Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 May 1907 — THE SPY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE SPY

BY J. FENIMORE COOPER

A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION

“i "' CHAPTER XL The officer t« whose keeping Dunwoodie •ommitted the peddler transferred his charge to the custody of the regular serIgeant of the guard, After admonishing the non-commissioned guardian of Harvey to omit no watchfulness in securing the Csoner, the youth wrapped himself in cioak, and stretched on a bench before p fire, soon found the repose be needed. |A rude ahad extended the whole length •f the rear of the building, and from off •ne of its ends had been partitioned a ■nail apartment, that was intended as a depository for many of the lesser implement* of husbandry and Betty’s sleeping form. A second soldier, who was stationed near tbs house to protect the horses »f the officers, could command a view of ffite outside of the apartment; and, as it fcraa without window or outlet of any idnd, excepting ita door, the considerate •ergeant thought this the most befitting

place in which to deposit his prisoner until the moment of his execution. “You look as if you would meet death like a man, and I have brought you to a spot where you can tranquilly arrange your thoughts, and be quiet and undisturbed.” said the sentinel. “’Tis a fearful place to prepare for the last change in,” said Harvey, gazing around his little prison with a vacant eye. “Why, for the matter of that,” returned the veteran, “it can reckon but little, In the last review, so that he finds them fit to pass the muster of another world. There have been stirring times in this country since the war began, and many have been deprived of their rightful goods. X oftentimes find it hard to reconcile even my lawful plunder to a tender conscience.”

“These hands.” said the peddler, stretching forth hia meager, bony fingers, "have spent years in toil, but not a moment in pilfering.” “It is well that it is so,” said the honest hearted soldier; “and, no doubt, you bow feel it a great consolation. There are three great sins. that, if a man can keep his conscience clear of, why, by the God, he may hope to pass muster with the saints in heaven; they are stealing, murdering and desertion.” "Thank God!” said Birch, with fervor, “I have never yet taken the life of a fellow-creature.” . “As to killing a man in lawful battle, that is no more than doing one's duty. If the cause is wrong, the sin of such a deed, you know, falls on the nation, and a man receives his punishment here with the rest of the people: but murdering in cold blood stands next to desertion as a crime in the eye of God.” “I never was a soldier, therefore never could desert." said the peddler, resting his face on his hand in a melancholy attitude. “I recommend you to say your prayers, and then to get some rest. There is no hope of your being pardoned; for Colonel Eingleton has sent down the most positive orders to take your life whenever we met you. No—no —nothing can save you.” “You say the truth.” cried Birch. “It Is now too late —I have destroyed my only safeguard. Bue he will do my memory justice at least.” “And who is he?" “No one,” added riarvey, anxious to my no more.

CHAPTER XII. The Skinners followed Captain Lawton with alacrity toward the quarters occupied by the troop of that gentleman. While in the presence of the major, the leader of the gang had felt himself under that restraint which vice must ever experience in the company of acknowledged virtue; but having left the house, he at once conceived that he was under the protection of a congenial spirit. There was a gravity in the manner of Lawton that deceived most of those who did not know him intimately. Drawing near his conductor, the leader commenced a confidential dialogue; “*Tis always well for a man to know his friends from his enemies. I suppose Major Dunwoodie has the good opinion of Washington ?” “There are some who think so.” “Many of the friends of Congress in this cotntfy,” the man proceeded, “wish U>e horse was led by some other officer; for my part, if I could ouly be covered by a troop now and then. 1- could do many an important piece of service to the cause.” **lndeedsuch as what?” “For the matter of that, it could lie made as profitable to the officer as it would be to us who did it,” mid the Skinner, with • look of the most significant Meaning. “Why, near the royal lines, tren uader the very guns of *be heights.

might be good picking if we had a force to guard us.” thought the refugees took nil that game to themselves.” '• “They do a little at It; but they are obliged to be sparing among their own people. I have been down twice, under an agreement with them; the first time they acted with honor; but the second they came upon us and drove us off, and took the plunder to themselves.” * “That was a very dishonorable act, indeed ; I wonder that an honorable man will associate with such rascals.” “It is necessary to have an understanding with some of them, or we might be taken; but a man without honor is worse than a brute. Do you think Ma jorDunwoodie is to be trusted?” “Why, I do not believe Dunwoodie would sell his command as Arnold wished to do; neither do I think him exactly trustworthy In a delicate business like this of yours." “That’s just mjf notion,” rejoined the Skinner, with a self-approving manner. By this time they had arrived at a better sort of farmhouse. The barns werie occupied by the men of the troop, while the horses were arranged under long sheds. The latter were quietly eating, with saddles on their backs and bridle thrown on their necks, ready to be bitted and mounted at the shortest warning. Lawton excused himself for a moment and entered his quarters. He soon returned, holding Inhlshand one common stable lanterns, and led the way to a large orchard. The gang followed the trooper. Approaching the captain, the Skinner renewed the discourse, with a view of establishing further confidence. “Do you think the colonies will finally get the better of the king?” he inquired. “Get the better!” echoed the captain, with impetuosity—then checking himself, he continued, “fio .doubt they will. If the French will give us arms and money, we can drive out the royal troops in six months.” I.:;.. ?

“Well, so I hope we shall soon; and then we shall hare a free government, and we, who fight for It, will get our retward.” “Oh!” cried Lawton, “your claims will be indisputable; while all these vile Tories who live at home peaceably, to take care of their farms, will be held in the contempt they merit. You have no farm, I suppose?” “Not yet—hut it will go hard if I do not find one before the peace is made." “Right; study your own interests, and you study the interests of your country; press the point of your own services, and rail at the Tories, and I’ll bet my spurs against a rusty nail that you get to be a county clerk, at least.” “Don’t you think that Paulding’s party were fools in not letting the royal adjutant general escape?" said the man, thrown off his guard by the freedom of the captain's manner. “Fools 1" cried Lawton, with a bitter laugh; “ay, fools, indeed; King George would have paid them better, for he is richer. He would have made them gentlemen for their lives. But. thank God!

there is a pervading spirit in the people that seems miraculous. Men who have nothing, act as if the w«*alth of the Indies depended on their fidelity; all are not villains like yourself, or we should have been slaves to England years ago." "Howexclaimed the Skiuner, starting back, and dropping his musket to the level of the other’s breast; “am I betrayed. and are you my enemy?” "Miscreant!” shouted Lawton, his sabre ringing in its steel scabbard as lie struck the musket of the fellow from his hands, "offer but again to point your gun at me, and I’ll cleave you to the middle.” “And you will not pay us, then. Captain Lawton?” said the Skinner, trembling in every joint; for just then he saw a party of mounted dragoons silently encircling the whole party. “Ohpay you—yes, you shall have the full measure of your reward. There is the money that Oolonel Singleton sent down for the captors of the spy,” throwing a bag of guineas with disdain at the oiher’s feet. “But ground your arms, you rascals, and se that the money is truly told.” The intimidated band did as they were ordered; and while they were eagerly employed in this pleasing avocation, a few of Imwton's men privately knocked the flints out of their muskets. “Well." cried the impatient captain, “is St right? have you the promised reward?" “There is just the money,” mid the leader; “and we wilt now go to our ISomes. with your permission.” “Hold! mi much to redeem our promise —uow for justice; we pay you for taking a spy, but we punish you for burning, robbing nnd murdering. Seise (hem, my lads, and give each of them the law of Moses—forty, save one.” This command, was given to no nnwilliag listeners; and in the twinkling of an

eye the Skinners were stripped and fastened, by the halters of the party, to as many apple trees as were necessary to furnish one to each of the gang. Swords were quickly drawn, and fifty branches cut; from these were selected a few of tha most supple of the twigs, and a willing dragoon was soon found to wield each of the weapons. Captain Lawton gave the word, and the uproar of Babel commenced in the orchards——-4- — : —— The flagellation was executed with great neatness and dispatch. Lawton directed his men to leave the Skinners tp replace their own clothes, and to mount their horses. Jl\ . ~ “You see, my friend," said the captain to the leader, “I can cover you to some purpose, when necessary. If we meet often, you will be covered with sears, which, if not very honorable, will at least be merited.” The fellow made no reply. He was busy with his musket, and hastening his comrades to march; when, everything being ready, they proceeded sullenly toward some rocks at no great distance. The moon was just rising, and the group of dragoons could easily be distinguished where they had been left. Suddenly turning, the whole gang levelled their pieces and drew the triggers. The soldiers returned their futile attempt with a laugh of derision, the captain crying aloud: “Ah! rascals, I knew you, and havs taken away your flints.” “You should have taken away that in my pouch, too,” shouted the leader, firing his gun the next instant. The bullet grazed the ear of Lawton, who laughed as he shook his head, saying, “A miss was as good as a mile.” One of the dragoons was in the act of plunging his spurs into his horse as the fellow fired. The distance to the rocks was bat small, yet the speed of the horse compelled the leader to abandon both money and musket, to effect his escape. The soldier returned with lps prizes, and offered them to the acceptance of his captain, but Lawtbn rejected them, telling the man to retain them himself, until the rascal appeared in person to claim bis property. The patrol -departed, and the captain slowly returned to his quarters, with an intention of retiring to rest. (To be continued.)

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“YOU LOOK AS IF YOU WOULD MEET DEATH LIKE A MAN.”

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“MISCREANT,” SHOUTED LAWTON.