vale is not only _not_ in custody, but that, -on the contrary, it is Morgan and his command--that is, those of them -that are still alive--who are the prisoners.” - -“You can not mean to say that a troop of dragoons has been defeated -by a squad of these half-mounted, half-armed rebels?” - -“I mean to say just that; and I now order you to take your troop and -proceed to the spot to bury our dead. No doubt the Americans will be -in such haste to leave, after their victory, that they will have left -the corpses still exposed.” - -“And after that, what remains to be done?” - -“You will leave the spot and return some miles. There are two whigs, -whose houses are close together; their names are Phillips and Tappan. -Take up your quarters with them until I send you further orders. It -will be necessary to have a force in that vicinity, and your work -will soon be ready for you.” - -“Then I must hold myself ready to begin the extermination of the -rebels. I go; but I have misgivings that it will be no child’s -mission.” - -“Good-morning, then.” - -“_Au revoir!_” and, with a graceful wave of his hand, Reginald -Preston departed. - -Hastening to his quarters, he found that the news of the defeat of -Captain Morgan had preceded him. On leaving the presence of Sir -Henry, Turner had been active in spreading the story of the defeat. -He found the men now anxious for a brush with the “rebel dogs,” as -they styled the patriot brigade. - -When the duty detailed was confided to the soldiers, they were -enthusiastic enough, and set up a shout. In an hour from the time -Preston bade adieu to General Clinton, he was on the road, having -Turner with him as guide. - -The arm of the tory was not, by any means, seriously injured; and -the prospect of more gold made him ready to encounter danger again, -although he had but lately so narrowly escaped death. They had not -ridden far, when Preston expressed a wish to have some conversation -with him, and the two rode on some distance ahead. - -Whatever it was that Reginald wanted, it seemed as though he found -some difficulty in getting at it. After some questions of no moment, -he began to speak of the Vales. If he was desirous of knowing the -history of the family, from the very moment when the head of it first -put foot within the State, he could have found no more fitting person -to inquire of. Turner had made them a study, it would seem; and the -questioner soon learned a great deal more than it was pleasing for -him to know. There was no doubt, now, in his mind, but that John Vale -was his uncle’s grandson, and fully entitled to the possession of the -property which he had fondly hoped was to become his own. Although -the young man was a rebel to the crown, he was afraid that it would -not invalidate his title to the estate. Although John Vale and the -rest of the family might be attainted, yet he well knew that a large -proportion of the money was in the hands of Americans, and probably -they were whigs. - -What thoughts passed through his brain in the course of that ride, -it is hard to state; but, long ere the journey’s end was reached, -his mind was settled as to the course to be pursued. The fortune he -_would_ have, and Turner should be the tool through which he should -reach it. Riding side by side the now deliberate villain and his tool -occasionally spoke together, but Preston was too much engaged in -perfecting his plans to ask more than an occasional question; while -Turner, cunning, and quick of divination, had a partial clue to what -was in the mind of the British partisan. - -When the British reached the spot on which the conflict of the -preceding night had taken place, they found all traces of the -struggle removed. Four or five newly-made mounds testified that the -rebels were too brave and generous to let the corpses of their foes -remain festering in the sun. Here and there, among the short grass, -deep red stains and pools of coagulated blood marked the spot where -the men had fallen; a broken plume, a glove, or a torn epaulet--these -were the only signs of the slaughter. Horses, men, arms--all had -disappeared, and the Britons had the consolation of knowing that when -they should meet this brigade of rebels, they would find them armed -with tried weapons of Great Britain’s own furnishing. The men looked -mournfully around; for soldiers have hearts, and are capable of warm -attachments; and here many a comrade, with whom they had spent many -happy hours, had bit the dust. - -Preston marked the direction which Ernshaw had taken, for his trail -was plainly visible; but, as his orders were to retire toward -Charleston as soon as he had performed the last sad offices for the -fallen, he dared not go in pursuit although his men were eager enough -for a fray. Disappointment was plainly visible on more than one face, -when the order came for a return, but no murmurs were raised. Slowly -the procession emerged from the woods, and crossed Cedar Creek, -taking the road which led toward the farm-houses, where Captain -Preston was to take up his headquarters. - -Mrs. Vale had, long ere this, heard the result of the conflict, for -her son had returned at early dawn. It was to stay but for a moment, -however, for he knew that now home would be no place for him. A -company would be sent to revenge the defeat of Captain Morgan as soon -as intelligence would be received by the commander at Charleston; -and, as his house lay on the road, it would be dangerous to be near -it. - -When the troop had arrived opposite the door, Reginald gave the -command to halt, and ordered half-a-dozen of his men to dismount, -and search the house. Though it was improbable, it still was not -impossible that some of the rebels might be found within it. -Catherine and her mother were sitting sewing, when the door was -rudely flung open, disclosing the red-coated soldiers who stood at -the threshold. - -With calmness Mrs. Vale arose, and advanced a step toward them, -saying, as she did, “What do you want, sirs?” - -The men replied by entering the room first; then, one of them said: -“To search the house to see if there be any rebels laid away within -it.” - -“One of you will be sufficient, then; you will find nothing within -its walls which it is not right that an honest woman should have.” - -“And your son--is he within?” - -“He is _not_; but if he were, it perhaps were as well for you to -defer the search, for he is not one who willingly permits liberties -to be taken with himself or his house.” - -The answer that was given to this rather fiery speech of the good -woman, was a fierce scowl, and then the men spread themselves over -the house. It was soon evident that those whom they sought were not -within, and they passed out. Reaching the yard, a large-sized dog -was standing in the pathway, regarding them with a look which might -well pass for one of intense astonishment. The foremost soldier, not -liking the looks of the animal, and having a deep hatred for any -thing American, drew his sabre and made a stroke at the unflinching -dog as he neared him. The sudden attack, and the pain of a slight -wound, caused the dog to bound aside with a sharp cry; but, almost -immediately he turned, and, with lips drawn back over his teeth, was -about to spring upon the offender. - -Catherine, who had hitherto remained seated, hearing the cry rushed -to the door. In a moment she detected the true condition of affairs. -At the sound of her call Lion forgot his purpose, and, with a quick -bound, leaping by his would-be slayer, stood by the side of Miss Vale. - -Captain Preston saw what had transpired, and called to the man -to relinquish his purpose--for he had turned as if to follow the -creature. With a surly obedience the fellow obeyed. With a low bow -to the fair young girl, who still stood in the doorway, the captain -struck spurs into his charger’s sides, and galloped away, his men -following at the same rate of speed. Catherine and her mother gazed -after them, and, as the maiden caressed the shaggy head of Lion, she -gave vent to her feelings, by saying to her mother in a low, half -musing tone: “Notwithstanding all the cruel deeds that have been -committed by these foreign soldiers, there seems to be a little good -in some of them. So they would kill you, my brave Lion, for trying to -defend your home? You must be more careful next time, or you may get -yourself into an unpleasant difficulty, from which you can not come -with a whole skin.” - -The dog shook his head gravely, and looked up into the face of his -mistress, as though he understood the advice given him, but was -rather uncertain, whether or no he should take it. He gave a low bark -and wagging his tail threw himself on the floor, while Catherine -resumed her sewing. - - * * * * * - -Great was the consternation of the good old whigs, Phillips and -Tappan, when a troop of British cavalry came dashing along the road, -and drew up in front of the dwelling of the former. In answer to a -heavy knock, the old man himself came to the door. Reginald Preston -related to him the orders of General Clinton. Where he could find -accommodations for thirty or thirty-five men, was a question that -puzzled the good old man for a time, but he consoled himself with -the thought that he would be no worse off than his neighbor Mr. -Tappan--toward whose house the remainder of the troops were being led -by their captain. - -As there was no possible good to be gained by demurring, Mr. Tappan, -like Mr. Phillips, obeyed the order of his uninvited guests with -seeming alacrity, and did his best to ingratiate himself with those -who had the power to resent any fancied ill-treatment. - -Captain Reginald had a room set apart for his use in Mr. Tappan’s -house, but, as the two whigs were near neighbors, he was not -separated from the rest of his command, by more than two hundred -yards. - -As he retired for the night, he murmured to himself: “I must really -find some way of becoming more intimate with that pretty cousin of -mine, for, though not beautiful, she pleases my fancy most mightily. -I have half an idea that it would _pay_ to _marry_ her, and settle -down in this cursed country! With her share of the fortune, I could -become quite a respectable farmer. How it would look! The honorable -Reginald Preston driving a couple of plough horses.” - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - CEDAR SWAMP. - - -Nat Ernshaw had not a very definite idea of what was to be done when -he organized his brigade. His intention was patriotic,--to assist his -country in retaining her independence,--but, how it was to be done -was not particularly clear at the outset. To wage war against the -bands of armed tories, which were constantly being formed; to take as -prisoners any straggling British, and to attack and cut to pieces all -troops, hostile to the great cause, whom he should chance to meet; -these were the objects contemplated when working to form the brigade. -His signal success in the outset had been inspiriting to his men as -well as to himself, and they were now willing to obey his orders, -with a confidence which an untried leader never inspires. - -One of the great objects sought for was accomplished in the defeat -of the dragoons; his men were able to mount and arm themselves -well. Feeling not the least compunction in spoiling those who had -come to spoil them, the arms and equipments of the conquered foe -were quickly appropriated by the conquerors; and, having buried the -fallen, the whole party held a consultation. It was decided to be -unsafe to disband, and that it would be better to fall back to Cedar -Swamp. From thence, the troop could send out scouts, who might learn -whatever was going on, and bring intelligence of any place where -their services would be of use. - -Although the prisoners were a burden, still, there was a -disinclination to let them go. Accordingly, it was decided that they -also should be carried to the Swamp, as they might be at some future -time, serviceable for exchange. By morning the troop was plunging -into the hidden recesses of Cedar Swamp. - -One might search in vain for a better place of rendezvous, surrounded -on the outside by a swamp which it was almost impossible for a -footman to pass, much less a horseman. There was, within, a cordon -of thickly interwoven bushes and stunted trees; then another ring -of swamp, and, finally, in the center, a spot of solid ground, some -fifteen acres in extent, studded here and there with tall trees. One -track there was, winding and intricate, along which the Americans -found their way under the careful guidanceship of John Vale. It -differed not in its appearance from the adjoining swamp; but, under -the wet, miry earth, at the depth of six or eight inches, there was -solid footing. - -As it was uncertain how long they would remain in this place, and as -the swamp would always be their place of refuge, on which to fall -back, it had been determined to construct a few huts, sufficient -for the accommodation of the whole brigade and their prisoners. -Brawny arms were bent to the task; and, long before nightfall eight -small cabins were to be seen, lifting their humble roofs which were -rendered quite impervious to inclement weather. Several of the men -had been dispatched to their homes to procure provisions, and make -arrangements with their families, by which supplies could be obtained -during their stay in the Swamp. - - * * * * * - -Five days have passed. During that time Captain Preston has been -quartered at the house of Mr. Tappan. It was a heavy thing for the -old patriot to bear this, being compelled to furnish food and drink -to the enemies of his country, but, no murmur was allowed to escape -his lips; he knew too well what might be the consequences of an -unguarded expression, to allow himself or family to give vent to the -feelings which were struggling for utterance. - -Understanding his restless disposition, one would suppose that -Preston’s hours would hang heavily on his mind, yet, that was far -from being the case. The tory, Turner, all concealment as to his -principles, having been thrown aside, was frequently with the captain -holding secret conferences. To what these conferences referred, the -reader will learn by a further perusal of our story. The last two -days, also, the captain had been absent during the afternoon--had -his steps been marked, it would have been found that he rode in the -direction of Mrs. Vale’s. Reginald seemed to have taken a sudden -fancy for his cousin. - -This relationship had not thus far been referred to. On the part of -Mrs. Vale and her daughter it was never suspected--how could it be, -when the name of Preston was totally unfamiliar to her ears? The -visits of the captain had been a source of uneasiness to the two. -For, although he seemed to have stopped by accident, yet a mother’s -heart is not the thing to be deceived by a smooth speech, and a -well-coined lie. She trembled as she thought of the dangers which the -presence of the unwelcome visitor foreboded. - -With an unusually warm smile upon his face, Reginald rode up to the -house this afternoon. He stated, that, being in want of something to -occupy his time, he thought he would ride over and inquire how Miss -Catherine’s pet was progressing. - -The cut which Lion, the dog, had received was severe, and the noble -animal was consequently an object on which he might exercise his -commiseration. - -Captain Preston was received with a cool welcome. Mrs. Vale was -polite--freezingly so; and Catherine, while she did not manifest -decided displeasure, did not seem to be overjoyed at his presence. -The gallant captain had not created a very good impression in his -three visits. - -With a pertinacity, by no means pleasant to the uninvited guest, the -widow kept her seat, nor once offered to leave the room, while Kate -seemed deaf to the hints which were thrown out concerning the state -of the garden, the agreeableness of the weather, and the propriety -of exercise. The nimble fingers plied the needle most rapidly, while -answering the numerous questions of Reginald. As he did not think it -best to commence an offensive warfare upon women, the chances of any -private conference with his fair cousin, seemed, to Preston, to be -small indeed; so small, that the thought of incontinently beating a -retreat, more than once crossed the Briton’s mind, but was as often -dismissed; he could not--he _would_ not give it up _so_! - -At length, insensibly as it were, Mrs. Vale was drawn into -conversation. The young man had an insinuating manner that was hard -to resist, and he taxed his conversational powers to entertain these, -to him, simple folk, quite as much as he had ever done to rivet the -attention of some wealthy belle, in the days when he flirted in the -London _salons_, and was an honored guest at the table of the richest -and most _distingué_ families of the aristocracy. So much did the -widow forget herself, that she actually asked the visitor to remain -for tea, when she saw him preparing to leave about half an hour -before the regular time for that meal. Gratifying as it would, no -doubt, have been to the young man, he was, nevertheless, compelled to -decline--he had an engagement which it was necessary for him to meet; -he did not, however, state this as an excuse, but simply declared his -inability to remain. - -When Preston had departed, the impression he left behind was rather -favorable than otherwise. Kate’s heart told her he was one to be -feared rather than respected, and that these visits boded no good. -On the contrary, the mother’s first suspicions seemed allayed, and -she expressed a fear that she had hastily formed a bad opinion of the -honest young man, as Captain Preston appeared to be. He promised her -dwelling protection from all foraging parties belonging to their line. - -As a general rule, it is wisest not hastily to change first-formed -opinions. Mrs. Vale saw into the true character of Reginald almost -the moment he crossed her threshold, but suffered her vision to be -obscured by the curtain of plausible conversation and insinuating -manners, of the shrewd man of the world. She was not the first mother -who had been flattered into silence in the same manner! - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - HOT WORK AHEAD. - - -Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally -enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under -the continental banner. During that two weeks they have not been -altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop -of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty -tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp. - -It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make -an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a -fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and -Phillips. No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an -expulsion, had there been a probability of success. Nat considered -that his force of thirty-five or forty men would hardly be able to -cope with fifty or sixty, unless the larger party could be taken by -surprise. Though a scout had been for days watching the houses, it so -far seemed as though nothing could be done. - -It was late in the evening, and the sun’s last lingering rays had -long since ceased to tinge the western horizon, when the majority of -the patriot soldiers were already “turned in,” that Capt. Ernshaw -was startled by hearing the low, long-drawn whistle of the sentinel -stationed at the outskirts of the swamp. - -The signal implied that something important was to be communicated. -Thrusting a pistol in his belt, Ernshaw left the hut and traversed -the--by no means safe--path that led to the willow-trees under which -the sentinel was stationed. - -As he neared the spot, it could be seen that the guard had left his -place of concealment, and was engaged in talking with a young lad. -The boy, who was mounted on a speedy-looking roan mare, had evidently -ridden far and fast. - -“Why, Simon, is that you?” queried Ernshaw, as he shook the boy -by the hand. “What has brought you away out here in such a hurry? -Something important, I’ll be bound.” - -Simon nodded a recognition as he handed a letter to the captain, -saying: “I should think it must be important, for father told me to -ride as though my life was on it. Sampson was down at our house this -morning, and, after he had left, father wrote this letter. I guess -you’ll have pretty hard work to read it, for he was in a hurry.” - -“Follow me into the camp,” said Ernshaw; “but be sure you don’t turn -aside on the way. The bog is deep enough to swallow up a hundred as -good horses as that gallant roan of yours, and I should be sorry to -see her floundering there after doing us such good service.” - -“Never mind, Mister Nat. I guess I know the path nearly as well -as you do. Before father moved to Charleston we lived about -three-quarters of a mile from here, and there’s many a time that I -went to gather berries in Cedar Swamp.” - -“Come on, then, for I am impatient to read this letter.” - -The letter, though hastily scrawled by one whose hands were stiffened -with many a day’s hard labor, was sufficiently legible to be read -by Nat. He found that it contained important news indeed. It ran as -follows: - - FRIEND NAT:--Keep your eyes open, for Clinton is going to give - you a brush. Turner was over here yesterday, and the general has - determined to send out a force of a hundred men for your capture. - There’s to be a tory meeting on Black Run to-morrow evening, and - there’ll be thirty-five of the traitors present. I guess you know - what to do. They will be well armed, so you may expect some hard - knocks. Ben Graham is at the bottom of it, and the meeting will be - in his barn. You know the spot. Success to the good cause! - - SIMON. - -For some minutes Nat did not speak. The distance from Cedar Swamp -to the Black Run spoken of in the letter was but little, if any, -over seven miles, and every man in the brigade was well acquainted -with the road. There was no necessity for immediate action, as the -distance could be got over, on the following day, from sunset till -ten o’clock. - -“Well, Simon, you are our good genius,” said Nat. “The intelligence -you bring is important enough, and you can tell your father he may -rest assured that I will act upon it. Gen. Clinton will find that the -best hundred men in the British army would be insufficient to effect -our capture; and, as for the tories of Black Run, all I have to say -is, that if there are not a few unwelcome guests intruding upon -their meeting before it comes to a close, it will be because there -are no true patriots left in the Carolinas. Will you remain with us -to-night?” - -“I guess I had better. You see the roan can stand as hard a pelt as -most horses, but it will not do to work her too hard. She has got -over near thirty miles to-day, and thirty more would be a little too -much.” - -“You are right, Simon; turn in with us. Accommodations are rather -poor, but I think you can stand it.” - -“If I stay to-night, I am afraid you will have to keep me to-morrow, -too. The Britishers are on the road, and stopped me as I was coming -down, but I trumped up a pretty long story for them. If they see me -again, they may stick a little closer.” - -“Never mind that. You are welcome to stay as long as you choose, -provided you are willing to brave our hardships and dangers. You -shall always be welcome. For to-night you must share my bed, such as -it is.” - -Wearied with his long ride, the young patriot needed no second -urging. He was soon fast asleep. Early in the following morning -the whole brigade was, as usual, up and astir. Simon’s mysterious -appearance created some surprise, for the arrival of the previous -night had not been spoken of by the sentinel; but when it was hinted -that he brought important intelligence, which would doubtless bring -them face to face with the enemy again, considerable enthusiasm was -manifested, and two or three of the more immediate acquaintances of -the blacksmith’s son, assumed the pleasant task of “pumping” him. -Their success in this undertaking was by no means equal to their -perseverance. - -After an hour of ungratified curiosity had passed, the men were -drawn up by command of Ernshaw, who stated that he had something to -communicate, which, doubtless, they would be glad to hear. - -“From a devoted friend of liberty,” said Nat, “residing in -Charleston, I have just received a message. There is to be a meeting -of tories held to-night at Ben Graham’s, on Black Run. From what I -hear, I think it is their intention to assist the British troops in -attempting our capture. Of course you know what I would wish to do; -are you all with me?” - -“All!” was the answer, given in a single breath. - -“Then hold yourselves in readiness to march at sunset, in the -direction of Graham’s. We will strike such a blow as will make these -scoundrels, who would make a profit on the blood of their countrymen, -at least a deal more cautious how they attempt to carry on their -trade within reach of the strong arms of American freemen. Look well -to your arms, boys; nerve your hearts for a determined struggle, and -to-night we will strike again for liberty.” - -During the day there was a bustle among the men of the brigade, that -told the British prisoners, confined within the recesses of the -swamp, that something of more than ordinary importance was about to -take place. Swords were brightened and sharpened, cartridges were -made, and a look, which spake of eager impatience, was worn by all. -As night flung her shadow on all, Nat Ernshaw’s brigade rode out into -the darkness, and the confines of Cedar Swamp were untenanted save by -the dozen English prisoners and the five patriots left to guard them. -For a time the noise of footsteps came faintly to their listening -ears; then all was silence. - - * * * * * - -Let us return to Captain Preston and his schemes. With their plot and -counterplot, they enter into the thread of our story to color it all. - -The _gallant_ Briton was hastily pacing the room. His face, flushed -as if with anger, wore a well-settled scowl. Half an hour before he -had returned from one of his afternoon excursions at such a pace that -one might think forty troopers were close behind in hot pursuit. - -Casting his bridle to a soldier in waiting, Preston strode away to -his room. Once there, he cast his chapeau upon the bed, and began his -hasty walk, in which, however, he was interrupted by a knock on the -door. In none of the best of humors he said, “Come in!” The summons -was obeyed by a young man whom Reginald knew as an aid-de-camp of -Gen. Clinton. In his hand he bore a folded paper. - -The young men bowed to each other, and then the stranger said, at -the same time handing the paper which he bore, “I was commissioned -by Gen. Clinton to bring you these instructions. You are to follow -them to the letter, and he hopes that you may be enabled to do good -service to your country.” - -In his present mood Reginald felt in no humor for interruption. -Unfolding the paper, he hastily read its contents. He was informed -that, in conjunction with a score of light dragoons, who would be -sent to aid him, he would soon have the opportunity of crossing -swords with the man who, above all others, he now hated--John Vale. -Under the guidance of Timothy Turner, Cedar Swamp was to be invaded; -for Gen. Clinton had learned that Nat Ernshaw’s brigade was there -ensconced. - -“Do you intend to return to Charleston?” inquired Preston, turning to -the aid-de-camp. - -“Immediately. Such were my orders.” - -“Then you will inform Gen. Clinton that I hold myself in readiness -to obey his orders; and, so soon as the reinforcements of which he -speaks--though I see no real necessity for them--shall arrive, I -will proceed to attack the rebels. Tell him, from me, that I desire -something of the kind--some more stirring life; for this inactive -state of affairs is enough to drive a man crazy.” - -“I will say this to him,” answered the young man, and bowed himself -out of the room. - -When the messenger had departed, Reginald resumed his walk, all the -while muttering to himself. - -“Too bad! too bad!” burst from his lips. “This rebel beauty has -twined herself about my heart until I--I, who could pass through all -the gayeties of London life with a heart untouched--am almost her -slave! By all that’s holy and unholy, she shall not triumph thus! -I’ll make her come down on her knees and beg--ay, beg in vain--for -that which I have so freely offered her. By heavens! it makes my -blood boil when I think of it. She, with her soft, baby face wearing -a smile of contempt--I, like a school-boy, kneeling at her feet, -asking her for her love! She shall learn what it is to scorn one who -has the will and the power to return revenge for scorn, and bring -tears for laughter.” - -Catherine Vale it was who brought that scowl to Reginald’s brow, who -drove him up and down the room, like one possessed. That afternoon, -standing under the shadow of the great pear-tree which stood behind -the house, he had offered his love, had lain open his heart, and was -rejected with a firmness which had something of scorn in it. - -“Useless, sir!” said Catherine. “No arguments which you can offer may -avail to change my determination. I had partially foreseen some such -result, yet did not know how I could avoid it. If your professions -are sincere, I thank you for the honor which you have conferred upon -me. At the same time, I suppose you see the impropriety of your -continuing your visits. Once for all, I bid you good-by.” - -She held out her hand. The captain endeavored to detain it, but the -ever-present Lion came between them rather menacingly to the lover. -He flung the hand from him, hastily mounted his horse, and rode away. - -Catherine had a foreboding of evil to come from that rejection. She -saw the black cloud, for now she read the heart of the man clearly, -truthfully. - -Turner now was with the English. To him Reginald naturally turned as -a fit instrument to work out his will. At his command, Timothy made -his appearance. Soon they were busied with the details of a plan, -which even the traitor tory hesitated at first to engage in. But a -man who can betray his country for gold will not hesitate long, even -where a maiden’s honor is pitted against the base courage of the -unscrupulous villain. - -“Beware, Turner, of ever breathing a syllable, to a living soul, of -aught concerning which I have spoken or shall speak. You know my -wish. Now, will you act?” - -“Whenever you can show me that it is to my _interest_ to follow your -lead, then I will do what you command,” said the tory, with a slow -but distinct, determined utterance. - -“It shall be to your interest, if by interest you refer to your -reward in gold. I am not the kind of man to see friends of mine go -unrewarded. Will you promise secrecy and obedience? If so, here is a -foretaste of what you may expect.” Preston dangled before the eyes -of the base wretch a purse well filled with gold. - -“While you give gold I will give service,” said Turner. “When you -find me shrinking at _any_ piece of work where there is money to be -made, then just shoot me. I ain’t fit to live.” - -The Briton smiled in real satisfaction, as he noted how eager was the -thirst for gold in the heart of the scoundrel before him. With gold -he could lead him anywhere, even to the very gates of death. He had -found his man! - -“Take this purse,” continued Preston; “and now listen to what I say. -You have, I suppose, a pretty good idea already of what it is; hear -these particulars. This Kate Vale must be abducted, but it must -be done in such a manner that none of the blame can rest on _me_. -Persons may suspect, but they must have _no proof_ on which to hang -their suspicions.” - -“Well, what else.” - -“Return to the city and search out a private in Hyde’s company. The -fellow’s name is Blanchard. You can easily find him, for he passes -all his time, when not on duty, in a small tavern in the lower part -of the city, kept by one James Fagan. After finding him, explain -the state of affairs, and lay your heads together. If you two can -not abduct the woman between you, I would not give much for your -services.” - -“Is Blanchard entirely and devotedly in your confidence?” queried -Turner. This asking him to assist in the abduction of an honest -woman, whose only crime was her not being able to appreciate the good -qualities of a British officer, was a matter which required every -caution. - -“Fully. He was in my service before he enlisted, and you need not be -afraid of his betraying you. Tom Blanchard may be a villain, but he -is one who will never stoop to betraying a confidence, or turning on -a friend.” - -“Then that is all I wished to know. I suppose you want the thing done -as soon as possible; so, without waiting any longer, I am off for -Charleston. As it will cost considerable, I suppose this purse is -only for expenses; our reward is to come afterwards.” - -“Yes, yes; leave now. Do your _best_, and if you succeed you shall be -fully paid for your time and trouble.” - -When the base creature left the room, a smile of disgust rose to the -face of the captain. Though he was willing to use the tool which so -readily yielded to his wishes, Reginald most heartily despised him. -These thoughts, however, were soon chased away, for he had other -things to consider. This abduction of Catherine Vale was not the only -scheme in view. He earnestly wished to effect the death of his other -cousin, John Vale. - -Not, to be sure, by assassination, but rather by the fortune of -war; in the field, with sword in hand, or on the scaffold as a -rebel--either of these modes would be justifiable slaying. The sister -to be abducted, ruined; the brother to be murdered; the mother to -die of a broken heart; when these things are consummated, perchance -there may be a truly legal claim upon a certain not-to-be-despised -fortune, which these three alive would be pretty sure to keep him -from. All should be done, and the “fortunes of war” would bear the -whole responsibility. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - THE ASSAULT UPON THE BARN AT BLACK RUN. - - -Ben Graham was by no means a man of small importance, as one might -suppose from the manner in which he was spoken of in the letter which -Nat Ernshaw had received. On the contrary, he was a man well-off in -every respect, being wealthy, and, in spite of his manners,--which, -as a general matter, were by no means worthy of imitation,--was -possessed of influence among the farmers who lived in contiguity with -Black Run. - -Though suspected long since by Ernshaw with having a greater -love for the British than was to be desired by an American-born -citizen, yet he had never any reasonable amount of proof to justify -him in denouncing Graham as a tory. Now, although Hunt might be -mistaken,--which was very improbable,--the predilections of the -wealthy planter were about to be determined with a certainty. - -When the shadow of night had fairly clouded over all, the first of -the tories made his appearance in front of Graham’s house. Each one -to be admitted into the tory council was intrusted with a secret sign -and password. With these this first-comer was acquainted; so Ben, who -was enjoying the night, and apparently taking his ease, sitting on -his porch, invited the man to take a seat. - -Soon two others made their appearance, each giving the mysterious -password. All three were directed to go to the old barn, where Ben -would meet them so soon as their number was complete. - -In the course of half an hour thirty men were congregated in the old -barn, when Ben appeared, bearing a lantern, and bringing with him -three more men. It did not take the meeting long to organize, for -every one was in a hurry to learn what precise advantage it would be -to them to be members of the tory regiment. - -When at last, Ben Graham stated the case, the whole secret was told -in one word--_plunder_. Plunder from the whigs whatsoever there was -to plunder, whether money, lands, or life. Chosen from a circuit -of a number of miles, as men, devoid of principle, but full of the -lust for money, these fellows were just the creatures to be moved by -the mind and judgment of Ben Graham--for that gentleman, of course, -intended for himself the honors of a captaincy. - -Four dimly-burning stable-lanterns cast but a weak and fitful light -over the large company assembled in that old barn. The room, though -in reality well paved and dry, seemed damp and gloomy. All outside -openings had been carefully boarded up, so that no unobserved -listener might see the gathering or catch some unguarded speech. - -It was, in truth, a picturesque scene,--these thirty men, all -crime-stamped, as the majority of them were, standing around a huge -box--through the dim light looking like an altar, and the men like -devotees to some strange shrine--and bending their gaze fixedly upon -the stern countenance of the self-elected leader. Bold, unscrupulous, -fond of adventure, without a thought for the right of the question, -Graham was the sort of man to lead such a horde of villains. - -A half-hour slipped away. The opinions of the men had been taken, and -Graham elected, with all due formality, captain. Anxious to assume -his new dignity in a manner suitable at once to it and to himself, -Captain Ben proceeded to make a speech:-- - -“I know most of you have your rifles, but there are some who are -without weapons, and, what is worse, not meaning any offence, without -money to buy any. The king is particularly careful that such men -shall be enabled to do their duty; and so this box, here, contains -about a dozen rifles,--for I thought we’d need that many,--and swords -and daggers enough to go around the whole party. If one of you will -hand me an ax, I will open the box and show you the gift of the king.” - -An ax made its appearance. A few vigorous strokes removed the top -of the box, disclosing the arms of which Graham had spoken. With -exclamations of pleasure the men crowded around the box, handling the -weapons, and praising their leader for thus procuring the “tools” -for those who were without them. - -Nat Ernshaw’s men had been at no pains to heat their gallant steeds. -The meeting had been some time in session ere the brigade arrived in -sight of the old barn. There was no sign of any person being within -that dark, deserted-looking stone pile. - -“By heavens!” whispered one, “I believe that for once we are -out,--that we have been fooled, and that the sooner we get back to -the swamp the better.” - -“Pooh!” answered the one addressed; “you had better reserve your -opinions for to-morrow morning, then, if you are alive, you are -welcome to pass what judgment you choose upon the object of this -expedition. I’ll wager you three to one it’s not a wild-goose chase.” - -“Perhaps!” - -“No perhaps about it. Mark my words, we will have some sharp work -to-night. Any thing that comes from Simon the blacksmith is reliable -information.” - -“Hush,” said one who rode beside the last speaker. “The captain wants -us to draw up close and listen to his commands. He has laid out his -plan I guess, and is going to explain to us.” - -Wild Nat had laid out his plans and did explain them. - -As Ben Graham was forcing off the lid from the box of arms, Nat was -approaching the house with a force of forty dismounted troopers. - -A sentinel had been placed on the outside of the barn, with -directions to stand in the shadow. Leaving his men, Nat quietly stole -around the corner of the barn, looking for the sentinel. When at -length his eye rested upon the indistinctly defined shadow of the -tory, he threw himself at full length upon the ground and stealthily -crawled toward the spot upon which the man was stationed. - -John Vale peered cautiously around the corner and watched the -progress of his friend. He saw the sentinel suddenly start and lean -forward, then a figure leapt up and struck down the man. A low -whistle announced to Vale that the coast was clear. - -Ben Graham cast a glance of pride upon the stalwart villains whom -he was to command. They gave a shout when they saw the steel, and -pressed forward to look within the box. - -An answering shout! Was it the echo that pealed through the room, or -did they hear that cheer only in imagination? The tories looked at -one another with astonishment and fear pictured upon each countenance. - -“We are betrayed!” sang out one nearest the door. “Fly, for the -rebels are coming!” - -A sort of hurried movement was made; then all stood still again, to -wait for what was to come. The suspense did not endure long, for with -a crash the door flew open, and on the threshold, with a torch in one -hand, a bright gleaming sword in the other, stood Nat Ernshaw, while -a swarm of faces showed dark behind him. - -“Surrender, you tory dogs!” shouted Nat. “Surrender. Show them your -strength, boys. At them!” - -The patriots rushed into the room, and were met by those who now were -fighting for life. The contest was therefore one of desperation. -Notwithstanding the patriots were in the majority, victory was by no -means an easy thing to obtain. - -The American’s torches had been dropped, and the conflict was waged -by the light of the four lanterns which hung from the roof of the -vault. Graham watched the conduct of his men with a critical eye, -even while he was crossing blades with a furious “rebel.” The man was -ignorant of the science, while Ben was a master of it; consequently, -the tory gave his antagonist a severe wound in the arm. The smoke -of a score of pistols wrapped the greater part of the scene in -obscurity, but the groans of the wounded told that the contest had -not been bloodless. One of the lamps had been extinguished by a -chance shot; two others hung close together and gave just enough -light for Ben to perceive that his men were being slowly but surely -driven back. - -With all his power the tory captain hurled a heavy horse-pistol which -he held in his hand. The weapon struck the lanterns, and effectually -extinguished their light. “Retreat, boys!” he shouted. “Retreat!” and -he dashed away, followed by his men. - -A huge oaken door was at the end of the room. Beyond this a passage -led to a spring-house eight or ten yards from the barn. Along this -passage, with swift steps, part of the tories flew; while some dozen -or so, unable to shake off their assailants, still sought to make -good their resistance. - -The door of the spring-house was burst open, and Graham rushed out, -followed by fifteen or sixteen of his fellows; without pausing to see -if they were pursued, they made the best of their way to the woods, -but fifty rods away. - -Nat Ernshaw had dispersed the tories. At a loss of but three men -killed, and several severely wounded, he had disposed of thirty -desperate plotters against society and the liberties of his country. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - TIMOTHY TURNER AFTER HIS GAME. - - -Turner, anxious to get matters in train for securing the reward -promised him by Captain Preston, did not suffer grass to grow under -the feet of his horse while he journeyed to Charleston. - -Although he was not one of those who are desirous of having a partner -in their wicked deeds, yet this abduction was a business which he -could not well accomplish without help. For this reason he was well -satisfied to follow Preston’s advice, and search out Tom Blanchard. - -Jim Fagan’s tavern, was a building well known to Timothy, who had, -more than once, passed through its portals. Though frequented by -a “pretty hard crowd,” the peace was but seldom broken in the -building--Fagan, a tall, broad-shouldered Irishman, having made up -his mind that he alone was privileged to do all the fighting which -took place upon his premises. More than once had Turner passed the -portals of Fagan’s dwelling, and he had, also, often noted the very -Tom Blanchard whom Preston had recommended as an assistant. They -were “drinking acquaintances,” for, though the traitor was not a -man to indulge in drinking to excess, he nevertheless was fond of -an occasional glass; “it sharpened his wits and braced his nerves -amazingly,” he averred. - -In the course of the evening, the day on which he reached Charleston, -the tory sauntered into the bar-room, and, with a careless nod, asked -Fagan where Tom Blanchard might be found. - -Fagan answered that he could be found in the back room--he had just -gone in, and was probably engaged with Joe Lawson in a game of cards. - -He found the soldier sitting at a small table with a young man of -good appearance. A few silver pieces, lying on the table, told that -they were betting. - -Tom started, when Turner laid his hand on his shoulder, for he, the -dragoon, had not seen him enter, the look of alarm was exchanged for -one of inquiry, when Turner made a peculiar sign with the fore-finger -of his left hand. - -“From the captain?” inquired Blanchard. - -“Yes!” said Timothy--at the same time placing his finger on his lip -to indicate silence. - -“Is it right haway?” continued Tom, casting a glance full of regret -upon the cards and silver. - -“Immediately.” - -“Then, Joe, I’ll ’ave to leave you till some hother time. Hi ’ate to -do hit, but duty says hi must.” - -“Can’t your friend, there, wait a while? Or, perhaps, he would have -no objection to take a hand himself?” - -Joe Lawson was a professional gambler, although still young, and -having an air of respectability about him. Turner, who was an adept -at cards, and really longed to finger the greasy trumps, abruptly -wheeled about, saying: - -“It’s impossible, I cannot spare the time.” - -Turner asked for a private room, and, with the dragoon accompanying -him, was shown up-stairs. Blanchard turned the key upon the inside -of the door, but his companion very quietly unlocked it, saying: “In -case you want to make a sudden sally, a locked door is very unhandy.” - -“’Ave it yer hown way. Now what’s the go? Yer from the captain, hand -must ’ave somethin’ to tell.” - -“I am from Preston; and, as we two are to work together, you will -have a chance to find out ‘what the go is,’ and fill your pocket with -the shiners.” - -“If there’s hany thing to be made, hi’m hin. The Cap’s good pay. Tell -hus what’s to be done.” - -When Tom heard what was expected of them, he merely gave a long -whistle, remarking with a savage chuckle, that Preston would have -to pay well. Every thing, with this soldier, resolved itself into a -question of _pay_. The morality of an action was unquestioned if it -was to be rewarded with a full purse. - -“It seems,” continued Turner, “that the captain has had you to assist -him in several jobs of this kind before. Does it pay well?” - -“Twict. In Lunnon. First rate--drive ha long,” answered Blanchard, -whose answers were rather terse, though sufficiently expressive. - -“Where are we to take her? That is about all that is to be settled -upon.” - -“Find ha place. Get ha hempty ’ouse somewhere, hand fix hup ha room -to receive ’er.” - -“Well, I’ll look up the house, and to-morrow evening meet me here -about this time to arrange our plans in a definite manner. There must -be no bungling work; the girl is to disappear in such a manner that -we leave behind no trace by which we may be followed.” - -“Trust hus for that.” - -“Then you can return to your cards and I will try to get a little -sleep. This riding about is enough to wear out a man made of any -thing less durable than cast-iron.” - -Tom left the room, when the door was locked from within. For some -time, Turner stood looking musingly out the window. Not until the -clock, striking nine, had aroused him from his reverie, did he throw -himself upon the bed for the needed rest and sleep. - -When the tory arose the next morning, he passed half an hour in -private conference with Jim Fagan; and, though he did not betray -any of the secrets intrusted to his keeping, he nevertheless, for -a consideration, received--or rather was to receive--valuable -assistance. Fagan undertook to provide the room in which the young -girl was to be imprisoned, although he abstained from mentioning that -it would be in an unrented building which belonged to him. - -In the afternoon, Fagan took Preston’s agent to see the house. - -It was a little stone structure, which looked as though it might -have been a hundred years old. Standing almost alone, near the edge -of town--massive, strong, its walls impenetrable to sound--a more -desirable place could not be found. The windows were closed with -shutters, and the building appeared deserted; but when the Irishman -knocked at the door, it was opened by a grim-looking old negress, who -surlily surveyed the party, and seemed more inclined to slam the door -in their faces than to ask them to enter. - -Fagan requested her to show the furnished room up-stairs. The negress -seemed scarcely to understand what was wanted of her, but at length -led them up the stairway. The room chosen charmed the eye of Turner. -The windows were secured with thick, oaken shutters, guarded on the -inside by padlocks, the door was strongly made, and the strength of -the lock precluded the possibility of a future inmate’s forcing it. -The furniture was simple. A table, a dressing-stand, half a dozen -chairs and a bedstead. There were no clothes on the bed, but Fagan -expressed himself willing to furnish these. - -Perfectly satisfied with every thing, Turner withdrew, and, after -some conversation with the negress, Fagan followed. Thus the -preliminaries were settled, and that evening, when Tom Blanchard and -Timothy Turner met, it was agreed that in the second succeeding night -the attempt should be made. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE CONSUMMATION OF THE CRIME. - - -Dark night settled around the dwelling of the widow Vale. The clouds -of an approaching storm obscured the moon, Only a chance ray would -beam out, like a beautiful face from behind the black of a mourning -veil. The summer breeze blowing strongly would softly lift the plain -while curtain that hung at the open window of Catherine’s room; and -then, as if ashamed of the thought of entering the chamber, would -drop it with a sigh of regret. The heat, for the season of the year, -was by no means oppressive, and the inmates of the house were buried -in deep slumber, for the hour was late. - -Good eyes might have failed to detect the three men stealing up to -the house; moving, with noiseless steps, through the darkness. - -The horses had been left by the road-side, where there was little -danger of their being discovered--the darkness was too thick, the -road too little frequented. The three men were, Turner, Blanchard, -and another; one proposed as an assistant, by Tom, and for whose -faithfulness that gentleman expressed his willingness to go bail. - -Wake! lady, wake! A viper has drawn his loathsome form over the -window sill, and now gloats over his prey! - -To call now were in vain. With a hand of iron, the man places -a bandage over the maiden’s mouth, while he tightly grasps her -throat, choking back her scream of terror. Tom Blanchard was now at -his side; and, together, they quickly but silently secured their -victim. Carefully wrapping the bedclothes about the form of the -half-strangled girl, they bore her away to where the horses were -waiting. - -The inmates of the house--Mrs. Vale and a couple of black -servants--remained buried in a profound slumber; Catherine could -give no outcry, and even faithful old Lion was strangely inclined -to somnolency. The daring deed was consummated with every success. -Catherine was indeed in the power of monsters. - -The ride that night was a long and a gloomy one, but an hour before -the sun arose, a valuable bundle entered the door of the cottage of -Jim Fagan. Catherine had long since become insensible from her fright -and harsh usage. - -The sun was high up when Catherine came to her senses, and realized -her situation. - -She did not scream, but on the contrary arose, and by the light of -the lamp which sat upon the table, proceeded to dress. Then, she sat -quietly down to consider her circumstances. - -Where she was she could not divine. The windows were closed by thick -oaken shutters, which would not permit the smallest ray of light to -pass through them, and, according to appearances, the only light -which it would be permitted her to use would be that of the lamp now -burning on the table. - -The cogitations of the maiden were, however, destined, for a time at -least, to be interrupted. The key of the huge lock turned slowly, -and with a creaking sound, then the door swung open, disclosing to -Catherine the repulsive countenance of the negress who had charge of -the building. Fagan had procured her to wait upon the lovely tenant -of his cottage. The woman approached the table, bearing before her, -on a waiter, that which was to be Catherine’s breakfast. - -Kate was a daughter of bravery. Her heart swelled in its indignation. -She addressed the old woman in a commanding tone, and demanded to -know where she was, and for what reason she had been brought thither. - -The sullen eyes of the negro woman flashed for an instant, but she -replied in a mumbling tone: “If missa want me hear, um mus’ speak -loud. Dis chile be berry old, an’ don’t hear nuffin.” - -The question was repeated in a louder tone. It must have been deep -ears, indeed, that could not have caught the sound of the girl’s -ringing voice. - -“Dis house be fass on de land, _sure_; an’ you is in it jist ’cause -some pusson whants you here, I s’pose. Dat’s a fac’.” - -“And who is that person?” - -“Find dat out, I s’pec’s, when he comes to see you. Yah, yah!” - -It was useless to question the woman. She had received her -instructions from Turner, but was cute enough to understand that he -was only the agent, not the master. Kate for a moment gave way to -tears. The negress, seeing her beautiful charge thus moved, became -somewhat pitiful, offered a word of consolation: - -“Bless yer, honey, don’t be skeered, now. No one gwine to hurt yer; -only here ’cause gemman wants to show how he lubs yer!” - -This speech, spoken by the old woman for the purpose of allaying, had -the effect of increasing the excitement of the poor, bewildered girl. - -“See here, missus. I bring a bit of breakfast for de lady, and if we -talk so, the coffee git cold. Come, take suthin’.” - -Feeling the necessity of husbanding her strength as much as possible, -to enable her to act bravely her part in that which was sure to come, -the young girl was about partaking of the food, when a sudden thought -struck her, “Was not this refreshment drugged?” She did not think it -possible, after a few seconds of reflection, but could not refrain -from turning and fixing her eye upon the old negress at the same -time, with a searching glance, saying, “How am I to know that this -food is not drugged? How dare I eat it?” - -“Law bless ye! I fix um wid dese ere hands, an’ nebber put nothin’ in -to hurt any thin’. Dis chile fur fair play, an’ wouldn’t do no such a -thing for nothin’. If you want’s, I eat half of ebry thing I brings -up.” - -“No! there is no necessity for that. I am satisfied.” - - * * * * * - -Leaving Catherine to partake of the breakfast, let us return to the -despoiled home of her widowed mother. - -Though Catherine’s voice was not heard at the usual hour, the next -morning, Mrs. Vale did not feel alarmed. Thinking that her daughter -had merely overslept herself, the good woman was loth to awaken her, -and it was not until, to her, a late hour, that she tapped at the -door of the bedroom. No answer. Mrs. Vale again rapped. Again, no -answer. She opened the door. A glance at the bed showed it to be -empty! - -That open window--the disordered state of the room--the mark of men’s -feet all around in the soft grass, told to the quick and trained -eye of the mother that a great sorrow had come upon her now. She -flew out--traced the tracks to the road, discovered the imprints of -the horses’ feet--marked their number and the direction they had -taken. Then retracing her steps she entered her home--now a prison to -her--for its light was fled. - -As we have already hinted, the Vales, if not rich, were at least well -off, and owned a couple of servants. One of these, a negro man, was -called. He hastened to answer the unusual summons, but a clattering -of hoofs caused her to look out upon the road. With an exclamation of -joy she beheld her son coming rapidly toward the house. - -Young Vale dashed up to the gate, and, hastily throwing the reins -over his horse’s neck, dismounted. Approaching his mother with an -air of respect, he tenderly embraced her, imprinting a kiss upon her -forehead. - -“My son,” said she, “you come at a moment of great disaster to us. -Had you not come at this moment, I would have sent for you, though it -be unsafe for you to be seen about your home.” - -Alarmed by the serious look of his mother, the young soldier -exclaimed: “Good heavens! what has happened?” - -“It may not be dreadful, but it is sad, indeed. _Your sister is -gone!_” - -“Gone!” shouted the trooper. “Not dead? How? when? where?” - -“Calm yourself, my son, she is not dead; at least, I do not think so. -She disappeared last night--was torn violently from her room.” - -“Disappeared! torn from her room! By whom? Say quickly!” he almost -shouted, while his eyes fairly flashed fire. - -“There is the mystery,” she said, pointing to the tracks in the -grass, and to the imprints of the horses’ feet in the dust of the -road before the gate. - -John beheld these evidences of the presence of men and horses. He -made a close scrutiny of every foot-print as if in them could be read -a history of every thing which had occurred on the previous night. He -then inspected the chamber room, the bed, the closet, the corners of -the room, all were closely searched. Under a chair which stood by the -bedside, he spied a small piece of white paper. He picked it up and -read: - - “All ready, as soon as you like. You can trust the woman for a - jailer as long as you _pay_ her, but no longer. - “JEM.” - -It was not calculated to throw any definite light on the subject. - -“Mother, whom do you suspect? There must be _some_ one who could be -reasonably supposed to have had a hand in this for it is plain she -has been abducted. She never left this of her own accord.” - -“Alas! my son, there is one whom I suspect, though I am loth to -mention his name. It is one whom I suspected to be a villain from the -time I first saw him.” - -“Who is it? No one whom I know? Speak!” - -“No, my son; it is one whose name, in all probability, you have never -heard. It is the British officer named Preston, who commands the -detachment which is stationed at the house of Mr. Tappan.” - -“Then you suspect this ‘foreign gentleman’ of having done this foul -thing? Tell me _why_, for, if you can make out a clear case, I will -shoot him like a dog the first time I meet him. Yes, shoot him even -if I have to lie in wait for him, by day and night.” - -The calm, desperate tone in which this was uttered, caused the widow -a shudder. Mrs. Vale seemed to be terrified, and raised her hand to -deprecate such a threat, while she continued the explanation which -had been interrupted. - -“Do not talk so of blood, John. Remember the divine command, -‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay it.’ If you can but rescue her from -the hands into which she has fallen, it will be sufficient for us -to rejoice at. These are my reasons for suspecting Preston:--Having -caught sight of Catherine when he stopped to search the house for -rebels, he renewed the visit through a pretense which, unfortunately, -was afforded him. Though he received little encouragement, again -and again he returned. A few days ago he was here, when Kate and he -had some conversation which did not appear to suit him, for he left -apparently in high dudgeon. Since then I have not seen him. Who else -could have caused the deed to be done I scarce can conjecture. That, -John, is all I have to tell. Do nothing rashly, for remember I speak -nothing with perfect confidence.” - -“Fear not but that I shall act with all prudence. I will search high -and low for her, but I will find her.” - -“Be careful lest you run your head into the lion’s jaws, and lest -your mother be compelled, instead of rejoicing to see a daughter -saved, to mourn that daughter lost, and a son sacrificed. But listen! -look to your safety, for I hear the tread of horsemen. Look to your -safety, if you would preserve your liberty.” - -Fortunately, the negro man was of quick wit. He perceived that his -presence would be unnecessary, but noticing that the bridle of John’s -horse was carelessly thrown over a post which was on the road, and -in full view of all passers-by, he--very considerately for the young -man--led the horse behind the house. When he returned to shake hands -with John--for this was the first time he had been at home since he -joined the brigade--and learned the momentous things on which his -master and mistress were talking, he stood stupefied. The noise on -the road recalled his wandering senses, and he told what disposition -he had made of his horse. John, contrary to commands of his mother, -refused to seek safety in flight, and preferred entering the house. - -Captain Reginald Preston, escorted by four dragoons, soon came in -view. - -At first sight, the captain seemed about to pass by; but, as if by a -second thought, he reined in his steed, dismounted and walked towards -Mrs. Vale with a cheerful smile on his face. - -“Ah! my dear Mrs. Vale,” said he, “I thought I would stop for a -moment to inquire after your health, and that of your charming -daughter.” - -The widow’s face grew frightfully pale as she responded: “My health -is but poor, and as for Catherine, she is gone, sir!” - -“Then it is done!” said Preston, speaking to himself; but, in so -unguarded a manner that one with a quick ear and eye could make out -the words. - -“What is this you tell me?” continued he. “Gone! What mean you by -that word? Has she died, eloped, or was she--_abducted_?” - -“She was stolen away, sir,” said the mother, speaking very sternly. -“Stolen away, but by whom I much wish to know. Can _you_ tell me who -it might be?” - -Reginald turned pale when this question was so directly put to him, -but he quickly responded in a light, heartless tone: “Indeed, madam, -I cannot. Were I but acquainted with such a secret it would indeed -kill me to keep it from you.” - -“Then let it kill you!” cried a voice deep with passion; the door -of the house, which had been ajar, was flung open, while on the -threshold, white with rage, stood John Vale. In either hand he held a -loaded pistol. - -Surprise, for the moment, held Preston motionless and speechless; -the sudden apparition completely unmanning him. Recovering, by a -great effort, his presence of mind, he turned to his men who had not -yet dismounted, and shouted: “Shoot him down! shoot the rebel down! -Forward, men, and--” - -As Reginald spoke, he drew his sword; but, whatever else he would -have told his comrades, was left unsaid--a ball from the pistol of -John Vale had done its work. The dragoons hastily snatching their -pistols from their bolsters, fired, but apparently without effect, -for the rebel disappeared again, closing the door behind him. The -stout oak door withstood the rush made against it by the four -soldiers, and it was some time before they ventured to enter by the -window. When, however, they did venture in, they found a window on -the opposite side of the room, thrown wide open, and beheld far over -the fields, a black steed bearing away, right gallantly, the young -avenger. - -Seeing pursuit was hopeless, the troopers deemed it necessary to go -to the assistance of their captain. - -They found him weltering in his blood, a ball having entered his -right arm near the shoulder, and another the left thigh some distance -above the knee joint. The supposition was, that Vale had fired both -pistols together, for but one explosion had been heard. - -Notwithstanding the wrongs which Mrs. Vale had good reason to suppose -she had received at the hands of this man, she had lifted his head -and was endeavoring to stanch the blood that flowed from the -shoulder. When the four men approached, she ordered them to carry -him into the house. They obeyed, and the man who merited so little -kindness, was laid on one of the widow’s softest beds. Neither of the -wounds was likely to prove fatal, and for this she was thankful. - -Seeing that the captain was comfortable, one of the men set off to -apprise his second officer of the affair, and learn what measures it -would be best to take under the circumstances. If it could possibly -be done, the captain should be removed from his present situation, -for the house of Mrs. Vale was not large enough to lodge the troop, -and if only part of it was left near the captain, an immediate attack -from Nat Ernshaw’s brigade could reasonably be expected. - -In an hour the man returned with the first lieutenant and twenty men. -They found Preston pale and weak from the loss of blood, but still -able to be moved, and Mrs. Vale was soon left in quiet possession of -her house. - -When Reginald returned to his quarters he was much exhausted, but, -by the next morning was recruited enough to write a long letter to -the commander at Charleston. The exact manner in which the wound -was received, he of course did not take pains to explain, for there -might have appeared that which would have set inquiries on foot -which the captain would rather not excite. He sought to create the -impression that John Vale was a cold-blooded assassin, who without -any provocation, fired upon his victim from an ambush. - -The answer to this letter was just such as had been wished for. On -the strength of his wound, another officer was sent to fill his -place, and Preston obtained permission to return to Charleston. Thus, -his scheme with regard to Catherine, was actually furthered by the -results of the assault of the young girl’s brother. - -It was still early in the morning. Nat Ernshaw was standing alone -under the shade of a cedar-tree, thinking of his absent friend and -the sister who now was the star of light to the soul of the brave -patriot. From this reverie he was aroused by the sharp, peremptory -challenge of the sentinel posted at the outskirts of the swamp. - -“Friend!” shouted the horseman, and, without slackening his pace, he -dashed over the narrow neck of safe ground directly towards the spot -where Ernshaw was standing. - -Nat recognized his friend, and exclaimed: “Good heavens! What brings -you here so soon?” - -“The British are at our house, and my sister has disappeared--was -stolen away last night by three mounted men, who carried her away by -the road which leads to Charleston.” - -“Stolen away! Catherine gone! O God! is this so?” The captain was too -startled at the news, and big tears burst from his eyes. He quickly, -however, controlled his feelings, and then his flushed face and quick -words showed that the man within him was ready for action. “Have they -left no traces behind by which they may be recognized?” - -“None but this;” and John showed the note which he had picked up in -his sister’s room. - -“You have suspicions, though?” - -“Yes; and well-grounded ones, too. The man whom I suspect--whom my -mother suspects--is a captain in the British army. He came into my -presence this morning, and I shot him down, as I would have shot a -dog.” - -“If _he_ had a hand in the abduction, she must not be far distant, -for he could not make his reappearance so suddenly.” - -“He probably was not present when the deed was done; but that it was -planned by him, and executed _for_ him, I can have but little doubt. -No one else had any motive for such an act. Alas, Nathaniel! my -sister is even now in Charleston, I have every reason to fear.” - -“Be calm, John. If you have killed the fellow, the chances are -that Kate will be set at liberty, as no excuse could offer for her -retention in Charleston.” - -“Unfortunately I am not sure that the villain is dead, or even -mortally wounded. I fired in a hurry, and so great was my agitation I -much fear I have missed mortally wounding him.” - -“But, what can we do? If Catherine has been carried to Charleston, we -can do but little to effect her rescue. It would be almost certain -death to risk ourselves within the limits of the city.” - -“And yet it must be done,” said Vale in a firm tone. - -“Yes! you are right. One of us _must_ enter Charleston; and though -the risk is terrible, it may be that we can enter unobserved. After -once being fairly housed, there will be but little danger of arrest.” - -“One thing, Ernshaw, I have not yet mentioned; I believe that Turner -had a hand in this deed. It is only another sin added to his long -list of sins, and the first time we or any other true patriot chances -to meet him, unless he can purchase his life by revealing some secret -which may be of importance to us, he should be strung up without -judge or jury.” - -“You are right. The villain has always hated me, and since Kate’s -refusal of him he has been heard to vow vengeance even against -her:--so she has informed me.” - -“I am only afraid that your conjecture is but too true. Should I meet -him, the wretch shall receive the reward due him for his misdeeds. -But about the expedition into Charleston? Would it not be better for -both of us to go? In any kind of adventure two are better than one, -and you may wish for my assistance should you set out alone.” - -“Impossible. One of us must remain with the men. Besides, if we go -together the chances are, should either be captured, the other would -share the same fate.” - -“And what would be more agreeable, John, for us, who as friends, have -always lived together, to die together?” - -“You may say that, Nat, but I think it would be a great deal more -pleasant for us both to live than both to die. Is it not so?” - -“Of course.” - -“Then only one of us will go, and that one, of course, will be me.” - -“And why?” - -“Because; if I am captured you will still be at liberty, and through -your exertions I will be enabled to effect my escape.” - -“I see now;” said the patriot captain; “and I feel free to -acknowledge that you are right. Of course you, as Catherine’s -brother, must be the one to go. What steps are taken, must be -immediate. I would advise you to prepare for the undertaking in an -hour, and Heaven grant that you prosper!” - -Was it an echo that repeated the words: “Heaven _will_ grant that you -prosper?” As Vale turned away, Nat heard them as plainly as he had -heard his own. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - AN UNWELCOME RECOGNITION. - - -Young Vale was a man of strong will. Sorrow and rage at his sister’s -disappearance did not blind his reason. Knowing that he must take -care of his own safety, if he would do aught for her’s, all his -actions were governed with the utmost prudence. - -As there were numerous tories, well acquainted with him, residing in -the city, he did not deem it prudent to venture in without a disguise -sufficiently impenetrable to deceive all prying eyes. The disguise -was effected in a satisfactory manner: his own mother would have -looked twice before she recognized in the clodhopper, wending his way -along the road, her own good-looking son. - -It was sundown when the queer-looking figure of the patriot might -have been seen wending its way along a rather deserted-looking -street, looking to the right and left in a staring, half-silly sort -of manner, so natural to those who, totally uneducated either in -heart or mind, look upon some strange scene for the first time. - -Three or four soldiers, in red uniforms, came staggering down the -street, evidently just from a visit to a tippling-house. These the -youth carefully avoided by giving them the sidewalk and himself -taking the street. A loud laugh was raised as they passed, for there -was something truly ludicrous about the countryman; and he joined -in the laugh as though not perceiving it was against himself. After -having passed the soldiers, the sidewalk was regained and the lonely -march continued. - -A stop was finally made before a small building which our readers -will hardly be surprised to learn was inhabited by the family -of Simon Hunt, the blacksmith, who had, on two occasions, sent -to Ernshaw and his men most important intelligence. It being so -near dark, the blacksmith himself was at home, and answered the -knock which came thundering against his door. The person whom he -perceived to be standing on the steps was perfectly unknown to him; -nevertheless he bid him enter. - -When the two entered the room, Simon turned, and, by the light of a -candle, surveyed the other with a long and scrutinizing look. The -countenance somehow seemed familiar, but it was only after hearing -him speak that the worthy smith was able to say, “Your name is Vale, -is it not?” - -“Right, sir--my name is Vale; and yours, I believe, is Simon Hunt?” - -“It is.” - -“Then allow me, before proceeding any further, to thank you for the -services you have done to Ernshaw and his men, as well as to the holy -cause of liberty.” - -“Never mind about them; I have done nothing which I wouldn’t wish -to do again; and you had better thank another one whose name I can -not tell you, but who was the person that furnished me with all the -information that I have had.” - -“Well, Mr. Hunt, to whoever the thanks are due, to him or them, let -them be earnestly given. It was not for this I came here, disguised -in this dress; and, though any assistance which you can render me -will be but small, still, little as it may be, I shall feel thankful -for it.” - -“I am with you,” said Hunt, decisively. - -Vale told the story of the outrage briefly. It stirred the soul of -the blacksmith deeply, and his lips were not slow in uttering his -sentiments. He asked to share John’s search, and to be permitted the -privilege of avenging her wrongs. The only service which was now -required was to endeavor to find some traces of Catherine; and, in -case any thing went wrong with Vale, to send immediate intelligence -of it to Nat Ernshaw. - -“Now that we understand each other,” finally interposed Hunt, “I -suppose that you will stop at my house, for the present, at least.” - -“Under other circumstances, I would be happy to do so,” responded -Vale; “but, at present, it would not be prudent. If any thing evil -should chance to befall me, you might be placed in a bad predicament.” - -“Pooh! never mind that. If any one should inquire about you, why, we -will call you my wife’s cousin; and I defy any one to recognize you -under _that_ disguise.” - -“There is another reason why I should not accept your hospitality, -and that is this: I have already engaged lodging at a rather -obscure-looking inn, and, having paid a week in advance, for the -landlord did not seem inclined to trust me with lodging before seeing -the color of my money. If I should not make my reappearance, it might -excite suspicion and cause inquiry to be made. Of course, that is the -last thing I would have to happen.” - -“Perhaps it will be better; but remember that you are welcome to -count on me for _any_ assistance, or to use my house as your home -during your stay in the city. We are fellow-workers for freedom and -the right, and that gives you a full claim to my sympathy.” - -“You will, doubtless, soon see me; meanwhile be on the alert to catch -any loose information which may be within reach. If, at any time, -you wish to communicate with me, you will find me at the ‘Traveler’s -Home,’ kept by Jim Fagan.” - -These were John Vale’s last words; and half an hour later found him -sitting in the front room at Fagan’s. - -Notwithstanding the smallness of his hotel, Fagan seemed to do a -good business, and it kept the red-headed boy at the bar busily -engaged to satisfy the wants of the numerous applicants for his -villainous beverages. Vale, still in disguise, sat in a corner, never -speaking, but carefully noting all that was said or done around him. -Some of those who were sitting by cast a glance of inquiry at the -queer-looking figure, but they evidently had no suspicion of his real -character, only wondering what brought him into Fagan’s place. The -“Traveler’s Home” was a quiet enough house in the daytime, and even -at night a stranger was in no danger of being insulted or maltreated -within its precincts; but the men who frequented it after nightfall -were of rather doubtful, if not of desperate character, and it was -not without the repute of being no better than a gambling-den. Vale -knew nothing of the character of the place when he first secured -lodgings there. - -He was destined to learn much of the place and its “patrons” before -he again entered the confines of Cedar Swamp. - -The crowd kept growing larger and larger, until the space in front -of the bar was quite filled with men, young and old--all drinking, -talking, and smoking. Fagan stood at one end of the bar, occasionally -assisting his red-haired and masculine Hebe, but keeping a watchful -eye in his head to see that his property was neither injured nor -improperly confiscated. As he had, several times, subjected Vale to -a close scrutiny, the rebel had thought it best to endeavor to allay -any lurking suspicion which the tavern-keeper might have, and so he -staggered up to the bar and called for a glass of beer. - -This being finished, the young man lit a pipe and vigorously puffed -away at it. Whatever Fagan might have thought before, after seeing -this performance of Vale’s, all suspicion was allayed, and his grim -countenance relaxed with a smile. - -Hardly had Vale taken his seat, when, from among the crowd, a -man elbowed his way to the bar where Jim stood. Leaning over, he -addressed the landlord in a tone too low for John to hear the -question, but the answer, incautiously given in a rather loud tone, -sent a thrill to the heart of the honest patriot. - -“You know, Harry,” said Fagan, “that Turner has hired the place for a -couple of weeks, and I guess it would be better to let any thing of -the kind alone for the present.” - -“All right!” responded Harry. “Some of the boys were speaking about -it, and I gave ’em the same answer you gave me, without mentioning -Turner’s name; but, to make the thing sure, I thought I’d speak with -you about the matter.” - -“There’s no harm done by your speaking; but, if it’s necessary, we -can enter by the garden-way without troubling the other part of the -house. Have you heard from Bob yet, about how he’s getting along?” - -“Nary word.” - -After this laconic answer, “Harry” disappeared in the crowd, leaving -Jim to attend to his customers. John Vale was strongly excited by -what he had just overheard. That Captain Preston had used Turner as -an instrument with which to abduct Catherine, was not doubted--the -conversation between Fagan and “Harry” had set him on the trail; and -the point now was to find out of what house they had been speaking. -He did not anticipate much difficulty in doing that; and when once he -lit upon the spot, Vale thought it would go hard with him if he could -not, by hook or crook, manage to discover if Catherine was there -hidden, and to rescue her from the clutches of the ruffians who had -abducted her. - -The hours passed slowly, until it came to ten o’clock. John was -earnestly considering about the best means of leaving his corner, -crossing the room, and making his exit from the opposite door without -running against any one who might chance to take advantage of his -seeming simplicity to annoy him. Though in a good humor, the crowd -seemed to be well primed with liquor, and it would take but little -to involve the whole roomful in a general row. After half rising to -his feet, he sank back again into his seat. Words of altercation -attracted his attention. A big, rough-looking man was saying -something in an angry tone to some one concealed from the eyes of -Vale by the crowd. Curiosity impelled the young man to take his stand -upon a bench in order that he might get a glimpse of the man who -was being berated. What was his surprise to recognize the cat-like -countenance of Timothy Turner. That worthy did not seem in the least -troubled by the invectives hurled against him, but waited quietly -until the large man had concluded. Then raising his hand and making a -peculiar sign with his forefinger, he remarked: - -“Keep cool, Bob Wynstay. If I shoved against your sore arm, you ought -to be thankful I don’t tell how it got hurt.” - -The sign which the tory made seemed to have a remarkably sedative -effect upon the big man, and he only answered: - -“What the---- do you run against a fellow that way for? Aren’t it bad -enough to have a broken arm, without having it punched by every one -that chooses to elbow me about?” - -“A man with a broken arm ought to keep out of a crowd, and then he -wouldn’t get it hurt,” responded Turner. - -The crowd made way for him--he seemed to be well known to those -around him--and Turner passed on, casting a quick glance around -him. For an instant his eye rested on John Vale’s face, and the -gaze, quick and keen, filled the heart of the disguised patriot with -apprehension. Whether or not he was recognized, Vale could scarce -tell; but he felt that it would be well to make his exit as soon as -possible. Turner, though a traitor, and, at heart, a coward, was a -man of great caution and was possessed of extraordinary perception. -Knowing the hatred the fellow felt for him, John could but think that -his destruction would be certain, surrounded as he was by enemies, if -the tory should recognize him. - -Fagan and the new-comer had a few words of conversation, and the -landlord left the room, but almost immediately returned, followed by -Tom Blanchard and several soldiers who had been playing cards in a -back room. Pointing at Vale, Turner said, in a loud voice: “Secure -your man! I accuse him of being a rebel, and of entering this place -as a spy.” - -The three soldiers made a rush forward. Vale drew a brace of pistols. - -“He is a dead man who attempts to lay hands on me!” - -“Take him, I say!” shouted Tim. - -“Dastard! I defy _you_!” now shouted John, who rose to his utmost -height and looked as if one word more would precipitate him upon the -treacherous scoundrel. - -“Yes! because I am unarmed, I suppose,” the tory whispered. - -“A coward and traitor always seeks for some excuse for his baseness!” -said Vale. - -“He is a spy, for he calls me traitor. Soldiers, you are armed--will -you take him, or shall he be allowed to escape? I have reason to fear -he is not alone on these premises. Off to the guard-house with him, -quick!” said Tim, white with rage and fear. - -Two soldiers stepped forward to seize him. Two pistols flashed in -their faces, and the men fell back, wounded and stunned. - -In an instant a half-dozen men were on the patriot, and, bearing him -to the floor, secured him after a struggle which proved how great was -the strength and will of the young boy. - -In the _melee_, Turner escaped; and when John arose to his feet, with -his arms bound behind him, his eyes sought in vain for the traitor. - -“Your friend ’as concluded to ’elp hus,” remarked Blanchard, rather -humorously inclined, “by making tracks for the lines. The ’ole -garrison will soon be here; so come along young chap, hand we’ll -show you the hinterior of has good a bake-hoven as you hever grinned -hover.” - -And amid the laughs and jeers of the crowd, John was forced away to -the guard cells. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE CAPTOR AND THE CAPTIVE. - - -Two days have passed since Catherine was made a prisoner. She has -seen no one but the old negress. Her room was only lighted by a lamp, -every ray of the sun having been carefully shut out. Several times -she had thought of attempting to overpower the negress, but, though -old, that personage promised no easy victory; and then, though no -other person had entered the room, yet the steps of some one were -always heard accompanying the colored woman on her journey up the -stairs. If Kate should even be successful in the attempt to overpower -the negress, she knew not whom she might meet in her flight from the -room. Environed by guards, her only resource was to place herself in -the hands of Providence and await the end. - -Seated by the table, her head resting upon her arms, her mind -absorbed in its own misery, Kate scarce heard the noise made by the -opening of her door. The sharp click of the bolt as it was shot back -to its place by the turning of the key, however, startled her; and -when her eyes, all red and swollen from weeping, were raised, they -fell upon the form of a man, standing by the door with the key in his -hand. At the first glance she did not recognize him, for he was clad -in a long cloak, while his hat was drawn down over his eyes; but, -when he threw back his cloak, and removed his hat, she exclaimed, in -the agony of her surprise, “Captain Preston!” - -“Yes, I am he,” said Reginald, taking a seat. “Reginald Preston, at -your service, Miss Vale; one who has loved you does now, and always -will.” - -Perhaps there was something of mockery in his tone as the officer -spoke of love; for, at his words, Catherine grew pale, and visibly -trembled--her courage, for the moment, gone. - -“Do you then guess,” said Preston, seeing that Catherine would not or -could not speak, “who it is that has shown himself so solicitous for -your welfare? Foolish girl! you reject my offers and think you can -toss me off as a child’s plaything; but you shall find me one _not_ -to be thwarted.” - -A sob was the only answer. Such a sob! It went to the heart even of -that unfeeling profligate. Tears sometimes effect what a world in -arms could never accomplish. The heart of the British captain was -moved--he had not expected tears. But it was only for a moment; then -the old flood of passion rushed over him again, and the good angel -of pity was driven scornfully away. He grew haughty and bade her be -silent. Then burst forth: “Girl, better for you to have died than to -have done as you have. Wantoning in beauty as you are, you have led -me on till I made a fool of myself--till I was mad enough to actually -dream of allying myself to one so far beneath me in rank; then, -curses on it, you tell me to leave you, that I can never be beloved, -casting me aside with as little ceremony as if I had been an old -garment. Now hear me! Mine you are, body and soul. Mine till, tired -of you, I throw you aside as recklessly as a worn-out coat. Weep over -it. Shed bitter tears; but so it is, and no spark of pity shall show -itself. As you had no pity on me, thus it shall be returned; and that -tenfold, my country beauty.” - -In the man hissing out these sentences, it would have been difficult -to recognize the one who had whispered so many soft words in woman’s -ear--who seemed, to the casual observer, to be the true gentleman, -well-bred and courteous at the heart. He had spoken too much, -however. All the trepidation in the heart of the girl was now gone; -the true woman had come back to her, and she was now daring enough to -encounter a dozen such wretches. - -“You tell, sir, what is untrue, when you insinuate that I ever did -ought to inspire you with a passion for me. From the first moment -I saw you, I feared you, and my forebodings have only proved too -true. Urged on by your own perverse passion, you have sought to bend -me to your will; but, being foiled when you used fair means, you -have descended to foul. But here, as before, you shall not succeed. -If needs be, I can die; but, sir, dread the avenging of that death! -Whether I go from here alive or not, I tell you I hate and defy you!” - -Maddened with anger, Reginald strode forward as though about to -strike her. With a quick spring Kate reached the table, and seizing a -heavy pitcher, she collectedly waited for him to attempt his worst. -This action served to restrain Preston. His arm had not yet recovered -from the wound received at the hands of John Vale, and was supported -in a sling. - -“That proud spirit of yours _shall_ bend, and the fire that sparkles -in your eye _shall_ dim, ere many days have flown. For the present -rest undisturbed, and while you have time, think whether it be not -better to conciliate than to defy.” - -He turned away, unlocked the door, and removed his hateful presence -from Catherine’s sight. - -“By heavens!” he muttered, as he gained the passage; “it were better -for me not to attempt a passage-at-arms till this arm of mine gets -stronger. I believe she would as soon scatter my brains with that -pitcher as wring the neck of a young chicken. Chicken! bah! I’m more -than half one, myself, to let her rant on as she did, and then run -away for fear of doing something worthy of future repentance! When -I should be cool I get into the very white-heat of passion; and if -there was any thing to be gained in becoming so, I would be cold as -an iceberg! A man has to study hard before he can become a match for -a woman’s tongue and fingers.” - -A walk of some distance brought the gallant captain to the quarters -of the commander-in-chief. Although it was late for a visit, yet as -Sir Henry had expressed a desire for an interview, Preston thought it -best not to stand on ceremony. Accordingly he knocked at the door, -and was admitted by Sir Henry’s black servant, Sampson. He found the -general engaged in reading and answering a number of letters. - -After salutations and the captain had taken a seat, General -Clinton remarked, at the same time picking up a letter, “Well, -Captain Preston, I am afraid that your return to England is indeed -indefinitely postponed.” - -“Then our fears are realized?” - -“Do not say _our_ fears, for, to tell the truth, I had not much doubt -when I received the first intelligence. Of course, under your present -circumstances, you will hardly think of leaving the army, and by -letters that I received yesterday, the question as to who are the -heirs is completely settled. I have interested myself in this matter -as feeling an interest in you, on account of the friendship I bore -your father. I did not wish to speak too confidently at first, but, -well acquainted as I was with your genealogy, I felt assured that in -case any of the Vales were living, they were the heirs.” - -“It is bad enough, but the reverse of fortune must be as bravely -borne as a defeat. I shall beat a retreat in good order, sir. One -thing is certain, though, and that is that Smith, Jones, and the rest -of the firm, will have to wait for the repayment of the little loan -of a hundred-pound note which they were so kind as to offer me--and -which, of course, I accepted. Perhaps next time they will not be -quite so eager after clients.” - -“They should have been more careful how they excited hopes which were -not to be gratified. But something may turn up in your favor before -the close of the war. Read that letter, and you will have a clearer -view of the case, perhaps.” - -Reginald seized the letter that was tossed to him, and gave it an -attentive perusal. After he had finished he did not speak for some -time; what he had read gave him much food for meditation. His moral -sense having been blunted by the life which he had for years been -leading, crimes which, even a few months ago, would have appeared -most black, now suggested themselves most naturally to his mind; and -great as was the wrong which he had perpetrated upon the family of -his relations, the Vales, he was laying the plot for another every -way as foul. Could Sir Henry have looked into the soul of the man -who sat beside him, he would have loathed his very sight. Perhaps -it is for some wise purpose that villains stalk through the world, -unpublished and unpunished. Divinity uses strange means to work its -ends, and the mystery of sin is the mystery of Him who made us. As, -from the principle of sin arose the need of redemption for man, -mayhap from the success which sometimes waits on evil thinkers and -doers, some principle as vastly grand and important is about to be -established. - -“I see,” said Preston, at length, “no hopes left for me to hang on, -after perusing _that_ letter. No doubt but that the money goes to the -Vales. The fact of the young man being engaged in rebellion can make -no difference; this is a case in which, for the present at least, -confiscation would be of no avail. Such has always been my fortune: -hopes raised to be dashed down, anticipations indulged which can -never be realized.” - -What answer the general would have made must be surmised, for he -was interrupted by the announcement of Sampson, that Timothy Turner -demanded audience. - -As the tory entered, he made a low bow to the commander, and then, -noticing with a start and a smile the presence of Captain Preston, he -bowed to that worthy. - -“For what, Mr. Turner, are we indebted to your presence at this -rather unseasonable hour?” queried Sir Henry in a tone which implied -severity of feeling. - -“Why, to come to the point without waste of words, a young man by -the name of Vale, a deep-dyed rebel, has been apprehended within -the limits of the city, dressed in disguise, and there being some -difficulty to decide what should be done with him, I made bold to -come to you to state the case, and ask your commands with regard to -him.” - -A smile of satisfaction played upon the captain’s face as he heard -this. The sister he had in his hands, the brother was as good as -dead, and all that was requisite now was to prosecute vigorously the -attack; the fortune which seemed to have oozed from his fingers would -again soon be within his grasp! - -General Clinton’s countenance, on the contrary, betrayed an emotion -of pain. But he continued his interrogatories: “Are you certain that -he is a rebel?” - -“No doubt concerning that. He drew a brace of pistols and dangerously -wounded two men before we could manage to effect his capture. He is -safe enough now, but had he held a sword in his hand, I believe he -would have defeated our whole party.” - -“Well, I will send an officer to attend to the matter, and meanwhile -receive the thanks of the king for having so assiduously aided his -cause.” - -To stay longer would have been useless; so Turner departed, -revolving the pleasing thought in his mind that the harvest of -revenge was about to be reaped, and the family of the rebel made to -feel the enmity which he had so long cherished against them. - -After Turner, at intervals, followed two others. The first Preston, -who turned his footsteps toward his lodgings, seeking quiet that he -might think over the various events which had occurred that day. The -second, Sampson, the patriotic servant of the commander, who played -the spy at the risk of his life. His footsteps were turned toward the -dwelling of Simon Hunt, and his mission to inform that honest-hearted -man of the danger to which John Vale was exposed. Through the -darkness of the night, through dark and unfrequented streets, he -glided as silently as a shadow, until, at length, he reached the -house of the blacksmith. - -Although Simon was buried in sleep, the signal of Sampson awakened -him, and without hesitation the negro was admitted. When he heard of -the capture of the young man who but a few hours before had stood -under that very roof, he did not seem surprised, but replied: “A -great pity. I was afraid it would turn out so, though he was so well -disguised. According to his request I will have to send word some way -or other to Nat Ernshaw.” - -“Dey keep him berry tight, an’ I ’fraid Masser Vale be done gone dis -time,” said Sampson. - -“Not if firm friends, stout hearts, and strong arms can get him away. -But I must get word to Ernshaw before to-morrow noon, or he may come -too late.” - -“Now I got somethin’ else to tell you,” responded the negro: and for -half an hour the two continued the conversation. At the end of that -time they parted, one to hasten home, the other to hasten the news of -John’s capture to Ernshaw. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - IN PERILOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. - - -Young Simon Hunt by this time, must be admitted, ought to have some -knowledge of the roads leading from the outskirts of Charleston -to Cedar Swamp and its environs, inasmuch as he had twice already -traversed them for the sake of his country’s welfare; and old Simon, -remembering the adage that, “The pitcher may go to the well once too -often,” had some misgivings as to the result. As he had no other -messenger in whom he could place implicit confidence, he finally -concluded again to send his tried boy--a son worthy of his brave -sire. It was by no means a safe business, this carrying messages from -Charleston to a band of rebels; and once caught at it, there was -little doubt in the mind of Hunt but that the boy, young as he was, -would be speedily strung up as a warning to all who, in the future, -might feel inclined to attempt to become post-riders with news for an -enemy. - -Young Simon Hunt threw the saddle upon the back of the good roan, and -having partaken of a substantial breakfast, was ready to start full -an hour before sunrise. - -Twice on his journey was he intercepted by those whom he had reason -to dread. Once, when but a few miles from Charleston, by a troop of -British soldiers; once again, when nearer his goal, by three tories, -who stopped him to endeavor to obtain some information as to what -was going on in the city. Each time, by his boyish assurance, he was -enabled to slip through their fingers; and, safe in body and limb, he -reached the outposts of Nathaniel Ernshaw’s fortified camp. - -It was with no pleasurable emotion that the patriot captain saw the -messenger arrive; and even before the tale was told, he guessed what -had brought the boy from the city. When he found that his fears were -all verified, he was not long in determining how to assist Vale in -the perilous strait in which he was placed. - -“I will effect his rescue even though I have to make an attack on -Charleston with the men I have around me,” said Nat. “I will be in -the city to-night.” - - * * * * * - -When morning came, and Sir Henry Clinton had arisen, his first -thought was of the young man who, the night before, had been captured -as a spy. Accordingly, after breakfast, he had him brought up from -the guard cells for examination. - -When the stalwart young man made his appearance before the general, -that worthy gazed upon him with a look of curiosity. John was still -dressed in his disguise, and his clothing evinced marks of a recent -struggle. A cut over the right eyebrow, with the blood congealed -thereon, showed that he had not yielded himself willingly as a -prisoner, and had only given in at the last moment. - -“I understand that, having come into the city in disguise, you have -been apprehended as a spy.” - -To this salutation Vale merely responded, “So it appears.” - -“Your name, I believe, is Vale; and you are one of those rebels who -are engaged in resisting the laws of the land, in endeavoring to -overthrow the legally appointed government, to the great injury of -the king and all his peaceably disposed subjects. As a rebel, you -were deserving of death by the rope, and being captured acting as a -spy, you will most certainly receive your deserts.” - -Vale kept silent for a moment, as though desirous of hearing the -British officer to an end; but finding that some reply was expected, -he answered: “As for being a rebel, you and I differ as to what -is the true meaning of the word; but this much I can say: I did -not enter Charleston as a spy, but on my own private and peculiar -business, which could neither be deferred, nor delegated to another. -I came for no hostile purpose, and if I hang, a _dozen_ Britons will -keep me company.” - -“Indeed! And may we ask how that can be? As you are bold enough -to threaten, perhaps you can explain how those threats are to be -accomplished.” - -“I can, and that to your satisfaction. When a company of dragoons was -sent out to capture a number of patriots who were to meet together -for the purpose of forming a patriot brigade, the majority of them -met with a sudden death. Some twelve or fourteen of them were spared, -however, and my execution will be the signal for theirs.” - -This answer, given so calmly, took the commander all aback. He could -scarcely doubt Vale, for the American spoke with the accent of truth. -His contemplated course of action accordingly was changed; Vale was -permitted to live for a while at least, and the prisoner was remanded -to his place of confinement, while Clinton should make up his mind as -to what should be done with him. - -The afternoon had worn well on, and John was sitting in his cell, -cursing the fate that condemned him to this confinement, when -he should be searching high and low for his missing sister. His -cogitations were at length broken in upon by the opening of the door, -and the keeper entered, followed by Simon Hunt. - -“I’ve brought your brother-in-law here to see you, and give you half -an hour for talking; so, whatever business you have, get done with it -in a hurry, for it’s the last time you’ll meet, I’m a thinking.” - -Thus spoke the jailer, and, departing, he slammed the door behind -him, leaving the two alone together. - -“This is kind,” said John, “coming to see me; but how did you effect -an entrance here? Will you not excite suspicion in the minds of the -British?” - -“Never fear for that. I am pretty well known as a most devoted -subject to the king, and were it not that my trade is useful to -them, before this I should, doubtless, have been enrolled among the -ranks of his supporters. As a relation of your wife’s, I persuaded -the jailer to admit me. He and I are friends, by the way, and all is -right in _that_ quarter.” - -“I suppose, of course, you have some object in this visit?” -interrupted Vale, “and whatever it is, it had best be spoken of -immediately, for I understood the jailer to say that you had but half -an hour.” - -“What could my object be but to speak of your release from this -imprisonment? There is no question about it; if you are left here two -days, your death is _certain_. I heard of the answer that you made to -Gen. Clinton this morning, and that answer alone preserved your life -through the day. Unless we do something to prevent it, day after -to-morrow would scarce see you among the living.” - -“But what is to be done? Can you effect my rescue from this place? -I have thought of nothing but escape all day, but have hit upon -no feasible plan as yet. They have even ironed me so that I can -not reach the window, and, if I could, those stout iron bars would -prevent my exit.” - -“Supposing they would iron you, I took the liberty to bring you -instruments with which you could effect the removal of the fetters, -and work away at those iron bars which appear to be so great an -impediment to your progress to freedom. Of course you know what -_caution_ means? and I advise you to use it. Wait till the jailer -comes at nine o’clock before you work off the irons. After his visit, -you will have plenty of time, and when the hour of three arrives, you -may expect me on the outside with a ladder and saw, and, with what -you may already have done, I think it will go hard if you are not off -and away before sunrise.” - -John Vale took the file and the little saw which the blacksmith gave -him. His face brightened up instantly, and hope nerved him to action -again. - -“Have you concealment provided for me after I make my exit? There -will be a hot search for me, I can tell you. I fear Gen. Clinton less -by far than I do the vindictive search that the tory Turner will -make.” - -“If Cedar Swamp will do for a place of concealment, then I think -there is one provided for you, impenetrable enough.” - -“Not so!” responded Vale. “You know that I came to this city for a -_purpose_, and, until that purpose has been accomplished, I will -_not_ leave this place! My sister, if she be in Charleston, must -first be found.” - -“Catherine shall be found. I have a spy engaged in searching for her, -and, unless our eyes have been greatly mistaken, we can even now walk -right to where she is confined.” - -“You are indeed my friend,” cried Vale, grasping the rough hand of -the blacksmith. “Heaven bless you for the concern which you take for -one, a total stranger to you!” - -“Never think of that, man; you would do the same for any other true -patriot that should chance to be in distress. Remember, then, that -you are not to use your instruments until the jailer has gone around -for his nightly inspection, and that, at three o’clock in the morning -I will be near you. One thing I forgot to tell you--I sent word to -Nat Ernshaw concerning the position in which you were placed, and I -should not be surprised if his brigade would, some time before this, -have set out toward Charleston. But I hear steps coming down the -passage--I suppose my time is up. Good-by, till to-night. Keep a good -heart, and you yet can snap your fingers to your heart’s content at -Gen. Clinton and Timothy Turner.” - -The door opened; the jailer made his appearance, crying, “Time’s -up!” Accordingly Hunt took leave of his pretended brother-in-law, -and followed the man from the cell, chatting all the while very -familiarly with him. - -It was near ten o’clock, and Simon Hunt was making up a bundle of -those things which he would be likely to want. He all the while -hummed to himself snatches of a song much in vogue with the rebel -partisans of that day. - - “At Bunker Hill we met the foe, - To spoil their calculation; - We knock’d the British to and fro, - And lick’d ’em like tarnation.” - -Thus the brave-hearted smith was humming, when there came a knocking -on the door. Immediately he put an end to his song, and bundled away -his things in a great hurry. Opening his door, he saw Nat Ernshaw -before him. Hunt, surprised, said not a word, but drew him into the -house, carefully closing the door and securely fastening it. He then -said, rather sternly, “I think, Mr. Ernshaw, that you have acted very -rashly in entering Charleston. Your presence here could have been -dispensed with, and I only sent you the message with regard to the -capture of Mr. Vale, in order that you might be prepared to act with -me, as I should hereafter determine.” - -“I know all that,” answered Nat, “but I preferred running the risk -and seeing that no stone was left unturned to secure the escape of my -friend. According to your wish, my men will be at the designated spot -at four o’clock to-morrow morning, and will remain there for about -two hours. I would sooner, though, that they could have time to get -further away from the city under cover of darkness.” - -“I would have liked it well enough myself, for I am opposed to -running any useless risk; but, to be of any service, they must be -there at that time and at no other. The rescue of your friend must be -accomplished _to-night_, for it will be too late to-morrow to think -of it. But you must stand in need of some refreshment after your -journey. Our larder is not overstocked with delicacies, but of plain -fare there is a sufficiency.” - -“I am, to tell the truth, in need of some nourishment, for I have -taken little since morning; but I can not rest until my mind is eased -on several points. You know, or rather I suppose you know, that -John’s sister’s disappearance was what led him into the city; and I -would ask whether he has had any intelligence as to her whereabouts?” - -“Make yourself easy on that point,” answered Hunt. “She is safe as -yet, and this night, if the fates are propitious, you shall see them -both.” - -“Then I am satisfied,” said Nat, drawing a great sigh of relief, -while he looked his gratitude to Hunt. - -The blacksmith’s good, willing wife set out a plain repast for -Ernshaw. He did ample justice to it, for he was fairly faint from -hunger and weariness. - -When Ernshaw had finished his meal, Simon resumed the conversation, -saying, “The business upon which we will be engaged this night will -be dangerous enough; and of the two things which are to be done, I -can scarce tell which is the more so--to rescue John Vale from his -prison, garrisoned as it is by British soldiers; or to rescue his -sister from Jim Fagan’s cottage, garrisoned by any forces which Capt. -Preston may have chosen to throw into it. You can have your choice -which of the two _you_ will attempt.” - -“In all things I will be governed by you, though, if I were to -choose, I would let you see to John, while I might be permitted the -_privilege_ of bearing away his sister. But you speak confidently, as -though your plans were well matured, and there could be no failure. -Let me into the secret of your plan of procedure, for I am, as yet, -in the dark, and there does not appear to be over much time left for -us to do our work in.” - -“My plans are simple enough, and need no explanation. It will take -but a few minutes for you to learn them.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - FOILED. - - -A fortunate chance seemed about to do for Preston, that which he had -been deliberating about, and hesitating whether or no he should have -it done. John Vale, having crossed the line of the enemy in disguise, -was, according to the laws of war, a spy; and spies, when captured, -are always hung. So reasoned Captain Reginald, and his satisfaction -was intense. The family which stood between him and a competency -would now disappear, sure enough. - -The night had worn far on when Reginald, tossing aside the papers -on which he had been engaged, for the moment resigned himself to -his thoughts. “Let me see,” he discoursed to himself; “I must get a -glimpse of my little beauty to-night, and see whether or no she will -be reasonable. I must keep my temper, though, for it was a shame -the way I went off into a passion the last time I saw her. One such -exhibition will do more damage than a week’s bowing and kisses, and -soft whispers, can well repair. I wish my arm was full strong again, -for I am more than half afraid to enter single armed into a contest -with a mad woman, armed with a heavy water-pitcher! Heavens! What a -picture she made! I think I see her now, with her eyes flashing, and -her arm thrown back, and I--ha! ha!--well! I adopted as a motto the -old proverb that ‘discretion is the better part of valor,’ and let -her alone. Here goes, then, for another visit to my rebel beauty. The -hour is so late I wonder if she will be awaiting my coming?” Throwing -on his cloak, he issued from his door and trod along the streets -which led to Fagan’s cottage. - -The night could scarce have been better suited to Hunt and his -friends. Without raining, the heavy clouds lay in dense banks over -the heavens, and it was but occasionally that a star could be seen -to twinkle. The heavens were indeed propitious; and the lonely, -unfrequented streets were unusually dreary and deserted. - -As, however, Preston turned a corner, he thought he heard footsteps -coming up the street which he had just passed. Peering anxiously -behind he could just make out the figures of two men. They seemed to -be conversing in whispers, for they leaned closely together. Preston -could not hear what they said, and was glad to see them keep on their -way up the street without interfering with him. - -Waiting until the noise of their footsteps had fully died away, -Reginald again pursued his lonely journey, nor stopped until he -reached its end. Entering the cottage by means of a key which he -carried with him, he closed the door carefully and relocked it; then -mounted the stairs. - -Soon the sounds of another’s footsteps were heard approaching the -house and Nat Ernshaw, guided by a son of Simon Hunt’s, appeared by -the door. Dismissing the boy, Nat looked around him as well as he -could by the extremely faint light. “The window by the sycamore-tree -which stands by the porch in front of the house. Then, if my eyes -are not deceived, this must be it, and now for Kate.” So saying, Nat -began the ascent of the tree. - -All this Preston did not see, or even think of, for he had made his -way to the room in which was confined her whom he sought. A light was -burning in the room--it never was suffered to go out; and Kate had -been sleeping, but on hearing the noise made by the bolt, she started -from the bed, all dressed as she was, and cast a frightened glance -toward the door. A sudden arousing from sleep makes cowards even of -brave men. What wonder, then, that Kate, a poor weak, defenseless -girl, was startled from her presence of mind? Standing erect, without -a purpose, speechless and pale, she awaited the pleasure of him who, -at this unseemly hour, broke in upon her slumbers. - -“I have come once more on a friendly visit, my own Kate, and though, -at an unusual hour, yet as a friend. I know you will receive me -kindly even though I intrench upon your time for slumber. Have you -entirely recovered from the sudden fit of illness which came upon you -when I was last here?” - -The cloven hoof _will_ show itself, be it ever so nicely concealed; -and the purpose of Reginald Preston could not be concealed even by -his bland tones. Preston continued: - -“To tell the truth to you, however mortifying it may be to me, I am -ashamed of myself, and acknowledge that the way in which I acted was -reprehensible in the extreme. No man ever gained any thing by getting -into a passion, especially with a woman. Having made this apology, I -can return to the calm and dispassionate discussion of the subject -before us.” - -The captain spoke in an easy, self-assured manner. Kate was herself -again, and she answered in a tone calm but clear and stern: “Mr. -Preston, there is nothing to be discussed between us. You have done -that which removes you forever beyond the pale of common honesty, -a deed most foul; I am to some extent, in your power. You may keep -me imprisoned here, but more than that you can never, _dare_ never, -attempt. I have friends who will find me though they have not the -slightest clue to guide their search; and they will, as sure as there -is a Heaven above us, avenge to the last, any wrong done to me while -I am in your power.” - -“That you have friends, for the sake of argument, we’ll admit; but, -if you include your brother in the number, I am afraid you will never -see _him_ again. He was captured in Charleston last night, is at -present in prison, and will be hung to-morrow as a spy.” - -“Then may God preserve him and me!” answered Catherine, and she sank -fainting on the bed beside her. Captain Preston, springing to raise -her, was arrested by a voice exclaiming: “And He will!” - -Turning, he saw standing in the door, which, through inadvertence, -he had neglected to lock, the stalwart frame of Nathaniel Ernshaw. -“Who are you, who dares to intrude here?” was on his lips, but not -uttered; for, as he placed his hand to his sword-hilt, Ernshaw sprang -forward and planted his fist straight between the eyes of Reginald. -The captain fell senseless to the floor. Ernshaw gently raised the -senseless form of Kate, and called her name. His voice recalled her -wandering senses. Opening her eyes, she murmured, “Thank God! I am -saved! Saved! make haste away!” - -Passing quickly out, and crossing a small hall, Nat and his fair -charge entered another room--the one whose window looked out upon -the little porch and the sycamore-tree. The shutters of this room -were the only ones about the house which were to be opened. The old -negress, who brought to Catherine her meals, occupied this apartment, -and obstinately persisted in retaining the privilege of sunshine and -fresh air. Through this window, Nat had entered, and finding that -the old woman was awake and about making an outcry, he had bound and -gagged her. - -Letting Kate down from the window by means of a quilt which he had -snatched from the bed, Ernshaw swung himself down by the branches -of the tree. Standing once more on the solid ground he gave a low -whistle, which was answered by another from the garden, and young -Hunt appeared, leading a horse; a moment more found the young man in -the saddle, with Kate in front of him. “Is it time?” he inquired of -the boy. “Almost,” was the answer. - -“Then here goes for liberty!” half shouted Ernshaw, as he touched the -horse lightly with a spur. In a moment he was lost in the blackness -of the night. - -Acting in obedience to the injunction of the blacksmith, John did -not attempt to loosen his irons until the jailer had made his final -round. Then, though working without a light, half an hour enabled -him, with the aid of the sharp-biting file, to throw off the -fetters. With a sigh of relief he laid them quietly upon the floor, -and stretched his limbs well wearied with the load which they had -endured. He next examined the bars that guarded the window by which -escape was to be made. The aperture was full large enough to admit of -the egress of a man twice as large as Vale were the iron bars once -removed; and of these bars there were three. - -The saw which John had in his possession, was made from a portion of -a watch-spring, and a trial of it convinced him that with a little -time he could easily cut through the bars even without the promised -assistance of Hunt. The bars were so placed, that if but two of them -could be removed, the other would hardly give much trouble; and -to the task of removing these two did Vale most assiduously bend -himself. By an hour after midnight one of the bars was taken out. By -the hour of three, the second bar was more than half sawn in two. -As the hours wore on, Vale would occasionally pause in his work and -listen for some signal from his expected friend. The faint, bell-like -notes of a distant clock chiming the expected hour, finally reached -him, sounding solemn and still through the noiseless night-air. The -steady movement of the saw ceased for a season, but no sound was -heard, and again the nervous arm of the young man continued its task. -A faint sound as of something scratching the wall was the signal for -work to be discontinued; then, the cheery voice of Simon whispered: -“Are you there, John?” - -“All right!” answered Vale as he stretched his hand out through the -opening to be grasped by the hardy blacksmith. - -“You have done better than I thought you would, and if they give us -half an hour, or even a quarter, it will go hard but that you once -more regain your liberty.” - -The quarter of an hour was destined to be granted, and, though the -work was done noiselessly enough, yet, at the expiration of that -time, under the vigorous wrist of the blacksmith the bar was severed. - -“Wait a moment,” said Simon, “the ladder does not seem to be -over-strong and may not bear two of us.” - -Hunt descended to the ground, and, in a moment more Vale stood beside -him. The spot where the two stood was in a garden, upon which one -side of the prison looked, and which belonged to one of the most -influential men in the city. Making their way carefully along, -passing through another garden, they reached an alley. Hunt gave a -low whistle, received an answer, and, vaulting over the fence, two -horses were found there in waiting, held by a man--his features could -not be made out in the darkness. - -Vale turned to his companion, in doubt: “Mr. Hunt,” said he, “you -seem to be well provided. Whose horses are these? Hardly yours, and -yet they could hardly have come from the British.” - -“They are yours as much as mine, though they did not come from the -British. They were furnished me by an influential and rich man who -has found it necessary to conceal his patriotic proclivities. But -into the saddle with you! If Nat Ernshaw has been successful, there -is one waiting for you whom you much long to see.” - -“My sister?” said John excitedly, as he vaulted into his saddle. - -“Yes, your sister; but follow me. I attend you in the ride to-night; -and henceforth until this war is ended, and the colonies have gained -their independence, I shall be found fighting for my country.” - -Following close behind, Vale stopped when his guide stopped, and the -two remained perfectly silent for a moment. The sound of a horse’s -steps were distinctly heard. Nearer and nearer they came, then a -whistle, to which Hunt replied, and the approaching horseman was soon -by the side of the two. - -“Thank Heaven it has turned out so well;” said Ernshaw, and a -well-known voice sounded in the ears of Vale, “O John! are you there?” - -“Kate!” exclaimed John. “Kate, and safe!” - -“Yes! safe and saved!” - -Ernshaw had ridden close up to John, and the fair young girl -stretched out her hand to her brother. Lifting her from her place, -he seated her in front of his saddle, and printed a kiss with all -a brother’s affection upon her cheek. “This street is no place for -explanations,” said Hunt. “We must be far away before morning comes. -We have many miles to ride before we can say we are in safety.” - -“On then!” said John. “Here is a light heart fit for the dark night! -Hurrah!” burst from his lips. - -“Are you crazy, man!” said Hunt, “to thus run the risk of arousing -the sentinels on the lines? We are not yet beyond their hearing; and -a word might be fatal to us all.” - -“That’s true,” answered Ernshaw; “but, I own I would like to give one -good _whoop_ as a parting salutation.” - -“Now for it, boys!” exclaimed Hunt as he led the way in the early -morning dimness, for the darkness was lifting its trailing robes, and -the morning was streaking the east with its golden arrows. - - * * * * * - -Away, past houses, sentinels, barriers following the lead of Simon -Hunt, sped the fugitives; through the early hour that preceded the -morning, through the misty light of day-breaking, into the full -glories of the morning; and hard behind rode Reginald Preston with -his troop of dragoons. Certainly no more then ten minutes’ start -had the patriots--and fairly flying in the pursuit came the British -captain, his heart wild with rage and a burning desire to wreak its -revenge. That blow burned upon his forehead like fire; his prisoned -bird, caught with so much care and money, again was free--the thought -of these awoke all the mad energy of his wicked nature. He would have -the fugitives, or die! - -Hastening on, Ernshaw wished only to meet with his men. Whether or -no there was pursuit, he could not, as yet, tell; but this he felt -assured of: once with his company, he would not be afraid to turn and -face any force that would be sent for his capture, or rather for the -recapture of John Vale. With the first flush of early light, came to -the ears of the flying the sounds of pursuit. The company of Reginald -rode hard, and a company of fifty horsemen, going at full speed, made -no slight noise. - -“They come!” cried Ernshaw, as he heard the sounds. - -Kate said nothing, but clung tighter to her brother. - -“Let them come,” responded Hunt. “Another mile will see us in safety, -unless some unforeseen accident may chance to occur. Five minutes’ -riding should bring us to the brigade, and with the start which we -have, they can not come up with us in that time.” - -“On! on!” exclaimed Vale; and in silence the flight was continued. - -The sounds behind became more distinct, as more brightly the morning -broke above them. On the brow of a hill, Hunt turned partly round and -glanced behind. Half a mile away he could distinguish the forms of -horsemen riding recklessly on, gaining at almost every stride. Ten -minutes more, at the pace they were going, would bring them within -pistol-shot distance. Would that ten minutes bring them to Ernshaw’s -brigade? - -Down the hill Simon spurred his horse, the others keeping close -company; but the animal which John Vale bestrode was beginning to -lag, for it carried double weight. - -“Thank Heaven! we are safe!” exclaimed Hunt; and “Safe!” ejaculated -Ernshaw, as, at the distance of but a few hundred yards, a dozen of -the patriot troopers could be seen standing by the sides of their -saddled steeds. A wild hurrah burst from these men as they saw their -captain and his friend appear, all unharmed. At the cheer, from the -wood which stood by the road-side, or rather through which the road -passed, a score or more of men emerged and joined their shouts with -those of their comrades. A moment more and the four were in the midst -of the patriot brigade. - -Forty hands were stretched out toward Nathaniel and Vale, and forty -lips clamored forth congratulations. - -“I accept your congratulations,” said Nat, “but this is no time for -words. Hard behind me rides a large force of British dragoons. They -may outnumber us by ten or a dozen men, but we can easily crush them -at a blow. What say ye, men? Shall we fight or retreat?” - -A scornful laugh ran around the circle. “Fight! fight! Down with the -Britishers--the miscreants--dogs!” - -“Then back into the woods with you, and we will attack them as they -come up.” In a moment, from the road, not an American was in sight. -“I want some one,” continued Ernshaw, when they were fairly under -cover, “for a duty that will be both pleasant and unpleasant; some -one who is well enough acquainted with the country to guide Miss Vale -to a place of safety, in case any thing disastrous should happen to -us. Of course he can not mix in with the fight.” - -“The person for that is the boy that came to us yesterday mornin’. I -see now that he is with you. After his fifty miles of ridin’, I guess -he wouldn’t be of much use in a scrimmage, but he’ll do as well as a -man fur the lady,” said one of the men. - -“You are right,” replied Nat. “Simon is worthy of the trust.” So, -calling forward the boy, he gave him his instructions. - -Hurrying onward with unabating speed, Captain Preston and his company -drew nigh to the spot where the brigade stood under close cover, all -ready for the fray. - -“Now, boys, at them!” rang in the ears of the startled British. - -But their quick reply was a discharge of pistols, and their balls -rattled like hail among the tree-limbs overhead. Instantly from among -the trees flashed Nat Ernshaw’s troopers--each man grasping in his -strong hand his trusty sword. - -The _melee_ which followed can scarcely be described. There is an -appalling sublimity in a hand-to-hand conflict, when life or death is -in the issue. Whether the conflict be on a larger or smaller scale, -the same fierce elements are excited--the same personal results -follow. As fierce the individual strife between a hundred as between -a thousand times one hundred. - -Blended together, horse to horse, arm to arm, sword to sword, each -man shouting his war-cry--each man hewing fiercely, the hundred -struggled, and panted, and strove for victory, without one thought of -death. - -“Down with the rebel hounds!” shouted Preston. - -“Show the minions no quarter!” answered Nat, in a voice like thunder. - -In the midst of the British, fighting with the fierceness to which a -despairing, cowardly heart can sometimes be goaded, was Turner. - -Twice did John Vale urge his horse in the direction of the tory, and -twice was he prevented from reaching him. Though blows fell fast -around, yet the two seemed to bear a charmed life, and the strife -continued, bearing them still unhurt. Again did Vale press forward. -Suddenly he felt a strange sensation creep over him; his sight became -dimmed, his head appeared to be whirling round and round, and he fell -from his horse. - -But if John Vale was down, a score and a half of stout, unflinching, -maddened patriots were not. One Briton after another fell, until -scarce fifteen left, they broke and fled. - -Mounted on horseback, with young Hunt on foot beside her, Catherine -hastened on. Passing through the woods for some distance, the road, -turning, crossed their way, and the two kept on in the beaten path. -Kate’s heart was beating wildly enough with suspense. The first -volley of pistol-shots was heard quite plainly by her; after that the -sounds of battle came but indistinctly--soon nothing was to be heard. - -Almost unconsciously Kate had reined in her horse, and sat as though -waiting to hear news of the fight. How long she thus remained, she -could hardly have told; it must have been for some minutes, for the -boy seemed to think the delay too long. - -“Come, miss,” said he, “if I am to take charge of you, I would rather -have you further off from the spot we have just left. There’s no -telling what _may_ happen, and, although I want to see our side whip, -you can’t have every thing as you want it. Best to be moving along, I -guess.” - -The advice was good, but it came rather late. Around the bend of -the road, from underneath the overhanging boughs, came a flying -horseman. Hatless and bleeding, his locks disheveled and his face all -distorted with anger and fear, one could scarce recognize the once -gallant-looking Captain Preston. Catherine Vale did, and right good -reason had she to do so. With a cry of terror she drew up her reins -and struck the horse with her foot to urge him into a run. - -Onward thundered the trooper; and behind him, but a few rods, still -grasping a sword, came Timothy Turner. - -The eye of Reginald fell upon Kate. - -“Ha! ha!” he shouted; “found once more!” - -Driving his spurs deep into his horse, he increased his speed. The -young boy, Simon, endeavored to sweep Reginald from his saddle by -a blow from his stick; but, ere it descended, the captain flung at -him a discharged pistol. The aim was true: it struck the lad upon -the breast and felled him to the ground. Catherine’s steed, though -a good one, was no match for the high-bred animal which the captain -bestrode; and at every stride the distance between them was lessened. -Far behind, like an avenging fury, came Nat Ernshaw, but too far -distant to afford assistance now. - -With a great bound, the horse of the captain was placed side by side -with that of the flying girl. He caught her bridle in his grasp. - -“Mine! mine once more!” he shouted. “Found again and forever!” - -Loud came the shouts of the pursuers--Nat Ernshaw and a dozen men -drew near. - -One glance behind, then Preston checked his speed. “If not for me in -life, then be it in death!” - -Drawing his sword, all smeared with blood, Reginald poised the -weapon, for a moment, then seizing the girl by the throat, he raised -the messenger of death, shouting, “Good-by, Kate! _Cousin_ Kate!” - -With closed eyes and outstretched hands, Catherine awaited the blow. -She heard a crashing sound; the grasp on her throat was loosened; -then came the noise of a heavy fall. Bewildered she beheld Capt. -Preston lying on the road, his head cleft down to the very jaw, while -by her side, with a saber dripping with the still liquid life’s -blood, stood the tory, Timothy Turner. Blood was slowly trickling -from a bullet-wound in his breast, and his face was ghastly pale; -but, from underneath his lowering brows, his dark eye gleamed with a -bright light. - -“I am dying,” he muttered, as he rolled from his horse, staggering to -the green bank which margined the road. - -With a brain all awhirl with wonder and doubt, Kate surveyed the -tory. Involuntarily she turned her panting, trembling horse to one -side, and drew near to the man as he lay there; the life-blood -gurgling forth at every quick pant, the pallid countenance upturned -to her with a wistful look. She saw the lips move, and bent down in -her saddle. - -“Will you listen to a dying man?” he faintly asked. - -“Whatever you have to say, tell it quickly,” she answered. - -“Do not let your friends murder me. I shall die soon. Come nearer.” - -Catherine felt herself greatly moved. “Fear not,” she said, and -lightly sprang from her saddle. As she touched the ground, Nat -Ernshaw and his men thundered up. “Harm him not!” almost commanded -Catherine. “He has saved my life and is dying. Touch him not, I say!” -The men were eager to saber him, it was plain. - -“We will not,” replied Nat; and Kate bent over the dying man. - -“I’m going,” said Turner, speaking hoarsely and quickly. “It’s hard, -but it must be. It isn’t much for you to do, but I want you to say -you forgive me.” - -“For what?” - -“It was me that carried you off.” Turner saw the fire flash in those -eyes, and he continued, “I’ve been wicked--I loved money--but I loved -you better and stronger than any thing else. It’s the only good in -me, but that was made bad enough when your brother turned me out of -the house. I hated him and Ernshaw. But I didn’t mean to let Preston -harm you. I would have stolen you from him again. I was near when he -was. If I could have made up my mind, I could have given the alarm -when you first escaped. I loved you and myself, and hated every one -else. Say you forgive me. I have done great wrong, but I’m sorry. -_Will_ you forgive?” - -Touched more by his tone, so piteously pleading, than by his words, -Catherine answered: “I do.” - -“Let me take your hand,” he murmured. - -She gave it to him without hesitation. Turner grasped it, pressed it -to his lips, and died with the slight effort. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - THE HAPPY CONSUMMATION. - - -When Ernshaw returned from the pursuit of Preston and the tory, he -found several of the men standing over John Vale, anxiously feeling -his breast to see if the breath of life was still left within him. -His heart very faintly fluttered, though he lay in a state of utter -unconsciousness. - -That night Mrs. Vale found beneath her roof, once again, her -children; Catherine safe, John dangerously, though not necessarily -mortally wounded. For a time his life was held by a feeble thread; -but, through a strong constitution and good care, he slowly regained -his health and strength. - -How in the Carolinas a partisan warfare was waged; how Marion and -Sumpter and many other brave-hearted commanders made themselves a -terror to the British and tories, how the spirit of freedom could -never be quenched, but continued to be made manifest in the midst of -the most trying circumstances and the most perilous positions--all -this is well-known to the student of American history. For the year -following the events just described, Nat Ernshaw’s brigade did noble -service in its country’s cause. Sometimes by themselves, again in -conjunction with other patriot bands, they swooped down upon a tory -gathering, or cut off a detachment of British soldiers. Now here, now -there, they but seldom remained long in one place; but Cedar Swamp -was ever a rendezvous to which they retired. Here they would take up -their quarters at intervals of some weeks, and lie perfectly quiet -until intelligence reached them of some occasion where a blow could -be struck; then from this spot, like lightning from a thunder cloud, -the fires of freedom flashed forth. - -Through all the hand-to-hand conflicts, Wild Nat passed safely. A -sword stroke on the brow had left a scar, but the wound was not -dangerous, for his own blade had carried death to his enemy, and thus -paralyzed his well-aimed blow. John Vale, too, was fortunate. While -more than one brave comrade fell beside him, he remained untouched. -His first wound was his last. As being the best fitted to devise and -carry out the campaign, the men placed most implicit confidence in -these two. That confidence was never abused. - -From the time when Catherine Vale re-entered the walls of her -mother’s house, that house was never disturbed. Though houses might -blaze around them, and the homesteads of others be desolated, yet was -the dwelling of Mrs. Vale unmolested. - -At length came an event which filled every true American’s heart -with joy. The dark pall which had so long been stretched over the -State was lifted. On the 19th of October, 1781, Lord Cornwallis with -seven thousand men, surrendered to the American army under General -Washington. No event in the history of any nation was ever hailed -with more grateful joy than was this. Though the British were still -masters of Charleston and Savannah, yet it had the effect of doing -away with the necessity of partisan warfare; and marauding bands of -tories, and pillaging troops of soldiers were no longer to be met -wandering through the States. - -The tories, seeing that the war must soon end--and end in the success -of the colonies--ceased to rant of the divine right of kings, and -began to consider that perhaps it would be best to keep their fingers -from off the property of their whig neighbors. They therefore became -a source of no further anxiety to the patriots. - -Though willing to meet together at any time for the defense of -their country, the men of Nat Ernshaw’s brigade disbanded, each one -returning to his home. - - * * * * * - -Winter passed and summer came again. The war was virtually at an end, -and though the city was still retained by the British, yet no blood -had been shed for some time. - -It was a moonlight evening in July, and a pleasant breeze swept -softly through the branches of the old pear-tree which stood near the -dwelling of Mrs. Vale. - -On a seat under the tree sat Nat Ernshaw and Catherine Vale; at -their feet an old friend, the dog Lion, who appeared to regard the -two with a look of grave curiosity. Sitting under the tree there, -with the pale light of the moon shining down upon them, the three -made a picture. Nat Ernshaw, with his fine, manly countenance, -weather-beaten and marked with a single scar upon his brow, and that -more than half-hidden by his hair; Catherine Vale, with her fair -face, golden hair, and loving eyes; Lion, huge as he was, looking -pleasant as he gazed up into the face of his mistress. - -Tenderly taking the hand of his companion, Ernshaw, after a momentary -silence, said: - -“There is something, Kate, of which I have long wished to speak, -but the distracted state of the country prevented my doing so. For -years--almost from the hour of our first acquaintance--no true man -could say that his head sat firmly upon his shoulders. Life has -been, at the most, held on slender tenure, and hearthstones have -been desecrated on short notice. Now it is, I think, otherwise. The -struggle for freedom is all but ended; independence is placed within -our grasp, and with an assurance which I could not otherwise feel, I -can speak my feelings and wishes. I love you, Kate. Not with a fierce -passion, but with a hopeful, manly, lasting love. We have known each -other long and, I think, well. Such as I am you see me. I profess not -to be free from faults, nor to be wholly made up of virtues. From the -fullness of an unchecked spirit I have done things which to others -might seem wrong; but they were sins of the head, not of the heart. -I can offer you a hand, a home, and a _heart_. Knowing me as you do, -having tried my affection as you have, will you be mine?” - -For some moments Catherine did not reply, but sat gazing on the -ground. Though she had often done so before, she wished again to -analyze her heart, and scrutinize closely, calmly, the feelings -which she felt she entertained for Nathaniel. - -Under this very tree, two years ago, had Reginald Preston pleaded -his love. What an issue that profession brought forth! She recalled -her abduction--her solitary confinement--the horrid threats of the -British captain--Ernshaw’s daring--his striking down of the wretch, -and his rescue of her--the dying declaration of Turner; all these -incidents came up again before her, and though they touched her heart -with a sense of sadness, how they all pleaded for the man at her side! - -“I have been thinking,” she at length calmly said, “as I have, I -acknowledge, thought before, of you and your claim upon me. We have -known each other long, and have reason to believe that we know each -other truly. I have looked into my heart, and find that it fully -and entirely responds to your own in its hopes, wishes, love, and -confidence. I say then, in all the truth of my own soul, that I love -you as a woman should love the man she would claim as her husband, -and that, as far as my consent goes, my hand and heart are yours. I -will be your wife, Nathaniel.” - -Catherine’s manner was deliberate, unimpassioned; but her whole being -stood looking from her eyes, and her sweet face lit up like a morning -in June. Ernshaw’s strong nature had met its entire response. - -When the patriot captain that night took his leave, he printed, for -the first time, upon the lips of Catherine the holy kiss of plighted -troth. - -The next evening Nat Ernshaw came to the cottage, and told his love -to Mrs. Vale in a straight-forward, manly way. Catherine had told -her all, during the day, and received her parent’s blessing upon -her love. For Nathaniel she now entertained a real, undisguised -affection, and answered his petition for the hand of Catherine in a -cordial consent. - -“Take her, Nathaniel; she is a precious treasure. Keep her sacredly,” -was all she could say. - - * * * * * - -Mrs. Vale’s house is all astir. Lights flash all over it, and glad -sounds issue from within. That night will see both son and daughter -of the respected widow enter into the bonds of wedlock; a double -wedding is to occur at the house. - -To describe the ceremony, to tell how the brides were dressed, and -who were the bridemaids--to recapitulate all the songs that were -sung, all the speeches that were made, all the toasts that were -drunk, would quite exceed the limits of this little story. Let it -suffice to aver that two handsomer couples had never been united -since Carolina became a State, and that a happier evening was never -known, even to that mythic person, the “oldest inhabitant.” - -About a week after the wedding, John Vale’s mother received a letter, -the contents of which rather surprised her. The communication read as -follows: - - “RESPECTED MADAM:--As relict of the late John Vale, son of Charles - Vale, M. P., recently deceased, we would beg leave to inform you - that the heir or heirs of the said John Vale are entitled to a - fortune of twenty-seven thousand, three hundred and odd pounds, - sterling. Although there is little danger of any one disputing your - right, yet it will be necessary to have a competent person to look - after your interests. May we hope that your patronage will go to - our firm. We will write further in a few days. - - Yours, respectfully, - - “THOMPSON, SMITH & CO., _per_ SMITH.” - -Though Messrs. Thompson, Smith & Co., were sharp to ferret out -business, they were also faithful when that business demanded a -severe discharge of duty. Through their exertions, the fortune of the -“recently deceased Charles Vale” was secured to its rightful owners. - -Justice will not be defeated. Though Reginald put his shoulder to -the wheel of fate, and strove to push it backward, yet for all his -boldness and sagacity he was crushed. That for which he toiled, -and made himself a villain, the gold of his relative, passed into -worthier hands, and his very name became synonym of whatever was bad. - -For years, annually did Nat Ernshaw gather around him, in a -grand reunion, the former members of the brigade; and to these -reunions always came Simon Hunt. No longer Simon the blacksmith. A -self-educated man, he was at once true citizen, an upright man, a -clear-headed adviser. The States, just escaped from the despotism of -foreign and reckless rulers, needed just such men to assist in their -counsels. Was it any wonder then, that at one of their reunions Nat -Ernshaw introduced the once plain blacksmith as “the Hon. Simon Hunt?” - - * * * * * - -Under the green turf of Carolina now rest the brave men who once -composed Wild Nat’s brigade. Truer hearts never beat, more patriotic -bosoms never swelled with the inspiration of liberty. Long in the -memories of descendants shall they live, these veritable heroes of -the Revolution. Over their graves let us give them our benedictions, -and with Percival say:-- - - Here rest the great and good. Here they repose - After their generous toil. A sacred band, - They take their sleep together, while the year - Comes with its early flowers to deck their graves, - And gathers them again, as Winter frowns. - Theirs is no vulgar sepulcher,--green sods - Are all their monument, and yet it tells - A nobler history than pillared piles, - Or the eternal pyramids. They need - No statue nor inscription to reveal - Their greatness. It is round them; and the joy - With which their children tread the hallowed ground - That holds their venerated bones, the peace - That smiles on all they fought for, and the wealth - That clothes the land they rescued,--these, though mute, - As feeling ever is when deepest,--these - Are monuments more lasting than the fanes - Reared to the kings and demigods of old. - - Touch not the ancient elms, that bend their shade - Over their lowly graves; beneath their boughs - There is a solemn darkness, even at noon, - Suited to such as visit at the shrine - Of serious liberty. No factious voice - Called them unto the field of generous fame, - But the pure consecrated love of home. - No deeper feeling sways us, when it wakes - In all its greatness. It has told itself - To the astonished gaze of awestruck kings, - At Marathon, at Bannockburn, and here, - Where first our patriots sent the invader back, - Broken and cowed. Let these green elms be all - To tell us where they fought and where they lie - Their feelings were all nature, and they need, - No art to make them known. They live in us, - While we are like them, simple, hardy, bold, - Worshiping nothing but our own pure hearts, - And the one universal Lord. They need - No column pointing to the heaven they sought, - To tell us of their home. The heart itself, - Left to its own free purpose, hastens there, - And there alone reposes. Let these elms - Bend their protecting shadow o’er their graves, - And build with their green roof the only fane, - Where we may gather on the hallowed day - That rose to them in blood, and set in glory. - Here let us meet, and while our motionless lips - Give not a sound, and all around is mute - In the deep sabbath of a heart too full - For words or tears, here let us strew the sod - With the first flowers of spring, and make to them - An offering of the plenty Nature gives, - And they have rendered ours--perpetually. - - - - - A MARVEL OF BEAUTY! - - _A New Series by the New Art!_ - - THE ILLUMINATED DIME POCKET NOVELS! - - Comprising the best works only of the most popular living writers - in the field of American Romance. Each issue a complete novel, with - illuminated cover, rivaling in effect the popular chromo, - - =And yet Sold at the Standard Price--Ten Cents!= - - Incomparably the most beautiful and attractive series of books, and - the most delightful reading, ever presented to the popular reading - public. - - Distancing all rivalry, equally in the beauty of the books and - their intrinsic excellence as romances, this new series will - quickly take the lead in public favor, and be regarded as the - Paragon Novels! - - - NOW READY, AND IN PRESS. - - =No. 1--Hawkeye Harry, the Young Trapper Ranger.= By Oll Coomes. - - =No. 2--Dead Shot=; or, The White Vulture. A Romance of the - Yellowstone. By Albert W. Aiken. - - =No. 3--The Boy Miners=; or, The Enchanted Island. A Tale of the - Mohave Country. By Edward S. Ellis. - - =No. 4--Blue Dick=; or, The Yellow Chief’s Vengeance. A Romance - of the Rocky Mountains. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - - =No. 5--Nat Wolfe=; or, The Gold-Hunters. A Romance of Pike’s - Peak and New York. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. - - =No. 6--The White Tracker=; or, The Panther of the Plains. By the - author of “The Boy Miners.” - - =No. 7--The Outlaw’s Wife=; or, The Valley Ranche. A Tale of - California Life. By Mrs. Ann S. Stephens. - - =No. 8--The Tall Trapper=; or, The Flower of the Blackfeet. By - Albert W. Aiken. - - =No. 9--Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Santa Fe Trail.= By Capt. - J. F. C. Adams. - - =No. 10--The Island Pirate.= A Tale of the Mississippi. By - Captain Mayne Reid. - - =No. 11--The Boy Ranger=; or, The Heiress of the Golden Horn. By - Oll Coomes. - - =No. 12--Bess, the Trapper.= A Tale of the Far South-west. By the - author of “Boy Miners,” “White Tracker,” etc. - - =No. 13--The French Spy=; or, The Fall of Montreal. By W. J. - Hamilton. - - =No. 14--Long Shot=; or, The Dwarf Guide. By Capt. Comstock. - - =No. 15--The Gunmaker of the Border=; or, The Hunted Maiden. By - James L. Bowen. - - =No. 16--Red Hand=; or, The Channel Scourge. By A. G. Piper. - - =No. 17--Ben, the Trapper=; or, The Mountain Demon. By Maj. Lewis - W. Carson. - - =No. 18--Wild Raven, the Ranger=; or, The Missing Guide. By Oll - Coomes. - - =No. 19 The Specter Chief=; or, The Indian’s Revenge. By Seelin - Robins. - - =No. 20--The B’ar-Killer=; or, The Long Trail. By Capt. Comstock. - - =No. 21--Wild Nat=; or, The Cedar Swamp Brigade. By Wm. R. Eyster. - - =No. 22--Indian Jo, the Guide=; or, The White Spirit of the - Hills. By Lewis W. Carson. - - =No. 23--Old Kent, the Ranger=; or, The Fugitives of the Border. - By Edward S. Ellis. - - =No. 24--The One-Eyed Trapper=; or, The Maid of the Cliff. By - Capt. Comstock. - - ☞ BEADLE’S DIME POCKET NOVELS are for sale by all newsdealers; or - will be sent, post-paid, to any address, on receipt of price, TEN - CENTS EACH, by - - BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, - 98 William Street, New York. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - The Table of Contents at the beginning of the book was created by - the transcriber. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation such as “fore-finger”/“forefinger” - have been maintained. - - Minor punctuation and spelling errors have been silently corrected - and, except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the - text, especially in dialogue, and inconsistent or archaic usage, - have been retained. - - Page 22: “Such was the expedition used, that John Vail” changed to - “Such was the expedition used, that John Vale”. - - Page 34: “those who had come to spoil them, the armdes” changed to - “those who had come to spoil them, the arms”. - - Page 43: “Will you promise secresy and obedidence” changed to “Will - you promise secrecy and obedience”. - - Page 54: “the black of a mourning vail” changed to “the black of a - mourning veil”. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WILD NAT, THE TROOPER *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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