The Peddler Spy

to separate. He had moved away a little from the window, and was calling in a low tone upon Willie to make haste,

w careless. "You will spoil a

ak in that way?"

s hesitation, he leaped from the window, sword in hand, calling upon Van Curter, who was up and armed by this time, to follow. It is a maxim which all woodsmen should heed, not to follow an enemy too closely

d step, dealt a blow with such fullness and force, that the furious soldier went down like an ox under the ax of the butcher. No one, looking at the light frame of the peddler, would have imagined for a m

him badly?" i

ear in the way you wot of. I d

5

fraid you have betrayed yourself. You called

ave promised to tell her the secret. She shall

ve hope

Van Curter, you will understand why I have hope. But, we can not stay now.

ready

rm of Joseph. This aroused the captain, and he staggered to his feet, ma

d. It's I,

came to

said. "But what a blow. M

there, Hans! Bring the torch hit

hat a human hand should have such power. I would soo

now who s

on and star in a clear sky seemed to blaze clos

on me, and let us return to the h

. I tell you again that he is something more than he shows upon the outside. S'death, man

s it all

Barlow. I threw open my window and called upon him to speak. But Bainbridge

cried Van Curter. "Has it gon

ng her to come forth. She did so, with her garments thrown loosely about her

Hope in the dead of night, to meet the daughter of a Van Curter? W

father's untamable spiri

I love! And I take no fear in s

to him long ago. He has waited long years until this hour. And now you-you, of all others, spit upon th

s, but met the angry orbs of

ich can never be. I do not love you. But, if report says true, you would not have far to go to find one

resa-had seen her grow more beautiful, day by day, and now, the torture of hearing her say that she loved him not! He

m out of my sight, or I s

the man you would have me marry.

5

odily. "Girl, get you in. You shal

Joseph. "I marry no unwilling w

ou do?" she h

cross not my path, well-he is safe. But, if I meet him, God

mad," s

ith your accursed beauty. B

the more? Get to bed! As for you, Joseph, go to your room and try to ge

ll you she maddens me. I did not mean to tell her that,

as we march against him, to do away

nd know my power. I shall do goo

p. You will need it. To-morrow we shall see Te

he sel

e are gone. That will make him re

him, and went down. He met Theresa in the large room in which he had seen her the night before. Neither spoke a word; but the glance of mingled repulsion and fear upon the one side, and of deadly[57] threatening upon the other, was of greater expression than a volume. He passed her quickly, with his spurs ringing upon the hard floor, and went out into the open space, or parade of the House of Good Hope. He was greeted by a cheer from those

y, and laying his hand impressively upon the sho

said the b

o not remind you of your indebtedness to me because I like to remind pe

of the savage Mohawk, and you killed him, I swore to repay you for th

ad to the Nipmuck v

t's men was here bu

it f

es-so the b

er calls upon him to meet him at the three hills above Windsor, at midnight, with all the men he can muster. Do not fear for yourself; ther

with the wampum belt. "

5

must have a horse. Ha, Pau

s passing in a great hu

gansett pony you bou

y sta

n an expedition in which you are to have a

e responsible

stop a moment to talk. Kill any one who attempts to stay you.

rt about his waist, rode out of Good Hope. The captai

rlow, the man who was i

and know him per

nemy. Do yo

outh, drawing himself up proud

ugh for thee? Say, shall he die, if you mee

ig deep-if water can drown or fir

nd. "Go out upon your duty, with my thanks for your kind

long the bank of the "Happy River," while Joseph went back to the camp. On the wa

ted the approach of the two dignitaries with a nod of recognition, thinking in his heart[5

t Windsor to-day, and, after considerable discussion, my friend the captain and

the puff of smoke which ascended in

ed the captain, with a touch of mischievous

Hans Drinker's boy, Jacob, and give him command, before you take Paul Swedlepi

n't think Pa

ed using all the nega

discussion, not to take Paul. W

gger fool t

didn't think of having him. The man

Oh, Saint Nicholas," he thought, "won't I crow over that Paul Swedlepip

our expedition must be kept sec

he captain came to the principal object of

" sai

you give

d and fifty

see the horse. If he is good, I w

roken English, as it was more in sympathy with the subject

will remember that a tremendous rain had fallen during the night. The horse had

back. Those familiar with the ballad which some years since was the delight of the youngsters of this country and of Merry England, "Lord Bateman," will remember the engraving representing that individual. Mynheer Ten Eyck, approaching the corral, was his e

ght; a hide streaked here and there with marks of the coloring-substance which Boston had used in the metamorphosis; with drooping head and dej

?" asked the captain

heated again," c

k would have known better than to peril his fame in open battle. But, the last drop had been put into the pot of his wrath, and it boiled over. They met, like Ajax and Hector, in the center of the list, and great deeds were achieved, whereof Good Hope rung for many a day. As we have said, Paul was short and choleric, and ready for a fray. The strokes of the combatants fell thick and fast. Ten Eyck had armed himself, in hot haste, with the fallen tail of the cause of the quarrel. Paul had cau

went on-unequal because the weapon of Ten Eyck, beyond maddening Paul to new exert

nt warriors, to fight for the body of his

ay to your duty, Pa

e corral. He was humbled in the dust. Not only had he been overreached by his hated foe in the bargain, but he w

flesh of that kind. It was in vain that they attempted to console Ten

e shoulder. "Paul didn't do it. He never had the[62] head for it

blast him!" r

keep my promise to him. I will strap him up to a

m for his interference when I met Barlow in the forest, as well as for the blow which I think came from his hand la

ike your own. How did yo

ing from a taper at the back of my room

you send Ca

the Nipmucks. He gave me a wampum belt, and promised that, if I needed his help, and woul

od; where shall

ee hills, n

ou must be satisfied w

do. Let u