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• From the Atlantic Monthly.]
I.AL TER-DAY WARNINGS.
When legislators keep the law.
When banks Jispeiise with bolts aiol locks.
When berries, whortle-rasp-aml straw-
Crow bigger DOWN-WARDS through the box,- -
v\ uen he tl'-t selletli house or iaiol
.• toWs leak in root or llaW in right.- -
i When habeolashers choose the sUu.l
Whose window hath the broadest light, -
ttuea preachers tell us all they think.
And party leaders ail they mean
W'aen what we pay for, that we drink.
From real grape and rollee-bean,—
When lawyers take what they would give.
And doctors give what the} ouhl tuke,~
When city fathers eat 10 live,
s a ve when they fast for conscience" sate,
W hen one that hatli a horse on sale
Shall bring his merit to the pr.-of,
J} ehout a lie for every nail
That holds tile lrou on the hoof,
When In the usual place for rips
Ahir gloves are stitched with special care.
And guarded *dl the halebone tips
Where first umbrellas need repair,—
Mt.cu Cuba's wccils have firgit
The power ei' suction to resist,
Aud Caret bottles harbor not
Such dimples as would hold your rtst.
When publishers no longer steal,
tni pay for what they stole before,—
M tea the first locomotlv e'a wheel
Ke'.! through the Ilo.j-.ac tunnel's bore;
Tiu then let Cuininiug blaze away,
\nU Miller's saints blow up the globe;
Bet when you see that blessed day.
THIS order your ascension rob** I
EE REBEE LOVER.
A TALE OF THE REVOLUTION.
CHAPTER I.
lUK SURPRISE AXD CAPTURE.
!t va.- near nine o'clock, one warm, sul
i night in the month of September, 1775,
at a party consisting of someone hundred
iN'men, drc.>ed in the uniform of British
tht- horse, rule rapidly along the road
Horsing the right bank of the Santec
Fer, in .South Carolina, and took their way
the duelling of W alter Steel. They *
ire commanded by Hugh Langsford, a !
: xly and cruel officer in the English ser- i
i —one who had been selected and placed
(it- position he occupied on account of'
iiibautiue heart and tyrannical disposition,
r the express purjxise of teaching the sur- ;
iiudifij it. habitants due obedience to his
ijesty's law,! (>u many occasions he had >
tirei-std his authority in the most barbar
ic maimer, wantonly burning the houses
Ituown patriots, and ruthlessly hanging
t owners. without provocation, save their
opinions. His name had become a
frur to all the patriotic inhabitants of the
utee, the more so, as I fewer al Francis
hrioii, the only rebel partizan who offered
> resistance to the British troops, had
d ior some time absent in North C'aro
'i. leaving Laogsford undisputed .sway
l ' r the region.
halter Steel,toward whose houi*- Izangs
r - nas now making his way, was a well
patriot, and had been heard
/J \aace opinions boldly in favor of the
'Utionists, and directly in opposition to
' ,et,r ?e -Many wondered how he
long escaped the vengeance of
angstord; !t there had been a charm
w */ ul in its nature hanging around the
/ng of the aged rebel, which had so
1 1'resmed h* ls } lO j ne seathless.
ary steel had won the admiration of
_ fptaisi, and this had rijened into love
" part, and as is usual on such occa
-08, e wished and strove to appear in a
oft * it hght to her, and of course treated
/ " :r and his family with all the lenity
" ls power.
iT, ,k° ttom °f her heart Mary de
[L } ie . bloody officer, but aware that her
[ifjupn i • c P en( lcd on her actions, she
,• | , Wl /E Langsford in such a manner
k hr. T t0 he was the idol
L, r , Rut he was soon to be un-
Fceived.
Lt liad ,^ uen ca^e( l to -Charleston, and
kb .' 1 om Santec about two
[ fc w an ' at time he is here introduced
kel'< r j tUn)in fond expectations to
laiteii'i ' a . v '"K |' es °lvod to become at once
As h° °M ect °* affections.
Mtl . WaH r ' f R n o leisurely along the
tout t/ * lsla . nce R ie farm house being
iv a n !' % lIU ' eH ) he was suddenly accosted
Wav '■ j , s P ran f? from the bushes by
torse an P^ himself in front of his
lew co, r lil ' SH ' on bootless/ exclaimed the
er J' return at once to Charleston.'
imssjmaffi) asjie sir ®a@iE(&ia iraisosjoHaiEs iLiawiisrowsyg mimy&Esy ©®®snrsr 8
J * Who ure you V demanded Langsford
in vain endeavoring to trace the man's fea
j tures in the gloom of the night.
•One who knows why Captain Langsford
seeks the house of farmer Steel,' replied
1 the man. 4 But I tell you Mary marries
another and more favored lover, who is even
now at the house.'
1 Then his audacity shall cost him his
! life!' retorted the Captain fiercely, its he
i put spurs to his horse and galloped on, fob
I lowed by his men.
' And I rather guess yours will cost you
about the same!' exclaimed the man who
had given the information, as he disap
peared in the bushes.
A half hour sufficed for Langsford to
►reach the house of Steel, which was sur
rounded in silence, he having ordered his
men to dismount when some distance front
the dwelling, and leaving a part in charge
of the horses, approached with the remain
der on foot.
Having stationed his troopers so that no
one could leave the house, he approached
the parlor window, from which a light
shone, and carefully peeped in. Sitting
hut a few feet from him he discovered Mary
in conversation with u young man of some
three and twenty years of age dressed in
the light blue uniform of the rebel army.
The first word he heard pronounced was
his own name, and almost breathlessly he
listened.
'I have been constrained.' he heard Mary
say, ' for the purpose of saving my father's
life, and prevent our house from being pil
laged, to treat Langsford in a manner which
I would scorn to do were I placed in other
circumstances. If you knew how 1 detest
ed him. if you could feel how T loath his
advances, you would see at once that policy
alone dictated my conduct. No, Ilarry, I
never loved any but you, and 1 would die
sooner than become the wife of that blood
thirsty British demon.'
And Langsford stood there and heard it
all. lou should have seen his brow
contract, and his face turn red and pale in
rotation, and beheld his teeth sink into his
under lip until the warm blood ran trickling
down his chin, and fell, drop by drop, upon
his heaving bosom —yet he stirred not, but
with every muscle quivering like an aspen,
he listened for the reply.
'I believe you, Mary, and never yet have
doubted the real cause of your action ; but
I trust there will be no more occasion for
dissembling. Marion has again returned
to the Santec—lds blood boiling to avenge
his countrymen upon this same Langsford;
and woe to the puppet of English power if
he leaves the streets of Charleston for the
open country at present.'
4 But he is coming, f got a letter from
him the other day, couched in the most
loving terms, in which he said he should
be out in a few days to claim me as his
bride. I threw the abhorred letter into
the fire, and wished he might break his
neck first.'
Langsford conld stand it no longer. The
warm blood had rushed into his face until
it was red as scarlet; and drawing back his
right hand, dashed the window in bv a vig
orous blow, and exclaimed in a voice of
thunder—
-4 And be is here to claim his bride, and
hang the traitor who would -educe her
love.'
Saying which, he called his men to ad
vance, and sprang into the room.
Mary Steel uttered one convulsive scream
of horror, and sank lifeless to the floor;
while the partisan, surprised at the unex
pected interruption, retreated to the side of
the room and placed his back against the
wall, drawing his sabre as lie did so.
4 Ay, ay, my fine fellow, caught in a trap
of your own setting,' exclaimed Lang-ford,
sneeringly, as he glanced at the rebel. —
4 Seize him, men,' he added, to several sol
diers who had by this time crowded into
the apartment, 4 and guard hi in Well.'
The men advanced to obey, and conclu
ding that resistance would be useless against
such odds, the young patriot bent his knee,
across which he snapped his sabre and
threw the pieces upon the floor.
Langsford being left alone in the room
with Mary, advanced and bent over her
senseless form, which he was about raising
in his arms, when Walter Steel came into
the apartment. Striding up to the Captain,
he placed his left hand against his shoul
der and pushed Langsford somewhat rudely
from the body, at the same time raising his
daughter with the other.
4 A father's attention is best given his
daughter at a time like the present,' he
said sternly, noticing the scowl gathering
upon the officer's brow.
4 But remember, Mr. Steel, that lam not
to be insulted with impunity,' he growled,
angrily.
4 And you will recollect, Captain Langs
ford, that I am master of' my own house
hold,' replied Steel, calmly, though a little
touched by the officer's taunt. 4 lf you
have anything to say to my daughter,
must wait till she is recovered.'
'Well, I have much to say, and will give
you two hours to prepare her tor what is to
take place,' said Langsford, slowly.
'Much obliged to you for your conde
scension,' muttered Steel in an audible
voice, as he bore his child from the room.
CHAPTER TT.
TIIK REBEL
About au hour aftei „urence
, lated in the prccoding chapter, a figure was
• observed by the sentry, who was stationed
in the road, in front of the house, coming
quietly toward him, and as it was a bright
moonlight night, he saw that the person
i carried two panniers of tin, suspended
. front a yoke over his shoulders. The sen
' tinel instantly surmised the individual to
| be a pedler, as there were a good many
! traversing the country at that time, and it
1 being his duty to hail everything that ap
| preached his post, he instantly shouted—
' Who goes there V
I ' Nothing hut a pedler,' was the reply,
I in the regular drawl of the down easter.
4 Advance and give the countersign,'
! continued the sentry.
' I'll advance if yeou want me tu, hut
: I'll he darned if 1 give anything away.'
So saying the pedler approached the
' sentry, where he was met by the corporal
j of the guard, who had been attracted to
the spot by the challenge.
, 4 W hat have you got to sell ?' he de-
I manded.
4 Better ask what 1 haven't got to sell,'
' replied the pedler.
j 4 W ell, what haven't you got to sell ?'
I replied the corporal.
j 4 Notliin' that yeou want, unless it he
this pint bottle of rum.'
' What do you ask for it ?' demanded the
( corporal.
i 4 Not much, if yeou'll let me intew the
yard among the soljiers, I'll give it to yeou.'
j ' It's a bargain,' answered the corporal
. quieklv, whose orders had been positive to
let no one out, but nothing had been said
about not letting people in.
Giving the officer on guard the rum, the
pedler passed into the yard among the sol
diers, who congregated immediately around
: him.
• What have you got to sell, old fellow V
yelled one.
' (.lot any rum cried a second.
4 ( let me out a pack of cards,' said a
third.
4 1 want a jack-knife/ said a fourth.
4 (lo tew thunder, every darned one of
yeou,' replied the pedler in a loud voice,
as he put down his panniers. 4 Darn it to
darnatiori, dew yeou think I've got forty
tongues to answer you all at once. Who
is that wanted rum V
4 Me/ answered the soldier, stepping for
ward.
4 Well, 1 haint got none/ retorted the
Yankee to the crest fallen trooper. 'Who's
that wanted cards V he added.
4 Me/ said another advancing.
4 Well, here they be.' And the pedler
took them out. 4 They are fifty cents for
a pack.'
4 Let me see them.' And the trooper
held out his hand.
4 Darned if I do until you let me sec the
money to pay for 'em.'
The man paid the half dollar, and the
pedler was soon busy selling off his things
to the troopers, most of whom wanted
something.
These men unfortunately were out of
money, and after endeavoring in vain to
dispose of something to them, he pettishly
exclaimed—
-4 Well, darn if yeou won't buy anything
can't yeou tell me of somebody who will V
4 Yon see that fellow tied to that tree,
don't you said one of the men, pointing
to the rebel lover of Mary, who had been
bound to a sapling near the fire.
• 1 rather guess I dew.'
• lie's to be hung in the morning, and
would doubtless like to buy a black cap for
the occasion.'
4 Thank \eou, mister, there's a pocket
comb for yeou. I've got one of the darn
dest black caps \eou ever seed.'
While speaking the pedler had thrown
the comb on the ground, and he instantly
made off for the prisoner. As he drew
near the rebel raised his his bead and gaz
ed upon him, but his slouched hat com
pletely hid his features.
• 4 They said yeou was tew be hung in the
morning, and I thought yeou'd like to have
a black cap tew put on,' exclaimed the ped-
breaking the silence.
4 Do you come to taunt mo ?' demanded
the prisoner quickly.
' No, darned if I dew, but this cap of
mine is a darned good one, and lets people
off hanging so easy.'
The pedler placed a strong emphasis on
the word off, which caused the prisoner
again to attempt a scrutiny of his features.
This time the matter was not difficult.—
The hat was slipped to one side and the
countenance fully revealed.
4 God of Heaven! can it be possible,'
murmured the rebel in a guarded tone.
' Hist or all will be lost. Buy the cap,
and in its trip you will find a knife. My
men are near by, but we number only thir
ty. Stratagem must be used. Cut your
cords when all are asleep, and then be off.'
4 But Mary,' said the young man in a
hollow whisper.
4 Shall be saved, rest assured of that.'
4 Thank you, General, and may God bless
you for this.'
4 Well, 1 guess you can have it for that,
t' ough its a darned little price,' exclaimed
the pedler aloud, observing that one of the
men was approaching the spot, at the same
time handing the prisoner the cap. 4 Take
. it the knife and put it in your mouth,' he
whiskered to the youth. 4 They are going
to search you.'
And as he obeyed, the pedler screened
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1857.
him with his laxly. The knife being small
was easily hold inside the teeth.
' Darn yeour pietur, give me the money
T say!' shouted the pedlar, in an excited
voice, as the trooper came up beside him.
4 \Y hat did you sell him V asked the sol
dier.
4 That black cap to be hung in gull darn
him.'
' Good. He'll need it in the morning.
('one away with me, and I'll take you to
the captain, who'll settle the bill.'
'Y\ ill he ? \\ ell, lie's a darned clever
follow, then, sure as shootin'. Dew yeou
think 1 can sell him anything?'
4 More than likely. He's to he married
to-night.'
4 ls lie ? I 've got some of the handsuin
cst gloves ever you seed, white as thunder
all over.'
4 Then I think he'll buy a pair,'
4 Dew you i Well yeou're a clever fel
low, and here's a pocket comb for yeou.'
They had by this time reached the door
of the Captain's room, and the pedler was
ushered into the presence of' Langsford.
CHAPTER 111.
THE TWO INTERVIEWS.
Langsford was seated beside a tabic on
which a laiup was burning, casting a dim
light over the room, and his head was rust
ing upon his hand, while he appeared sp
deeply absorbed in a reverie as not to no
tice the entrance of the trooper.
The man passed inside the door, scraped
his feet once or twice, mid finally succeed
ed in arousing the captain, who raised up
his head, stared at them a moment, and then
uttered in an audible voice,
• Well!'
' This is the pedler you wanted to see,'
replied the trooper, touching his hat.
'Oh, is it? Well you may retire.'
The trooper did as he was directed, and
as the door closed upon the retreating form
laingsford resumed:
'Come a little nearer, Mr. Pedler, I
want to examine your stock.'
The pedler obeyed, setting his panniers
down before the officer, and holding ihe
lamp for him as he examined the goods.
The gloves attracted the Captain's eye.
' 1 don't know as [ want to buy anything
you have got, but there is a young lady in
the house who would doubtless like to pur
chase a pair of these, as she is going to be
married to-night.'
' They're darned tine gloves.'
•No doubt of that. I will send you to
her when I get through with you. But I
want to ask you one question: What side
do you take in the present strife between
England and the Colonies V
'Me ? Why, darn it, tew tell the truth
L rather favor the mother country, though
bein' nothin' but a poor pedler, and bavin'
tew trade with both sides, 1 have to be
pretty much neutral.'
' But do your feelings on the side of
loyalty ever prompt you, when opportunity
occurs, to be of service to your king?'
'Don't know but they might —never had
a chance tew dew anything for the king
yet.'
'Well, I will give you a chance. 1 have
every reason to believe that the arch rebel,
Marion, is hovering net far from this place
at the present time.'
'1 know he is, darn him; I've seen him
this very day.'
4 When —where?' demanded Langst'ord
eagerly. 4 'Bout live miles from here, on
the upper Santee road. I seen him cuttin'
across Ben Brady's farm, with about thirty
men follerin' him.'
4 Then mv plan is laid. (So into the
room where Miss Steel is, and pretend
sympathy for her and offer to help her.—
She will send you to this Marion for aid.
Return and guide me to the spot and your
fortune is made.'
' I'll dew it, darned to darnation if I
don't. I'll make her believe I'm her best
friend, get her tew tell me where this all
lired rebel is cainpin' and lead you to the
spot.'
Taking up his things, the pedler left the
ajKirtment of Laugsford, aiid soon reached
the door of the room where Mary Steel
and her father were sitting. Knocking
upon the door, lie soon heard the voice of
Steel demanding who was there.
4 A pedler, who wants to sell Miss Steel
some goods,' he answered.
A short consultation was heard between
Mary and her father, and then the door
was unlocked, and the pedler admitted.
Advancing directly across the apartment
to where Mary was seated by the table, he
immediately made a display of his goods
before her, but she instantly exclaimed —
4 1 have no wish to purchase anything,
but, if you do mc a service, I will pay you
well for it.
' What is it ma'am ?' asked the pcdler,
pulling his slouched hat still farther over
his face.
< 1 am about to be forced into marriage
with the Captain who commands the men
now around the house. I hate and despise
him. If you will consent to convey a mes
sage from me to Gen. Marion, he will come
at once to my assistance and prevent it.
4 Mary Steel!' fell from the lips of the
pedler, in a soft, musical voice, which riv
eted the eyes of the maiden fixedly on him.
The slouched hat fell slowly off. revealing
to the eyes of the astonished girl the fea
. ure.> vein .'tuiioii.
'Oh, Marion, this is too much. Why
run this risk—why jeopardize your life in
this reckless manner V murmured the mai
den, reproachfully,
'Nay, Mary, methinks if yqytr sharp
eyes could not pierce my disguise, those
who never saw me would not be likely to
make the discovery. I will prevent This
marriage, and Langsford a lesson in
hitters of blood! Good-bye for the pres
ent.' And the general, who hud resumed
the sloucheil hat and the panniers, glided
from the room.
He made his way at once to Laugsford's
apartment and found that officer impatient
ly awaiting his return.
4 What news ?' asked the Captain.
'Good. We've got the darned rebel,
sure as shootin.' He's just three miles
from here, on the up-river road.'
4 Do you know the spot exactly?'
' 1 guess 1 dew. I can lead you right
tew it,'
4 Well, then, let's he off at once.'
And they left the room.
A quarter of an hour afterwards the
party lett the house, with the exception of
three troopers, who were left to guard the
rebel lover.
CHAPTER IV.
THE PEDLER TURNS GENERAL.
For some time the l>ritis): Captain rode
on in silence, while the guide strode before
on foot, taking the up-river route. About
two miles from the house of Steel, the road
ran between a high bluff and the San tee,
skirting the foot of the hill, and leaving
but a few feet between it and the stream.
This pass extended for nearly a mile, when
the bluff abruptly ceased, and a lovely val
ley, nearly half a mile wide, spread out
from the river.
It was a bright moonlight uight, and the
sable hills glittered in the silvery rays, and
the measured tread of the horses hoofs
sounded out plainly upon the midnight air,
as the band swept down the hill and enter
ed the black pass. Here all became dark,
the tall trees which grew on the side of the
bluff effectually screening the road and
shutting out the moonlight, save where
here anil there a straggling ray fell athw art
the path and lit up for an instant the
dreary road.
Just half through the pass there is a
narrower spot than elsewhere, and a ravine
comes down from the highlands and emp
ties into the Santee. Across this a rude
way had been dug by excavating the bank,
and the road, after gaining the bottom,
turned down it as though going directly
into the river. The bottom of this ravine
was as dark as pitch, and as Langsford and
his men followed the pedler down into its
depths they lost sight of him altogether.
Ordering a halt, the Captain hailed in a
low voice, calling for the guide, but no an
swer came. Again and again did he sum
mon the pedler, each time in a louder key,
but in vain; and, with a muttered curse
upon the stupidity of the guide, Langsford
ordered his men to advance.
Scarcely had the body once more began
to move, than a loud crash was heard in
the ravine above them; something came
tearing its way through the brush which
lined the steep hill side, and a. large stone
bounded into the ranks, crushing a horse
and rider as it fell.
A moment of confusion ensued, amid
which the groans of the wounded trooper
could be heard, when a loud voice, which
thrilled like molten lead upon the hearts of
the British, was heard exclaiming :
4 Right, lads—give them the others!'
Ami like the rush of a destructive tor
nado a large quantity of rocks came thun
dering down the hill, landing with fearful
accuracy among the excited troopers, and
creating sad havoc among the horsemen.
' Sold!' shouted Laugsford, in a voice
which rose tar above the din and tumult
around them, 'sold by a pedler! Retreat
in the rear there, and let all follow as fast
as possibly.'
' Aye, sold,' thundered a voice in reply,
as the Captain ceased, 4 and the blood of
those you have foully murdered during our
absence calls loudly for vengeance. Up
on them, comrades, and spare not a man !'
' Darned tew darnation if I give quarter
tew a darned one,' squeaked out the well
known tones of the pedler. 4 Hurra for
Yankee Doodle Dandy, and won't "we dew
'em up so handy. Shute, boys, and be
darned tew 'cm!'
A volley of rifles followed the last order
and a blaze ran along the hill side, while
the messengers of death sped without mer
cy into the troopers' ranks, killing many
and creating a terrible tumult and dismay.
Some few of those farthest in the rear
made a hasty retreat, among whom was
Langsford, he having pushed nis way back
when the first volley of stones was rolled
down upon his men, and fled as fast as
horse speed would carry him back to Steel's,
accompanied by about a dozen men.
Upon reaching the house he dismounted
from his steed and rushed to the door,
which he found was fastened; but a few
knocks brought a person to it who threw it
open, displaying one of his own troopers.
The Captain entered, followed by the men
who escaped with him, and the door was
again secured.
This done, Langsford hastened up stairs
and knocked upon the door of Mary Steel's
room. No answer came, and he knocked
New Series—Vol. 11, No. 51.
more rudely than before, but in vain; all
within was as silent as the grave. He
shook the door, but it was firmly fastened
. upon inside, and he ordered a man to
bring him an axe which stood at the foot
of the stairs. "VJfith this he soon forced an
entrance, by splitting the panels into pieces,
and sprang like a famished tiger into the
room. But it was empty —the prey had
escaped; and cursing like a fiend, Langsford
sprang to the open window, out of which
he thrust his head. As he did so, the
sharp crack of a rifle was heard, and stag
gering hack, the Captain fell upon the
floor, with the blood slowly oozing from a
bullet hole in the centre of his forehead.
CHAPTER V.
THE ESCAPE.
We must now return to the rebel lover
of Mary, whom we left bound to the sap
ling, with the penknife given him by the
pedler secured in his mouth.
After the departure of Langsford, the
three men who had been left to guard him
took their stations not many feet from him,
and for a few moments attentively watched
every movement he made. But the troop
ers had ridden hard and far that day, and
it was soon proposed that two of the party
lay down and rest, while the third kept
watch for an hour, when he should rouse
one of the sleepers to take his place. Lots
were drawn, and the first guard fell upon
one of the three called Lazy John, from a
well known propensity he had of going to
sleep without being aware of so doing.
' Take care, John, or you will be asleep
before we are,' said one of the men as he
stretched himself at full length upon the
ground.
'Keep your eyes wide open, John,' cried
the other, as he followed his companion's
example.
' Don't see the use of watching a man
who's tied fast to a tree, at any rate,' mut
tered John, as he sank upon a log near the
fire.
Twenty minutes went by, and the two
men who had stretched themselves upon
the ground gave undoubted signs of being
fast asleep. .John, however, still remained
seated upon the log, with his head ' nid,
nid, noddin',' and his body occasionally
lurching to and fro, in a state of drowsi
ness which was the next thing to sleep, but
which a slight noise would have thrown off
and awakened him fully.
It was at this state of affairs that Harry
Bodman, the prisoner, began his prepara
tions to escape. The knife was taken from
his mouth, and the keen blade soon severed
the cords which fastened him to the tree.
He then stooped down, and drawing off his
boots, taking one in each hand, and noise
lessly made his way to the door of the
house. It was partly ajar, and on entering
he quickly ascended the stairs, where he
paused and drew on his boots, then advanc
ed to the entrance of Mary's apartment and
knocked upon the door.
'Who's there,' demanded the well known
voice of Steel.
' Walter, let me in,' he answered.
The key turned instantly in the locfe, the
door opened, and he glided into the room.
'How did you escape?' murmured Mar)-,
as he hasted to her side.
' You saw the pedler ?'
1 General Marion —he was in this room,'
she answered.
' He furnished me with a kuife to cut
the cords that bound me, and while all the
men left to watch me slept, I took advan
tage of the opportunity to come into the
house. But hark:
They listened in breathless silence, and
could plainly hear the sound of heavy firing
up the Santee, which told the foemen were
engaged..
4 May Ciftd defend the right!' fervently
ejaculated Mary.
4 Amen!' responded a deep voice outside
the window, and three distinct taps were
heard upon the pane.
4 Who's there ?' demanded Harry Bod
man, as he strode to the spot.
'Brady,' replied the same voice. 'Hoist
the window, Bodman; you have no time to
lose.'
Harry threw up the sash, and the man
outside sprang into the apartment. He
was full six feet high, dressed in a hunting
shirt of deep blue, and carried a long rifle
in his hand. For ftn instant he gazed
around him, and then exclaimed:
' You must all leave the house at once.'
'Has Marion been defeated, then?' asked
Mary, ip breathless alarm.
' No, Miss, but a portion of the flogged
British will make this house a place of de
fence, and in a case of that kind you are
bettep out of it.'
'But we can fasten them out,' said Steele,
resolutely.
1 Nay, better let them trap themselves
in it,' replied Brady, calmly. ' There is a
ladder at the window by which you can go
down, and in my opinion, the sooner the
better. I hear the British coming already.'
As he finished speaking, the distant
tread of horses' feet was heard coming
down the road toward the house.
'Be it so,' replied Steel, passing through
the window on the ladder. 'Bet Mary
come down first.'
The maiden followed her father, and the
two soon reached the ground.
' Stand close to the house in the dark
I shade there/ said Brady, speaking to those