The War Library: Phil, the Scout — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

set Se To astranger it would have seemed almost ea impossible for one to feel his way through - such a tangle of briars and underbrush. Yet Oglethorpe, as if born nere, pressed forward making rapid progress. te So quiet was he that he did not waken the birds from their slumber in the branches t . these woods for that. past training has brought me. overhead. In half an hour he stopped. The smell of smoke fell upon his nostrils, and he knew he was nearing the spot where his victim lay unsuspicious of his approach. Double caution now marked his move- ments. ’ Almost crouching upon the ground he ‘erawled, rather than walked, toward the camp-fire. It was some time ere its glimmer shone through the trees. “Thave not missed in my reckoning,"’ the fiend muttered. ‘‘No; too long have l trod Ha, ha! I now have an opportunity to use the knowledge my I wonder what Molly Grame would say if she knew like some beast of prey. what my past has been? Or, if she could see me now crawling through these forest paths Would she love me better? Love me _ better? Wouid she not the rather hate me with dead- lier hatred than even now? And yet it is for her [am here. But Iswear herein this still spot that when this war is over and Molly Grame is my wife, I will forsake the black ways I have trodden.”’ The words were those of a man who means what he says. Then on hecrept nearer and nearer the fire elowing from the little valley below. Making the circuit of the place he peered elosely about for the exact spot where the sleeper lay. After some time he was able to distinguish aform prostrate in a blanket under the shadow of a low-branched cypress. - Evidently the approach of Oglethorpe was all undreamed of. Drawing his dagger the assassin almost ly- ing upon the ground edged his way forward. That night Arthur St. Clair, as we shall hereafter know the stranger whom we first met at the window of Colonel Fontneroy’s quarters, after leaving Phil Lamonte safely near the suburbs of Nashville, plunged back into the wood toward a place where he had often rested for the night. Reaching that spot, he cared for his horse as attentively as if it had been a human be- ing, then set about preparing for himself a plain yet substantial meal from articles which he had concealed in the secluded nook where he had chosen to hide. He was a strange man, Yet many another is Jike him. Proud, well-born, intellectual, his child- hood had been full of promise—promise which seemed but the bud of grand achieve- ments for the future. But evil befell him, and he became what we now find him—a wanderer. Listen and eateh a glimpse of his story: ‘“Why am I nota man-hater? Were it not that at first my heart was so full of the milk of human kindess that nothing can ever root it out, to-day I would have naught in my heart for my fellow-men but bitterest hate! Asitis, only one single man has my enmity, nd that manishe who brought me to this ow estate, robbing me of all that life held dear. And now he seeks even life itself! Not by your hand or that of your paid assassins shall I die, Colonel Fontperoy. Fate has something better in store for me than that. I am in disgrace’ but to give up my life through such meansas you can invent would be terrible indeed. ell, now must I seek the repose I need for the work of the mor- row. [must keep guard over Phil Lamonte, for the sake of the sweet girl who loves him.’’ Wrapping his blanket about him he stretched himself out by the cheerful fire, and was soon asleep. Over his silent form now bent the mur- derer, Oglethorpe. In his hard hand he held his dagger, n0Ww uplifting it, and again letting it descend harmlessly to his side. ‘How well he sleeps,”’ the villain mutter- ed. ‘‘Lhate thisdeed. It is murder. Why did Fontneroy choose me forits perpetra- tion? Ifit must be done why could he not do it himself? The coward! But cow- ard as he is, he holds me in his power. [I must obey his command !”’ Again the hand was uplifted. ] The rays of light as they fell shimmering mcneD the leaves betrayed the face of Ogle- THH WAR LIBRARY. thorpe, pale, even haggard, as he stood face to face with this the greatest crime of his life. The beating of his own heart startled him, Suddenly the arm of the murderer was seized from behind, and his weapon sent hurtling through the air. With a yell of rage which set the wild echoes of the night to ringing far and near, Oglethorpe bounded to his feet and cast one look upon the face of the being who had foiled Lim in his evil design. And that glance was enough. Standing by the side of the form of Arthur St. Clair with her locks streaming over her shoulders, was Molly Grame. The eyes of the fair young girl penetrating into the very soul of Oglethorpe, seemed like the gaze of doom. A groan burst from his lips. Then he turned and fled from the scene. CHAPTER XIII. ON THE VILLAIN’S TRACK. The despairing cry of Oglethorpe aroused the sleeping St. Clair. Springing to his feet he stared in wonder, first upon the retreating form of the mid- night marauder, then down into the color- less face of the girl beside him. ‘‘Whatis the meaning of all this?’’ he at length asked. ‘“‘ By the light of this fire I see yon man disappearing now. What brought him here? And you, why this look on your features ?”’ ‘You have been in danger.’’ ‘“‘In danger! From what source ?”’ ‘““Atthe hands of the man you saw just now.”’ ‘‘That danger was removed, by you. can I thank you, kind lady ?”’ The strange man extended his hand. The girl placed her own in it. ‘“‘] believe I did frighten him away,’’ she said. ‘‘Butno thanks are necessary. Iam glad you escaped unharmed. That fact is enough of itself to repay me.’’ ‘‘Tam happy indeed to havesuch a pre- server. Pardon me, but I must know your name. Will you grant me this request ?” ‘“Molly Grame.”’ ‘‘Molly Grame!”’ exclaimed St. Clair, in astonishment. ‘‘The cousin of Laura Doane. Come nearer the light. Now I do remember you. We have met once before.” ‘‘Yes; and the orave work you did for Laura and I has not yet been sufficiently re- warded.”’ “Then it never will be. Is not such a brave deed as this sufficient reward? Speak no further of that.”’ The girl shuddered as the thought of the result had she not appeared to stay the hand of Oglethorpe as she did. ‘“You spoke just now of darager from the man who has just left us. Who was he?’’ A look of sadness came into the eyes of the girl ‘*Can you not think ? who seeks your life?” ‘“‘T have. But I wish to Know if you came near enough to him to get a glimpse of his face. Was it Fontneroy himself ?”’ “No. Do you think he would be bold enough to venture here? Never. Base as he is, he is a coward still.”’ ‘““IT see you know him well. But, who, then, was it?”’ ‘“You know a man named Oglethorpe ?”’ “Ah! Thenit wasas1 thought. Double- dyed villain! you are the man chosen for this foul crime, are you? Once more, Font- neroy, you show your cunning in choosing an instrument to execute your will. But you have failed!” Half to himself were the last words spoken. ‘‘ Now, tell me how you came out here in the depths of this forest.” “Sir,” said Molly Grame, proudly, ‘‘I am not ashamed to tell you this. I know I can trust you. Ihave a lover, Phil Lamonte is hisname. He has been hunted by this same fiend Oglethorpe. This you know but too well. The peril impending over him impell- ed me hither. While on the way to Nash- ville I crossed the track of Oglethorpe and knew that evil was in his heart. I have shadowed him since noon to-day. This is the second time Ihave met him, though he has not seen me till this hour, and twice l have thwarted him in his foul schemes. IL tracked him to this place, and you know the result. Now, sir, ] must away again. This willnot end the plots of Oglethorpe. I must find Phil Lamonte and warn him of the danger heisin. He isnow in Nashville with General Buell. Thither must I go.” ‘*Not alone!”’ ‘““Why not?” How Have you no enemy RBC Ney ——— ————— —_— ‘* Brave girl! I canaot permit it. 1 know what lurks between this place and yonder city. LI beg you will not refuse my offer to attend you.”’ The girl hesitated. ‘*‘T have met with no serious difficulty up to the present, sir. I do not anticipate any.” ‘*But lL may be able to assist you in ways you know not of at present. Do not, I beg, refuse this request.”’ ‘*You are kind. tition.” “Thanks. We will follow this scoundrel, He will bring us to the man you love,”’ ‘*f Selieve he thinks him dead.”’ ‘* But doesnot know it? Then, trust me, he will pursue him till he learns the truth.”’ ‘‘T fear you are right,” said the girl, seri- ously. Leaving Molly standing by the fire, St.. Clair hastened to bring his horse forward. ‘*Please accepta place upon my horse,”’ he said. ‘‘You must have found the way troublesome enough on foot.”’ ‘* But you—I can’t allow you to go on foot to save me from trouble. lam strong." “Soaml. By giving memy own way in this matter you will please me much. I am an obstinate fellow.”’ The girl yielded, and was soon seated upon St. Clair’s horse. ‘‘Now, [know the bridle-path down the mountain better than you do, sol will walk on ahead. Follow me closely. Are you ready ?”’ “Tf you are.”’ “Then forward.” Back over the trail along which Oglethorpe had crept on his way to commit the deed he had so basely planned, the two hastened. The guide, relying upon his horse to fol- low him and upon the girl to keep her seat, struck intoa pace half a walk and half a run, slackening his speed only when they approached the place where Ogiethorpe’s band was encamped. St. Clair had judged rightly when he said that Oglethorpe would now hunt Phil La- monte till he knew what had become of him. Terrified by the appearanceof Molly ‘vraine, who seemed to him likeavery Nemesis, hie became for the time almost beside himself with desperation. Hovering near the camp, it was but a short time before St. Clair and Molly heard a voice they distinguished but too readily, saying: ‘**Up, boys, andaway! Buck to Nashville. There’s work for us yonder. I am uneasy to-night. | cannot get that cursed Lamonte outofmy head. I fear he has escaped us even now. We must know his fate, if burned in that old tenement, or still abroad to cause us trouble. Quick, now; not a moment must be lost.’’ Speedily lights twinkled here and there among the trees, and men flitting to and fro could be seen from the hiding-place of the couple. ‘‘Dare you remain here for a minute 3lone?’’ asked St. Clair, in a whisper. 1 dare,” Like a flash he was away. What was his intention? The girl could not imagine. Five minutes slipped away. Stillthe guide did notreturn. Theheart of Molly Grame began to trembie for him. Had he been discovered ? Suddenly a yell woke the stillness, What did it mean? The nextinstant a horseman came tearing through the bushes. ‘‘This way, Molly! Lose no iime, for the hounds will be after us ina second. I want- edahorse. I’ve gotit, but I had to fight for it, and was discovered.”’ Discovered! The word sent a chill through Molly, brave as he was. } But without a sign to betray this emotion, she urged her horse in close pursuit of that of St. Clair. Not a dozen yards had they advanced when a volley of bullets sang about them. The sensation was not pleasant. For the time being they were the pursued instead of the pursuers. St. Clair hoped by a few sharp moves to throw them off their guard and compel them to abandon the chase. Turning his course toward the highway, side by side with Molly, he shot through the murky night till the stream had been reached which ran through deep defiles and darkly shaded valleys. The discovery that the bridge was gone threw St. Clair off his guard for a moment. ‘““This is bad,’’ he said. ‘*‘Once on the other side of the stream, I believe we could I will not deny your pe- EoOmMmichoo <SiGom