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.




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  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.

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                         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”.