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diff --git a/old/65831-0.txt b/old/65831-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a299175..0000000 --- a/old/65831-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5481 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Iron Hand, Chief of the Tory League, by -Frederick Forest - -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: Iron Hand, Chief of the Tory League - or, The Double Face - -Author: Frederick Forest - -Release Date: July 13, 2021 [eBook #65831] - -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 IRON HAND, CHIEF OF THE TORY -LEAGUE *** - - - - - VOL. VI.] FEBRUARY 3, 1877. [NO. 68. - - IRON HAND, - - CHIEF OF THE TORY LEAGUE. - - BY FREDERICK FOREST. - - NEW YORK. - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, - 98 WILLIAM STREET. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by - FRANK STARR & CO., - In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. - - - - - CONTENTS - - PAGE - I. THE QUARREL. 9 - II. THE MURDERED MAN. 16 - III. THE STRANGE FACE. 21 - IV. THE NIGHT RIDE. 29 - V. THE RED WITNESS. 32 - VI. THE HOT TRAIL. 43 - VII. THE SECRET MISSION. 52 - VIII. THE HUNTED LIFE. 67 - IX. A SAVAGE FRIEND. 75 - X. THE MASK REMOVED. 82 - XI. THE UNNATURAL BROTHER. 87 - XII. THE END OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS HARD. 89 - XIII. SMILES THROUGH TEARS. 93 - - - - - IRON HAND, - - CHIEF OF THE TORY LEAGUE: - - OR, - - THE DOUBLE FACE. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE QUARREL. - - -When the colonists had acquired a mastery over the savages of the -wilderness, and assisted in breaking the French power on their -frontier, they began to feel their manhood stirring within them, -and they tacitly agreed no longer to submit to the narrow and -oppressive policy of Great Britain. Their industry and commerce -were too expansive to be confined within the narrow limits of those -restrictions which the Board of Trade, from time to time, had -imposed, and they determined to cast off these chains. Moreover, -the principles of civil and religious liberty urged them on; and, -at last, the trumpet of the Revolution was sounded, as the violent -result of their dissatisfactions. - -It was during the fourth year of this Revolution, in the year of our -Lord 1778, that our tale opens in the vicinity of Lake George, near -Fort Ann. - -In a pretty, white cottage a short distance from the fort sat two men -over their wine, discussing the politics of the day. - -One, who is destined to be our hero, was about five and twenty years -of age; he was tall and commanding; his features nicely molded and -in perfect harmony; the eyes were gray, although, at a distance, one -might mistake them for black, and his hair was dark-brown and curled -close to his head. - -Edgar Sherwood, for such was his name, was of English birth. Another -brother and he were the last of an aristocratic family. These two -had, however, some few years previous, separated on account of a -misunderstanding in regard to their paternal acres. After the death -of their father, our hero inherited the greater part of the estate. -This his brother declared to be unjust, and had sworn he would have -satisfaction. Thus they parted. - -Edgar had been treated perhaps a little unfairly by his native -country in some affairs, and becoming enraged against her he had come -to America to espouse the cause of the struggling colonists. - -The man with whom Edgar Sherwood was conversing was the father of his -betrothed; his name was Thomas Lear. He was a native of England, and -a thorough Tory. - -“Can it be possible, young man, that you are so rash as to think of -joining the Continental army?” said Thomas Lear, gazing at Edgar -Sherwood with a look of astonishment, and his face flushing to a deep -crimson. - -“It is, sir.” - -“And have you no respect for your king, or love for your family and -friends?” - -“For the former, none whatever, but for the latter a great deal of -love and respect.” - -“Well, then, how can you go to work deliberately and bring this -disgrace upon them? Why, Sherwood, it is absurd to think of doing -such a thing!” and Lear began to grow angry. - -“If it is absurd to lend one’s aid to a righteous cause, then I am -willing to be called absurd or rash, but I am determined to do this.” - -“But, do you have faith in this war? Do you believe these colonists -will ever overcome King George?” - -“Most assuredly they will!” replied Edgar Sherwood. “Why, sir, they -fight like tigers, and they never will remain conquered. What arouses -these men to arms is the love of liberty, their firesides, their -wives and children.” - -“Very well; perhaps they are good at fighting, but, where is the -money coming from to maintain this war any longer? Congress has -none.” - -“They will fight without pay; and, moreover, each soldier will -contribute his mite.” - -“Nevertheless, they are but a handful at best, and can not hold out -much longer.” - -“Ah, my good sir!” and Edgar Sherwood’s eyes sparkled with -enthusiasm, “do not be deceived in this. The colonists, though few in -number, have been compelled from the beginning to be self-reliant, -and have been made strong by their mother’s neglect. Heretofore they -have built fortifications, raised armies, and fought battles for -England’s glory and their own preservation, without England’s aid and -without her sympathy; and, think you now they can not do this again, -with twofold zeal, for themselves?” - -Thomas Lear was beginning to chafe under the young man’s patriotic -words, and perceiving that he could not persuade him to abandon his -purpose, he became very angry. - -“I ask you once more, Sherwood,” said he, “to pause and consider the -consequences; think--I entreat you--of my daughter, Imogene, before -you take this rash step.” - -“I have considered it all, sir, but my mind remains the same.” - -Lear grew deathly pale with rage at these last words. Thomas Lear was -a rich man, and he had long counted upon having Edgar Sherwood for -a son-in-law, but this could not be under these circumstances. He -dashed his wine-glass savagely upon the table, and sprung to his feet. - -“You are mad! stark mad!” he cried. “Henceforth our connection is -severed; never dare to cross my threshold again, for you are a -traitor to your king, sir--begone!” - -Having uttered these words, the old man sunk back in his chair -perfectly exhausted. - -At this moment, the door was suddenly thrown open, and Imogene -Lear--Edgar Sherwood’s betrothed--appeared upon the scene. - -“Oh, father!” she cried, casting herself at the feet of her parent, -“I implore you to have mercy! Recall your words--forgive!” - -“Never!” cried Lear. - -“Be it so!” said Edgar Sherwood, scornfully, and was gone. - -One month has passed away since the events last related, and during -this time Edgar Sherwood had become a captain in the American army, -and was stationed with his regiment at Fort Ann. - -It was a bright, clear morning in the month of September, and a -gentle breeze caused the flag of freedom to rise and fall in graceful -folds over the garrison, inspiring the heart of every loyal man with -patriotic fervor as he looked up to it. - -Within the fort, every thing seemed in commotion, but without, all -was quiet, and an observer would never have surmised that any thing -particular was going on. The soldiers were hurrying back and forth; -and some were collected in groups busily talking. - -During the past night, the commander had received information from -one of his spies that the notorious band, called the Tory League, led -by their villainous chief, Iron Hand, was preparing to attack the -house of a prominent Whig, and that it would be necessary to send a -company or two of men to secure the patriot’s safety. - -The colonel had chosen Captain Sherwood to go on this little -expedition with his company, and the men were now preparing for that -purpose. - -The Tory League was composed of Tories and Indians, whom King George, -foreseeing at the beginning of the war would be valuable allies -to him if but secured, sent over agents to enlist in his cause. -Among these agents came the man who had made himself so notorious -throughout the country under the title of Iron Hand, which name the -Indians gave him. The villainous deeds of this band and their white -chief were countless, and they had become a terror to all stanch -Whigs. - -A large reward had been offered for the capture of Iron Hand, dead or -alive, but to no profit; he was too artful for his enemy. In fact, no -one, as yet, in the Continental army had been able even to obtain a -sight of him. Search had been made for the rendezvous of the band but -without success. - -The attacks of the Tory League were always made with so much privacy -as to exclude the sufferers, not only from succor, but frequently, -through a dread of future depredations, from the commiseration of -their neighbors also. - -The soldiers received the orders to prepare for action with delight; -excitement of any kind had been scarce for the last few months around -the fort, and time dragged heavily on with them. Captain Sherwood -felt some pleasure also on being chosen for this occasion, as he had -had but little opportunity to show his valor since his enlistment. -Yet, all day long his face wore a troubled look, and his whole manner -seemed changed from usual gayety to sadness. The few who had observed -this attributed it to fear, and yet could not believe that such a man -should even know the meaning of the word. - -When evening came, and a few hours before he was to start out upon -his mission, he sat down, and, writing a short note, dispatched it to -the little white cottage on the hill. - -Imogene Lear, on receiving her lover’s note, cast a shawl about her -delicate form, and hastened to the place appointed for their meeting. -It was in a thick grove of cedars a short distance from the cottage. - -Captain Sherwood, dressed in his long military cloak, with his sword -girded to his side, was pacing to and fro in a thoughtful mood under -the shadow of the stalwart trees. - -“Edgar,” whispered Imogene, approaching with noiseless steps behind -him, and placing her little white hand upon his shoulder. - -“Imogene? It is you!” said he, turning quickly and throwing his arm -around her waist. “I was afraid you would be unable to come, my -darling.” - -“Father was asleep and I stole out unobserved, but I must not remain -long away, or he may awake and miss me.” - -“Is he as savage against me as ever?” asked Edgar. - -“Yes; but, do not let this trouble you, dear Edgar, I am the -same--as--ever.” - -“I know you are, my darling,” and he imprinted a kiss upon her cheek. - -Imogene Lear was eighteen years of age. She was tall in stature, and -most exquisitely formed. Her skin was white, even waxen white; and -now and then a tinge of the rose visited her cheek; her lips were of -that ruby red which goes with perfect health; perfectly arched brows, -and long, dark lashes, shading eyes of wonderful brilliancy and depth -of expression, made up this face suitable for an angel. - -“Let us sit down,” said Edgar, leading the way to a fallen tree. “How -are we to overcome this prejudice of your father, Imogene?” - -“I know not,” said she; “he is very angry with you, but time may -change him.” - -“Do you think he is right and I am wrong in this matter?” - -Imogene colored and did not reply. Edgar saw this, and dropping his -head, said, sorrowfully: - -“Then you think I am in the wrong?” - -“Oh, no! but you know--he--is my father.” - -“Yes, yes, I know,” said Edgar, impatiently. - -“There, dear Edgar, do not let us quarrel about this; of course you -are in the right.” - -Then the couple remained silent for some time. - -“We were to be married next month. Need this rupture between your -father and me make any difference?” - -“You would not urge me to marry against his will?” - -“Oh, no,” said Edgar, coldly. - -“We can wait awhile and he may relent.” - -“And pray how long will you wait for me?” - -“All my lifetime, if need be!” and Imogene looked him full in the -face with her beautiful eyes. - -“And will you never forget, whatever may happen?” - -“Never.” - -“My beautiful one, I believe you. Forgive me for asking you to do -wrong.” - -“You said in your note, Edgar, that you were going away to-night.” - -The same troubled look that had haunted him all day now again was -plainly visible on Edgar Sherwood’s face. - -“Yes,” said he, “but we return to-morrow morning.” - -“Are you going to battle?” asked Imogene, quickly, perceiving this -look. “Is there any thing serious about to happen?” - -“No; why do you ask?” - -“Because you seem troubled about something.” - -“I am a little--shall I tell you why?” - -“Certainly, dear Edgar, are we to have any secrets between us?” - -“But you will laugh at me if I tell you?” - -“Try me.” - -“Are you superstitious, Imogene?” - -“No, not very.” - -“Well, it is all about a strange dream that I had last night, and you -will say that I am superstitious if I tell it to you.” - -“Come, now, do not delay any longer, but tell it to me at once; my -curiosity is excited.” - -“It appeared to me as follows: - -“I seemed to be walking by the side of a lake, when, suddenly, a -shriek, which fairly chilled my blood, filled the air, and then I -thought I saw you rush past me, dressed in white, and crying, _help! -help! help!_ - -“Approaching the water you sprung into a canoe and pushed far away -from the shore. I could neither move nor speak to you, and my agony -was killing me. The canoe began to float, I thought, bearing you with -it. Then I was trying to swim to you, when, in a moment, the boat -mysteriously disappeared. I was paralyzed, and looking down into the -clear water, I thought I saw you lying upon the bottom. - -“At this moment some one behind me laughed--laughed as only a fiend -could laugh. Turning around, I thought I saw my own image, and I -started back a step. The apparition approached, and pointing down at -you, said: ‘Look, look, this shall be your grave also! Beware of your -shadow!’ and then it vanished. - -“I awoke. Cold perspiration stood in great beads upon my forehead. -You will tell me that I ought not to let this trouble me, as it was -only a dream; nevertheless, I can not help it; it has taken a strong -hold upon me, and I can not shake it off.” - -“It was strange,” mused Imogene. “I hope nothing will happen to you, -Edgar, for if I could hear that you were--well, never mind what--I -should die with grief.” - -The couple now observed that there was a light in the cottage. - -“I must go now,” said Imogene, starting up, half-affrighted lest her -father should miss her. - -“I will go part way with you,” and they moved away. - -As they arrived near the house, they stopped a moment before parting, -and Edgar happened to cast a glance back to the woods. - -There, standing by a huge tree, where the moonlight fell upon him, -was the form of a man--a perfect copy in every respect of Edgar -Sherwood. - -“Do you see it?” whispered Imogene, trembling and turning ashy pale. - -“Yes.” - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - THE MURDERED MAN. - - -It was near midnight when Captain Sherwood and his men arrived in the -vicinity of the Whig’s house. They had miscalculated the distance -from the fort, and were later than was designed. - -The Whig’s residence was one of the old-fashion farmhouses common -in those days, and on all sides of it was a thick growth of foliage -which, at a short distance, completely hid it from view. - -The soldiers marched in single file cautiously up the road that led -to the front of the house and halted. All was quiet and dark around -the place. Captain Sherwood advanced a few steps and listened--the -low, melancholy howl of a dog broke the stillness. Then he approached -the front door to knock, but finding it open, entered. - -The lower rooms of the house were dark and deserted; the furniture -was scattered about in great disorder. Again the captain heard -the howl of a dog which seemed to come from over his head, and -hastening up the stairs he entered one of the upper rooms, where a -horrid spectacle met his sight. There, on the floor, lay an old man -weltering in his blood--dead. His body was horribly mangled and the -scalp torn from his head. A faithful Newfoundland dog was standing -with his forepaws upon the dead man’s breast, mourning over him. - -Captain Sherwood turned away sick at heart, and darted down the -stairs back to his men. - -“The villains have been here,” said he, “and sacked the house. -The old man lies dead upon the floor; the rest of the family were -probably taken prisoners. Let War-Cloud hunt out their trail, for we -must shoot every man of this gang.” - -The soldiers were furious at this new outrage, and manifested their -willingness to follow the Tory League to the end of the earth, for -vengeance. In a few moments War-Cloud--the scout--gave the signal -that he had found the trail, and the company started off in pursuit. -Every foot of the ground was familiar to the scout, and he had no -difficulty in leading the way. - -All night long they hurried on in pursuit, over hills and valleys, -through woods, and across plains. The trees, clad in their autumnal -garb, looked like iron warriors in the moonlight, and every now and -then, as a slight wind whirled the leaves to the ground, the troops -would stop and listen for their enemy. - -The night wore on until the moon having completed her course, left -the land in darkness--but darkness not long to last, for soon the -orient heralded the approach of dawning day. - -As the eastern horizon began to show these signs, the soldiers, being -fatigued, halted upon the summit of a high hill. Their tramp had been -a long one, but still there were no signs of the Tory League save -their trail, which they seemed to have taken no pains to conceal. -The League had undoubtedly got a good start and were improving their -advantage. - -Captain Sherwood and War-Cloud withdrew a short distance from the -troops, to a cliff that jutted out from the general line of the -mountain. Here they could command a view of an entire valley to the -distance of many miles. It was quite level and presented a beautiful -scene. The surface was covered with a carpet of bright green, -enameled by flowers that gleamed like many-colored gems, and here and -there the willow mingled its foliage in soft shady groves, forming -inviting retreats. A stream, like a silver serpent, bisected the -valley--not running in a straight course, but in luxuriant windings, -as though it loved to tarry in the midst of the bright scene. - -War-Cloud, after scanning the whole plain before him for some time, -turned to the captain with delight. - -“Look, chief!” said he, pointing to that part of the valley almost -below them. “See! white and red devils right there.” - -Yes, there was the Tory League sure enough, quietly seated upon the -ground, enjoying their morning meal in full sight of the captain. - -It was a motley crowd, indeed. There were white men dressed -in British uniforms and others merely in loose hunting-shirts -and breeches, together with the dusky savages who were in full -war-costume--that is, naked to the waist, and painted over the breast -and face so as to render them as frightful as possible. Their heads -were closely shaven over the temples and behind the ears--a patch -upon the top was cropped short, but in the center of the crown, one -long lock of hair remained uncut, which was intermingled with plumes -and plaited so as to hang down the back. - -“Surely,” said the captain, “this is but a small part of the Tory -League, for there are hardly more than seventy-five men here, and the -band is said to number two or three hundred.” - -“We’ll make the snakes these many less!” said the scout. - -“Yes, we’ll give the villains their deserts in a short space of -time; but where are the prisoners?” exclaimed the captain, glancing -searchingly over the band. - -“There!” said War-Cloud, his practiced eye observing them at once, -seated beneath the shade of a willow tree. “Three women.” - -“To their rescue at once!” cried the captain, dashing away to his -company. “Up, up, every man of you, and follow me!” - -The path that led from the cliff to the valley was nearly half a mile -in length before it reached the level below, winding through a growth -of young trees which completely hid the soldiers from view. - -Down, down the mountain’s side they hurried faster and faster, until -at length they burst forth upon the open plain within a few hundred -yards of the enemy. - -“Now, my brave fellows!” shouted Captain Sherwood, wielding his -sword above his head, “teach these British villains and red rascals -decency!” and away the whole troop rushed wildly upon the foe. - -This was a surprise to the Tories and Indians, and a general panic -seized upon them. Unmindful of every thing but their own safety, they -took to flight, leaving their prisoners. But, after fleeing a short -distance, and finding themselves hard pressed by their foe, they -turned about like hunted game at bay to give battle. - -But a moment elapsed, and full two hundred men were engaged in deadly -conflict. - -Crack--crack--crack, went the rifles, and a sulphury smoke spread a -cloud upon the air. As the vapory mass cleared away, some were seen -dashing at each other with their empty guns, some twanging their bows -from a distance, and others grappling in hand-to-hand combat. - -Neither bugle nor drum sent forth its inspiring notes; no cannon -rolled its thunder; no rocket blazed; but every now and then the wild -war-whoop rung out upon the air, making the blood of the listener run -cold. And then came the fierce charging cheer of the troops, and the -cries of triumph and vengeance. - -While the fight was raging, War-Cloud, observing two Indians making -for their prisoners, lashed under the willow tree, uttered the -war-cry and started after them at full speed. The savages looked -behind them, and seeing but one adversary, gave fight. War-Cloud -whirled his tomahawk at the foremost one’s head, but the savage -with a quick movement evaded the weapon and sprung forward with his -knife. Then there was a desperate struggle of life and death. The -bodies of the combatants seemed twined around each other; then one of -them fell heavily to the ground. War-Cloud’s antagonist had fallen. -But before the scout could whirl about, the other Indian--an active -warrior--rushed upon him and bore him down. His knee was pressed on -War-Cloud’s breast, and his arm raised on high to drive the deadly -blade into his heart! but at this instant Captain Sherwood’s trusty -rifle sounded on the air--the savage dropped dead, and the scout was -saved. - -At length, after an hour of hard fighting, the Tories were completely -routed; and but few ever lived to tell the tale of their disaster. -After the excitement was over, and while the soldiers were looking -after their dead and wounded, the white captives, who had been silent -observers of the fray, were released from their fetters. Their joy -was great at being restored to liberty again, but their grief was -greater for their murdered father. The story of the captives was to -this effect: - -At an early hour in the evening, and while the old man and his -three daughters were gathered round their fireside chatting, their -Newfoundland dog sprung to his feet and rushed toward the door, -growling fiercely. - -His growl shortly increased to a bark--so earnest, that it was -evident some one was outside. The door was shut and barred; but the -old man, thinking perhaps it might be the soldiers whom he expected, -pulled out the bar, and opened the door without inquiring. - -He had scarcely shown himself, when the wild whoops of Indians rung -on their ears, and a blow from a heavy club prostrated him upon the -threshold. In spite of the terrible onset of the brave dog, the -savages, white and red, rushed into the house yelling fearfully, and -brandishing their weapons. In less than five minutes the house was -plundered of every valuable article. The old man, partly recovering, -had seized his gun and mounted the stairs, where he was met and -butchered outright. When the marauders had finished plundering, they -seized their prisoners and made off in haste. - -Such was the tale of the three females. - -The soldiers were soon collected into ranks, and were ready for -marching orders. They had been triumphant, and were in good spirits. -Nearly every man of their foe lay dead or dying upon the field, while -they had lost but three men and only five wounded. However, in the -midst of their exultations, a murmur ran through the crowd, and every -man looked at his companion inquiringly. “What had become of their -brave leader, Captain Sherwood?” each asked, in a whisper. He had -disappeared from their midst. - -An hour was spent in search for him; the valley and surrounding woods -were scoured in vain, for he was not found. The troops were obliged -to turn their steps homeward without him. It was nearly evening when -they arrived at the fort, where they were hailed with loud shouts -from their comrades when the news of victory was proclaimed. But, -afterward, when it was found that the captain was missing, a shade of -sadness seemed to fall on all. Immediately scouts were sent in all -directions to search for him. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - THE STRANGE FACE. - - -The ladies of the garrison for some time had been suffering _ennui_, -and after holding a consultation, they resolved to petition for -some change to break the monotonous life. Accordingly, when all -their feminine forces were brought to bear upon the officers, -they forthwith yielded, and it was determined that the following -night--the night after the soldiers’ return--should be a gala -occasion; a night devoted to Terpsichore. - -The ladies set to work with an ardent zeal, decorating the hall -where the ball was to be held. It was a long barracks used for the -officers’ mess-room. The regimental flags were placed here and there -about the room, and foliage, brought from the woods, ornamented the -walls, so that in a short time the place had assumed quite a festive -appearance. - -During the afternoon of this day, and while everybody in the fort -seemed to be talking about him, Captain Sherwood made his appearance. -He was pale, and looked fatigued; his uniform showed marks of hard -usage, being badly torn and bespattered with blood. - -An eager crowd was soon collected around him to listen to his -exploits. All were greatly surprised upon learning that he had not -been taken prisoner as was supposed. His story was as follows: - -During the battle he had come in hand-to-hand combat with an Indian -who appeared to be the leader of the Tory party, as Iron Hand himself -was not with them. He finally managed, after a hard contest, to wound -the arm of his antagonist, whereupon the savage turned about and took -to flight. The captain hotly pursued, and in a few moments, both were -separated from the main body of the combatants in a secluded portion -of the woods; however, the officer was fast gaining ground on the -Indian, and in a few moments would have had him in his power, when -suddenly he received a shot from some unseen foe. Staggering forward -he fell, and this was the last he remembered. - -He had fainted, and when he recovered, he found himself prone in -a hole in the earth about four or five feet deep, with a heap of -hemlock boughs covering the top. The dirt had been just thrown out, -and whoever had dug the hole had undoubtedly intended it for his -grave. But they probably had been frightened away, and consequently -left their work only half accomplished. - -When the captain had thoroughly revived, and became aware of his -situation, he managed to crawl out of the horrid place and drag -himself to a stream near by, where he quaffed a draught which started -his blood on the regular course again and restored vitality. - -After bathing a wound in his leg--which was not serious, as the ball -had merely cut the flesh--and bandaging it up with his handkerchief, -he started for the garrison, where he had arrived, weak and exhausted -from loss of blood and want of food. - -Every attention was now paid to him, for Captain Sherwood had become -a great favorite with all since his first entering the fort. The -surgeon was summoned immediately to dress his wound, and the cooks of -the garrison vied with each other in serving up their best dish for -the gallant officer in the quickest possible time. The ladies offered -their services also, but the captain declared that he would not have -any thing more done for him. He was as well as any of them, he said, -having partaken of a good dinner, and to prove this, he marched to -the mess-room and spent the remainder of the afternoon in assisting -the fair ones arranging the hall for the evening entertainment. - -And now, dear reader, while our hero is there amusing himself, let us -transport ourselves from the fort to a pretty, white cottage, which -stands half-way down the side of a large hill three miles in the -distance. - -It was near sunset. A sunset more brilliant than common. The western -sky was filled with masses of colored clouds, on which gold and -purple and blue mingled together in gorgeous magnificence; and in -which the eye of the beholder could not fail to note the outlines of -strange forms, and fancy them bright and glorious beings of another -world. It was a picture to gladden the eye, to give joy to the heart -that was sad, and make happier the happy. - -All this beauty was not unobserved. Eyes were dwelling upon -it--beautiful eyes--and yet there was a sadness in their look, that -ill-accorded with the picture on which they were gazing. Though -apparently regarding the sunset, the thoughts which gave them -expression were drawn from a far different source. The heart within -was dwelling upon another object. - -The owner of those eyes was a beautiful girl, or rather a -fully-developed woman. She was tall and majestic, of soft graces and -waving outlines. The lady was Imogene Lear. She was walking backward -and forward in a little garden at the back of the house, as if -waiting for the arrival of some one. - -Every now and then her eyes sought the grove of cedars at the foot -of the inclosure, through whose slender trunks gleamed the silvery -surface of a stream. Upon this spot they rested from time to time, -with an expression of strange interest. No wonder that to those eyes -that was an interesting spot--it was there where love’s first vows -had been uttered and two young hearts plighted forever. - -Often as she gazed at this place a look of sadness would steal over -her face as if some thought were flying through her brain that was -unpleasant, and it brought with it clouds upon her brow, and imparted -an air of uneasiness. What was that thought? - -Ah! a stern father caused it. No longer could she meet that lover, -who had rendered this grove sacred, openly as in former times, but -was obliged to resort to deceit and have their interviews in secret. - -Sometimes she had been half tempted to forsake her home and go with -Edgar Sherwood. But no, she could not do that; sober thought always -brought her back to reason, and she would determine again to stay -by him and tend him in his old age, for she was his only child and -comfort, and then before this trouble he had ever been very kind to -her and undoubtedly, ere long, he would relent and give his consent -to her marriage with Edgar. - -Such were the thoughts she consoled herself with. - -Imogene Lear was naturally open and frank, and the deceit which -she now practiced on her father was something altogether new and -foreign to her noble nature, and it troubled her exceedingly, but -then her love for Edgar Sherwood was strong, and love prevailed over -conscience. - -While continuing her walk up and down the garden path she stopped -short, as if having taken some sudden resolution. - -“I will go--I ought to gratify him!” she muttered to herself. Sitting -down upon a bench near by, and opening a folded slip of paper, she -read: - - “DEAR IMOGENE--I have just returned from the war-path safe, and - wish to see you very much. We are to have a ball at the garrison - to-night. You must come--do not refuse, dearest one. If you do I - shall be miserable all the evening. As soon as your father has - retired for the night, hasten to our old place of meeting with your - brave steed, where I shall be in waiting. Adieu, my dearest, for a - few hours. - E.” - -When she had finished reading the note, she pressed it to her lips -and kissed it fervently. - -“No, Edgar, I will not refuse: I will go!” she murmured, and -thrusting the letter into her bosom, she glided softly into the house. - -A few hours after sunset, and when it was dark, Imogene again stole -forth into the garden. This time she was closely muffled in an ample -cloak and her head was donned with a riding-hat. - -After proceeding a short distance she stopped and listened. Perfect -stillness reigned around the cottage. Then there came a low whistle -from the lower end of the garden, and she tripped along over the -sanded walk to the place, on reaching which she called: - -“Jeff?” - -“Here, lady,” answered a man, stepping a little more into the light. -He was her trusty servant. - -“All saddled?” - -“Yes, Miss Imogene.” - -“Is _he_ here?” - -“Out there on the road waiting.” - -The man assisted his mistress to mount, and the next moment, giving -her steed a tap with her whip, she dashed away to meet her lover. - -As Edgar and Imogene met, their eyes sparkled with the thought of -love, but neither gave utterance to their thoughts until their horses -had borne them away from the cottage. Edgar was the first to speak. - -“Were you intending to ride over to the garrison to-night, Imogene?” -he said. - -“No, not until I received your note.” - -“My note?” and Edgar looked puzzled. - -“Yes.” - -“Why, Imogene, I sent you no note.” - -“I have got it in my pocket.” - -“Let me see it.” - -She handed the note to him which she had received, and he ran his eye -over the contents. - -He looked astonished. - -“By Heavens!” he exclaimed, “somebody is plotting against us; but, -thank God, I was in time to frustrate their plan!” - -“Then you really did not write it?” and Imogene appeared frightened. - -“I never saw this note before--I did not even know you were going to -the fort until I met your servant on the edge of the grove, who said -you would be ready in a few moments, and then hastened away before I -could speak to him.” - -“Who could have done this? Oh, Edgar, I fear there is some dreadful -mystery about this!” - -“No, no, Imogene! there is nothing of the kind,” he said, observing -her alarm; “do not let this frighten you. Undoubtedly some one of -your servants did this with no good design, but he will not dare try -the same trick again.” - -Here a new thought seemed to enter Imogene’s brain and she asked, -quickly: - -“Your dream, Edgar? has any thing come from it?” - -“No,” replied he, forcing a laugh; “how foolish I was to let a silly -dream trouble me!” - -“I am very glad; it annoyed me much.” - -“Let it be forgotten, dearest, for it was nothing more than a common -dream, although at the time I was quite certain it was a vision--a -presentiment.” - -They were now entering a straggling patch of woods, which stood at -either side of the road but a short distance from fort. Imogene -was about to speak again, when her quick ears caught a sound that -appeared odd to her. It was but a slight rustling among the autumnal -leaves that were lying in heaps along the roadside, and might have -been caused by the wind had there been any, but not a breath was -stirring. Something else had caused it. What could it be? - -Edgar and Imogene turned their heads simultaneously and looked -behind. At the same moment each caught a glance of the face and -form they had seen a few nights previous in the grove near the -cottage--the face that Edgar had declared he had seen in his dream! -There it stood in the middle of the road, wrapped in a white, shaggy -cloak, which gave the mysterious form a frightful appearance, and the -face, pale and motionless, gazing after them. - -In a moment it had disappeared, and Edgar and Imogene each drew -a long breath. Captain Edgar Sherwood was no coward--was a brave -man, and had often stood face to face with death; but this was an -apparition, something mysterious which he could not understand. His -lips grew white, and the perspiration leaped into drops upon his -forehead. He was about to turn his horse’s head and ride back to -where the specter had stood, but Imogene was very much agitated, and -urged him forward to the fort. - -Around the entrance of the garrison a large crowd of soldiers were -collected, to observe the guests as they arrived, and when Edgar and -Imogene passed through the men gave them a loud and hearty cheer. -This seemed to awaken the couple from the lethargy into which they -had fallen after beholding the apparition. - -Dismounting, they hurried to the ball-room, where they found a gay -assembly. The hall was brilliantly lighted and handsomely decorated. -The music, which consisted of the regimental band, was playing a -waltz, while a throng of dancers whirled round the room. - -There was a large number of persons present, composed of the officers -and their ladies, and the patriots dwelling in the neighborhood. It -was a merry company, and one that seemed to dispel all troubles from -the minds of our hero and heroine. - -Imogene had hardly entered the room before she became the center of -attraction. The captain led her to the upper end of the room, where -they joined Colonel Hall, the commander of the garrison, and his lady. - -Now it was that the wound in his leg annoyed the captain, for it kept -him from engaging in the dance with Imogene. In order to keep the -knowledge of this from her, he was obliged to find a partner for her -among the lieutenants. A lucky accident for them, and the fortunate -one appreciated it, too. - -While the dance was going on, and when the company seemed in the -hight of enjoyment, a man dressed in the garb of a hunter, entered -the hall, and forced his way to the colonel. It was a noted American -spy, Hank Putney by name, who had been dispatched the day previous -to search for Captain Sherwood. He whispered a few words to the -commander, and both retired from the room together, but so quietly -that no one perceived them. - -Upon leaving the hall, they directed their steps to the colonel’s -head-quarters, where the following conversation took place between -them: - -“You say that you have news of importance, Putney?” said the colonel, -handing the scout a seat. - -“Indeed, very important, colonel,” answered Putney, taking a folded -paper from his pocket and laying it upon the table. “If ye’ll just -run yer eye over that, perhaps ye’ll understand what it is.” - -Colonel Hall took up the paper, and with some difficulty managed -to read the poorly-written and badly-spelled document. It was a -description of the notorious Iron Hand. - -“Well, really, this is good news, Putney. How did you succeed in -obtaining a sight of him?” - -“Oh, easy enough! The band forgot to cover their trail this time, and -I tracked ’em. But look ye again at th’ paper. Do ye not know him? -You’ve seen him a hundred times.” - -The colonel read the description over again carefully, then paused -for a moment in thought. - -“There is a man in the garrison,” said he, “who answers to this -description, but then of course we should be mad to think it meant -Captain Edgar Sherwood!” - -“I thought ye’d know him!” said Putney, and his eye twinkled with -satisfaction. “No madness about it, colonel. He’s the man--this -villain Iron Hand and our cap’n are one!” - -“Why, man, it is impossible!” cried the colonel, starting to his -feet, with astonishment. “What! Sherwood a British spy! No, no, no!” - -“Sartin, sir, sartin! Bill Hawkins and I saw him in their camp -yesterday, and he war their leader. I took down his description, and -we’ll sw’ar to it.” - -Colonel Hall paced up and down the floor in great agitation. Every -little circumstance which had taken place during the past few days -again appeared to him, but in a changed form. After a few moments’ -thought, he was obliged to admit that some things had transpired -which looked suspicious. Sherwood’s story about being nearly buried, -might be only a fabulous invention gotten up to cloak his real -actions, and the wound, perchance, he may have received in the fray. - -It also occurred to him now, that Sherwood, during the past month, -had been frequently absent from the fort, sometimes for a day and -night together. Then, again, the father of his betrothed, Thomas -Lear, was known to be a stanch Tory, and although it was reported -that Sherwood and he had quarreled when the former entered the -American army, yet this might have been done for the purpose of -carrying out their deception. - -“I suspect that’s why the cap’n was late with th’ soldiers th’ night -th’ Tories attacked the Whig’s house, ’cause he war waitin’ for ’em -to finish th’ job,” said Putney, adding additional fuel to the fire. - -“Great heavens!” exclaimed the colonel, stopping short in his walk. -“Have we all been blinded by this villain? Can it really be that -Sherwood is a traitor?” - -“He’s Iron Hand, I’m sure o’ that!” again added Putney. - -“Well, man,” Colonel Hall turned about so as to face the scout, “I -shall have him arrested at once, but if it turns out that the charge -is false, you shall be punished in his stead. Now I ask you once -more, are you sure he is the man?” - -Putney turned very pale, but answered: - -“I am.” - -The colonel then dispatched him for an officer. In a short time, -guards began to appear at the different places of ingress and exit -to the ball-room. The assembly noticed this and the dance stopped -suddenly. A sergeant entered the room, and informed Captain Sherwood -that the colonel requested his presence. The company stood still with -astonishment. What had happened--were the British approaching? - -In a moment the news spread like wild-fire in the assembly, that -Captain Edgar Sherwood was arrested, and imprisoned on a charge of -being the Tory chieftain, Iron Hand, and a British spy! At this -announcement, a loud shriek burst forth from the upper end of the -room, and Imogene Lear sunk fainting to the floor. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE NIGHT RIDE. - - -The night had turned out dark and drear, and the lowering clouds -denoted the approach of a storm. The last echo of the booming gun had -scarcely died away, warning the inmates of the fort that it was time -for all unnecessary lights to be extinguished, and for all nightly -revels to cease. - -The shrill cry of the sentinel’s “All’s well” had passed from mouth -to mouth, denoting the security of the hour, and the non-apprehension -of an attack. The lights in the different quarters were gradually -extinguished, showing a reluctance of the occupants to abandon their -evening amusements. - -As the last glimmer died away, the battlements of the fort were -wrapped in an almost impenetrable gloom. Nothing broke the deathlike -stillness, save the measured tread of the guard as he walked his -lonely post, or the hooting of the owl, as it rung upon the silence -of the night from the depth of the neighboring forest. - -Suddenly one of the postern gates opposite the residence of the -commandant was thrown open, from which issued a flood of light, -making the surrounding darkness more intense, and revealing a -small group of officers and ladies, on the countenances of whom -were depicted gloom and sadness, caused by the extraordinary and -unlooked-for proceedings of the earlier part of the evening. They had -just emerged from their dwelling to witness the departure of Miss -Lear, after having made ineffectual efforts to induce her to postpone -her journey till morning. - -Imogene, wrapped in a heavy military cloak, and leaning upon the -arm of the garrison commander, followed by the rest of the company, -moved toward her steed, which, in charge of one of the soldiers, -stood outside of the gate, champing his bit and pawing the ground -impatiently. - -Refusing all proffered assistance, she leaped gayly into the saddle, -and tried, by assuming a more genial appearance which ill-bespoke the -agony that wrung her heart, to banish the thoughts that clouded the -brows and dampened the feelings of all present. - -Her horse, a noble animal of coal-black color, long, flowing tail -and mane, with limbs of most delicate proportions, and whose general -symmetry of form defied the criticism of the most observant, and -denoted a capability of excessive endurance, feeling again his -accustomed burden, seemed to partake of the happier moments of his -mistress, and commenced to curvet and gambol about to the extreme -annoyance of his attendant. - -After portraying to Imogene the numerous dangers that might befall -her on the road, Colonel Hall made an urgent but fruitless appeal to -her to remain at the fort during the night, or else to accept of an -escort to her father’s house. With an ill-affected smile, Imogene -tried to allay the apprehensions of her friends by making light of -them, then waving a parting farewell to the assembled company, in a -few moments afterward she was buried in the gloom. - -The assemblage waited until the rattling of her horse’s hoofs had -died away in the distance, then slowly returned to the apartment -which they had left a few minutes previous. Each member of the -assembly seemed deeply engaged with his own respective thoughts, the -uppermost of which was, no doubt, the surprising scenes that had -transpired during the evening. - -The silence was finally broken by Colonel Hall, who had been -for several moments seemingly absorbed in a deep, meditative -mood, turning abruptly toward a young officer, who, in a fit of -abstraction, was standing with one arm leaning on the mantel, whom he -addressed as follows: - -“Lieutenant Mansfield, I have resolved to dispatch a body of horse -to follow the direction taken by Miss Lear, in case she should -be molested, as I have apprehensions of the safety of the route -which she must traverse, for you are aware that it is only a few -days ago that those three Tory spies, now immured in the bastion, -were captured in the vicinity of her father’s residence. Should it -be agreeable, I will give the command of the troops to you; but -remember, the matter is optional.” - -“Colonel, I am at your service, and nothing would be more pleasing -to me than to be the protector of virtue, and if possible, in -the performance of my duty, to rid the country of some of those -bloodthirsty desperadoes that are such a scourge to society.” - -“Those are soldierly sentiments, lieutenant,” answered Colonel Hall. - -“The sentiments of the entire garrison,” responded the lieutenant. - -“I am pleased to learn that such chivalrous feelings pervade the -breasts of the men under my command,” said the colonel; “however, -lieutenant, as the time passes rapidly by, and several minutes have -already elapsed since the departure of Miss Lear, it would be well to -make preparations as speedily as possible.” - -The lieutenant making a low bow, retired to perform the wishes of his -commander. In a moment afterward, the troopers, armed to the teeth, -and mounted on their caparisoned chargers, looking like so many -grim specters, dashed through the open gate and were soon lost to -view. The gate creaked on its rusty hinges as it swung back into its -customary place, and silence again reigned supreme. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - THE RED WITNESS. - - -Imogene, after her departure from the fort, sped rapidly onward, -heedless of the extended branches and immense brambles that -threatened every moment to drag her from her saddle. Collecting her -confused thoughts, which were exceedingly harassed by her multiplied -troubles, she checked the impetuosity of her steed, and compelling -him to assume a more moderate gait, fell into a revery. - -“Can it be possible,” she murmured, “that Colonel Hall could have -had any intimation of impending danger? he seemed to persist so -strongly that I should remain in the fort till daylight!” Immediately -recovering herself, she exclaimed: - -“A truce to such thoughts! It is only the wandering of my disordered -imagination, that turns every harmless tree into a robber, and every -neighboring bush into the lurking-place of some concealed assassin. -However, I must confess that when I first entered the forest, an -indescribable feeling of dread seemed to chill my very blood; but I -must scout such ideas, which if I do not, they will entirely unnerve -me, and render me unfit to enter the presence of my father, who -must not receive from me even the slightest suspicion of Edgar’s -misfortune.” - -In vain did she endeavor to shake off the gloomy feeling that -possessed her. The moon, which had been concealed during the earlier -part of the evening behind the immense banks of clouds that had -obscured the heavens, now became occasionally visible, and its fitful -beams served only to render the intense darkness of the woods more -apparent, and lend a more spectral appearance to surrounding objects. - -Imogene, having relapsed into her former mood, rode slowly along the -well-beaten path, unmindful of the cold, keen wind that swept through -the surging forest, causing the stanch old oaks to gently bend their -hoary tops to the blast. - -The deep baying of her father’s hounds awakened her, at length, from -her musings. Congratulating herself upon having reached the terminus -of her journey in safety, she tried to smile at the absurd fears of -her friends, when her steed, with a snort of terror, made a sudden -pause, throwing himself back on his haunches, almost unseating his -mistress. - -Imogene peered into the darkness beyond, but in consequence of the -intensity of the gloom, was unable to ascertain the cause of her -horse’s fear, and vainly endeavored to urge her trembling animal -forward, at first, by gentle applications of the whip, and finally -by kind words and caresses, but with like success. It was with the -utmost difficulty that she succeeded in calming his excitement, and -preventing him from dashing headlong into the surrounding woods. - -At that moment, the moon, which had been hidden for a short time -by a passing cloud, again burst forth, lighting up the surrounding -darkness, and by the aid of the few faint beams that struggled -through the dense foliage overhead, Imogene perceived a man at a few -yards distant, standing on the side of the road, partly concealed -behind a tree. - -Seeing that he was discovered, he stepped into the middle of the -path, as if he desired to speak. He appeared to be advanced in years, -with long, flowing, silvery locks, and with little or no beard. His -frame was still strong and sinewy, though somewhat bent, apparently -both by age and toil. His countenance, however, bore but few traces -of either age or suffering, and had quite a prepossessing look, were -it not for the expression of his eyes, which were cold and repelling, -but with a glance sharp and piercing that seemed to read the inmost -secrets of any object on which it was cast. - -These organs were nearly concealed by a pair of black, shaggy brows, -that ill-accorded with the excessive whiteness of their owner’s -hair. The stranger, noticing the anxious and half-affrighted look of -Imogene, broke the silence by saying: - -“Young lady, be not afraid; I am but a poor, harmless old man who has -been traveling nearly the entire day over hill and dale, and am only -seeking some fit habitation where I may rest my weary limbs.” - -Imogene gazed upon the singular being before her, for some moments -in silence, unable to utter a word, so sudden was the shock of his -unexpected appearance. Recovering herself at length, she replied: - -“For what reason, my good sir, are you, at such an hour in a place so -isolated. Do you not fear any danger?” - -“I entered these woods to seek shelter from the impending storm which -threatened to take place during the earlier part of the evening,” -he answered. “As for danger, why should I fear? Who would think of -injuring a harmless old man like me? No, no, these freebooters of the -road look for higher game than I, in my poverty, could offer!” - -These last words were uttered in such a sarcastic tone that -Imogene, who had been adjusting her horse’s bridle, looked up with -astonishment and bent her penetrating gaze upon the speaker, but -seeing his harmless and abject appearance, her features relaxed and -softened into a look of pity. - -Desiring to terminate the conversation, she said: - -“My friend, these woods are not a suitable spot for either of us, -and as you remarked that you were seeking for a place of shelter and -safety, I will direct you where your wishes will be gratified. Follow -this path, without deviating either to the right or left, and you -will reach the habitation of my father, where you will find a place -to rest yourself. Lead on, I will follow.” - -Up to this moment, the stranger had not moved from the position he -had first assumed; but seeing the intention of Imogene to proceed, he -drew back a step and raised his hand, motioning her to stop. She did -as he requested. - -“Before I accept your kind invitation,” continued the old man, “I -would wish to know, good lady, to whose generosity I am indebted; -whether it be friend or foe.” - -“That matters not,” replied Imogene; “it is sufficient that you are -homeless and in want. I consider not whether the recipient of my -charity be friend or enemy, neither do I care. You seek assistance, -and that assistance I offer you--what more is necessary? I am not -your enemy, nor do I bear hostile feeling to anybody. Let this answer -suffice.” - -The energy with which Imogene uttered these words caused the rich -blood to suffuse her countenance, which lent an additional charm to -her excessive beauty. The stranger sent an admiring look upon the -beautiful young girl, but it passed like a flash as he resumed the -conversation. - -“Young lady, pray forgive my hesitancy; but, as you are aware, in -these troublesome times a man is at a loss to know whom to trust, -and I am afraid that should I fall into the hands of some, I might -receive a reception disagreeable to my nature,” at this he turned -an inquisitive look upon his companion, as if he sought to elicit a -reply to his somewhat equivocal answer. - -“You doubt, then, the honesty of my hospitable offers,” returned -Imogene, with some animation. - -“No, no, young lady; you misconstrue my meaning. I doubt not your -upright intentions; but, as I said before, you know a person can not -be too scrupulous in these matters.” - -“In order not to deprive you of the comforts which you seem to need, -I will endeavor to dispel your ungrounded fears by giving you the -requisite information. The house to which I have directed you is the -residence of Thomas Lear, and--” - -At the last-mentioned name, the stranger started back with a look of -surprise. - -“Then you are Imogene, the daughter of old Lear, the Tory?” he -exclaimed. - -These words were uttered in a much different key. A strong, manly -voice had taken the place of the weak, wheezing tone of the old man. -The hot blood mantled the brow of Imogene, as she quickly retorted to -this seemingly insulting language: - -“Though Thomas Lear should be a supporter of the king’s cause, his -daughter, at least, should be free from insult. He is my father, and -I wish not to hear his name spoken of in so wanton and disrespectful -a manner. I have directed you to a harbor of safety, where you may -find a place of rest, and provide for your wants. If you wish to -avail yourself of my offer you may do so, but you must use your own -discretion in the matter. I have already tarried too long--I must -depart.” - -“A word with you, Miss Lear, for such you have acknowledged yourself -to be, before you go,” replied the stranger; and drawing nearer to -Imogene, he whispered, in a subdued undertone, a few words which -seemed to make her recoil with an expression of horror. - -“Away, vile wretch! Is it thus you would repay my kindness? Begone!” -She cast upon him such a look of disgust and contempt that he seemed -to writhe under her stinging rebuff. - -“You reject, then, my offer?” he replied. - -“I refuse to parley with such a despicable creature. Make way; I must -leave this spot.” - -“Not quite so fast, young lady. I wish to allow you a moment to -reconsider your decision,” returned the old man without moving from -his position in the center of the path. - -“You have heard my answer.” - -“You persist in your refusal? - -“I do.” - -The stranger gave a low, short whistle, and immediately disappeared -in the brushwood. Before Imogene could recover from her surprise at -this sudden disappearance, her horse’s bridle was seized by an armed -ruffian, while two others confronted her with drawn weapons. Imogene -was immediately alive to the danger that threatened her. - -“What means this outrage--this detention?” she exclaimed in an -excited manner. - -“It means,” returned one of the party, who appeared to be the leader, -in a gruff voice, “that you’re our prisoner.” - -At this juncture one of the men raised his hand as a signal for -all to remain silent. In an instant every one assumed a listening -attitude, intent on catching the slightest sound. At first nothing -could be heard, save the sighing of the wind through the trees, but -the practiced ears of the desperadoes quickly distinguished the -clatter of approaching hoofs. - -“What’s that?” exclaimed the man who had given the signal of alarm, -casting an inquiring look at his leader. - -“It’s a party o’ those cursed rebels from the fort, and we must go -into the woods until they pass, or they’ll be on our backs in no -time.” - -As he said this, he turned toward Imogene, and, drawing a pistol from -his belt, ordered her to dismount. - -“Dismount, I tell ye,” cried the ruffian, in a voice husky with rage, -seeing that Imogene utterly disregarded his command, “or by th’ -light o’ Heaven, I’ll put this piece o’ lead through yer brain; for -I’ve promised to deliver yer body, dead or alive, and I’ll do so, -should it cost me my life.” - -Imogene looked at the villain, and saw by the fierce expression of -his countenance and the malignant fire that sparkled in his eye, that -he was capable of any enormity possible to humanity, and would not -hesitate an instant to put his threat into execution. - -There was no one to succor her; she beheld only the other villains, -his accomplices in crime. Oh, how she wished that her noble Edgar was -by her side, were it but for a moment. - -“Make haste,” exclaimed the ruffian, impatiently. - -“I refuse,” replied Imogene, with vehemence. - -In an instant, before she could divine their intention, a large -mantle was suddenly cast over her head to prevent her from making any -outcry, and she was forcibly dragged from her saddle and borne into -the woods. In a moment afterward the man who had held the rein of -Imogene’s steed, uttering a cry of pain, dashed after them. - -“What’s all this noise about?” sharply asked the ruffian leader, -casting a savage look upon his comrade. - -“The horse! the horse!” was all he could ejaculate, and holding up -his hand which was sadly cut and mangled, “see there,” he cried, -with an oath, “that infernal brute almost wrenched my arm out of its -socket with his teeth,” and holding tightly on the wounded member, he -groaned aloud with the excruciating pain. - -“Ye’d better stop that howlin’ o’ yours, afore ye bring th’ whole -rebel pack down upon us,” was the consoling remark. The wounded man, -with a look of pain and hatred, obeyed. - -The heavy tramp of horses denoted the rapid advance of the troopers, -and the bushes had hardly closed on the form of the last of the -retreating rascals, when they rode swiftly by the hiding-place of -their foe, looking like so many ghostly images, as the moonbeams -faintly reflected on their clanking sabers, and the garnished -trappings of their steeds. - -When the last sound of the retreating horsemen had died away in the -distance, the leader of the party noiselessly emerged from his place -of concealment, and took a short, quick survey of the surroundings. - -Upon observing their freedom from all immediate danger, he ordered -his companions to mount with all possible expedition. Carefully -placing the swooning and almost inanimate form of Imogene on the back -of his own horse, he exclaimed: - -“Now, then, put yer horses to the test, for we must place many miles -betwixt us and this spot afore daylight; for that bloody red-skin, -War-Cloud, is at th’ fort, and if he gets on our trail, only a -miracle ’ll save us from goin’ under. Should th’ rebel dogs overtake -us, they’ll show us no quarters.” - -In obedience to the command of their captain, one of the party rode -some distance in advance, in order to keep a sharp look-out for any -signs of danger; the leader with his helpless burden occupied the -center; while the wounded man, who was engaged in binding up his -lacerated hand, guarded the rear. - -In this manner they proceeded for several miles in silence, not a -sound breaking the deep and deathlike stillness of the forest, except -the dull echoes of the horses’ tread. - -They had almost reached the verge of the woods through which they -were traveling, and were about to enter upon the highway, in order -to pursue their way more rapidly, trusting to the darkness as a -safeguard against their being observed, and the proximity of the -woods into which they could plunge in case of the approach of any -suspicious party, when the man in front gave a low whistle as a -signal to halt. - -Riding back to his companions, he pointed out to them through the -trees, a faint, glimmering light that appeared to issue from a large -house near the roadside, but so nearly hidden in an angle of the -woods, that they almost came upon it unawares. This was no other than -the residence of the old Whig who had been so cruelly murdered during -the visit of Iron Hand’s band the evening previous. - -After debating among themselves for several moments the one who -had first given the alarm agreed to go and reconnoiter the place. -Dismounting, he hastened across the road, and disappeared in the -shadows of the trees that nearly surrounded the habitation. - -His friends, in their place of concealment, anxious to hear the -result. After an elapse of about half an hour he returned, and -informed his comrades that the house was apparently empty, and -that the inmates had either fled or been taken captives, as he had -minutely examined several of the apartments, and there was not a -single sound to denote the presence of any living being about the -premises. - -At this piece of intelligence, the three ruffians concluded that -instead of proceeding further on their journey, as both themselves -and their horses were greatly fatigued by their rapid traveling, -to take up their abode for the remainder of the night in their -newly-discovered place of shelter. - -The trio advanced cautiously until they reached the house, where they -dismounted and securely fastened their animals. The horses, together -with the still insensible person of Imogene, were left in charge of -the wounded member of the party, while the other two entered the -building. - -All was silence within. At the end of a large hall into which they -had ushered themselves, was a wide stair-case leading to the room -where the light was first discovered. Looking into several smaller -apartments without seeing any suspicious sign, the two worthies -concluded that the place was still unoccupied, and immediately -prepared to proceed to the room above, in order to ascertain the -cause of the light which they had seen. - -As they ascended, the stairs creaked and groaned, sending forth at -every step a hollow, dismal sound, whose echoes broke the monotonous -stillness, and lent additional horror to the deep gloom that pervaded -the entire place. - -Entering the chamber, a scene of terrible confusion was spread before -their eyes. Broken and disarranged furniture was scattered in every -direction, while on the end of the mantel near one of the windows, -stood a light with the flame just flickering in the socket. This it -was that first attracted the attention of the abducting party. - -It was obvious by the great disorder everywhere visible, that the -inmates had decamped in haste, as not a single piece of furniture had -been removed, and that the house had been recently abandoned, either -in consequence of a real or expected attack. - -It was also apparent that the place had not been deserted more than -an hour or two. Evidently the last resident entertained little -apprehension of an unwelcome visit, as the light in the apartment was -so placed that its rays could be easily distinguished by the least -observant passing that way. - -Could it be that the inmates had heard their approach and had -secreted themselves until they had fairly entrapped their victims? -As this thought suggested itself to the minds of the two ruffians, -a cold perspiration bathed their brows, and they were on the point -of beating a hasty retreat; but being reassured by the prevailing -quietude, they endeavored, with an air of assumed bravado, to rally -their drooping courage. - -In a noiseless, but faltering manner, they commenced an examination -of the apartment. One of them gave a sudden bound, accidentally -knocking over a chair in his fright, as he trod on some small, hard -object lying on the floor. - -“Curse on ye!” exclaimed his companion, in a tone of mingled alarm -and anger, “ye’ll bring th’ whole neighborhood about our ears.” - -Assuring themselves, however, that the noise had not aroused anybody, -they continued their search. As the ruffian who had been startled so -suddenly, stooped down to ascertain the cause of his alarm, the dim -rays of the candle reflected on a richly-mounted dagger. - -He picked it up, and was about to place it in his girdle, when his -comrade, the leader of the party, who was watching his movements, -caught sight of the glittering blade. - -“What’s that?” he asked, as he rudely grasped the arm of the other. - -“Only a knife.” - -“By heavens, I’ve seen that knife afore!” he soliloquized, as they -both minutely examined the instrument by the aid of the candle’s -faint and flickering flame. - -The handle of the weapon was tastefully ornamented with -mother-of-pearl and several beautiful and sparkling brilliants, -denoting that the owner was of no ordinary rank. They held it closer -to the light in order to inspect what appeared to be spots of rust on -the keen but peculiar-shaped blade. - -“Blood! as I’m a livin’ man.” - -“And fresh blood at that,” replied the other, as he scrutinized it -more closely. - -“See!” was the excited exclamation. - -“What?” - -“Those letters,” answered the leader, as he pointed to the initials -“I. H.” handsomely engraved on the hilt of the weapon. - -“Wal, what of ’em?” - -“Don’t yer know?” - -After slowly repeating the letters over several times in his -endeavors to unravel the enigma, the other quickly exclaimed: - -“I have it--the knife’s our chief’s.” - -“Sartinly.” - -“Wonder how it came here?” - -“Th’ chief hisself or some of th’ league have been around and at -work.” - -They then proceeded without delay to look about them for some traces -of a _melée_. The walls were besmeared in several places with clots -of blood, giving unmistakable signs of an encounter, while in the -center of the floor was a small pool of human gore not yet dry, -denoting that the victim, whether dead or wounded, had been but -recently removed. - -The expiring flame of the candle threw a sickly glare over the -apartment, wrapping every thing in a ghostly gloom. The ruffians, -though steeled to scenes of blood and murder, could not drive away -the indescribable feeling of awe that crept over them as they stood -there alone. - -The bloody weapon of their chieftain, the not-to-be-mistaken marks -of a recent combat, the light, the deserted house with its entire -contents intact--all these, to the minds of the ruffians, were an -unbroken chain of circumstances which to them was an inexplicable -mystery. - -Murder and rapine in their direst forms they could look upon -unflinchingly, but to be there alone, with nothing but the dumb and -sanguinary witnesses of the slaughtered victim around them, was more -than their treacherous souls could withstand. - -Filled with superstitious fears, they hastened precipitately down the -stairs, casting occasional furtive glances behind them, and ceased -not their hasty retreat until they had reached their horses, which -quickly mounting, they drove their rowels into their flanks and in a -moment were dashing down the road in hurried flight. - -Not a word was uttered until they were satisfied that they had placed -themselves beyond the reach of all danger, real or imaginary, when -they checked their steeds, and related to their wondering and almost -bewildered comrade what they had seen. - -After a short and silent ride, the party finally reached a small, -but pretty and tasteful, dwelling, surrounded by neat and beautiful -grounds. It presented no appearance of wanton injury and desolation, -and was quite a pleasing contrast to the numerous forsaken and -half-burned houses that everywhere abounded in that part of the -country. - -This pleasant retreat was evidently abandoned by its former -occupants, as the three ruffians approached it unhesitatingly, -without using their customary precautions. The place was, no doubt, -one of the many resorts belonging to the band of which these men were -members, and had been spared from the general waste to be reserved -for this purpose. - -Having made secure the apartment in which Imogene was placed, so as -to prevent escape, the trio, before a large, crackling wood fire -which they had enkindled on the hearth, prepared to make themselves -as comfortable as circumstances would permit. - -After discussing the creature comforts with appetites rendered -extremely sharp by their weary ride, two of the party, while the -other mounted guard for the night, rolled themselves in their -blankets and were soon buried in slumber. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - THE HOT TRAIL. - - -After leaving the fort, the dragoons followed the well-worn but -solitary path leading to the residence of Mr. Lear, which they were -certain Imogene had taken. - -Onward they swiftly rode, hoping at every moment to overtake their -intended charge. Though they frequently listened to catch the -slightest sound, however, nothing was audible save the monotonous -rattling of their sabers. - -The deep baying of hounds, the same that had awakened Imogene from -her reverie, told them they were near their journey’s end. In a few -moments afterward the dragoons drew up their panting steeds before -the residence of Thomas Lear. - -All was still. The lieutenant dismounted and rapped loudly on the -door with the hilt of his saber. Finding that the summons was -unanswered, he repeated his rap with redoubled vehemence. The echo -had hardly died away when the door was partly opened, and a negro -domestic peering cautiously out inquired the reason of their visit at -such an unseemly hour. - -Hearing, in reply to her question, the deep, heavy tones of a man’s -voice, and seeing the person himself garbed in the habiliments of a -continental soldier, she was about to quickly close the door in her -fright; but the assurance that she was to be in no wise molested -filled her with more confidence, and after some hesitancy she -admitted the strange visitors. - -Upon making inquiries, the lieutenant was astounded to find that -Imogene had not yet returned, and was on the point of dispatching -some of his men to scour the woods in the vicinity, when her steed, -riderless and with saddle and girth nearly torn from his back, came -dashing up the lawn. - -Mr. Lear, on hearing the loud tones of the conversation carried on -below, hurried down-stairs. Seeing a party of soldiers congregated -before his house, his mind was filled with forebodings of some -impending calamity. - -“What is the meaning of this unseasonable visit?” he eagerly -inquired, turning to the lieutenant of the dragoons. - -“We have come in obedience to the command of Colonel Hall, to -ascertain whether Miss Lear has yet arrived from the fort, which she -persisted in leaving this evening unattended.” - -“Imogene at the fort! What mean you--how came she there?” - -“She was at the ball, sir.” - -“At the ball! You mystify me--explain yourself;” but just at that -moment, catching sight of the riderless steed, he started back with -an agonizing groan. “I understand,” he murmured, “something has -happened to Imogene.” - -“Indeed, sir, I fear there has been foul play.” - -“No, no, there must be some dreadful mistake here!” exclaimed the old -man, nervously grasping the arm of the officer. “Who could be so base -as to harm my child?” - -“In truth, the affair is enveloped in profound mystery. We have -examined the horse and find no traces of blood, and I greatly fear -that your daughter has been--” - -“What?” cried Mr. Lear, seeing the soldier hesitate. - -“Abducted.” - -“Oh! my God! what new villainy is this!” and the sorrow-stricken -parent staggered at the fearful intelligence. Clutching the -lieutenant with feverish suddenness, he frantically exclaimed: - -“Oh! save my daughter, my darling girl! Reclaim her from the hands of -those merciless fiends, and my property, my life, my all is yours! -Oh! my child! my child! my child!” and with a heartrending cry, the -poor afflicted father reeled, then sunk to the floor. - -Leaving the grief-stricken old man in the care of his weeping -servants, with the assurance that nothing would be left undone to -recover Miss Lear from the hands of her abductors, the lieutenant -vaulted into his saddle, and in company with his men hurried back to -the fort to impart to the commandant the unwelcome news. - -“Lieutenant,” said Colonel Hall, after the officer had related to -him what had taken place, “you will hold yourself and command in -readiness to start at break of day, in pursuit of these villains.” - -The dragoon was about departing, when the colonel stopped him. - -“The Indian, War-Cloud, is still in the garrison, is he not?” he -asked. - -“He is, sir.” - -“Send him to me, then, without delay.” - -The officer bowed and retired. The Indian quickly obeyed the summons. - -War-Cloud was a chief of the Oneidas. Although a great part of his -tribe went over to the British with the Five Nations, of which it was -a member, he always remained a stanch friend of the Americans, and an -inveterate foe of the Mohawks. - -He was one of the most trustworthy scouts attached to the Continental -army, and in that capacity had performed invaluable service in the -cause of liberty. - -To Captain Sherwood he was especially attached, and would have been -ready at any moment to sacrifice his life in his behalf. A large, -crackling wood-fire shed its rays about the room which he entered. - -As the Indian stood there, calmly awaiting the pleasure of his -commander, with his arms quietly folded on his breast, with the -beautiful war-plumes that decorated his head drooping over his -countenance so as to give a more somber shade to his finely-molded -features, he looked like some brazen colossus and the _beau-ideal_ of -a true warrior. - -Colonel Hall was pacing up and down the apartment, deeply absorbed in -meditation. He stopped a moment and looked up. - -“Ah!” he exclaimed, as he beheld his visitor, “you have come!” - -Placing a chair near the table for the scout, he seated himself -opposite. - -“I suppose you are aware of the reason that has caused me to send for -you?” continued the colonel. - -The Indian bowed in response. - -“You have already heard of the abduction of Miss Lear?” - -“War-Cloud knows all,” answered the scout. - -“Then you will hold yourself ready to accompany the troopers on the -trail of the abductors in the morning.” After giving the Indian his -instructions, the commander dismissed him. - -The remainder of the night was spent by a greater part of the inmates -of the fort, in a state of feverish excitement. It was deemed prudent -to withhold the knowledge of Imogene’s abduction from Captain -Sherwood, until more particulars of her fate were obtained. - -The next morning, just as the bright sun commenced to tint the -neighboring hill-tops and light up the eastern horizon, witnessed the -departure of the dragoons from the fort. - -They immediately took the path of the previous evening, which they -slowly followed, scrutinizing every foot of the ground minutely, -until they reached the spot where Imogene had been stopped by her -abductors. This they knew by the trampled state of the earth. - -Dismounting, War-Cloud made a careful examination of the numerous -footprints, while the remainder of the company patiently awaited the -result of his investigation. - -Quickly beckoning the commander to his side, the scout pointed to -several deep prints in the soft soil. - -“Well, what’s peculiar about them?” asked the officer, inspecting -them closely. - -“White man’s tracks.” - -“White men’s! How know you that?” - -“See!” exclaimed the scout, as he directed the officer’s attention -to several nearly erased marks, “Indian no wear boots--Indian wear -moccasin.” - -Sure enough, there, in the loose earth, were imprinted the faint -outlines of boot-traces. Penetrating the trampled bushes on either -side of the path, War-Cloud at length came upon the spot where the -inanimate form of Imogene had been placed during the passage of the -dragoons. - -These signs not only satisfied the party that they had struck upon -the right trail, but also gave convincing proof that the abductors -were white men, not Indians, as at first supposed. - -Without stopping to waste any more time in words, the dragoons -started on the trail, with War-Cloud a short distance in advance. The -traces of the fugitives were so broad and plain, and so little care -had been taken to conceal them, that they could be followed with but -little difficulty. - -However, as the troopers entered deeper into the heart of the forest, -their progress became slower and more difficult, and the trail less -distinct. - -At length, however, they reached the deserted house where the -abducting party had stopped the previous evening. They surrounded the -building, but this precaution was unnecessary, as a hasty examination -showed that their intended victims had departed several hours before. - -The old trail was again resumed, which led them to the dwelling in -which we left Imogene and her abductors in the previous chapter. - -It was now dark, and the obscurity and quietude in which the -house was buried seemed to foreshadow another disappointment. The -lieutenant knocked loudly at the door; no answer. He knocked again; -still no answer. He was about to effect an entrance by force, when -the shadow of a man was observed to flit across the lawn. - -The dragoons started in hurried pursuit. Through the dim twilight -the fugitive was hardly distinguishable. He had almost reached the -woods--in another moment he would be safe, when the sharp, whip-like -report of War-Cloud’s rifle was heard, and the fleeing man fell to -the dust. - -The next instant he was surrounded by his pursuers, who made a litter -for him with their rifles, and carried him to the house. The injured -man was bleeding copiously, and appeared to be seriously, if not -mortally wounded. - -“Who are you, and what were you doing here?” inquired the lieutenant, -after seeing that the sufferer’s position had been made as -comfortable as possible. - -“What’s thet to ye?” was the surly reply. - -“Come, come, my good fellow, you had better be a little more -communicative, for I think your time is growing short.” - -“What’s thet ye say?” exclaimed the man, with a sudden start. - -“I fear your injury is fatal.” - -“Do ye think so?” - -“I do.” - -“If thet’s the case, Tom Turley had better tell all afore he goes -under, for he hez a purty good deal thet weighs on his mind.” - -“Be brief.” - -“Send yer cap’n to me; I’ll tell no other.” - -“I am the sole commander here.” - -To this the man uttered a guttural, unintelligible response and -then remained quiet. The lieutenant perceived that nothing could be -elicited from him, except by the closest interrogating. - -“Who are you?” - -“I’m one of the Tory League,” answered the man, in a low whisper. - -At the mention of this name, a scowl darkened the brows of the -dragoons that were crowded around. - -“How came you with that wound?” asked the officer, seeing one of the -hands of the Tory ill-bandaged and bloody. - -“I got bit by a horse belongin’ to a gal thet myself and two more of -the band wor carryin’ off.” - -“What!” exclaimed the lieutenant, springing suddenly to his feet; -“you, then, were one of the abductors of Miss Lear?” - -“Thet’s the name, but--quick--water! water!” A drink was immediately -given him. - -“Who were your companions, and where are they? Tell me what has -become of Miss Lear!” but before any reply could be made to these -questions, a short, burly individual, a surgeon, had elbowed his way -through the crowd and reached the wounded man. - -He had accompanied the dragoons on the expedition, evidently more -for the sake of adventure than from any expectation that his medical -services would be required. - -He had joined in the pursuit on foot, and it was several minutes -after the dragoons had returned to the house, before he made his -appearance. - -Thrusting back the men who were collected around, eager to hear what -the Tory had to say, he proceeded to examine the man’s wound. - -The ball had entered the upper part of the shoulder, but striking the -blade, had taken a downward course and come out at the back. - -“It’s only a flesh wound,” said the surgeon, after he had finished -bandaging the injury; “the man has bled profusely, which has made -him weak, but in a few hours he will be all right again.” - -“What! then I’ll yet live?” exclaimed the man, with a nervous -shudder, a deathlike pallidness overspreading his countenance. - -“Why, certainly! you are worth a dozen dying men.” - -At these words the man sunk back with a groan. - -“But, my good fellow, why do you speak in this manner?” asked the -surgeon; “you don’t wish to die, do you?” - -“He’s one of the Tory League, doctor, and thought he wor goin’ -under,” ventured to say one of the soldiers. - -“One of the Tory League, eh?” exclaimed the surgeon, with a look of -surprise. “Ah! I understand his wish to die; he’s afraid that he has -escaped one mode of dying to suffer a worse, which he has deserved a -hundred times for his black deeds.” - -With an almost superhuman effort, the wounded man sprung to his feet, -his face livid with passion. - -“Ye’ve desaved me!” he fairly shrieked, pointing his bloody hand at -the commander of the dragoons. - -“I told you what I conscientiously thought to be true. I believed you -to be dying and I told you so. You betrayed yourself,” calmly replied -the lieutenant. - -“Ye lie! Ye’ve desaved me, I tell ye!” and with a howl of rage, the -ruffian, a fiendish look overspreading his scowling brow, drew forth -a dagger he had concealed in his bosom, and sprung at the officer. - -In an instant, he was seized by a dozen hands, and disarmed before he -could carry out his design. The villain, seeing his plans frustrated, -cast a diabolical look at his intended victim, then settled into a -dogged quietude. - -“Answer the questions I put to you,” said the lieutenant, approaching -the Tory, “and you are a free man, though you should have merited a -thousand deaths for your bloody acts.” - -The man only looked at his interlocutor, but made no answer. - -“Tell me who were your companions, and what they have done with Miss -Lear,” continued the officer, “and on my honor as a soldier, the -moment I feel assured that you have spoken the truth, you will be at -liberty to depart unmolested.” - -“Ye’ve desaved me once, and ye shan’t do it again.” - -“I repeat my question. Will you or will you not tell me the names of -your companions, and whither they have taken the young lady?” - -“I’ll not!” - -“Bring the prisoner without!” commanded the lieutenant, in a stern -voice. - -The order was promptly obeyed, and the Tory was conducted to the -green in front of the dwelling. - -The moon had already arisen, and its bright beams rendered the night -almost equal to day. A towering oak stood a few yards from the door, -and under its spreading branches the soldiers had collected in a -group, forming quite a picturesque scene. - -A strong rope was cast over one of the largest limbs, and a dragoon -quietly formed a sliding noose at the end. A small cask was brought -from the house and placed directly under the hanging cord. - -The prisoner watched these ominous preparations with suspicion. The -officer now approached him again. - -“Will you answer the question that I have asked you?” he said. - -“I’ve tol’ ye once; ask me no more.” - -“Men, do your duty!” - -In an instant the prisoner’s hands were pinioned behind him, and the -rope placed around his neck. - -“Mount,” said the officer. - -The prisoner reluctantly placed himself on the cask. He now began to -surmise the true meaning of what was going on, though at first he -had half-suspected it was only a resort to the old ruse of extorting -information. - -“What are ye goin’ to do wid me?” he asked, in a trembling tone. - -“You shall see presently,” was the answer. - -“What does all this mean?” inquired the Tory, now thoroughly alarmed -at the manner of the soldiers. - -“That you are going to suffer a penalty that you have too often -eluded, and which you merit but too well,” answered the officer. - -“Ye’re not goin’ to put me to death?” - -“If you answer me what I have already asked you, no; but if you -refuse, yes!” - -“If I answer yer questions am I free?” - -“You are.” - -“If I refuse?” - -“Then you die.” - -“Will you show me no mercy?” - -“Think not of mercy, but of your God!” - -“Look yere cap’n,” said the Tory, who, though a miscreant, was no -coward; “though ye wor to slice and quarter me, ye couldn’t make Tom -Turley blow on his comrades.” - -He had scarcely finished uttering these last words when the support -was knocked from under him by a violent blow, and he was left -dangling in the air. - -He struggled violently for several moments, then uttered a piercing -shriek: - -“Help! help! cut the rope! Oh, God! mercy! mercy! mercy! Iron -Hand!--old man!--Hank Put--! I’ll t--t--t--” His voice was hushed. -The words, whatever they were, assumed only a gurgling sound in his -throat, then died away in nothingness. - -His limbs were slowly contracted, then as slowly straightened out -again. His hands were tightly clenched. The finger-nails penetrated -the flesh, making wounds from which nearly stagnant blood slowly -oozed, pattering in drops on the leaves below. - -He made a spasmodic effort to release his arms, but they fell -quivering by his side. A slight, convulsive shudder shook his frame, -and the soul of the Tory passed to its Maker. - -Just at that moment a blast of wind, like a solemn dirge, swept -through the forest, chanting, as it were, the dead man’s requiem. The -body was left swinging in the breeze, as a warning to all evil-doers, -or until chance should direct the footsteps of some stragglers to the -spot. - -Thoughtful, and pondering on the ruffian’s dying words, the dragoons -returned to the house, there to deliberate what next should be done. -After a short debate, they concluded to go back to the fort in the -morning, as it was evident that the abducting party had either -discovered their approach and fled or had departed before their -arrival. - -In either case they would reach the British lines before daylight, -and as it was impossible to follow the trail by night, the dragoons -were obliged to abandon the pursuit. - -Making themselves as comfortable as possible, the troopers waited -patiently until dawn, when they returned to the fort to make known -the result of the expedition. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - THE SECRET MISSION. - - -The cool night air awakened Imogene from the unconscious state into -which she had fallen when first seized by her abductors. - -Staring wildly around the apartment in which she was confined, she -was unable to account for her strange position. Pressing her hot -hands to her throbbing temples she tried to collect her scattered -thoughts. - -The recollection of the events of the past evening appeared to her -like a terrible dream. Like a flash the thought occurred to her that -she had been abducted. To think of such a thing almost crazed her -brain. - -“Where am I?” she wildly exclaimed, springing toward the ruffian who -was keeping guard at her chamber door. - -Without heeding her question, he made a commanding gesture for her to -remain silent. She tried to draw him into conversation, but in vain. - -Seeing she could not gain any information, she seated herself on the -rude couch that had been prepared for her, and commenced to reflect. - -The excitement and fatigue of the past few hours, however, were too -much for her delicate frame, and in a few moments she fell into a -gentle slumber. - -The guard, seeing his charge asleep, closed the door of the chamber -gently, and being wearied, seated himself near the fire. After -fruitless endeavors to keep his heavy eyelids from closing, he was -finally obliged to succumb to his drowsiness. - -His head fell heavily on his breast, his arms hung listlessly by his -side, and in a few moments he was slumbering heavily. Imogene’s sleep -was light and fitful. Her dreams were haunted by the transactions of -the past night. - -In a short time she awoke. Hearing no movement outside, she listened -attentively for the monotonous tread of her guard, but it had ceased. -Nothing broke the awful stillness save the heavy breathing of the -sleeping ruffians. - -Rising quickly, she peered cautiously out, and there, by the dim -light of the dying embers, she perceived her abductors wrapped in -sound slumber. - -Hastily procuring what articles were necessary to protect her against -the chill air of the evening, she wrapped her shawl around her -person, and quietly entered the dimly lighted room. Stepping lightly -over the sleeping forms of her captors, she fled down the stairs. - -The cool air fanned her fevered brow, and seemed to impart new -strength to her exhausted frame. The inspiring hopes of escaping from -her villainous captors had a salutary effect. Vaulting on the back of -one of the horses that stood ready equipped, she dashed away from the -house. - -The clattering of the horse’s hoofs aroused her guard. Looking around -him in a bewildered manner, he hurried to where his prisoner was -confined, only to find her gone. - -“Awake! awake! to horse! to horse!” he frantically cried, applying -his foot in no gentle manner to the sleeping forms of his companions. - -“What’s up?” asked they, in a single breath, springing to their feet. - -“Our prisoner’s escaped!” - -“The prisoner escaped!” they both exclaimed in one voice. - -“Yes; look for yerselves!” answered the other, pointing to the -vacated chamber. - -“To yer horses! We must hev the gal again, dead or alive!” cried the -ruffian leader, hurrying to where the animals were picketed. - -When they reached the spot, there were but two horses, the third was -gone. Imogene had unconsciously selected the animal belonging to the -wounded member of the party, and the owner had no other alternative -than to follow in the pursuit on foot, or go back to the house and -await the return of his comrades. He chose the latter. - -He slowly retraced his steps, muttering imprecations loud and deep. -The mounted ruffians hurried in pursuit of Imogene, hoping every -moment to catch some sound that would direct them. - -The chase was fruitless. They scoured the forest for miles around, -but were finally obliged to abandon the search. Chagrined and -disappointed by their ill-success, they were slowly returning to -where they had left their companion that morning. - -The day was drawing gradually to a close. The sun had already -disappeared behind the western hills, when the two ruffians were -suddenly confronted by a female--it was Imogene. - -It appears that after leaving the house, she wandered, she knew not -whither, until chance directed her attention to a small cavity near -the roadside, where she lay concealed during the greater part of the -day without being discovered by her pursuers. - -The shades of night were fast approaching, wrapping the grand old -forest in a somber gloom, when Imogene awakened to a sense of her -lonely situation. As she pondered on her isolated condition, her mind -was filled with fear and dreadful forebodings. - -The thought, that she was there alone in that gloomy forest, a prey -to wild beasts and starvation, almost distracted her. She almost -wished that she had not effected her escape, and was about to give -vent to her wild grief, when the tread of horses attracted her -attention. - -She paused and listened. Her ears had not deceived her. There was -no mistaking the sound--some one was approaching. She quickly hid -herself in the bushes, where she could get a view of the passers-by. - -She had not long to wait; the footsteps steadily approached, and the -next instant two horsemen loomed up in the distance. What was it -that made Imogene start, and sent the hot blood coursing through her -veins, as she caught sight of the foremost stranger? - -“No--yes--it must be--it is _he_!” she murmured to herself. She -could with difficulty refrain from uttering a cry of joy, as she -recognized in the form of one of these men, the pretended American -scout and patriot--Hank Putney. - -The sight of the scout reanimated her and restored her drooping -spirits, and she quickly determined to discover herself to him and -claim his protection until she should reach some place of safety. - -At the sudden appearance of Imogene, after her recapture had been -given up as hopeless, the scowl that darkened the brows of the two -ruffians gave place to a look of savage joy. - -It was evident to Putney, for it was indeed he, that Imogene had not -yet recognized him as being one of her abductors, for what other -reason could possibly have induced her to surrender herself into his -hands unless it was that she still deemed him to be the character he -had so basely assumed--a stanch American patriot, and the thought -seemed to give infinite pleasure to the ruffian. - -“So we’ve found ye at last,” he growled. - -“Oh, Hank!” exclaimed Imogene, with delight, without noticing his -rough salutation, as she approached the scout, her hands extended to -welcome him, “I am so glad to have met you.” - -“Yes?” answered Putney, with a sinister smile on his countenance. - -“I have been in this dreary place the entire day, without either -food or drink,” and Imogene shuddered as she commenced to relate the -particulars of her abduction and escape, but the scout interrupting -her, replied: - -“I know all about it.” - -“Have you captured some of the miscreants?” - -“Not exactly.” - -“Then you have been informed of their vile plot?” - -“That neither.” - -“In what manner, then, did you acquire this knowledge? You puzzle -me, Hank--I can not understand you,” said Imogene, growing a little -nettled at his cold, formal manner. - -“That’ll all be explained to ye soon enough. In the meanwhile ye’ll -mount and foller us,” he responded, at the same time making a gesture -to his comrade to lead forward Imogene’s steed, which she had -fastened near her place of concealment. - -Depressed by the mysterious manner of Putney, Imogene, with a -heavy heart, mechanically obeyed his order. The two ruffians -stationed themselves on either side of her. These precautions looked -suspicious, and a chill of fear crept over Imogene, as she witnessed -them. - -However, she quietly accompanied her companions, following wherever -they led. During their journey she endeavored to draw her taciturn -escort into a conversation, but without success. After a weary ride -of several miles, stopping suddenly, she exclaimed: - -“I will proceed no further, until you tell me whither you are leading -me!” - -“Ye won’t, eh! I’ll see about that.” - -“What do you mean, sir?” - -“That, willin’ or unwillin’, ye must foller me.” - -“Where?” - -“To th’ place ye left this mornin’.” - -“Not back to the haunt of my villainous abductors?” - -“’Xactly.” - -“Oh, no, Hank! You do not--you can not mean this! Tell me that you -are but jesting!” wildly exclaimed Imogene, now thoroughly alarmed at -the villain’s words. - -“It’s th’ truth.” - -“Then you are concerned in this plot?” - -“If ye’ll hev it so, I am.” - -“What! You do not mean to tell me, Hank, that _you, you_ are a -traitor--that _you_ are one of these ruffians!” - -The Tory hesitated a moment before answering, but feeling assured -that he had nothing to fear in revealing his true character to -his captive, as it was beyond her power to do him harm, he turned -abruptly and replied: - -“Yes. Hereafter ye’ll know me, not as Hank, th’ American scout and -patriot, but as Putney, th’ spy of th’ Tory League!” - -This announcement, like the sting of some venomous serpent, sunk -deep into the heart of Imogene. For a moment she seemed completely -paralyzed. - -“Great Heavens! then I am lost!” she murmured, seeing how basely she -had been betrayed, and how unwarily she had surrendered herself into -the clutches of the villains. - -The fact that Hank Putney and the leader of her abductors were one -and the same person, was more than she could seem to realize. To her, -the greatness of the man’s crime was only equaled by his perfidy. - -Her spirit was almost crushed by the acknowledged treachery of him in -whom she had reposed so much confidence, and she resigned herself to -her fate. - -The party continued the remainder of their journey in silence. The -moon had risen bright and full, when they arrived near the house in -which the ruffians had left their companion to await their return. - -As they emerged from the forest to cross the lawn leading to the -dwelling, a slight breeze shook the tall pines--a peculiar sound -reached their ears--the lengthened shadow of a human body stretched -across the moonlit sward, reaching nigh to their very feet in its -vacillating course. - -They stopped--looked up--when, oh, horror! they beheld a spectacle -sufficient to harrow up their very souls. - -There, pendent between heaven and earth, with its form clearly -outlined against the bright sky, was a black, frightful, hideous -corpse, once their own cheerful comrade, now no more. - -As it slowly swayed to and fro, moved by the gentle wind, with the -pale moonbeams reflecting on the grim, distorted countenance, with -features ghastly and repulsive, with eyes staring and glassy, that -seemed to protrude from their sockets in their endeavors to pierce, -as it were, the impenetrable darkness that enveloped the path of the -soul, the ill-boding, shrill screams of the birds of prey, as they -struggled and fought over their ghostly banquet of flesh, was a sight -too dreadful to look upon. - -The ruffians turned their heads in disgust from the horrible sight, -and dragging more than leading Imogene, who seemed chained to the -spot by some terrible fascination, they hurried away. - -The ominous cries of the carnivorous birds still rung in their -ears--sounds that penetrated the deepest chambers of their own -dark hearts, pricking their consciences with the knowledge of the -loathsome deeds there secreted. - -On, on they hurried, through brier, bramble, and thicket, stopping -not even to cast a single glance behind them, lest they should -again see the spectral figure of their late companion, until they -had satisfied themselves that they had nothing to fear from ghost or -human, when they reined in their panting steeds to recover breath. - -“Oh, God! thet wor awful!” exclaimed Putney, in a husky voice. “Poor -Tom wor a plucky one; but that wor an awful death to die!” and he -covered his face with his brawny hands, trying to shut out the -terrible scene from his imagination. - -The corpse was that of their companion, to whom, that morning, the -dragoons had administered such summary justice. - -After a moment of respite, Putney gave the signal to again press -onward. Over fallen trees, through swamp and morass, up the steep -hill and across the valley, they hurried with a precipitation which -naught but their superstitious fears could have created. - -Their progress was at length arrested by the small stream that flowed -into Lake George, between Forts William Henry and George. One of the -party reconnoitered the bank for some distance to find a fordable -place. - -Finally the desired spot was discovered, and they succeeded in -passing over in safety, receiving only a slight wetting. They were so -near the forts, that the distant roll of the drums and winding of the -bugles could be heard distinctly. - -Putney urged the party to their utmost celerity. He was in great -trepidation lest he should come across some scouting party returning -to the fort. However, the crisis passed safely over, and they -breathed freely as they escaped beyond the American lines. - -After a short but wearisome ride, Putney signaled the party to -halt and dismount. The spot at which they stopped was at the base -of a large hill, possessed, in no respect, of any peculiarities to -distinguish it from the landscape of the surrounding country. - -Putney pushed his way through a large clump of bushes that grew some -distance back from the roadside, and made a sign for the others to -follow him. - -They proceeded cautiously along a secret path that wound around the -base of the mountain, and at length stopped before a large cavity -partly concealed by shrubbery. - -Putney knocked on a small door that barred what appeared to be the -entrance to a cave. The bolts were slowly withdrawn, and the door -cautiously opened by a dark, sullen-looking man, who held a large -bunch of keys in his hand. - -A nod of recognition was exchanged between this personage and Putney, -and the party was allowed to enter. The place into which they were -introduced, bore a dismal, somber appearance. - -Benches were scattered promiscuously about, while on the side walls -were hung all sorts of martial implements. Not a single person, -however, was visible: all was as quiet as the grave. - -They were conducted along a large corridor dimly lighted a by a -single lantern, whose feeble glare served only to heighten the -gloominess of the situation. - -Imogene was ushered into a brilliantly illuminated apartment, which, -from all appearances, had, no doubt, been fitted up for her special -reception. - -She gazed about her with a half-bewildered air. The apartment was a -magnificent one. There was a lavish display of grandeur, unsurpassed -in many of our wealthiest drawing rooms. - -From the ceiling hung a beautiful pendent, with variegated lights. -The tapestried walls were grandiosely decorated in the richest and -most artistic manner. - -In the center of the room stood a table with vases, containing the -choicest and rarest flowers, whose fragrant exhalations perfumed the -whole apartment, serving to dispel the disagreeable odors emanating -from the naturally damp walls. - -The whole appearance of the place was strikingly at variance with -the rest of the interior of this mysterious cavern. Recovering from -her fit of abstraction into which she had fallen, Imogene rushed to -the door of her prison, for this we must term it, to try and gain an -egress, but it was securely barred. - -She then turned her attention to the walls, lest perchance there -might be some secret avenue to escape, but her hopes in that -direction were speedily blasted. - -Again she returned to her prison door, and with frantic energy shook -it violently, but it was proof against her feeble strength. - -In an agony of despair, she cried aloud for assistance; however, -naught save the echoes of her own voice gave back an answer. - -“Lost! lost! lost!” she cried! “May Heaven defend and guide me in -this, my hour of peril!” - -The exertions she had made were too much for her delicate and -exhausted frame. Tottering to a small couch that stood at the further -end of the room, she cast herself upon it, and burying her face in -her hands, gave vent to her grief. - -Gradually a sense of drowsiness stole over her, and succumbing to -nature’s wants, she soon was lost in slumber. How long she remained -thus, she knew not, when she was awakened by the creaking of her -prison door as some person entered. - -Remaining silent, she listened. The footsteps approached the middle -of the apartment, then stopped. She started in alarm from her -reclining posture and confronted her silent visitor. - -He was a tall and stately personage, with an authoritative and -commanding mien. His face was carefully concealed in the folds of an -ample cloak that fell gracefully from his shoulders. - -“Why this intrusion, sir?” - -“No intrusion, fair lady, only a friendly visit.” - -At the sound of the stranger’s voice Imogene involuntarily drew back. - -“That voice--surely I have heard it before--it is so like _his_!” she -whispered to herself. “Who are you, sir?” - -“Behold!” exclaimed the stranger, throwing off his disguise. - -“Great Heavens! Maurice!” and Imogene, trembling in every joint, -staggered against the wall for support. - -“Yes, Imogene!” replied her visitor, making a bow, half courteous, -half ironical--“it is I.” - -“For what reasons are you here?--you, whom all thought to be hundreds -of leagues hence?” - -“To express my love to you. Yes, Imogene--it is the great love I bear -you that has placed me here, and made me what you see me.” - -“Are you a voluntary inmate of this horrid place?” - -“I am.” - -“And these wretched men that brought me hither?” - -“Are my subordinates.” - -“But they, according to their own confession, are members of that -notorious band called the Tory League. Are you then, numbered among -their associates?” - -“I am--their leader.” - -“Do you mean to tell me that _you_--but I dare not mention that -terrible name; the very thought of it makes my blood run cold with -horror.” - -“It is but too true--I _do_ bear that name which none have learned -to repeat, save to visit with curses and execrations the head of its -possessor--Iron Hand.” - -“Yes, yes; that dreadful synonym for bloody murder and rapine.” - -“Imogene, you judge me too harshly. Though hated by mankind; though -my name be whispered in accents of fear and loathing, yet I am not -so bad as the world would have me. One thing always has sustained -me when on the very verge of despair, and like a celestial guide, -has directed my footsteps, and bid me hope when all around me was -ingulfed in misery and darkness--it is the thought, that you might -yet look upon me more kindly; that you might at some future day, even -learn to love me.” - -“Talk not to me of love! Know you not that I am already -betrothed--that my hand is already plighted to another?” - -“Ay! I know it but too well. It is that that has compelled me to have -recourse to these extreme measures; it is the burning love that is -consuming me, that has goaded me on to undertake that which in my -better moments I would scorn to do.” - -“Is it to avow your vile passion that you have torn me from my happy -home, and brought sorrow to the heart of my venerable father? Is it -for that purpose that you have seduced America’s sons from their -allegiance--that you have enlisted in your service the silvery locks -of age, and made them subservient tools for the furtherance of your -diabolical schemes? It is for this, then, that you have outraged -propriety, modesty, and the laws of God and man? Is it thus you -expect to be successful? You speak of love; yes, it is like that the -hawk bears the dove, merely to toy with its victim for a time, then -to rend it in pieces with its talons. Thank God! I have penetrated -your disguise, and understand your villainous designs--I am no longer -deceived. Your heart is black and treacherous, your soul stained -with crimes innumerable, and honor has fled the breast of one so -corrupted!” - -The Tory chieftain drew back at the passionate energy of Imogene’s -manner. His rage stood revealed in his pale and distorted face; but -suppressing his anger--he thought it policy--he replied with affected -composure: - -“You know not, Imogene, how I have loved and love you. Even supposing -that I have acted with any rashness in this, why will you insist on -my suffering for it? Why should reproaches be added to rejection, as -if to make the cup of bitterness more full? Come, Imogene, we must -yet be friends. I do not press you for an immediate answer; but tell -me you will think of me, and think more kindly, and I will be happy. -I go now, but will return on the morrow to receive my answer.” - -Bowing low, he turned to depart. - -“Hold! hold, sir!” exclaimed Imogene. “I wish to be harassed no -further by these unwelcome visits. Your very presence fills me with a -loathsome feeling I can not express. You can not deceive me by your -duplicity. I know your purposes are vile. Hear then my answer. It is -irrevocable and absolute. I hate you! I despise you! My soul tells me -that you are worse than you appear. You have bribed a villain with a -heart as black as your own, to deliver me into your power. Think you -that vengeance sleepeth? No! its loud cry will rise to Heaven until -you perish beneath its withering influence!” - -As she spoke these words, with an energy beyond what she had ever -shown, the fire that smoldered on the hearth fell in, and caused a -sudden light to fill the place. - -It shone ruddy brown upon the beautiful but stern face and uplifted -arm of Imogene, and gave to her the appearance of an angel denouncing -on the head of the villain before her the sentence of eternal woe. - -It glared likewise upon the pale countenance of the Tory, and gave -to his distorted features a look of ghastliness and fear that might -have suited such an occasion well. - -The awe-inspiring picture lasted but for a second, then vanished. -The fire again sunk low, the light grew dim. It came like a dismal -vision, and like a vision faded. - -This was more than her visitor had expected. He felt how thoroughly -he was despised, and for a moment was speechless; but quickly -recovering himself, a Satanic look overspread his countenance, and -his eyes glared with a furious fire as he fairly hissed these words -between his teeth: - -“You have given me _your_ answer, now list ye to _mine_! When we were -but mere children together, you rejected my boyish love--you looked -down upon me with scorn and contempt as you do now--you spurned -me from you as though I were a dog, without pity, without mercy! -Think you that I am impervious to such wrongs, such insults? Think -you that you can with impunity beard the lion in his den, without -reaping the result of your audacity? Mark ye! I will give you three -days to reconsider your rash decision; at the expiration of that -time, I will return for a final answer. Should you refuse me, then -you are mine--mine, body and soul. There is no one to whom you can -appeal for assistance--none that can help you. I alone possess that -power, and should you disdain to avail yourself of it, then you are -irretrievably lost!” and with a demoniac laugh, the Tory rushed from -the place. - -Imogene gazed for a moment with a wild stare after the retreating -form of her late visitor, then reeled, and sunk swooning to the floor. - - * * * * * - -The morning succeeding the arrest of Captain Sherwood dawned clear -and beautiful. The bright sunbeams struggled through the narrow, -grated window of Edgar’s cell, and brilliantly illuminated the -apartment. - -When he gazed about him, and beheld the joyful sunlight streaming -athwart the floor of his prison, his feelings were too painful for -description--it seemed, as it were, that every thing mocked him. - -“Would that I could dispel these gloomy thoughts that possess me,” he -murmured. “There is an indescribable something--a feeling of sadness -I can not banish. Shake it off I can not--it clings to me despite my -efforts, and I feel as though it were a precursor of some terrible -affliction about to befall me.” - -While these despondent thoughts occupied his mind, he remained -leaning with his shoulder against the wall, and gazing with a -troubled look upon the decaying fire, when Colonel Hall entered the -cell. - -“Ah, good-morning, colonel,” exclaimed Edgar; “I am so glad to see -you; your presence makes me feel less sad.” - -“Good-morning, captain; I hope you are well.” - -“Yes, colonel, well in body, though not in spirit. But why do _you_ -look so sad? Are you in trouble?” - -“Yes, captain, I am.” - -“Then we are companions in misfortune.” - -“Would to God that we were!” - -“Why? Do you so commiserate the unhappiness of others, that you are -willing to share it with them?” - -“The affliction is not so much my own, captain, as my friend’s.” - -“Your friend! Ah! then there is another to whom you may offer -condolence. May I inquire his name?” - -“Alas! you know it but too well; the person is--yourself!” - -“Myself! Is there then some new tale of woe--some additional sorrow -to be added to my already heavy burden? Tell it me, I beseech you, -colonel--keep me not in suspense.” - -“Calm yourself, Captain Sherwood, that you may listen to me.” - -Drawing his seat close to that of Edgar, Colonel Hall, in as gentle -a manner as possible, related to him Imogene’s sudden and mysterious -disappearance, the success of the party that he had dispatched in -search of her, and their return to the fort that morning. - -At the conclusion of this sad intelligence, Edgar uttered a deep -groan. His head sunk forward on his knees in an access of deep -emotion, and his eyes were fixed with a vacant stare on the floor. - -For several moments, silence, gloomy and profound, reigned. Raising -his head slowly, his face, which was now pale and haggard, presented -a picture of despair. - -“What have they done with her?” he faintly asked. - -“At present I am unable to answer you. The prisoner that was -captured, and from whom the information which I have imparted to -you was elicited, remained reticent on that point. However, I will -use the most strenuous exertions to have the mystery unraveled in -a satisfactory manner. Too long has the border ran with the blood -of the victims of these cut-throats. I will have them hunted down -wheresoever they be, till they pay the penalty of their villainous -deeds,” exclaimed Colonel Hall, in an emphatic tone, a stern look -settling on his brow. - -“Heaven bless and reward you, colonel, for your kindness to me.” - -“Mention it not, Captain Sherwood, I beg of you. I have done no -more to you, than I would have expected you to do me under like -circumstances. I must tarry no longer, however, as the time flies -swiftly by, and my men are under orders, impatiently awaiting my -commands.” - -His hand was already on the latch of the cell-door, when Edgar again -addressed him. - -“A word more, Colonel Hall, before you go. I have another--a final -request to make of you; should you accede to it, you will confer upon -me an inestimable boon.” - -“Well, what may it be?” - -“That you will allow my friend, War-Cloud, to visit me here alone.” - -“Captain, any thing within my power that will tend to alleviate the -rigorousness of your unpleasant position I will willingly do--your -request I grant.” - -“Thanks! thanks!” - -But a short interval elapsed after the departure of Colonel Hall, -when the door opened and War-Cloud entered. Edgar, seizing the hand -of his friend with warmth, and wringing it cordially, led him to a -seat beside his own, near the fire. - -“I have a purpose, my friend, in thus sending for you,” said Edgar. -“You are aware of my helpless situation, unable assist myself, or -even her who is dearer to me than life itself; for this reason have -I sought you, as the only one to whom I could unhesitatingly reveal -my grave suspicions. I also have a plan to unfold. Should it succeed, -every thing may again be righted; however, its undertaking entails -many hazards, perhaps death.” - -“War-Cloud is always ready to aid his white brother.” - -“Thanks, my faithful friend! To you, then, will I confide my -suspicion--in you do I place my last, my forlorn hope. Draw near to -me, that not a single word I speak may escape you; for should this -fail, then all is lost!” - -Looking cautiously around to see that he could not be overheard, -Edgar commenced in a low, whispering tone to disclose to the scout -the plan of which he had spoken. - -It was evident by the startled manner of War-Cloud, so foreign to -his natural stoicism, that he was a listener to a disclosure that -surpassed his most extravagant conceptions. - -After a long conversation, they both arose. The sad, dejected -features of Edgar were now lighted up by a more hopeful look, while -on the countenance of War-Cloud there was an expression of settled -determination to be successful in this enterprise, could human -efforts effect such a result. - -Moving toward the door, their eyes met, and in that gaze each read -the depth of friendship’s love. The two friends clasped hands -affectionately, and with a mutual farewell, the next moment the -Indian was gone. - -The following morning anxious inquiries were made at the fort -concerning the whereabouts of War-Cloud, but he was nowhere to be -found. - -He had quietly made his exit, unknown to any of the garrison; but -as these sudden and mysterious disappearances were of no uncommon -occurrence, they created no suspicion. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - THE HUNTED LIFE. - - -We will again return to the fort. It was the day subsequent to the -arrest of Captain Sherwood and the disappearance of Imogene Lear. - -These unlooked-for events had furnished sufficient matter for the -gossips of the garrison; but now something else had turned up which -bid fair to overwhelm them. - -In fact, the whole community was wild with excitement about an -apparition that a dozen or more affirmed to have seen the previous -night, pacing to and fro upon the parapets. - -The soldiers became superstitious, and were collected here and there -in groups of three or four discussing the matter. - -“I tell yer,” exclaimed a burly-looking fellow of one of these -crowds, “my eyes never cheated me yet, nor did they last night. It -wor he; I am sure of it!” - -“But, Tompkins,” said another, “how could it have been the cap’n? for -I kept close guard at his cell-door all night, and I am certain he -_was_ there, too.” - -“Can’t help it, if ye did,” chimed in Putney, the scout. “Bill and I -saw Sherwood on th’ parapets, as sartin as we live. He wor all-fired -pale, and wore a long, white, shaggy cloak that looked awful enough -to make one’s teeth chatter and the hair to stand up straight.” - -“I reckon that’s so, Put,” said Bill; “my legs shake just a leetle -now.” - -“I wouldn’t take that post on the parapets for half the world,” said -a third man. - -“’Cause you’re a scarish one,” growled the man opposite him. “You’d -ought to be a woman! I’d take it for nothing, and if the ghost came -near me he’d catch some cold lead for his trouble.” - -At this remark the crowd enjoyed a short laugh at the “scared -fellow’s” expense. - -“This cap’n is a tricky one, comrades,” said Putney, “and ye’d all -better look out for him in the futer, or he’ll fix some of ye.” - -“He’s the devil’s own!” added Bill. - -Such was the talk concerning the ghost, or whatever it might be, -which they had seen. All who had witnessed the phenomenon declared -that it was Captain Sherwood; but when the mystery was examined into, -it was proved beyond doubt that the captain had never left his cell -once during the night. - -This was strange indeed, and no one could solve the enigma. The -captain began to be regarded with superstitious awe. He heeded it -not; there were more serious troubles that weighed upon his mind. - -It was the day on which his trial was to take place; and as the hour -for assembling the court approached, he began to grow a little uneasy. - -He had hitherto forgotten his own danger in his great sorrow for -the lost Imogene; but now, he awoke to a clear sense of his own -condition, and took a glance at the means that were to extricate him -from it. - -The situation was indeed becoming alarming, for he was well aware -that should it in any way be proved that he was the dreaded Iron -Hand, his life would be worthless. - -“What could he do?” he asked himself. “There is some terrible -mistake, and I fear me it will not be rectified until too late!” - -The moment at length arrived, and a court was detailed to examine -into his case. Upon its decision the fate of Edgar Sherwood rested. - -The assembly was quite large, consisting of the troops and nearly -all the civilians living in the vicinity. There were three judges, -clad in the martial vestments of their profession, and maintaining a -gravity worthy of the occasion, and becoming their rank. - -In the center was a venerable-looking man, whose whole exterior bore -the stamp of long-tried military habits. It was Colonel Hall, who -was the presiding justice of the court. His associates were officers -selected from the troops that garrisoned the forts situated near Lake -George. - -Their demeanor was mild, but bore a grave reserve. Before these -arbiters, Edgar Sherwood was ushered, under the custody of two armed -men. - -A profound and awful silence succeeded his entrance, while every eye -was turned upon him. Then Colonel Hall arising, spoke in the deep -tones of one used to wield authority: - -“Let the prisoner advance.” - -Edgar proceeded with a firm step into the center of the apartment. -All was now anxiety and eager curiosity. - -“Captain Sherwood, you are aware of the reason for this tribunal, are -you not?” - -“I am.” - -“Perhaps it would be prudent,” said one of the judges, “to inform the -prisoner, that he is not bound to answer any questions that will aid -in his own condemnation.” - -Edgar nodded, and Colonel Hall proceeded. - -“You are charged, sir, with being an officer in his majesty’s -service, and of remaining in the Continental army in disguise, for -the purpose of acting as spy. What have you to say to this?” - -“That it is false!” exclaimed Edgar, in a tone that echoed throughout -the room. - -“On what ground?” - -“On the ground of my conduct heretofore.” - -“This, undoubtedly, will have some weight, sir, but not sufficient to -counterbalance the testimony of witnesses. Have you any other?” - -Edgar paused, and seemed to commune with himself for a moment, then -answered with a look of dejection: - -“No, none. I am deserted, and there is no one to speak in my behalf. -Let the case take its course--I must abide your decision!” - -“But, take time to reflect, sir; you must have something more to -offer in defense!” said the judge, quickly. - -“Nothing.” - -At this, there was a frightful calmness in the manner of the judge -that seemed to appall the assemblage, and a murmur of pity arose from -some. - -The silence lasted but for a moment, and then the witnesses for the -prosecution were ordered by the justice to come forward. - -Hank Putney, the scout, was the first called. - -“Do you know the prisoner?” asked the judge. - -“I do,” returned the man, casting a careless glance at Edgar. - -“How long have you known him?” - -“Wal, let me see,” and he began to count his fingers; -“about--about--I reckon since Jenuary last.” - -“During this time, have you ever noticed any thing suspicious in his -conduct that would lead you to believe him a British spy?” - -“Yes, yer honor, somethin’ tarnation strong, I should say.” - -“State it.” - -“Wal, it wor th’ day afore yesterday that it happened. Bill Hawkins -and I wor sent out to s’arch for him, as ye thought him either taken -prisoner or shot, one or t’other; but ’twas no such thing. About -night, we come across a band o’ these Tory and red-skin devils, and -there, right in th’ middle of ’em, wor our cap’n lookin’ as big as -all yer honors put together. He wor ev’dently their boss, for th’ -devils wor all obeyin’ his orders, and trottin’ their legs off to -serve him.” - -“Now, my man, you are aware that you are under oath?” - -“Oh sartin, yer honor!” - -“Are you positive that the prisoner before you and the man you saw as -a leader in the Tory camp, are one and the same person?” - -“Sartin, as my name is Hank Putney!” - -“That will do.” - -During the scout’s examination, the most intense interest prevailed -among the listeners, for it was understood that the whole case rested -mainly upon his testimony. - -The accusation was so plain, the facts so limited, the proof so -obvious and the penalty so well established, that escape at once -seemed impossible. - -The next witness was Putney’s companion, Bill Hawkins. His testimony -fully corroborated the scout’s in every respect. He swore that he had -seen Captain Sherwood in the midst of the Tories, in command of the -band known as the Tory League. - -“How do you know that he was in command, and that he is their chief, -Iron Hand?” asked the justice. - -“Heard the red-skins call him that name,” replied Bill. - -“Was he, at this time, dressed in the uniform of the Continental -army?” - -“No, not exactly. He had on huntin’ clothes like the Injuns. He also -wore a white, shaggy jacket, jist like the ghost had last night.” - -“Never mind, Hawkins, what the ghost had, but the prisoner,” said the -justice, smiling. “You think he was clothed in some garment made of -white, shaggy fur?” - -“Yes, yer honor, jist that.” - -“Are there any more to testify in this case?” asked the judge, -glancing around the room. - -There was a brief silence, and then Putney, with the assistance of a -soldier, conducted a man to where the judges were seated. - -The stranger stopped and looked around him at the crowd in wild -dismay, until at length his eyes rested upon the prisoner, when he -gave a sudden start, but immediately recovered himself. - -However, all perceived this strange conduct on the part of the new -witness. - -“Who is this you have here?” asked the judge. - -“A prisoner we captur’d last night,” said Putney. “I calc’late he’s -one of th’ cap’n’s gang; he seems to know him.” - -“My man, who are you?” said the judge, “and what do you know about -the prisoner?” - -The stranger hung his head, but did not reply. - -“Speak out, I conjure you!” cried the judge. “If you can give any -information in this matter, that will serve to clear up the mystery, -you shall be set at liberty.” - -These words seemed to take effect upon him, and he appeared to be -more at ease. - -“Do you know the prisoner?” again asked the judge, eagerly. - -“Shall I have my liberty if I tell?” - -“Yes, I pledge you my word you shall.” - -The man again held down his head, and after some moments, ventured -a sly glance at Edgar, who all the time seemed to be regarding him -with astonishment. Turning alternately red and pale, apparently doing -battle with himself, he replied: - -“He’s the Tory chief, Iron Hand.” - -“My God!” cried Edgar, starting to his feet with a savage look. “What -new enemy is this that dare utter lies so foul! Merciful Heaven! is -there no hope for me? Am I to be condemned on the testimony of such -villains?” - -The stranger, with a look of fear depicted on every lineament of his -face, sprung behind the soldier. - -“Keep him off! keep him off!” he screamed, “he’ll kill me!” - -For a short time the court-room was a scene of intense excitement, -and the judges arose to quell it. - -“Remand your prisoner,” said the justice, to the officer who was in -charge of Edgar. - -After a short consultation, the tribunal gave their verdict against -Edgar; and Colonel Hall, though his heart bled with pity for the -sad fate of his young friend, saw before him nothing save his -stern, uncompromising duty, and with trembling hand, signed the -death-warrant. - -It briefly stated, that Edgar Sherwood had been detected within the -American lines, as a British spy in disguise, and that thereby, -according to the laws of war, he was liable to suffer death, and that -the court adjudged him to the penalty--sentencing him to be executed -by hanging, on the morning of the following day. - -The sentence of the court was communicated to the prisoner, who -received it with perfect resignation. The assembly dispersed, and the -judges retired to their own quarters with unmoved exterior, and the -consciousness of dispassionate integrity. - - * * * * * - -It was on the night after the trial, that a solitary traveler might -have been seen pursuing his way through a thick wood situated about -ten miles from the fort. - -He was possessed of a powerful frame, being full six feet in hight, -and was clad in a hunter’s garb, consisting of shirt and breeches -made of skins. - -In his girdle was placed an ugly-looking knife. His head was adorned -with a fur cap that hung down over the upper part of his face, which -gave him a somewhat singular appearance. His hair was coarse, matted, -and fiery red. - -As he proceeded on his way, his conduct to any observer would have -appeared decidedly suspicious. Every now and then he would stop and -listen attentively, and after casting a searching glance about him to -satisfy himself that no one was following him, he would move on again. - -The night was quite dark; an easterly wind, accompanied by a chilling -dampness, gave unerring notice of an approaching storm. But the -traveler, heeding it not, pushed on with long strides, until at -length he reached a mysterious-looking hut standing at the foot of a -hill and hemmed in with large rocks and stunted oaks, whose foliage -nearly concealed it from view. - -Here he stopped and gave a peculiar whistle. The door was cautiously -opened, and an armed man appeared at the entrance. - -“Hank!” said he, in a whisper. - -“Here, chief--open th’ door,” answered our friend, Hank Putney, the -scout. - -The door was now thrown wide open to permit the traveler to enter, -and then closed and securely barred. The two men uttered no words of -greeting, but approaching one side of the room, they sat down before -a half-extinguished fire. - -“You must be nearly chilled through, Hank,” said the man. “Here, take -some of this,” and he handed the scout a flask. - -Putney seized it with avidity, and placing it to his mouth, took a -deep draught. - -“That’s right good old stuff,” said he, smacking his lips, as he -returned the bottle. - -“Yes; this is the cordial our Whig neighbor had stored away in his -cellar,” said the Tory, chuckling. - -“Ha! ha! ha!” roared Putney; “he wor a clever old chap to keep it for -yer, chief.” - -“Very accommodating indeed, I should say, for it was just what my -larder was sadly deficient in at the time,” and he indulged in -another suppressed laugh. “But come, tell me what news you bring, -Hank, for I am getting impatient.” - -“Wal, it’s all right!” exclaimed the scout, bringing his fist down on -the palm of his hand. “He’s to be hanged to-morrow!” - -“What! have they convicted him then, of being Iron Hand, and a -British spy?” - -“Yes.” - -“Capital! Give me your hand, worthy friend; you have done me -inestimable service,” and the Tory chieftain seized the hand of his -companion, with apparent cordiality. - -“Yer writin’, chief, and my swearin’, are goin’ to stretch his -windpipe to-morrow mornin’,” continued Putney, with a swaggering air. - -“Ha! ha! ha! Well, that is a good joke, and well played, Hank.” - -The man’s small gray eyes sparkled with delight, and he could hardly -restrain himself, so great was his joy at this piece of news. - -“What fortune!” cried he; “just what I wanted. Here, let us drink our -fill--drink to the man who dies to-morrow.” - -“Here it goes then!” and Hank raised the bottle to his lips. “That -his journey in th’ world herearter may be a jolly one!” - -“Ay, my worthy fellow.” - -As the fire, at intervals, brightened up and filled the room with a -red light, it cast the forms of the men in fantastic shadows upon the -wall. - -Theirs were strange pictures--faces that portrayed the evil side of -human nature, and any one observing them while hate and joy beamed -thereon, would have involuntarily retreated with a feeling of horror -and disgust. - -“How about the ghost, Hank, did you see it?” asked the chief, with a -roguish twinkle in his eye. - -“Ye devils, didn’t I though! Ha! ha! ha! ye played yer part well, -chief,” and Putney’s sides shook with laughter. - -“The fools,” said Iron Hand. “You can frighten them all to madness.” - -“They reckon the cap’n’s a wizard, and ’ll bring ruin to ’em all.” - -Iron Hand apparently did not hear this last remark, but sat musing -for some moments before he spoke. - -“Did they condemn him on your testimony alone, Hank?” - -“Mine and Bill Hawkins’, th’ chap I had with me th’ t’other day when -I got th’ writin’.” - -“He believed he swore to the truth?” - -“Oh, o’ course!” - -There was another pause. - -“I thought I’d make it a bit stronger, howsomever, so I brought down -one of th’ League from th’ lower camp,” continued Putney. “We made -him believe that he wor my prisoner. It wor Sandy Jim, and he’s a -trump. He swore that th’ prisoner was Iron Hand, and they let him go -for doin’ it.” - -“You have done this job so far, Hank, in superb style; you are my -best man in the whole band. Now if you will go back and aid in -bringing our plan to a successful issue, you shall be a rich man the -day you return and prove to me that this mortal enemy of mine is -_dead_!” - -“Agreed!” cried Putney. “I’d better start now, or th’ mornin’ will -overtake me afore I get back to th’ fort,” and with a parting -farewell the two men separated. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - A SAVAGE FRIEND. - - -After his interview with Hank Putney, Iron Hand set out hastily to -return to the rendezvous of his band. As he hurried along, a smile of -exultation overspread his countenance, and he seemed to experience a -secret feeling of joy at the success of his deep-laid schemes. - -He would occasionally indulge in a low, smothered laugh, as some -point of his plot more subtle than the rest would recur to his mind. -As he drew near to the cave, he found his lieutenant at the entrance -awaiting his approach. - -“Well, lieutenant,” he exclaimed, addressing that officer, “what -news?” - -“There is a new applicant, an Indian, sir, who is desirous of joining -the band.” - -“A new recruit, eh, and an Indian too! This is strange intelligence. -What do you know of him?” - -“Nothing further, than he says that he has been forced to fly from -beyond the lines of our enemy, the rebels. Indeed, he seemed ardently -desirous of being enrolled as a member, and appears to bear a deep -hatred toward his persecutors.” - -“Is this all the knowledge you have of this fellow?” - -“It is, sir.” - -“You will send him to me then, immediately. But look ye, lieutenant, -should he be admitted to the League, you will keep a vigilant watch -on his movements.” - -In a few moments afterward, Iron Hand was confronted in his -apartments by this new aspirant for predatory honors. - -“What reasons bring you within the precincts of this camp?” asked the -Tory chieftain, as he bent upon his visitor a cool, calculating gaze, -as though he would read his innermost, thoughts. - -The Indian gave an explanation of his actions in a brief and -apparently satisfactory manner, for at its conclusion Iron Hand -exclaimed: - -“Ah, I understand! you seek to become one of us in order that you may -find an occasion to revenge yourself?” - -The Indian bowed in response. - -“Then you have not sought in vain,” he continued; “for we are about -to attack a party of these rebels this very night, and there you will -have an ample opportunity to glut your vengeance. You may report -yourself to my lieutenant, who will appoint you your station.” - -As the Indian was about to depart, the Tory chief arose quickly and -approached him. Laying his hand on his shoulder, he whispered: - -“The reward is, for those who perform their duty faithfully and do -not neglect the interest of the band--pillage, plunder, and wealth; -but for a traitor--death!” - -With this warning injunction, the newly-enrolled member withdrew to -prepare himself to take part in the coming _melée_. - -The different members of the band were in a state of bustle and -confusion, making preparations for the expected encounter. This new -enterprise was originated, not with the usual design of pillaging, -but for the purpose of attacking a small party of the enemy that -were encamped midway between the rendezvous of the League and the -American lines, and whom, on account of their proximity, it was -deemed expedient to remove, as the retreat of the band was liable at -any moment to be discovered by them. - -At midnight they set out, and stealthily made their way through the -forest to the appointed place of attack. Their foe, lulled into -a feeling of security against attack, and little dreaming of the -presence of their deadly opponents, were slumbering calmly. - -At a preconcerted signal, out flashed the fire of a hundred rifles, -whose sharp crack went reverberating through the forest. - -The attacked party, though completely taken by surprise, fought -bravely, and it was not until overwhelmed by superior numbers that -they slowly retreated, obstinately disputing every foot of the ground. - -Iron Hand watched every action of the strange Indian. - -“See, with what a desperate vim this fellow strikes!” he exclaimed, -as he observed the Indian, heedless of danger, throw himself -recklessly upon the foe. “These other rascals fight for plunder only, -but he seems to battle for the hatred he bears those rebels. This is -my man--I will trust him,” he murmured to himself; “he will be of -valuable service to me personally, do I but play well my part.” - -At the command of the chief the pursuit was discontinued, and the -Tories, jubilant over their success, returned to the cave. The quiet, -calm demeanor of the strange Indian was quite a striking contrast to -the boisterous hilarity of his companions. - -For a long time, the chief topic of conversation among the members of -the Tory League, was the fearless intrepidity of their new comrade, -who bore with unblushing indifference the plaudits thus bestowed upon -him. - - * * * * * - -Imogene was awakened from the swoon into which she had fallen after -the termination of her interview with Iron Hand, by the touch of some -cold object. - -As she raised herself slowly, she just succeeded in catching a view -of the figure of a man--an Indian, she knew by his peculiar dress and -the feathers that adorned his head--as he glided swiftly from the -apartment. - -“Who could this mysterious visitor be?” she asked herself. - -While arising from her reclining position she felt something in her -hand--it was a small piece of paper carelessly folded. - -Opening it hastily, she with difficulty managed to decipher from the -rude, scrawling characters, the following significant warning: - -“Be watchful--a friend is near.” - -Startled beyond measure by the contents of this anonymous note, -she was obliged to read it over repeatedly before she could fairly -realize its import. - -In vain did she strive to give herself a satisfactory answer as to -who this unknown friend could be. Of such a person sufficiently near -to be of service to her, she knew not. - -This inspiring news, vague though it was, revived her drooping -spirits. Pressing the billet fervently to her lips, she placed it -safely in her bosom, as though it were a gem of the richest order. - -The nearly extinct sparks of hope that lay dormant within her breast, -were again enkindled into a flame. Oh, how slowly the hours, which -to her seemed like years, glided by, as in a state of feverish -excitement, she anxiously awaited the arrival of that promised -assistance which came not. - -Night was fast approaching; the evening of that day on which the Tory -chieftain had threatened to visit her, to receive her final answer. -Imogene sat musing, trying to picture to herself the result of the -terrible drama in which she was acting so conspicuous, but yet so -unwilling a part. - -“Perhaps her new-found friend had been detected in his gallant -attempts to aid her, and was now suffering the penalty of his -generosity?” she thought. - -While thus battling with her despondent feelings, she was startled -by hearing a gentle, catlike footstep on the floor. Starting back -half-affrighted, she beheld approaching her the bearer of the -mysterious note. - -There was no mistaking his identity, for there was the same -peculiar dress, the same drooping war-locks. The stranger advanced -unhesitatingly, and as he entered into the circle of light projected -by the lamp, he threw off his disguise, displaying to view the -features of our old and trusty friend, the faithful scout and -patriot--War-Cloud. - -For a moment Imogene was speechless. - -“What! War-Cloud, you here, too!” she exclaimed, at length, with a -look of amazement. - -She was about to speak further, but the scout raised his finger with -a significant gesture, warning her to remain quiet. In answer to her -anxious, inquiring look, he related in a few hurried sentences the -ruse he had practiced to enable him to join the band, and how he -accidentally learned of her presence in the cave, through two Tories -whose services he had enlisted in a conspiracy he had formed for the -abduction of Iron Hand. - -Imogene listened with wrapt attention. At the conclusion, War-Cloud -ordered her to be prepared to take her departure at midnight, and -then withdrew from the place as noiselessly as he had entered. - -Finding herself once more alone, Imogene, assuming an attitude of -prayer, poured out her soul in fervent thanksgiving to Him who is the -dispenser of all blessings. - -The scout hastened back to his accomplices, of whom he had spoken. It -appears that immediately after joining the League, he had noticed, -with his natural keen perception, a lurking spirit of dissatisfaction -among several members of the band, especially among two in particular. - -By fomenting this turbulent spirit, and by promises of sharing the -bounteous reward offered for the capture of the Tory chieftain, he -had succeeded in bringing them over to his views, at the same time -without permitting them to obtain even an inkling of his own real -character. - -With their plans thus well matured, the conspirators prepared to put -them into execution. Scarcely had the gun from one of the neighboring -frontier forts boomed the hour of midnight, when they quietly arose, -and stepping carefully over the bodies of their sleeping companions, -hurried to the apartment of Imogene, who, fearful that every moment -would herald the advent of her detested suitor, Iron Hand, was -impatiently awaiting them. - -The crisis of their undertaking had now arrived. To succeed in -leaving the place without causing any alarm, was the only difficulty. -As soon as they arrived at the mouth of the cave, the sentinel -stationed there hailed them, but with the rapidity of lightning, -War-Cloud sprung upon him, and bearing him to the earth, firmly -secured him. - -The next moment Imogene, under the guidance of one of the Tories, -waving a hasty adieu, was gone. The scout and his companion returned -to their places among their slumbering comrades, there to abide their -time for the carrying out of the rest of their plan. - -As soon as he felt assured that Imogene had reached a safe distance, -the scout arose, and seizing his rifle, hastened to the entrance of -the rendezvous and discharged it. In an instant every member of the -band was on his feet, inquiring the cause of the alarm. - -Motioning his companion to keep close to him, War-Cloud, uttering a -loud cry, dashed into the apartment of the chief. On hearing of his -prisoner’s escape, Iron Hand, with an oath, rushed into Imogene’s -late place of confinement, only to find that the bird had flown. - -At this discovery, his frenzy knew no bounds. Uttering a yell of -rage, he bade War-Cloud and his companion to mount and follow him. -For a time the Tory’s chieftain’s usual cunning seemed to have -deserted him, for without seeming to harbor the slightest suspicion -of treachery, he ordered War-Cloud to lead the way. - -By the aid of the full autumnal moon, which ever and anon shot, like -a flying ghost, from one dark mass of vapor to another, the trail of -the fugitives was followed without difficulty. - -It was necessary to overtake them before they should reach the -American lines, or else all was lost. On, on, they rode, until they -were almost within gunshot of the enemy, when through an intervening -space in the trees, Iron Hand spied the fleeing forms of Imogene and -her guide. - -With a cry of exultation, the Tory, plunging his rowels deep into -the reeking sides of his steed, hurried in pursuit of them, closely -followed by his two companions. Imogene heard the cry and looked -back. She saw the Tory, and understood the demoniac expression of his -countenance. She cast her eyes on the face of her companion, but upon -it was stamped a look of calm indifference. - -Oh, for a few short moments, and she would again be free! How -agonizing the thought that she was thus to be retaken! and, too, -within sight of the very camp-fires of her friends. Once more did she -sum up courage to steal another glance at her pursuers. They were -gaining upon her slowly but surely. - -In vain did she endeavor to accelerate the speed of her panting -animal. Another instant and she would again be within the power of -her detested captor! She could almost feel his hot breath. - -“Ha! ha! fair rebel,” he exclaimed with a malignant laugh, “captured -at last!” - -As he was on the point of laying hold of the bridle of Imogene’s -steed, he felt himself seized on either side by an iron grasp, while -a brace of pistols were presented at his head. - -“Villains! What means this?” he cried, struggling to free himself. - -“That the tables are turned, chief, and you’re our prisoner,” replied -War-Cloud, raising his weapon in a threatening manner. - -“Ah, treason! You--” but before he could complete his sentence, he -was dragged from his horse, disarmed, and firmly bound. - -The Tory made a desperate attempt to regain his liberty, but, seeing -how futile were his efforts, he sullenly resigned himself to his fate. - -In a short time the party reached the American outposts, by whom they -were conducted to the nearest frontier garrison, to the commander -of which, War-Cloud related his adventures, and at the same time -requested an escort to conduct his prisoner to Fort Ann the next -morning, which was readily granted. - -After paying his companions that had assisted him in Iron Hand’s -capture, their portion of the reward, and exacting from them a -promise that they would engage no longer in their former occupation, -he dismissed them. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - THE MASK REMOVED. - - -While all in the garrison were bathed in quiet sleep, the slumbers of -Captain Sherwood were broken. After spending a night of restlessness, -he arose unrefreshed from the rude bed where he had thrown himself, -and walked to his prison window. - -That brilliant luminary, the sun, like a ball of golden fire, was -just beginning to light up the eastern sky, giving promise of another -bright autumnal day. As Edgar looked out upon the beautiful landscape -painted by his Creator, a feeling of awe which he had never before -experienced, crept over him. - -Every thing seemed to assume a more beautiful aspect, now that he -was soon to be parted from them forever; they began to find a more -precious place in his affections. It almost drove him to despair to -think that he was to die so soon. Ay! before his course was run; to -die a disgraceful--a traitor’s death! - -“Oh! my God!” he exclaimed, dropping his head upon his breast, “have -mercy on me! If I must die, let me leave a spotless name behind me!” -unable any longer to control his feelings, he gave way to his grief. - -“My life is fated!” exclaimed he, at length. “A dark shadow is cast -before me; but I will show them that I can die like a man!” and with -these words Captain Sherwood prepared himself to meet his doom like a -hero. - -He paced up and down his cell in deep abstraction. He was thinking -over his whole life, and it was one that had experienced some -vicissitudes. As his thoughts flew on, they gradually came back to -the present. - -“What could have become of his beautiful Imogene?” he asked -himself for the hundredth time; “and again, his faithful friend, -War-Cloud--where was he all this time?” - -After putting one suspicious circumstance with another, he fully -believed that some one was plotting against him. It was not those -men who had sworn his life away, but some profound villain of whom -they were but tools. - -“Can it be possible,” he mused, “that Imogene may be even at this -moment in the power of this villain, whosoever he may be!” - -The remembrance of his frightful dream flashed across his mind. - -“Great Heavens!” he cried, “it was a presentiment--a true one! Oh! -oh! oh! she is dead--I shall go mad!” and he staggered against the -wall of his cell for support. - -Just then the first beams of the morning sun stole in through the -window. This little circumstance, slight as it may seem, reanimated -the captain. - -“It is an emblem of hope,” said he, recovering himself. - -There is no more delusive phantom than hope; and it seems to be the -happy privilege of all to cull whatever pleasures can be gathered -from its indulgence. What we think ought to be, we are fond to think -will be. - -Thus it was with our hero--he hoped that something might happen -before the appointed hour for his execution to extricate him from his -terrible dilemma. - -Time, however, passed away. As the hours flew swiftly by, every blow -of the clock’s brass hammer sounded like a death-knell upon the heart -of the prisoner. Shortly there was heard a great noise without--the -creaking of timbers, and the sound of the hammer and saw. - -Edgar grew pale and approached the window. There it was--that horrid -machine of human vengeance--the gibbet, glaring before his eyes, like -an evil conscience harassing the soul of a dying man. - -The cold sweat burst from his burning brow. He had felt before that -it was hard for one so young as he to die a death of infamy; but to -spend his last moments alone and unpitied; to know that all near him -thought his fate merited; that in a few hours he was to be conducted -from the gloom of his cell to the gallows, there to meet the gaze of -a curious multitude, as if he were a beast led to slaughter; and then -to take his departure of life, amidst the jeers and scoffs of his -fellow-creatures--this, indeed, was death--terrible death. - -A short time previous to the execution, Edgar was aroused by hearing -a slight tap on his cell door, and the next instant a man was ushered -into the apartment. - -The stranger was a minister. His face was one of awful gravity. - -In stature he was above the size of ordinary men, though his -excessive leanness might contribute in deceiving as to his hight; his -countenance was sharp and unbending, and every muscle seemed set in -the most rigid compression; his eyes were concealed beneath a pair of -enormous green spectacles, which gave these organs a very singular -look. - -His coat was black, and his breeches and stockings were of the same -hue, his shoes were without luster, and half concealed beneath their -huge, plated buckles. - -“I have come,” said the divine, nodding to Edgar, “to pray with you.” - -Edgar bowed his head, and the two knelt down. The good man’s sonorous -voice filled the cell with solemn words. Edgar’s heart beat with wild -emotions, and he now felt that every throb was but another herald -warning him of death’s near approach. - -Upon rising from prayer, he ventured near the window once more and -cast another glance at the gallows. A large crowd was collected about -it, eagerly waiting to witness the death of Iron Hand, the British -spy. - -“These are heartless people!” said the minister, looking over Edgar’s -shoulder. “But be firm, my poor brother; there is mercy for all -before the great Throne of Justice.” - -The multitude did not have long to wait. A few moments prior to the -expiration of the appointed hour, the prisoner, guarded by several -soldiers, came forth. - -He was slightly pale, but stood erect, and marched forward with a -firm, military step. Approaching the scaffold, they went slowly up -the stairs to the platform. - -The vast concourse of people were now as one, silent and motionless. -Nothing broke the stillness save the hanging rope, which trembled and -squeaked as a slight wind swayed it back and forth. - -The soldiers of the garrison were drawn up in a square around the -gallows, while outside of the guard was the populace. Every elevated -place was thronged with spectators. - -Edgar advanced to the front of the platform to say a few parting -words, but the reports of several rifles in quick succession -prevented him. All turned simultaneously to look from whence they -came. - -A horseman was seen in the distance approaching with flying speed. -On, on, he comes--now for a moment lost to view as he plunges through -some grove of trees, then quickly emerges again, leaping forth on -the open ground, growing larger and larger, until at length he is -near enough to be recognized by all, when the cry of “War-Cloud! -War-Cloud!” rung upon the air. - -The steed, foaming and gray with dust, with nostrils dilated and eyes -flashing fire, dashed by the guard and halted before the scaffold. -The scout leaped from the faithful charger, and springing up the -steps seized the executioner’s arm. - -“Hold, my pale-face brother!” he cried. - -At these words the spectators were struck with amazement, and gazed -about them for an explanation. At the expiration of a few moments, -four more horsemen arrived. They were dragoons, and with them rode -a man lashed to his horse, and behind him, on a white steed, came a -female. - -The party halted, and awaited War-Cloud’s orders. As Edgar caught -sight of the unknown lady, he gave a sudden start, and the color -faded from his cheek. - -“Can it be she?” he murmured to himself. - -He had surmised correctly; it was in truth Imogene Lear. As she -approached him their eyes met. The recognition was mutual. The next -instant, shedding tears of joy, they were clasped in each other’s -arms. - -The scout now advanced, and untied the cords that bound the horseman, -and ordered him to alight. The prisoner obeyed; he offered no -resistance. His head was bowed down upon his breast, and he appeared -to be completely crushed in spirit. - -With the aid of two of the dragoons, War-Cloud assisted him up on the -scaffold, and then quickly removed the muffler that had heretofore -concealed the prisoner’s face from view. - -“My God!” exclaimed Edgar, starting back. “That countenance--it is -he--it is Maurice, _my brother_!” and reeling, would have fallen, had -he not been supported by the scout. - -On beholding the face thus exposed to their gaze, the spectators -stood aghast. - -_The features were an exact counterpart in every respect, of those of -Edgar Sherwood._ - -That these two men were brothers could not now be doubted, and all -seemed to comprehend, in an instant, the mistake that had been made. -The great mystery was at length solved. It was, indeed, a--DOUBLE -FACE. - -Imogene now related the cause of her sudden and mysterious -disappearance, the treachery of Hank Putney and his implication in -the conspiracy for her abduction, and lastly confirmed the statement, -that the prisoner before them was the dreaded Iron Hand, by his own -confession during their interview in the cave of the Tory League. - -At the conclusion, Colonel Hall arose, and congratulated the -multitude on the happy termination of what had almost succeeded in -becoming a tragedy. - -He had scarcely finished, when a low murmur of applause ran through -the assembly, which at length broke forth into lusty cheers. All -now turned toward the spot where Hank Putney had been seen only a -few moments before, among the most clamorous for Captain Sherwood’s -execution; but the traitor, seeing the turn events were taking, had -fled. - -Although Edgar Sherwood had been condemned to suffer death for his -brother’s crimes, nevertheless how little was known concerning the -deep plot that had been laid to bring about this dreadful mistake. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE UNNATURAL BROTHER. - - -Maurice Sherwood, _alias_ Iron Hand, who had committed so many -villainous deeds in the past few years, and whose name had become -such a terror to every household, now stood before them, pale and -trembling. - -Five years previous he had sworn vengeance against his brother, who -had never seen him during all this time to know him, and who had -believed him to be hundreds of miles away. How near this threat had -come to being carried out, the reader already knows. - -The desperado’s plans had been skillfully concocted, but a just -Providence could not look down upon and sanction the success of a -scheme so wicked; thus it was this villain had been baffled in the -very last act of his drama. - -It had been his design to kill his brother secretly, and this he had -attempted during the battle related in one of the foregoing chapters. -For could he but remove Edgar from his path, the immense estate which -he owned in England would, by the conditions of the father’s will, be -inherited by himself. - -However, after this should be accomplished, there was still another -object he had in view, and that was to obtain the hand of Imogene -Lear. It was she who had first innocently caused the feud between the -two brothers. - -Maurice had sought her hand when both families resided in England, -but had been rejected and his brother accepted. Upon seeing himself -thus supplanted by his brother Edgar in the affections of one whom -he loved so passionately, his rage was unbounded, and the anger -that rankled in his heart soon grew into virulent hatred, which was -appeased only by deeds of bloodshed. - -He had intended, therefore, after the death of Edgar to stigmatize -him by casting upon his memory the odious name of Iron Hand, which he -himself possessed, and thus he hoped that when his brother should -have been proved a British spy and a murderer, that Imogene would -renounce him. - -He, in the mean time, would return to England, and after having -possessed himself of the inheritance, would again sue for her hand. - -Seeing how signally he had failed in both his attempt to slay Captain -Sherwood and in his effort to decoy Imogene to his power by the aid -of the forged letter which he had pretended to be from her betrothed, -Iron Hand determined to secure her by force, and for that purpose had -selected three of his band, together with Hank Putney, who at the -time was serving him in the American garrison in the capacity of a -spy, as their leader, while he himself assumed the role of the old -man to assist in the undertaking. - -It was while in this guise that he met Imogene on her return to her -father’s house, and whispered those words that caused her to start -back with such a look of horror and disgust. He intimated to her -his knowledge of Maurice Sherwood’s whereabouts, and had proposed, -as Edgar was then accused of being a traitor, to restore amicable -relations between them. - -Had she accepted his offer, he would have then and there revealed to -her his true character, and afterward trusted to his natural tact for -a reconciliation; but her answer taught him how thoroughly he was -detested, and from that moment he desperately resolved to carry out -his plans to the bitter end. - -When Edgar Sherwood had first been arrested, he had half-suspected -that it was his twin-brother Maurice who was at the bottom of the -mystery, and it was to ascertain if his suspicions were correct -that he had dispatched his faithful friend, War-Cloud, on his -secret mission, which was so fruitful in its results, and which -had succeeded in saving from an ignominious death one of America’s -noblest sons, and in bringing to justice the guilty. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - THE END OF THE TRANSGRESSOR IS HARD. - - -It was the day following that which was to have witnessed the -execution of Captain Sherwood. - -The morning which had first given promise of a beautiful day turned -out to be quite disagreeable, and during the afternoon there was a -succession of showers. The night was dark and stormy, and vast clouds -covered the heavens. - -Occasionally, by the assistance of a flash of lightning, Iron Hand -might have been seen sitting in his cell--the one in which his -brother had been confined. His head was bowed down upon his knees, -and his whole appearance was that of despair. - -He finally arose, and approaching the grated window, looked out into -the darkness. The storm was turning every thing into wild disorder. -He seemed to experience a feeling of consolation in seeing nature -partake of the tumult that reigned within his own heart. - -The thunder growled in the air like the passion and anger in his -thoughts; he howled as the hurricane howled, and his voice was lost -in the great voice of Nature, who also seemed to groan with despair. - -This desperate man’s imagination was a fertile one, and he soon -recovered from his dejection and began to put his brains to work in -order to concoct some plan of escape. He reclined upon his pallet of -straw and thought earnestly. - -The hours passed on until the night was well advanced. - -At length his attention was attracted by hearing a gentle tap at his -window. He started quickly to his feet and listened. Again was the -noise repeated. - -As he was hurrying across the room to ascertain its cause, there -burst forth a peal of thunder accompanied by a flash of lightning, -and by the aid of its sickly glare he saw the face of a man appear -behind the bars. - -He sprung to the window. - -“Hank!” - -“Yes, chief!” said Hank Putney, for it was he; “but be quiet! be -quiet! I must have time to file through these bars. Only take care -that I am not seen through th’ gratin’ of th’ door.” - -“Oh! that is all secure; it is too dark for the sentinel to see you, -and I will stand with my back against the door.” - -“Be ready at the first signal.” - -“Ay, my trusty fellow; but make haste;” and he retreated to the door, -where he placed himself in such a position that no person without the -cell could possibly obtain a view of the window. - -Amidst the moaning of the storm Iron Hand could hear the grinding of -the file upon the bars, and by the light of every flash he perceived -the form of Hank Putney. - -An hour was spent in breathless suspense; the cold sweat stood upon -his brow, and his heart beat quick at every movement he heard in the -corridor. - -There are hours which seem a year. - -At the expiration of an hour, Hank tapped again. Iron Hand hastened -to the window. Two of the huge iron bars were removed, forming an -opening large enough for a man to pass through. - -“Are ye ready?” asked Hank, in a low tone. - -“Yes.” - -“Then wait till I slide down the rope, ’cause it won’t hold us both; -and I’ll get off the walls, and ye can jine me in the woods jist on -top of the hill.” - -With these parting words, Putney slid down the rope out of Iron -Hand’s sight. - -When the Tory thought a sufficient time had elapsed for his faithful -ally to have reached a place of safety, he passed through the -window, and seizing the dangling rope, began to descend slowly. -Notwithstanding the weight of his body, the blast of the hurricane -made him wave in the air. - -The heavy tramp of approaching footsteps was borne to his ears by the -wind. He stopped and listened. The patrol were passing along beneath -him, laughing and talking. It was a terrible moment for the fugitive -as he remained there suspended, motionless and breathless; but the -soldiers soon passed, and the noise of their retreating footsteps, -together with the murmur of their voices, soon died away. - -Breathing a sigh of relief, he continued his descent. He shortly -found himself standing upon one of the parapets of the fort. Iron -Hand knew perfectly well where he was; for he had been upon this same -wall before and reconnoitered; it was the time when those who had -seen him had taken him for the captain’s ghost. - -The wall was high from the outside, and he knew it would be madness -to leap off. But about thirty yards from where he was standing, there -was an angle where little steps were cut into the rocks leading to -the ground. Could he but reach this place without being perceived, he -would be safe. - -The storm had increased, the flashes succeeded each other more -rapidly, and the thunder growled fiercely. Iron Hand crawled -cautiously on his hands and knees, and was near the angle, when there -came a bright flash which lighted up the whole heavens. - -The sentinel stationed on the wall opposite caught sight of him and -fired. The Tory chieftain sprung to his feet, and clasping his hands -to his side, he staggered a moment, then uttering a deep groan, fell -to the ground within the fort. The report of the sentinel’s rifle -aroused the whole garrison, who hastily seized their arms, thinking -an attack had been made for the rescue of Iron Hand. - -A file of soldiers hastened to the threatened spot, where they found -the bloody and apparently lifeless form of the Tory. Two stalwart -soldiers lifted him and bore him to the guard-house. The ball had -entered his side and the blood was running freely from the wound. - -“He’s not dead; run for the surgeon!” said one, feeling his pulse. - -An eager crowd was soon gathered around, and by the dim light -afforded by one or two torches the scene presented a weird -appearance. In a few moments the surgeon was at the side of the -wounded man, and applying some restoratives he soon became conscious -again. Opening his eyes with a wild stare, Iron Hand glanced around -upon the assembly. - -“Where am I?” he asked. - -“Here, in the fort,” said the surgeon. - -Raising himself, he looked around him again, and then uttering a wild -cry, fell backward. - -“What is this strange feeling that comes over me?” he asked in a -husky whisper, pressing his hands on his bloody wound. “Am I dying?” - -“I fear you are,” responded the surgeon. - -“What! dying did you say?” he repeated, in a hollow voice. “My God! -must I die?” - -“Yes; make your peace with your Maker, for you have but an hour or so -longer to live.” - -A shudder shook the man’s whole frame, and his eyes glared wildly. - -“Where is the man that shot me?” he shrieked, pulling a dirk from his -belt. - -“No, no, my man,” said the surgeon; “you should think of something -else now instead of vengeance.” - -“But--but--” the rest of his sentence was inaudible. - -Just then the crowd parted to make way for two newcomers, who were -drenched with rain. They were Edgar Sherwood and Imogene Lear. - -“Maurice!” said Edgar in a low tone, approaching the dying man. - -“Great God!” said Iron Hand. “It is he! it is he! I know that voice! -Oh! oh! he will kill me, and I can not move. Let me escape--hide me, -for I shot him once. I have been his evil shadow all his life!” and -he struggled violently to raise himself. - -“He raves,” said the surgeon; “we must get that dagger from him, or -he may do some mischief.” - -But just then the madman dropped the weapon upon the floor. - -His face was distorted with agony; his glassy eyes were fixed -apparently on some distant object. - -“Look! look!” he whispered, pointing to a window at the further end -of the room. - -All eyes were quickly turned toward the place indicated, but there -was nothing strange there. - -“It is the old Whig! look! look! see that gaping wound--the gash upon -his temple! It was I that did it--I killed him! Hark! hear how he -cries for vengeance! See! he comes this way! Oh, horror, horror! he -stretches out his hands to seize me--I feel their icy grasp! Oh God! -I am dy--dying!” and with a piercing shriek, he fell back upon his -couch. - -The assemblage gazed upon the expiring man in gloomy silence. It was, -indeed, a horrible sight to see him writhing in such agony. Edgar and -Imogene, their hearts bowed down with sorrow, turned away; they could -not endure the sight. - -It lasted, however, but a few moments more. The impress of the hand -of Death was on his pallid brow, and straightening out his stiffening -limbs, he gave one long, struggling gasp, then all was over. - -The surgeon sprung to his side, but the Tory chieftain was--_dead_. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - SMILES THROUGH TEARS. - - -On one bright spring morning about six months after the events -previously related, the woods in the vicinity of Fort Ann were filled -with a brilliant assemblage of Continental officers and their ladies, -who were all in a merry mood, for there was a wedding to take place -between Captain Edgar Sherwood and Imogene Lear. - -The whole week had been occupied in preparing the grove for this -important occasion. Seats had been erected for the guests, and under -the shade of a giant oak a picturesque bower twined with wild roses -and luxuriant foliage, had been constructed for the reception of the -clergyman. The regimental band also had found a place near at hand -made for their benefit. - -In a word, every thing had been arranged with the idea of making -the captain’s wedding a grand affair. It was not to be in a gloomy -church, or a fashionable drawing-room crowded to suffocation, but in -a grand old forest, under the bright light of heaven. - -The troops of the garrison were drawn up in a long line on either -side of the walk leading to the bower, and, stationed here and there -along the way, were young girls dressed in white, and holding baskets -of flowers to strew before the bride and groom as they passed. - -Every thing was in readiness. The shrill notes of a bugle heralded -the approach of Edgar and Imogene; and presently they entered the -grove attended by the hymeneal retinue. While the little party moved -slowly forward toward the bower, the surrounding woods resounded with -the melodious and thrilling notes of the band, and the birds sung -their sweetest. - -It was a beautiful sight to behold these two young lovers approaching -the altar to pledge their hearts to each other, and to take those -mutual vows of fidelity before God and man. - -When they arrived at the bower, an old man came forward with feeble -steps, and taking the hand of each he placed them together and -murmured: - -“My children, I bless you; may Heaven look down upon and prosper this -union!” - -It was Thomas Lear, Imogene’s father. - -The reader must not be surprised at this, for a revolution had taken -place in the old man’s politics since the opening of our story. Being -naturally an enthusiastic admirer of justice and a lover of personal -and political freedom, he had been, at length, aroused by the feeling -of liberty that was everywhere prevalent, and was now a stanch -believer in the war for independence. - -This radical change had not come about spontaneously but gradually, -growing out of observation. He had perceived the injustice of the -mother country toward her most promising child, and finally became -one of the most devoted adherents to the cause of the Colonies. - -The minister now performed the marriage ceremony, and our hero and -heroine were pronounced man and wife. In an instant, the dreadful -Past, with all its woes and sorrows, was buried in the deepest -recesses of oblivion, leaving the happy Present, as it were, like -an insurmountable barrier between it and the bright and promising -Future, which dawned fair and beautiful upon the horizon of their -happiness. - -Their more intimate friends--among whom were Colonel Hall and -War-Cloud--pressed around the happy couple to congratulate them, -while the soldiers gave three hearty cheers for their brave captain -and his lady, making the woods, hills, and valleys ring with the echo -of a thousand voices. - - * * * * * - -There now remains for us to add but a short epilogue and we will -have finished. Captain Sherwood fought bravely during the remainder -of the Revolution, and when the war was ended, and our country had -just entered upon its newborn career of unrivaled greatness, he and -Imogene took up their residence in the city of the Manhattans, where -they spent many quiet and peaceful days while floating down the -stream of life to the harbor of old age. - -War-Cloud frequently paid them visits, bringing with him pretty and -costly furs for the “little ones,” denoting that he had again taken -to hunting the beast instead of Tories. - -Hank Putney never made his appearance at the fort again; but we -believe he became the chief of the Tory League after the death of -Iron Hand, and during some quarrel between him and his ruffians he -was killed. - -The band soon after was exterminated, and nothing now remains of -their former power, save the history of their many villainous deeds, -which is written in blood! - - - THE END. - - - - - 1776. Dollar Books for a Dime! 1876. - - BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK. - - - Lives of Great Americans. - - In these charming and picturesque books are presented complete and - authentic biographies of many of the men who have added luster to - the Republic by their lives and deeds. The series embraces: - - 1. George Washington. 4. Ethan Allen. - 2. John Paul Jones. 5. Marquis De Lafayette. - 3. Mad Anthony Wayne. 6. Daniel Boone. - 7. Israel Putnam. (“Old Put.”) - - These beautiful books are complete in one volume--one hundred large - 12mo. pages each, and sold by all newsdealers; or sent, post-paid, - to any address, on receipt of price--ten cents each, by - - BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - - - Miscellaneous Dime Books. - - CONTENTS DIME MELODIST. - - Bonnie Eloise, Softly, ye night winds, - Sleeping I dreamed, Far on the deep sea, - Fare thee well, Katy, My sighs to thee, - Love me little, A flower that bloometh, - Strike the light guitar, Anna Bell, - My love is a saileur, Swinging all day long, - Some one to love, Work, work, - The hazel dell, Wild Tiadatton, - Oft in the stilly night, A hundred years ago, - The old folks are gone, Widow Machree, - My soul in one sigh, Dream of thee no more, - Mother, sweet mother, Mary of Lake Enon, - The good by at the door, Mary of the glen. - Be quiet do, or I’ll call, Carry me to Tennessee, - Round for 3 voices, Rime, bome, bell, - Leaves that fall in spr’g, Whisper what thou feel, - The female smuggler, Like a soldier die, - Where is home? Old Josey, - Ettie May, Why do I weep, - Keemo Kimo, Bonnie blue e’e, - In the wild chamois’, Winsome Winnie, - I had a gentle mother, Scenes that are bright, - Poor Thomas Day, A lowly youth, - Pretty Nelly, One cheering word, - ’Tis the witching hour, The low-backed car, - Forgive but don’t forget, Hope on hope ever, - Thou art mine, love, The mother’s smile, - Darkness on the mou’n, Marion Lee, - Once upon a time, Annie Lowe, - Dearest spot of earth, One parting song. - - - CONTENTS DIME SCHOOL MELODIST. - - A boat, a boat, Lightly row, - A farmer’s life, Little cottage, - A smile from thee, Merry sleigh ride, - Blow, blow, blow, Morning rambles, - Bonny Eloise, Morning call, - Bright rosy morning, Morning has come, - Busy bee, Murmur gentle lyre, - Canadian boat song, Music murmuring, - Chairs to mend, Oh, dear, what can the matter be! - Chimney nook, Over hill, over dale, - Day is fading, Over the summer sea, - Elements of music, Peaceful slumbering, - Ettie May, Round for four voices, - Ever of thee, Row, fishermen, row, - Far o’er hill and dell, Scotland’s burning, - Fare thee well, Kitty, See our oars, - Flowers and sunshine, Song of the mountain, - Flow gently, sweet Af’n, Spring is here, - Gallant and gayly, Smiling May, - Gentle troubadour, Sweet birds are singing, - Happy schoolboy, Switzer’s song of home, - Hark, ’tis the bells, The sleigh ride, - Harvest time, The invitation, - Haste thee winter, The river, - House that Jack built, The bell doth toll, - Hazel Dell, Time to walk, - I love the merry sunshine, Tyrolese evening hymn, - I’d choose to be a daisy, Vesper bell, - In words of joy, We are all noddin’, - Joy of Innocence, When tempted to wander, - Joy, freedom to-day, Working lay. - - - DIME GUIDE TO CURLING AND SKATING. - - 1 Complete Manual for the Ice: giving all the laws of the popular - game of “Curling,” with Complete Diagrams; also, explicit - instructions for Skating, with a Guide to all the “figures” and - movements made on skates, and embracing also the laws of the - Skater’s Club of New York. 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Each - volume 100 pages 12mo., sent postpaid on receipt of price by the - publishers, BEADLE AND ADAMS, 98 William Street, New York. - - - DIME BOOK OF 100 GAMES. - - Comprising Forfeits and Conundrums, for Social Parties and Home - Amusement, Games for Children, Games for Young People, Games for - the Middle-aged, Games for the Aged. - - CONTENTS. - - Acted Verbs, Acting Rhymes, A Literary Game, Animal, Vegetable or - Mineral, A Simple Trick, Aunt Sue’s Toilet, Birds Fly, Blind-man’s - Buff, Blowing the Feather, Book Notices, Buz, Confidential Answers, - Consequences, Conundrums, Conversation Cards, Crooked Answers, Crow - In the Farmer’s Cornfield, Earth, Air or Water, Famous Numbers, - Forfeits, Fox and Geese, Going on a Journey, Going to Jerusalem, - Green, Yellow, Blue and Pink, Guess any Number Thought of, Hats on, - Hieroglyphics, Holding the Handkerchief, Hot and Cold, How, When - and Where, Imitation, I’ve been Shopping, Magic Numbers, Making up - a Cargo, Noted Personages, One Old Ox, Orange and Lemon, Pairs, - Passing the Scissors, Post Office, Presenting Gifts, Proverbs, - Puss in the Corner, Ship from China, Stage-coach, The Apprentice, - the Birdcatcher, The Bird Merchant, The Board of Trade, The - Bouquet, The Christmas Bag, The Christmas Pie, The Clairvoyant, - The Conjunction, The Grand Mufti, The Hatchet, The Hidden Word, - The Magic Wand, The Quaker’s Meeting, The Revolving Tea-table, The - Shoemaker, The Silent Orchestra, The Trades, The Whistle, The Wild - Beast Show, the Woodman, Think of a Word, Touching an Article, - Uncle Zeb’s Dinner, What and Why, Whisking the Handkerchief, What - Did He Give You, What is my Thought Like, What’s the Price of Wheat. - - FORFEITS.--A Song, The Will, Good Advice, Comparisons, The Secret, - The Confidential Answer, The First Letters, The Deaf Man, The - Pilgrim, The Clock, ’Twas I, The Parrot, Nunfashion Kiss, The Two - Chairs, The Twister, Four Corners, To kiss a Box inside and out - without opening it, To put Yourself through the Keyhole, To spell - Constantinople, Kiss, Tap and Box, A Rabbit’s Kiss, Back to Back, - Pinching, Feeding, Blindfold, the Quaker. - - CONUNDRUMS. - - - DIME CHESS INSTRUCTOR. - - A complete hand-book of instruction, giving the entertaining - mysteries of this most interesting and fascinating of games. - - CONTENTS. - - NAMES.--Placing the Chessmen, Powers and Moves of the Chessmen, - Capturing Power of the men, Illustrations of the Moves, The - Technical Terms of Chess, Technical Terms Illustrated, The Laws of - Chess, Preliminary Games, with Notes, Checkmate--End-Games, How to - Queen a Pawn, Maxims and Advice for Chess Students, King Bishop’s - Opening, The Gluoco Piano, Philldor’s Defence, Petroff’s Defence, - Ray Lopez Knight’s Game, Scotch Gambit, Evans Gambit, King’s - Bishop’s Gambit, King’s Knight’s Gambit, Salvio and Cochrane’s - Defences, Muzi-Gambit, Allgaier Gambit, Cuuningham Gambit, Queen’s - Gambit, Miscellaneous Openings, Illustrative Games. - - - DIME HAND-BOOK OF CROQUET. - - A complete Guide to the Principles and Practice of the game. By - EDMUND ROUTLEDGE. Giving also, the rules proposed by various - American writers on the game. ILLUSTRATED. - - CONTENTS. - - MATERIALS OF THE GAME.--The Mallets, The Balls, The Hoops, The - Posts, Clips. - HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED. - PARLOR CROQUET. - HINTS TO YOUNG PLAYERS. - RULES OF THE GAME.--Striking, Order of Playing, The Croquet, the - Posts, the Rover. - CROQUET TERMS. - - - DIME BASE-BALL PLAYER FOR 1876. - - Containing the Professional Club Records for 1875, of each - individual club; also the Records of the Best Games played by each - of the prominent Amateur Clubs of the country; together with the - Scores of the Model Games played by each class of the fraternity - during 1875. Also, full instructions in the new points of play, - and the new codes of Playing Rules of the Amateur and Professional - Associations, Batting and Pitching averages, etc. Edited by Henry - Chadwick. - - - DIME BOOK OF CRICKET AND FOOTBALL. - - A desirable Cricketer’s Companion, containing complete instructions - in the elements of Bowling, Batting and Fielding; also the - Revised Laws of the game; Remarks on the Duties of Umpires; the - Mary-le-Bone Cricket Club Rules and Regulations; Bets, etc., etc. - By HENRY CHADWICK, author of “Base-ball Player.” - - - DIME GUIDE TO SWIMMING. - - Embracing all the rules of the art for both sexes. Illustrated. By - Captain PHILIP PETERSEN. - - The following is the contents: - - Advisory Instructions, Rules upon entering the water, Temperature - of the water, Temperature of the body, Time for the swim, the - Start, Learning the Hand-stroke, Learning the Leg-stroke, General - Directions for Attitude, Management of the Breath, Plunging, the - Header, Leaping from a Hight, a Shallow Dive, Deep Diving, How to - Come to the Surface, Swimming on the Back, the “Steamer,” Floating, - Hand-over-hand Swimming, Swimming from a Boat, Precautions for - a Short Swim, the Cramp, How to Swim in Times of Danger, the - “Washing-tub,” “Creeping,” Sea-bathing--how to manage the Waves, - the Tides, etc., A Chapter for the Ladies, A Specimen Female - Swimming-school, How to Manage Cases of Drowning, Dr. Franklin’s - “Code” for Swimmers, Concluding Remarks. - - - DIME HAND-BOOK OF YACHTING AND ROWING. - - A Complete Manual of the Science and Practice of the two Pastimes. - - CONTENTS. - - ON YACHTING.--The Yacht Clubs of England, The Yacht Clubs of - America, Other Yacht Clubs, Learning to Sail a Boat, On Steering, - Regattas and Races, Sailing Regulations, Glossary of Nautical Terms. - - ON ROWING.--English Laws of Boat-racing, New York Clubs, Hints to - Rowers, The Great Boat Race of 1867--Oxford versus Cambridge. - - THE GREAT OCEAN YACHT RACE OF DECEMBER, 1867.--The Start from New - York, The Logs of the Yachts. - - THE HARVARD AND YALE COLLEGE CONTESTS. - - - DIME RIDING AND DRIVING. - - Comprising complete rules for the Management of the Horse, under - the Saddle and in Harness also, a Special Chapter on Female - Horsemanship. - - CONTENTS. - - RIDING.--The Accouterments and Aids Required, Mounting and - Dismounting, Management of the Seat and Reins, the Ordinary Paces, - Vices, The Ride, Female Horsemanship. - - DRIVING.--Driving a Single Horse, The Reins, Driving a Pair of - Horses, Bearing Reins. - - - DIME HAND-BOOK OF PEDESTRIANISM. - - Giving the Rules for Training and Practice in Walking, Running, - Leaping, Vaulting, etc., etc.; together with a full account of the - Great Weston Feat. Edited by HENRY CHADWICK. - - These books are for sale by all newsdealers; or sent, postpaid, to - any address, on receipt of ten cents each, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, - Publishers, 95 William Street, New York. - - - New Twenty Cent Novels. - - BEADLE AND ADAMS’ new Twenty Cent Novels’ series will embrace none - but NOTED WORKS OF NOTED AUTHORS, chiefly in the field of a purely - American romance, of marked originality and high Interest--price, - size and literary character all adapting them to the widest - circulation. Those seeking for THE BEST AMERICAN NOVELS will find - them in this series. - - 1. Overland Kit. By Albert W. Aiken. - 2. Rocky Mountain Rob. By Albert W. Aiken. - 3. Kentuck, the Sport. By Albert W. Aiken. - 4. Injun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. - 5. The Scalp Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - 6. The Prairie Mazeppa. By Albert W. Aiken. - 7. The Silent Hunter. By Percy B. St. John. - 8. The Man from Texas. By Albert W. Aiken. - 9. The Red Rajah. By Frederick Whittaker. - 10. The Winged Whale. By Albert W. Aiken. - 11. Idaho Tom. By Oll Coomes. - 12. The White Squaw. By Capt. Mayne Reid. - 13. The California Detective. By Albert W. Aiken. - 14. Maum Guinea. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. - 15. The Wolf Demon. By Albert W. Aiken. - - Sold by all newsdealers; or sent, postpaid, to any address, - on receipt of price--Twenty Cents Each, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, - Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - - - Twenty-five Cent Novels. - - The wide-spread demand for popular books at such rates as places - them within the reach of all, has impelled Messrs. BEADLE AND - ADAMS to introduce to their extensive lists of cheap publications - a new and highly attractive series, comprising only the choicest - productions of fiction and romance, of the leading living American - writers who are now “the Stars” of the popular weeklies, and whose - creations are the admiration of all who demand strength of story, - originality of character, and that subtle interest of plot and - construction which separates the masters of the pen from the common - writer. This series contains superb stories by Mrs. May Agnes - Fleming, Mrs. M. V. Victor, Mrs. Jennie Davis Burton, Bartley T. - Campbell, Margaret Blount, Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell, etc., etc. Each - volume a complete novel, and sold at the remarkably cheap price - indicated above. The first issues are: - - 1. The Dark Secret. By Mrs. May Agnes Fleming. - 2. The Maddest Marriage Ever Was. By Mrs. Jennie Davis Burton. - 3. A Woman’s Heart. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. - 4. An Awful Mystery. By Mrs. May Agnes Fleming. - 5. The Pride of the Downes. By Margaret Blount. - 6. Victoria. By Mrs. May Agnes Flaming. - 7. The Dead Letter. By Seely Regester. - 8. Strangely Wed. By Mrs. Jennie Davis Burton. - 9. Romance of the Green Seal. By Mrs. Catharine A. Warfield. - 10. Erminie. By Mrs. May Agnes Fleming. - 11. Love in a Maze. By Mrs. E. F. Ellet. - 12. The Twin Sisters. By Mrs. May Agnes Fleming. - 13. Forced Vows. By Mrs. Lillie Devereux Umsted Blake. - 14. Vials of Wrath. By Mary Reed Crowell. - 15. Annie Temple. By Rev. J. H. Ingraham. - - Sold by all newsdealers and booksellers: or sent, post-paid, on - receipt of price, twenty-five cents per volume, by BEADLE AND - ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. - - - - - Young People’s Hand-Books - - - The Dime Hand-Books for Young People cover a wide range of - subjects, and are especially adapted to their end. They constitute - at once the cheapest and the most useful works yet put into the - market for popular circulation. Each volume 100 pages 12mo., - sent-postpaid on receipt of price, by the publishers, BEADLE AND - ADAMS, 98 William Street, New York. - - - No. 1.--DIME GENTS’ LETTER-WRITER, - - And Practical Guide to Compositions, embracing forms, models, - suggestions and rules for the use of all classes, on all occasions; - also a list of improper words and expressions, together with their - correct forms; and also a complete dictionary of mottoes, phrases, - idioms, etc. BY LOUIS LEGRAND, M. D. - - CONTENTS. - - COMPOSITION.--The secret of a good letter; directions to a novice; - the rules of composition, etc. - - GENERAL ADVICE TO LETTER-WRITERS. - - LETTERS OF BUSINESS. - - LETTERS OF PLEASURE AND FRIENDSHIP. - - LETTERS OF LOVE.--Hints and suggestions; a declaration; answer; a - briefer declaration of attachment; answer; real love-letters of - eminent personages, etc. - - LETTERS OF DUTY, OF TRUST, Etc.--What they are and how to write - them; forms, etc.; advice from a lady to her friend; a complaint at - silence; communicating distressing news; to parents, informing of - their son, etc. - - LETTERS OF RELATIONSHIP.--Family correspondence; its sacred - character and proprieties; examples of real letters, etc. - - LETTERS OF VARIOUS OCCASIONS.--A certificate of character; - another, for a maid; another, for a clerk; application for a - school-teacher’s place; soliciting a vote; declining a nomination; - a girl applying for a place; another; application for a governess’ - situation, etc. - - WRITING FOR THE PRESS. - - IMPROPRIETIES OF EXPRESSION. - - PHRASES, MOTTOES, IDIOMS, ETC. - - - No. 2.--DIME BOOK OF ETIQUETTE. - - For Ladies and Gentlemen; being a guide to true gentility and - good-breeding, and a complete directory to the usages and - observances of society. Including etiquette of the Ball-room, of - the Evening Party, the Dinner Party, the Card and Chess Table, of - Business, of the Home Circle, etc., etc. Prepared expressly for the - “Dime Series,” by a Committee of Three. - - CONTENTS. - - ENTRANCE INTO SOCIETY.--Confidence vs. bashfulness; kindness vs. - rudeness; the bores of society, how to treat them. - - ON DRESS AND ORNAMENTS.--The vulgarity of “flash” attire; - simplicity in dress a mark of good breeding. - - ON VISITS, INTRODUCTIONS, ETC.--The law of politeness a law of - kindness; when visits are proper; introductions, presentations, - etc., and forms. - - EVENING PARTIES, DANCES, ETC.--The etiquette of the ball-room; - general directions for the same. - - GAMES OF CARDS, CHESS, ETC.--When proper and how conducted; general - rules of the games; the ill-breeding of betting or bragging. - - ON CONVERSATION.--Its usefulness and good results; how to comport - yourself; directions for it. - - ON LETTER AND NOTE WRITING.--Proprieties and improprieties of the - same; general directions for a good letter. - - HOW TO GIVE AND RECEIVE INVITATIONS.--General usage in all cases. - - ON ENTERTAINMENTS.--Etiquette of the table; how to serve a guest, - and how to be served; special directions. - - ON PERSONAL CLEANLINESS.--A word to the laborer; on religion and - respect for age; on theaters, promenades, etc.; on love, courtship - and marriage; the laws of home etiquette; special advice to ladies; - general observations and closing chapter. - - - No. 3.--DIME BOOK OF VERSES. - - Comprising Rhymes, Lines and Mottoes, for Lovers and Friends; - Valentines, Album Pieces, Great Verses, Birthday Lines, and poetry - for Bridals, Births, Mourning, Epitaphs, etc. - - CONTENTS. - - VERSES FOR ALBUMS. - - MOTTOES AND COUPLETS. - - ST. VALENTINE VERSES. - - BRIDAL AND MARRIAGE VERSES. - - VERSES ON BIRTHS AND INFANCY. - - VERSES TO SEND WITH FLOWERS. - - VERSES OF LOVE AND AFFECTION. - - HOLIDAY VERSES. - - BIRTHDAY VERSES. - - EPITAPHS AND MOURNING VERSES.--For all ages and classes. - - THE LOVER’S CASKET. - - ☞ This little volume is a veritable pocket companion. It is - everybody’s poet. It is for all occasions, for old and young, for - male and female. It will be treasured like a keepsake and used like - a dictionary. - - - No. 4.--DIME BOOK OF DREAMS. - - Their Romance and Mystery; with a complete interpreting Dictionary. - Compiled from the most accredited sources for the “Dime Series.” - - CONTENTS. - - INTRODUCTORY. - - THE ROMANCE OF DREAMS.--Embodying dreams of all kinds and - characters, with the construction placed upon them by the - most eminent authorities, and narratives of the extraordinary - fulfillment of them. - - THE PHENOMENA OF DREAMS.--A physician’s views on the subject, - giving a rational solution of the phenomena, with instances cited - in proof. - - MRS. CATHARINE CROWE’S TESTIMONY.--Favoring the supernatural nature - of dreams and a belief in their revelations. - - DICTIONARY OF DREAMS.--Comprising the most complete - interpretation-Dictionary ever prepared, embracing the whole - Alphabet of subjects. - - ☞ It is a volume full of interest even to the general reader, - being, in that respect, something like Mrs. Crowe’s “Night Side - of Nature,” and Robert Dale Owen’s “Footfalls on the Boundary of - Another World.” - - - No. 5.--DIME FORTUNE-TELLER. - - COMPRISING THE ART OF FORTUNE-TELLING, HOW TO READ CHARACTER, ETC. - - CONTENTS. - - FORTUNE-TELLING BY CARDS.--Dealing the Cards by Threes, Dealing - the Cards by Sevens, Dealing the Cards by Fifteens, The Twenty-one - Cards, The Italian Method, Present, Past and Future, Another Method - of Consulting the Cards, To Know if you will Get your Wish, The - English Method of Consulting the Cards. - - HOW TO TELL A PERSON’S CHARACTER BY MEANS OF CABALISTIC - CALCULATIONS. - - PALMISTRY, OR TELLING FORTUNES BY THE LINES OF THE HAND. - - FORTUNE-TELLING BY THE GROUNDS IN A TEA OR COFFEE CUP. - - HOW TO READ YOUR FORTUNE BY THE WHITE OF AN EGG. - - DREAMS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION. - - - No. 6.--DIME LADIES’ LETTER-WRITER. - - Giving the various forms of Letters of School Days, Love and - Friendship, of Society, etc. - - CONTENTS. - - HOW TO WRITE AND HOW NOT TO WRITE. - HOW TO PUNCTUATE, CAPITALIZE, Etc. - LETTERS OF CHILDHOOD. - LETTERS OF SCHOOL DAYS. - LETTERS OF FRIENDSHIP. - LETTERS OF COURTSHIP AND LOVE. - LETTERS OF SOCIETY: INVITATIONS, INTRODUCTIONS, ETC. - LETTERS OF SYMPATHY. - LETTERS OF BUSINESS. - WRITING FOR THE PRESS. - RULES FOR SPELLING. - PROVERBS FROM SHAKSPEARE. - POETIC QUOTATIONS. - WORDS ALIKE IN SOUND, BUT DIFFERENT IN MEANING AND SPELLING. - EXPLANATION OF THE MOST COMMON ABBREVIATIONS OF WORDS. - FRENCH QUOTATIONS AND PHRASES. - SPANISH WORDS AND PHRASES. - ITALIAN WORDS AND PHRASES. - - - No. 7.--DIME LOVERS’ CASKET. - - A Treatise and Guide to Friendship, Love, Courtship and Marriage. - Embracing also a complete Floral Dictionary, etc. - - CONTENTS. - - FRIENDSHIP.--Its Personality, Between Man and Woman, Close - Communion Proper, Letters, A Warning, Excellent Advice, A Prime - Point, Allow no Improper Intimacy, Special to Young Men, Something - to Avoid, Gallantries, Gifts, Beware of Love, Correspondence. - - LOVE.--The Dawn of Love, Love’s Secretiveness, Confidences, The - First Consciousness of Love, A Man’s Way, A Woman’s Way, Unworthy - Objects of Love by Woman, Unworthy Objects of Man’s Love, How to - Avoid Mistakes. - - COURTSHIP.--The Door Ajar, Disengaged, Engaged: at what age is - it proper, Engagement not to be protracted, The Wooing Time, The - Proposal, Asking Papa, The Rights of a Parent, Engaged, Proposal - Rejected, Breaking off an Engagement. - - MARRIAGE.--The Proper Time, Various forms of Marriage, The - Trousseau, Presents, Bouquets, The Bridesmaids, The Bridegroomsmen, - The Bride, The Bridegroom, the Certificate, Alter the Ceremony, The - Wedding Breakfast, “Cards” or “No Cards,” Notes Congratulatory. - - AFTER MARRIAGE.--Something to be Read Twice, Twelve Golden - Life-Maxims, A Talk with the Unmarried. - - MISCELLANEOUS.--Language of the Handkerchief, Language of the - Fan, Language of the Cane, Language of Finger Rings, Wedding - Anniversaries, viz.: The Paper Wedding, Wooden Wedding, Tin - Wedding, Crystal Wedding, Linen Wedding, Silver Wedding, Golden - Wedding. - - THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS.--How to Use the Vocabulary, The - Vocabulary. I--Flowers, The Vocabulary. II--Sentiments. - - - No. 8.--DIME BALL-ROOM COMPANION. - - And Guide to Dancing. Giving Rules of Etiquette, Hints on Private - Parties, Toilets for the Ball-room, etc. - - CONTENTS. - - ETIQUETTE.--Arrangements, Private Parties, The Parlor or Dancing - Apartment, Music, Refreshments, Ladies’ Toilets, Gentlemen’s Dress, - The Guests. - - MASQUERADES. - - PROMENADE CONCERTS. - - SOCIABLES. - - ORDER OF DANCING. - - SPECIAL RULES OF CONDUCT. - - SQUARE DANCES--Plain Quadrille, Double Quadrille, The Nine Pin, The - Lanciers, The Caledonians, The Prince Imperial, The Virginia Reel, - The Spanish Dance, La Tempete. - - ROUND DANCES.--The Waltz a Trois Temps, Waltz in Double Time, - Cellarius or Mazourka Waltz, The Schottische, The Polka, the Galop, - Redowa, Polka Redowa, Esmeralda, Danish Polka, The Varsoviana. - - ☞ These books are for sale by all newsdealers; or will be sent, - postpaid, to any address, on receipt of price, TEN CENTS EACH, by - - BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers. - 98 William Street, New York. - - - - - FAMILY HAND-BOOKS. - - - The Dime Family Series (Nos. 1 to 5 inclusive) aim to supply a - class of text-books and manuals fitted for every person’s use--the - old and the young, the learned and the unlearned. They are of - conceded value. Each volume 100 pages, 12mo., sent postpaid on - receipt of price by the publishers, BEADLE AND ADAMS, 98 William - Street, New York. - - - No. 1.--DIME COOK BOOK: - - Or, the Housewife’s Pocket Companion. Embodying what is most - Economic, most Practical, most Excellent. Revised and enlarged - edition. 100 pp. 12mo. By Mrs. VICTOR. - - - EXTRACTS FROM CONTENTS. - - BREAD.--Potato, Brown, Bran, Water, Rye and Indian, Wheat and Rye, - Milk, Rising, Buttermilk Bread, Bread Biscuit or Rolls, French - Rolls, Soda Biscuits, etc., etc. - - HOT BREAD AND CAKES.--Short, Corn, Johnny, Apple Johnny, Griddle, - Rich Griddle, Buckwheat, Rice Griddle, Corn Griddle, and Tomato - Griddle Cakes, Bannock, Waffles, Muffins, Apple Fritters, Rye - Fritters, etc., etc. - - OTHER BREAKFAST DISHES.--Toast, Dry Toast, Buttered Toast, Milk - Toast, Fried Rice, Omelet, Scrambled, Poached and Boiled Eggs, - Wheaten Grits, Hominy, Samp, Hasty Pudding. - - MEATS.--Roasting, Boiling, Frying; sixteen various methods for - preparing same. - - VEAL.--Boiled Veal, Fried Chops, Veal Pie, Leg of Veal, Loin of - Veal, Shoulder of Veal, Calves’ Feet, Calf’s Head and Liver. - - MUTTON.--Mutton Chops, Chops as Beefsteaks, Neck of Mutton, - Shoulder of Mutton, Leg of Mutton, Haunch of Mutton, Saddle of - Mutton, Mutton Cutlets, Irish Stew, Leg of Lamb, etc. - - PORK.--Pork Steaks, To Fry Pork, To Roast Pork, Spare Ribs of Pork, - To Boil a Ham, Pig’s Feet, Souse, Head Cheese, Fine Sausages, - Pickle for Hams, Salting Pork, To Melt Lard. - - POULTRY AND GAME.--Roast and Boiled Turkey, Roast and Baked Goose, - Ducks, Roast Fowl, Chickens Boiled, Fowl Broiled, To Fricassee a - Fowl, Chicken Pie, To Cook Pigeons, etc. - - FISH.--To Fry Fresh Fish or Eels, Baked Shad, To Broil Fresh Fish, - Fresh Codfish, Salt Codfish, Codfish Balls, Stewed Oysters, Fried - Oysters, Pickled Oysters, Chowder. - - NICE BREAKFAST DISHES.--Fresh Meat, Griddles, Clam Griddles, Oyster - Pancakes, Fish Balls, Codfish Toast, Rice Balls, Hashed Mutton, - Head Cheese, A New Breakfast Dish. - - SOUPS.--Beef, Vermicelli, Pea, Bean, Split Peas and Barley, - Vegetable and Rice, Tomato. - - VEGETABLES.--Twenty different varieties. - - SAUCES.--White, Caper for Fish, Egg, Plain Butter, Cranberry, - Apple, Sweet. - - SALADS.--Radishes, Celery. - - PIES.--Twenty-five different varieties. - - PUDDINGS.--Christmas Plum Pudding, and eighteen other recipes. - - CAKES.--Thirty-four recipes. - - TEA, COFFEE, CHOCOLATE.--Eight recipes. - - JELLIES, PRESERVES, ETC.--Forty-one recipes. - - PICKLES.--To Pickle various kinds of Vegetables and Fish. - - ICE CREAM.--How to make it. - - OYSTERS AND OTHER SHELL-FISH. - - THE CARVER’S MANUAL.--General directions for Carving. - - MISCELLANEOUS.--Chicken and Plum Pudding, Potato Muffins, Drop - Biscuit, etc., etc. - - - No. 2.--DIME RECIPE BOOK: - - A Companion to the Dime Cook Book. A Directory for the Parlor, - Nursery, Sick Room, Toilet, Kitchen, Larder, etc. Revised and - enlarged edition. By Mrs. Victor. - - EXTRACTS FROM CONTENTS. - - THE PARLOR.--To choose Carpets, Directions for Carpets, To clean - Turkey Carpets, Moth in Carpets, To extract Oil or Spermaceti - from Carpets, etc., To make Stair Carpets last, Cheap Carpet, - To wash Carpets, to sweep Carpets, House Cleaning, to clean - Looking-glasses, Oil Paintings, Mahogany, etc., To preserve Gilding - and clean it, To take Stains out of Mahogany, to clean Brass - Ornaments, Marble, Lamp, Paint, To polish Mahogany, To remove - Grease from Books, To prevent Mold in Books, Paste, Ink, and - Leather, To clean Silver-plated Candlesticks, To remove Rust, etc. - - THE NURSERY AND SICK ROOM.--Clothing of Infants, Waking Suddenly, - Restlessness at Night, Ointment for Seurf in the Heads of Infants, - Teething, Vaccination, Worms in Children, About Children, Hair of - Children, Hooping Cough, Dysentery, Scarlet Fever, Putrid Sore - Throat, etc., A Cure for Burns, Scalds, Body in Flames, and seventy - more recipes. - - FOOD FOR THE SICK.--A Strengthening Jelly for Invalids, Mutton - Custard for Bowel Complaints or Consumptive Cases, Chicken, Beef, - etc., Toast Water, Rice Jelly, Bread Jelly, Calves’ Feet Broth, - Panada, Beef Tea, Wine Whey, Water Gruel, Milk Porridge, Rice - Gruel, Medicated Prunes. - - THE TOILET; THE HAIR.--To remove Dandruff, A Capital Pomade, - Twiggs’ Receipt for the Hair, Bandoline for the Hair, Hair-curling - Liquid, Oil of Roses. - - THE TEETH.--To clean the Teeth and Gums, Quinine Tooth Powder, - Prepared Charcoal, Peruvian Bark Powder, Homeopathic Chalk, Cuttle - Fish Powder, Lip Salve. - - THE HANDS.--To remove Stains from the Hands, To improve the Hands - and Arms, Ointment for the Hands, Chapped Hands. - - THE COMPLEXION.--To preserve It, Wash for a Blotched Face, To - remove Sunburn, Blotches, Freckles, Pimples, Kalydor for Complexion. - - COSMETICS, PERFUMES, Etc.--Face Powder, Pearl Powder, Rowland’s - Macassar Oil, and twenty more recipes. - - CARE OF CLOTHING.--Furs, Woolen, Silk, Gloves, Ribbons, Lace, - Bonnets, etc. - - THE KITCHEN.--To can Fruit, Pears, Quinces, Berries, Peas, Beans, - Tomatoes, Green Corn, To preserve Fruit Jellies from Mold, To - prevent “Graining,” and seventy-five more recipes. - - MELANGE. - - HOW TO MAKE BUTTER AND CHEESE. - - PROCESS OF WINE-MAKING. - - MISCELLANEOUS.--To mend China, To get rid of Bedbugs and - Cockroaches, To make Ink, To manufacture Candles, To repair Broken - Glass, and a hundred other useful recipes. - - - - - THE ILLUMINATED DIME - POCKET NOVELS! - - PUBLISHED SEMI MONTHLY. - - 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, yet sold - at the standard price, TEN CENTS. - - - NOW READY, AND IN PRESS. - - =No. 1--Hawkeye Harry, the Young Trapper Ranger.= By Oll Coomes. - - =No. 2--Dead Shot=; or, The White Vulture. By Albert W. Aiken. - - =No. 3--The Boy Miners=; or, The Enchanted Island. By Edward S. - Ellis. - - =No. 4--Blue Dick=; or, The Yellow Chief’s Vengeance. By Capt. - Mayne Reid. - - =No. 5--Nat Wolfe=; or, The Gold-Hunters. By Mrs. M. V. Victor. - - =No. 6--The White Tracker=; or, The Panther of the Plains. By - Edward S. Ellis. - - =No. 7--The Outlaw’s Wife=; or, The Valley Ranche. 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. - 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 - Edward S. Ellis. - - =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.= 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.= By Lewis W. Carson. - - =No. 23--Old Kent, the Ranger.= By Edward S. Ellis. - - =No. 24--The One-Eyed Trapper.= By Capt. Comstock. - - =No. 25--Godbold, the Spy.= A Tale of Arnold’s Treason. By N. C. - Iron. - - =No. 26--The Black Ship.= By John S. Warner. - - =No. 27--Single Eye, the Scourge.= By Warren St. John. - - =No. 28--Indian Jim.= A Tale of the Minnesota Massacre. By Edward - S. Ellis. - - =No. 29--The Scout.= By Warren St. John. - - =No. 30.--Eagle Eye.= By W. J. Hamilton. - - =No. 31--The Mystic Canoe.= A Romance of a Hundred Years Ago. By - Edward S. Ellis. - - =No. 32--The Golden Harpoon=; or, Lost Among the Floes. By Roger - Starbuck. - - =No. 33--The Scalp King.= By Lieut. Ned Hunter. - - =No. 34--Old Lute, the Indian-fighter=; or, The Den in the Hills. - By E. W. Archer. - - =No. 35--Rainbolt, the Ranger=; or, The Demon of the Mountain. By - Oll Coomes. - - =No. 36--The Boy Pioneer.= By Edward S. Ellis. - - =No. 37--Carson, the Guide=; or, the Perils of the Frontier. By - Lieut. J. H. Randolph. - - =No. 38--The Heart Eater=; or, The Prophet of the Hollow Hill. By - Harry Hazard. - - =No. 39--Wetzel, the Scout=; or, The Captive of the Wilderness. - By Boynton Belknap. - - =No. 40--The Huge Hunter=; or, The Steam Man of the Prairies. By - Ed. S. Ellis. - - =No. 41--Wild Nat, the Trapper.= By Paul Prescott. - - =No. 42--Lynx-cap=; or, The Sioux Track, By Paul Bibbs. - - =No. 43--The White Outlaw=; or, The Bandit Brigand. By Harry - Hazard. - - =No. 44--The Dog Trailer.= By Frederick Dewey. - - =No. 45--The Elk King.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. - - =No. 46--Adrian, the Pilot.= By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. - - =No. 47--The Man-hunter.= By Maro O. Rolfe. - - =No. 48--The Phantom Tracker.= By Frederick Dewey. - - =No. 49--Moccasin Bill.= By Paul Bibbs. - - =No. 50--The Wolf Queen.= By Captain Charles Howard. - - =No. 51--Tom Hawk, the Trailer.= By Lewis Jay Swift. - - =No. 52--The Mad Chief.= By Captain Chas. Howard. - - =No. 53--The Black Wolf.= By Edwin E. Ewing. - - =No. 54--Arkansas Jack.= By Harry Hazard. - - =No. 55--Blackbeard.= By Paul Bibbs. - - =No. 56--The River Rifles.= By Billex Muller. - - =No. 57--Hunter Ham.= By J. Edgar Iliff. - - =No. 58--Cloudwood=; or, The Daughter of the Wilderness. By J. M. - Merrill. - - =No. 59--The Texas Hawks.= By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - - =No. 60--Merciless Mat.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. - - =No. 61--Mad Anthony’s Scouts.= By Emerson Rodman. - - =No. 62--The Luckless Trapper=; or, The Haunted Hunter. By - William R. Eyster. - - =No. 63--The Florida Scout=; or, The Princess of the Everglades. - By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. - - =No. 64--The Island Trapper.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready - - =No. 65--Wolf-Cap.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready - - =No. 66--Rattling Dick.= By Harry Hazard. Ready Jan. 2d. - - =No. 67--Sharp-Eye.= By Major Max Martine. Ready - - =No. 68--Iron Hand.= By Frederick Forest. Ready - - =No. 69--The Yellow Hunter.= By Capt. Chas. Howard. Ready Feb. - 13th. - - =No. 70--The Phantom Rider.= By Maro O. Rolfe. Ready Feb. 27th. - - =No. 71--Delaware Tom.= By Harry Hazard. Ready March. 18th. - - ☞ BEADLE’S DIME POCKET NOVELS are always in print and for sale by - all newsdealers; or will be sent, post-paid, to any address; single - numbers, ten cents; six months (13 Nos.) $1.25; one year (26 Nos.) - $2.50 Address, =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 “post-paid”/“postpaid” 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 59: “whose feeble glare served only to highten” changed to - “whose feeble glare served only to heighten”. - - Page 78: “Who could this mystersous” changed to “Who could this - mysterious”. - - Page 79: “The crisis of thier” changed to “The crisis of their”. - - Page 88: “at the bottom of the mysttery” changed to “at the bottom - of the mystery”. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IRON HAND, CHIEF OF THE TORY -LEAGUE *** - -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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