Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1168 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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Beadle’s HalfDime Library. as it drew nearer, he was surprised to see that it contained only an old man and a vailed woman. The carriage timed in and stop in front of the inn. The driver and footman both dismounted, and while the former was engaged in watering the horses, the latter opened wide the carriage-door. The old maa got out, straightened his limbs, and be- gan pacing to and fro in front of the house. He was a fussy old gentleman, in knee-breeches, silken hose, and shoes with golden buckles. After parad- ing the length of the door-yard a time or two, he hopped imto the carriage again. eanvwhile the lady remained closely vailed, but as the driver mounted his ‘seat and touched up the horses, a gust of wind swept through the carriage, and, throwing back the vail, revealed to the aston- ished gaze of Delaware Dick the lovely face of his betrothed, Agnes Mélross, gazing toward him from the carriage window. A cry rose. to the young patriot’s lips, but before his topgue could give utterance to it, the carriage with, his darling Agnes passed from view down the Bick almost at heart, he was about to turn aside, when he happened to see a horseman approaching at a slow, swinging ser from the direction o Trenton, This held his attention, and closely scan- niug the stranger, he tried to make out who he was. Bub in this he failed. He saw that the man was dressed in a citizen’s suit of home-spun; but, for all this, there was a military air about his deportment that convinced Dick that he was upon some official duty for either the patriot or royal cause, As he came nearer, Dick saw that he was going to stop at the jun; aud had he been certain of the man's friendliness tothe cause of freedom, he would have warned him of danger, as he could easily have made himself heard, Being ignorant, however, of his political sentiments, he remained still. The mah rode up to the door of the Half-way Inn, dismount- ed, and, giving his horse into the charge of a man, x pate him watered and fed; then he entered the ouse. Dick saw no more, and turning from the window he seated himself upon the bench and gave way to mental reflections. He could hear the murmur of voices in the room below, and as they gradually w louder, and some of the words audible, he bent s ear and listened. He soon discovered that there was a difference of opinion between the host and his guest, and words that had at first seemed Sanenec with the animation of a friendly dispute, finally be came pitched in tones of anger and rage, The epi thets of Tory and rebel were exchanged in the heat of fury end passion. Then followed the sounds of a lively scutile. blows and oaths resounded from cel- jar to garret. crash and fall of furniture, and the yells of the com- batants and screams of a woman shook the house to its very foundation. Dick knew that the stranger was 2 patriot and had been entrapped like himself; and he fairly chafed in spirit to think that he was powerless to aid him, The sounds of the conflict lasted, however, but a few mo- ments when & ringing yeil from a dozen throats an- nounced the victory of the Tories. And presently the sound of footsteps and fierce, angry voices were heard coming up the stairs, A key was inserted in the /prison-door and turned. The door was then pushed open and the man’ dragged into the room with Dick. “Yhere, you infernal nie eee, hissed the inn- keeper, whose face had n pounded almost in- toa shapeless mass, ‘lay there till the devil, your master, comes after you.”’ Thon the door was closed and locked upon them. Dick glanced at the form of the stranger. He saw that he was a man of powerful frame. isface was ginoothly shaven, yet bore the marks and scars of many @ rough encounter, It was brown, almost, as an Indian’s, but wore the expression of a brave and fearless character. The rush and trample of feet, the Turning, as the door closed npen him, the huge stranger smote the heavy oaken door with his pon- derous fist, and ina tone as deep and thunderous as the roar of a lion, exclaimed: “Curse you, you Tory fiends! by all the saints, liv- lng and dead, I will tumble earth upside down but what I have revenge on you! I'll show you that Old Sanguinity is not a coward nor a suckling, if ten of you did get the best of bim in a hand-to-hand skrim- ; urrah for Liberty! George Washington! and the Continental Congress!’’ and the giant gave three lusty cheers that seemed to issue from iron ungs. “Stranger,” said Delaware Dick, advancing and taking the man by the arm, “you are not alone in here, “I am not, by the prophets of old,”’ he exclaimed, his expression of rage and anger melting into a look of surprise and astonishment. ‘It is so dark in here, andi l was so infernal mad that I could see nothing. Who are you?” “Delaware Dick,” “ Great shockin’!"’ burstfrom the man’s lips; * Delaware Dick, the Wing-of-the-Wind, and in a fa plight? Giveme your hand, Delaware, for I’m dyin’ glad to mees you; but I'd heap ruther it was upon a victorious battle-tield. Delaware Dick,” added the stranger, in alow, earnest tone, ‘‘I am Old Sanguin- ity, and when my enemies will stand me, there is nary God if I can’t whi six of them at once, and lreep it up ali day. on't e to die in this yen, Delaware—no, by the gods of Mount O! I will live, in spite of fate, to pus, ulp to light perdition’s fires with, the face of the Britlah ca tain that struck me in th uare before e room be- low. Yes, I do solemnly swear, that I will extermi- pl cowteh) gears op ur-rah for Trenton! George Washington! Liberty !”’ wa Tee ¢ ‘* Is there a British officer below?” asked Dick. * Yes, and seven or eight soldiers. “ITsaw none when I entered. They must have come since I was put in here; and friend Sanguinity, their presence makes our situation a rather hopeless one.”’ ‘““We're caged, that is true, Dick; but I swear by all the ‘saints, from the flood down to Plymout Rock, that the morning’s sun will find me dead, or else out of here, I'll tear the accursed log-pile down over my head, as Sampson did the temple. Pll smite them hip and thigh, The curse of Oid Sanguin- ity shall fall upon them like a withering, blighting scourge.” The prisoners now proceeded to examine their situation. The room in which they found themselves was not large, though as firm and compactly built as if it had been intended expressly for a prison. Aside from the door and the little square hole in the wall, there was no other opening in the BRON while from the loft floor to the roof, at the lowest side, it Was about twelve feet. The bar-room of the inn was directly under them, and thus the prisoners could hear the-clinking of glasses and the voices of the drinkers. The hours dragged along, and finally darkness fell, Some coarse food and a pitcher of water were sent up to the prisoners. A guard was stationed at the head of the stairs; another was stationed outside in | front of the house, and one outin the road. Thus guarded, Captain Carl Von Coetlu felt that all necessary precaution had been taken to insure them against surprise; and resting under this conviction, he and severai of his men accepted an invitation to spend the evening with Ben Daxiing. the host, in celebrating the capture of Delaware Dick. They took possession of the bar-room. Derling brought up a supply of the best liquors in bis cellar, and then a.general indulgence prevailed until supper was announced, when Captain Von Coellu and his men passed out into the dining-room, leaving their arms, their liguor and unfinished pipes lying upon the bar-room table. The meal spread was a sumptuous one compared with the rude fare of a soldier; and the Hessian cap- tain and his men tarried long atthe board; but when the half-inebriated gourmands at last returned to the bar-room to finish their pipes, they were not a little surprised to find that some one had been tam- pering with their effects. A full bottle of Madeira the captain’s sword and a brace of fine pistols hac been spirited away. ‘The guard stationed outside swore that no one had even looked inside the bar- room since the party hac gene out tosupper. ‘The captain and his men, as we: tain that no one had entered the room from a back way, as they would have to pass through the kitchen to do so; and since no one could descend from above, nor rise up from below, the absence of the articles seemed involved in no little mystery. Furious over the loss of his sword, the captgin plunged out into the night, followed by his men with fixed bayonets, and began a close and thorough search of the premises. They shouted and swore furiously, and with 9s much incaution as though they were miles from an enemy. To add to their indignation and rage, Old Sanguin- ity set up a series of mockiny yells and groans, which he kept up until the drunken captain bad been pro- vowed to a feeling of deadly violence. And turning suddenly, he started toward the house, exclaiming: el 6. accursed if I @on’t drink that rebel’s life- blood!” He disappeared in the bar-room. He was alone, and no one essayed to follow bim. The host and the soldiers kept up their search out- side, and the big rebel prisotier his cries of derision up-stairs. Finally those outside were startled by the dull re- rt of a pistol and 4 frightful groan in the bar- room. They ali made’a rush for the house. The tallow-dip that had been left burning in the ar-room was now spluttering in its brazen sconce, and giving but a dim, flickering light. A thousand weird, fantastic figures seemed writhing and postur-, ing on the floor and shaking their grotesque forms upon the wall. The smell of burnt powder pervaded the room. A soldier, rushing headlong into the apartment, ran plump against something susperded from the ceiling, was # buman form, swaying to and fro. A cry of agony burst from every soldier’s lips, for as he glanced up at the face, upon whick wes *rozen all the repulsive horrors of ‘death, he recognised that of Captain Von Coellu! 4 CHAPTER VIII. THE BLOW OF AN UNSEEN HAND. Captain Von Coetiy was dead, The purplecolor of his face; the protruding toneue; the starting eye- balls, and the round bullet-hole in his forehead, wore evidence of a fact that was undeniable. The slip- noose of a small rope encircled his neck, the other end being made fast to a ercss-piece that had been nailed to the underside of two of the joisis. He had been hung, and then shot by the hand of unknown enemies] _ The soldiers stood speechless with terror, gazing with distended eyes around them and upon the life- less form before them. But, arousing at length, as from a frightful dream the body of Captain Von Coellu was cut down an laid out in the bar-room. Only the massive tread, and deep, hat apgpene: Biies of the huge prisoner in the loft broke the awful stillness. The soldiers, now headed by Ben Darling, began searching for the captain's slayer, And every room, save that in which Delaware Dick end Old Sanguini- ty ‘were incarcerated—irom cellar to gurret, Was ex- . ee ee — ee Senn " oom ee = — — paw a but not one trace of an enemy could be ound. The body of Captain Van Coellu was laid out in a bed-room, and a soldier placed as a watcher by the Corpse. 16 light was removed from the bar-room to the kitchen, wherein the host and bis royal friends now assembled. A restlessness, however, pervaded the Spirits of all, and some kept pacing in and out of the house continually. Suddenly those in the kitchen heard a stifled oan, and the fall of a body in the bar-room. A ook of horror convulsed every face, and, for a mo- ment, the astounded party stood silent and speech- less. Then Sergeant Eukers seized a light, and, fol- lowed by his men, entered. the bar-room, where, in the middle of the floor, they found a soldier lying dead, with his head cloven to the jaw. “Oh God!” burst from the innkeeper’s lips; “he’s been smitten down by that invisible hand! Men!— soldiers of the king!—you must leave here. You have brought the curse of God into my house. Go! before we are all slain.” A deep, sonorous laugh grated mockingly upon their ears; and the voice of Old Sanguinity came down like a thunderbolt from above. _ “Go strangle that Infernal big rebel; let us retal- iate,’’ cried Sergeant Eukers, fierce with rage and anrer, ‘The next moment, the sergeant stood alone, His men, led by the infuriated Ben Darling, rushed out into the hall, and up the rickety stairs. Alone in the subdued light of the bed-chamber, the officer gazed around. He lifted his eyes, only to be- hold the face of a man in the ceiling—the face of an avenging spirit! Then there was a flash as of light- ning across the face of the darkness—a livid flash, and a dull blow, and the sergeant fell dead, Then from the darkness above the form of a man descended. It was the form of Old Sanguinity; and, in a moment, Delaware Dick stood at lis side. In the hand of the big rebel was a sword stained with bicod—the sword of Captain Von Coeéllu, thet had disappéared from the table while the soldiers were at supper, The taunder of the soldiers at the door up-stairs that the prisoners had fastened on the inside, warn- ed the two daring patriots that their escape would soon be discovered, and turning, they opened the door,. and plunged out into the night, sentinel heeeres them—a blow followed, and the soldier ell. “This way, Delaware Richard,” ordered the big | rebel, leading the way across the road toward the as their host, were cer- | ' ed, eee ee ee ee eee stable, | In a fow minutes more, they were mounted and fleeing from the seene of their night’s adventure. When Ben Darling and the soldiers forced their wey into the acon Rye tt they were met with a ter- rible disappo niment, The rebels had escaped, and a broad plank in the floor being up told their way of efress! ‘There was the identical bottle that had dis- appeared from the tahie below, minus its contents. ‘Lhe bed bad been tumbled on to the floor, and the cord taken from the bedstead, A pisce of it, with a slip-nooss at one end, and encircling the neck of the hotile, told how the wine, the sword, and the tols had been purloined from the table. Further nvestigation revealed the startling fact that Captain Von Coelin had been hung with a piece of the same rope. .A noose had been dropped over his head while passing under the opening; then he had been drawn tip and shot, and before his friends could reach the room, the plank had been slipped back to its: place, and all ‘races of the source of his death conceated. The fury of the Hessians and the host of the Half- way Inn knew no bounds; and when they found that the sergeant, and the sentinel outin the road, had fallen victims to the patriots’ vengeance, they be- came transformed to madmen. In the heat of their fury, a band of Tory parti- sans dashed up to the door of the Inn and dismount- The leader advanced to the door and without ceremony opened it and entered. “Prodigal Tom! Prodigal Tom!” burst from half a dozen throats in tones of wild delight, “Prodigal Tom,” said Ben Darling, advancing to- ward the young Tory leader, “* why in heaven's name cowdn’t you have come sooner?”’ ‘** Why so, Ben Darling?” “Your rebei brother, Delaware Dick, was a prison- er in my house not over two hours ago. So was a big rebel, calling himself Old Sanguinity, and, friend Tom, I am ashamed—” ““One word, friend Darling,’”’ interrupted the par- tisan, ““was this big rebel, of whom you speak, (lressed in citizen’s Clothing, and mounted upon a larze, bay steed?’ : ‘ven so, Prodigal Tom,” answered mine host, ‘* And he escaped?”’ “With your brother, Delaware Dick,” face. ‘Do you know who he was?”’ ‘Yes; and I am sorry, indeed, that he reheat ae - was ing notorious Virginia wagoner, General Dan wgan |” CHAPTER IX, >a. PRODIGAL TOM AT HEAD-QUARTERS, Tom and his men were entertained right willingly and courteously by the innkeeper, and day was just breaking when their entertainment was suddenly ar- rested by the cry: *“‘fo arms! to arms! a body of provincial horse is Se the OO “To your saddies, men! to your saddles!” shouted Froulaa Tom, rushing out of the inn, and mounting orse. In a minute every man was in the saddle. Prod a EGom A look of disappointment clouded Prodigal Tom's “ ' - ~ 7 JOOKS;COM a