After a rapid journey by land, Sherwood arrived
at his house in the Grants, inauspiciously for his
present object, on the very evening on which his
base and execrable manœuvres to cause the dismissal
of Warrington had been discovered by Miss Hendee,
in the manner we have described. And deeply
intent on carrying into execution his project of a
union with her, whom he supposed to be still the
dupe of his machinations, believing this now to be
his only resource for securing the property, and being
determined to accomplish it, if possible, before
the provisions of his father's will should be made
known, to lessen his chances of success, he, early
the next morning, repaired to her residence, for the
purpose of urging an immediate fulfilment of the
engagement, which he now chose to claim as having
for several years existed between them. And from
the well known wishes of the father, on whom he
counted for a strong ally, and the late acquiescent

[figure description] Page 116.[end figure description]

manner of the daughter, he had the fuilest confidence
that he should be able to bring about his object
with very little difficulty or delay. When he
arrived, however, he soon saw indications which considerably
lowered the tone of his assurance. In the
first place, he was not at all pleased to find, as he
unexpectedly did, that Miss Reed had taken up her
residence in the family, believing that she, from the
connection which he suspected she sustained with
Selden, the friend of Warrington, would naturally
exercise her influence against one of whom she had
doubtless received unfavorable impressions. And
in addition to this, his quick eye detected a change
in the manner of Alma herself towards him, which
he fancied had reference to the subject of his present
anxiety. And even in the demeanor of the father,
he thought he perceived a want of cordiality,
which never before marked his receptions. But notwithstanding
all these discouraging appearances, he
determined on persevering in his original purpose.
And, carefully abstaining from all mention of his father's
death, he early sought a private interview with
Miss Hendee, who, with a sort of business-like
promptitude, and with the air of one who is fully
prepared for an eclaircissement, immediately assented
to his propasal.

`Mr. Sherwood has something particular to offer,
I conclude?' enquiringly said Alma, with a most
freezing dignity of manner, as soon as they were
seated in a room by themselves.

`Why, you know, Alma, my attentions to you
have ever been particular,' replied Sherwood, with
what he intended for an endearing smile.

`Enough so, certainly,' was the equivocal response.

`Well, I am happy,' rejoined the other, purposely

[figure description] Page 117.[end figure description]

construing the remark in his own favor, `that you
acquit me of any neglect in my attentions to one
who is so worthy of them, and one in whom I have
ever felt so deep an interest.'

`You have manifested but little lack of interest in
me, or my concerns, I am free to acknowledge, sir,'
remarked Alma, in the same equivocal manner.

`I hope I am not doubted in this respect,' said
Sherwood, with the air of an arraigned school boy,
attempting to put an immaterial issue, in order to
escape, or delay, a blow, which he sees the disposer
of his fate is preparing to give him.

`O, not in the least, sir,' replied Alma, in a tone
and manner still more ironical and significant than
before; `for I have lately received a sufficient proof
of the interest you have taken in my affairs, in the
confessions of a certain tinker, whom you may recollect
having consulted on the subject, on a former occasion?
'

`Why—now—really!' stammered Sherwood, utterly
disconcerted at this cutting allusion to a transaction
which he supposed was known only to himself
and the immediate actor in the affair: `really,
Miss Hendee, I have not the happiness of understanding
your meaning.'

`Would further disclosures be likely to increase
your happiness in that respect, sir asked Alma,
coolly.

`I did not seek this interview. Miss Hendee,' rejoined
the other, now recovering his assurance, `to
listen to a recital of all the slanders that may have
happened to reach your ears; but I sought it on
more important business.'

`I will hear your propositions, sir,' said she, without
deigning any further reply.

[figure description] Page 118.[end figure description]

`Why, surely, Alma,' observed Sherwood, in an
expostulating tone, `I know not how I have had the
misfortune to offend you, as from your manner, I fear
I have. I had fondly anticipated a different reception.
I had at last arranged my business, so that I
felt myself, for the first time since our intimacy, at
liberty ro settle down in life; and, accordingly, I
came to propose a consummation of the engagement,
which has been so long settled between us.'

`I wonder, sir,' said Alma, `you had not first
made known your intentions to my father, with whom
the engagement you claim to exist, was made, I believe.
Perhaps you might meet with better success
in that quarter.'

`You seem disposed to trifle with my feelings,
Miss Hendee,' rejoined Sherwood, growing restless.
`I wish for a direct answer, whether you will, or will
not, fulfil your engagement with me.'

`A direct answer, Sir, then you shall have; and
I will add, I feel not a little grateful for being, for
the first time since my acquaintance with you, allowed
the opportunity of giving one. Mr. Sherwood,
I shall never voluntarily unite my destinies
with yours.'

`Surely, you would not break a solemn engagement?
'

`A passive acquiescence—a tacit consent, wrung
from me by the force of circumstances, is, as you
well know, sir, all the engagement that you can
claim of me. And even that, your conscience must
tell you, you have long since forfeited by your own
conduct.'

`Are you prepared, Miss, for the consequences
which may follow the step you seem determined on
taking?'

[figure description] Page 119.[end figure description]

`You do well, sir, I acknowledge, to remind me
of that consideration,' bitterly retorted the indignant
maiden; `for I am aware that it is no light matter
to brave the revenge of one who could instigate the
assassination of a supposed rival.'

Sherwood started as if stung by an adder, at the
damning truth of the allusion. His face became
fairly livid with suppressed rage and chagrin, and
biting his bloodless lips, he rose and slunk out of the
apartment, as would a demon from the presence of
some pure being from the skies, without uttering one
word in his own defence, or even lifting his eyes to
the withering countenance, which was bent upon
him, with a look of mingled pity, abhorrence and
contempt. Leaving the house, the discomfited villain
immediately sought Captain Hendee in an adjoining
field, for the purpose of instigating the old
gentleman to measures of compulsion, upon the refractory
daughter, in furtherance of his designs. But
here, also, he was unexpectedly doomed to disappointment
and defeat. Upon Alma's return to the
house, after the receipt of the communication exposing
the baseness of Sherwood, she had sought an interview
with her father, read him the letter, frankly
confessed her own feelings, and disclosed all she
knew, not only of the course and conduct of Sherwood,
but that also of Warrington, for a part of
which she was indebted to her fair companion, who
in turn received it from her lover, Selden, the intimate
of Warrington. And among the rest, she had
made known to the astonished father the magnanimous
conduct of the latter in regard to his ownership
of the land on which they resided, the circumstances
of which she herself had never been apprised
of till that very evening. And although the old

[figure description] Page 120.[end figure description]

gentleman had listened to her disclosures without uttering
a single word in reply, from which she could
learn his opinions on the subject, her communications,
nevertheless, had produced a deep impression
on his mind and feelings, that were now fluctuating
back and forth, like contending currents of wind,
when but a slight impulse is required to turn them
back in fury in a direction exactly the reverse from
that in which they commenced blowing.

`I little expected, Captain Hendee,' said Sherwood,
with the air of an injured man, as he approached
the other, `I little expected, sir, when, I
arrived here, to have met with the reception which
I have just received from your daughter.'

`Why, what's the matter, sir,—what's the matter?
' replied the Captain, with an air of indifference.

`The matter, sir? why, your daughter refuses to
fulfil her engagement to me, sir.'

`Ah! what reasons did she give for that, sir?'

`No good reasons, sir. She has been listening to
the tales of slanderers—some enemy has been prejudicing
her mind against me, by falsehoods—utter
falsehoods, sir!'

`Or has she not heard, rather, more truth about
your manœuvres than you intended should have reached
her ears? Come, now, be honest, Jake, and tell
me.'

`Are you, too, in the league against me?—am I
to understand that you, too, justify her in this course,
sir?' hastily demanded Sherwood, nettled at the cool,
indifferent manner of the other, as much as at the
blunt severity involved in his question. `I had little
expected this from you, sir! I should have

[figure description] Page 121.[end figure description]

supposed the interest of your family would prompt you
to a different course.'

`Hinging on my obligations, are you, sir?' said
the Captain, turning fiercely on the other, with eyes
flashing indignation. `Look ye, Jake Sherwood, I
have, from the very first, used all reasonable exertions
with my daughter, to reconcile her to this
match. And even more, I have done that, which,
when I have looked upon her fading face, and knew
that she was martyring her own heart to please me,
has smitten my conscience for years. And now I
am resolved to leave her to make her decisions, unbiased
by word of mine. And as to your threats,
sir, all I have to say is, go, and do your worst! Take
all there is here to yourself, if that will satisfy you;
or go join the enemies of your country, as I have
long suspected you intended,and bring them down upon
us to murder and destroy, if you choose. But don't
think to buy and bribe me to sell my own flesh and
blood! And don't come here again, sir, with accusations
against us, till you can come with cleaner
hands. Good morning, sir!'

So saying, the indignant old man unceremoniously
turned his back on his abashed and astonished guest,
and hastily hobbled off to his work; while the latter,
after standing mute and motionless on the spot
several minutes, and leering on the receding form
of the other, with the concentrated malice of a fiend
in his looks, slowly turned away, muttering between
his clenched teeth, `Revenge! revenge! I wonder
if they will cheat me out of that too?'

Feeling no desire of returning to the house, or
again encountering any of its inmates, Sherwood
now struck across the fields, and directed his course
towards Snake Mountain, at the particular spot

[figure description] Page 122.[end figure description]

which we have before described as the encampment
of the Green Mountain Boys; but which was now
occupied by another, and a far different company.
To this place we will now take the reader, preceding
the baffled intriguer a short time, to take a glance
at the party there assembled.

Sherwood had secretly been in the interests of the
Royalists for nearly two years previous to this period
of our story; and more than a year before he had
received a captain's commission, with directions to
raise a company in the New Hampshire Grants, in
which, he had represented to the British officers,
with whom he privately kept up a communication,
were to be found many faithful adherents of the
Crown. And Darrow, through Sherwood's influence,
had also been commissioned as Lieutenant of the
contemplated company. But with all that this pair
of military worthies were able to effect, they never
had found more than about a half dozen men in this
settlement, to whom they dared to propose an enlistment
into the king's sorvice. These, with about an
equal number picked up within the borders of New
York, they had at length enrolled, and organized into
a fragment of a company, which, for the first
time, had been called out a few days previous to this
time, with the view of cooperating with the invading
army of Burgoyne. About a dozen in all, they were
now encamped, on the ground, formerly taken, as
before mentioned, by Warrington and his companions,
and were waiting in concealment, the approach
of the British hordes, that were now pouring down
upon the devoted settlement from the north.

At the time we would introduce this group to the
reader, Darrow had just arrived from the British
camp, whither he had been dispatched by Sherwood,

[figure description] Page 123.[end figure description]

when the latter was on the point of setting out on
his recent visit to Albany. And having taken some
refreshment, the lieutenant was now sitting on a
rough bench, near the entrance of their shantee, enjoying
a little repose after the fatigues of his morning's
march. He had fallen into a doze, and appeared to
be lost to all external objects; while the men within,
mostly morose, sullen looking fellows, were some
of them playing cards, some telling stories, and others
talking over the plans they had formed to revenge
themselves upon certain families in the settlement,
against whom they entertained private grudges,
as soon as they should be let loose upon the inhabitants,
at present wholly unprotected by any military
force within their borders, and but little aware
of the dangers that awaited them.

At this moment, Sherwood, having passed the
line of sentries, posted at intervals round the encampment,
more to guard against being seen and
reported by the inhabitants, than any expected attack,
approached his sleeping subaltern, and tapped
him lightly on the shoulder. But the latter not
awaking, the other grasped his coat collar, and gave
him a rough, impatient shake, at which the sleeper,
suddenly starting, leaped on his feet, and dashing
away the grasping hand of his superior, fiercely exclaimed,

`I'll be d—ned, if you shall! You have come
before your time, be off! be off, I say! Oh! Ah!'
he continued, rubbing his eyes, and beginning to
distinguish between the reality, and the image that
appeared to have been haunting his dreaming fancy:
`Why, Captain, it is only you after all, is it? Well,
well, now!'

[figure description] Page 124.[end figure description]

`Why, who did you suppose it was, Darrow, I
should like to know?'

`O, no matter, now,—I was in the middle of a
cursed dream, and thought a different character had
waited on me to do a little business in his line—
though not so very different, perhaps. But let the
humbug go—what is the news?'

`Every thing that is bad,' replied Sherwood, morosely.
`The very devil himself, I would not have
believed, could baffle me so much in my plans, as I
have been, since I saw you.'

`Why, what now, Captain? you seem rather out
of humor—what has happened?'

`In the first place the old man is dead. He died
the day before I arrived.'

`Well, what of that? He did not carry off his
money with him, did he?'

`No, but he got penitent before he went off, and
wrote out a confession of that old affair, in a letter
to Hendee.'

`And you let it reach him, hey?'

`Not so big a fool as you think. I gave it to the
flames, before it was read by any one but myself, I
think.'

`Very well, where are your great troubles, then?'

`Why—why'—replied Sherwood, hesitating to
inform the other, as he was about to do, the particulars
about the will, and the extent of his fears respecting
the disposition of the property, lest the
minion might consider it for his interest to betray
him to the Hendees: `why, I did not think to name
it,' continued the artful dissembler, deciding the
question he had been debating in his mind in the
negative, `but, upon the whole, as you already know
so much about the affair, I think I will:—well,

[figure description] Page 125.[end figure description]

getting home last night, I thought I would go down to
Hendee's this morning; so I went, and soon found
the devil to pay. That sneaking tinker had been there,
and confessed all, and the girl fairly spurned me
from her presence; while her father—curse the old
dotard! he, though owing me for half his living for
years, had the audacity to insult me—yes, insult me,
Bill. But'—and he nodded significantly.

`But what?'

`I can help myself, Darrow.'

`Well, I would do it, Jake, without any more puttering
with the proud minx.'

`I will. My plans are fixed. When did you return
from head quarters?'

`Not two hours ago—I left them early this morning.
'

`What is the news?'

`The whole army have moved on to the mouth of
the Bouquet, where they are now encamped. A
large body of Indians joined them yesterday, and
General Burgoyne distributed presents among them,
made a speech to fix them for fight, and wound off
by giving them a grand war-feast. Hell and thunder!
what whooping and yelling there was there
last night! one would have thought that all Tophet
had been emptied upon the earth, and that the world
was alive with devils!'

`Good! just the instruments for our purpose in
punishing the doubly damned rebels of this settlement.
But did not the General send me any directions?
'

`Yes,' replied Darrow, taking a letter from his
pocket, `he sent you this, and also,' he continued,
stepping within the shantee and bringing out a thick
package of papers, `and also this bundle of

[figure description] Page 126.[end figure description]

proclamations, to be immediately distributed over the settlement.
'

`Well, let us first see what the General has written
me,' said Sherwood breaking the superb seal,
and reading the contents of the letter, a very fair
specimen of the official fustian of its doughty author,
who, it may be recollected, was a fop in literature as
well as a braggart in arms. The communication ran
thus:—

J. Sherwood, Esq., Captain of His Majesty's Loyal
Americans in the New Hampshire Grants,—

It is one of the felicities of soldiership, and of the
gratifications of a commander, to award the meed of
approbation to fidelity in a common cause, and fealty
to a common sovereign. This meed, Sir, I deem
it no flattery to say is yours, speaking, as I do,
from personal acquaintance, and on the voucher of
Colonel Beverly Robinson, a Loyal American officer,
of worth, and zeal, and activity.

The army under my command will now in a day
or two move southwardly, mainly by water, but partly
by land on either side of the lake. To you, Sir,
and the brave and loyal men whom you have, and
may yet further induce to act with you, we look for
a hearty co-operation in all that can be effected on
the eastern shore, and, by the blessing of God, I will
effect much, while we proceed to the investiture, and
consequent capture of Crown Point, Ticonderoga,
and all other opposing obstacles, on our victorious
march to Albany. I send you by the bearer, Lieutenant
William Darrow, a package of proclamations,
issued by me, and signed by the same, and countersigned
by Robert Kingston, Esquire, Secretary.
They are addresses to the deluded and suffering

[figure description] Page 127.[end figure description]

people of your settlement. I anticipate great and universal
effect from this appeal, made irresistable, as
it is, by offers of Royal mercy to the penitent, arguments
of ineffable potency to the deceived by rebel
sophistry and falsehood, and by the palpable shadowing
forth of the sword of justice, in the contingent
action of our red allies, to the perverse and stubborn.
You will cause one of these, my proclamations, to be
immediately left at every cottage and hamlet, if possible,
in the settlement—to the protestations of which
proclamation, together with such pecuniary inducements
as you may deem it expedient to offer towards
redeeming the land from the disgrace and ruinous
anarchy of an unnatural rebellion, and restoring a
government of laws, of honor, of legitimate and
happy sovereignty, you will add your own attestations.

`There! what think you of that, Bill?' exultingly
exclaimed Sherwood, as he concluded the perusal
of the precious document. `Is not that a handsome
thing for a man, who stands so high at the
British court, to say to, and of us?'

`Why, yes, Captain, what he means is well
enough, I spose; but if a British General had not
writ it, I should have called some of it nothing but
damn flumididdle.'

`O, it is a feather in our caps, Darrow, depend
on't. Burgoyne is hand and glove with the king
and ministers, besides being a noted warrior. He
will conquer all the northern colonies. The rebellion,
indeed, is as good as crushed already. And

[figure description] Page 128.[end figure description]

then the country will be divided off into lordships,
and those, who have been most active in subduing
the rebels, will all receive rich rewards out of their
confiscated estates. Bright days are before us, Bill.
And while we are thus making our fortunes, what a
glorious chance to pay off old scores upon these rascally
settlers? You can safely act out nature now,
Bill, with a vengeance. We will now have our revenge,
and the beauty of it is, that others must father
our deeds and pay us well into the bargain for
what it is only a happiness to perform.'

`What are your plans, Captain?'

`You, or I, must go, this very night, over to the
British camp, and get Burgoyne to let us have fifty
red skins to make up our company. We shall want
them soon, and perhaps I may for the first purpose.'

`Damn it, Jake, you are too thirsty,' said the minion,
looking keenly at the other, and comprehending
the purpose of which he spoke: `they are your own
flesh and blood. You don't mean to let those red
devils loose upon them, do you?'

`No, but leave me to take care of them. They
need not be harmed, but prisoners they shall be, till
that haughty jade's pride is brought to begging terms.
And this is the first case, Darrow, to be attended to.'

`I am not quite sure but there is another case for
you to attend to, also, Jake.'

`What is that?' asked Sherwood, turning to the
other with a look of blended curiosity and apprehension.

`Why, perhaps it is all nothing but a notion, after
all. But I will tell you the wrinkle that's got
into my head, and how it got there: In coming from
head quarters to day, I ran my canoe generally close
in to the shore of the other side of the lake, and, on

[figure description] Page 129.[end figure description]

arriving within about a mile of Crown Point, and
about as far as I intended, before crossing over to
this side, I took it into my head I would go up into
the woods, climb a tree, and try to get a peep into
the fort, as the General asked me very particularly
about the number of the garrison there. Well, I
went on a piece into the woods, when I heard the
steps of some one crossing my course ahead, and
taking his way to the fort; so I squatted down in an
old tree top, where I could remain unseen till he
passed by. His course brought him within a few
rods of the spot where I lay; and when nearly
abreast of me, he mounted an old log, and, without
discovering me, took a sort of leisurly survey of the
woods around him, turning his face so as to give me
a fair view of his countenance—and'—

`Well, what more about it—who, and what was
he?'

`Why, though not in full uniform, I think he must
be a young rebel officer, who had been out with his
gun for game. Though he must have arrived at the
fort quite lately.'

`But who do you mistrust him to be?' asked Sherwood,
with evident uneasiness.

`That is the question that has been bothering my
brains ever since. Jake, don't you think it possible
for a man to wear about the same face and look that
he did when a boy, so that one, who had never seen
him from four or five years old, would know him
again when grown up?'

`Yes, barely possible, but what the devil are you
coming to, Bill? What has that to do with this case?'
demanded Sherwood, with an agitation which he
was unable to conceal.

`May be a good deal. There was something in

[figure description] Page 130.[end figure description]

this fellow's looks that struck me,—that made me
ready to swear I had seen the same countenance
before, though some how, not just the same neither.
Well, he finally went on, and I forgetting all
about spying into the fort, went back, and struck off
for this side, this fellow's countenance all the while
haunting me, and working up a devilish strange,
streaked, kind of feeling, that I can't very well describe.
Well, as I was crossing over, still bothering
on the subject, I happened to cast my eyes up the
lake, when I caught a glimpse of old Hendee's
house through the trees; and by heavens! it came
across my mind, like a flash of lightning, who the
fellow must be.'

`What mean you, Darrow?' exclaimed Sherwood,
seizing the arm of the other with a convulsive
grasp, while his face became as pale as ashes.

`I mean,' replied Darrow, looking his agitated
companion full in the face, and speaking in a low,
measured, and decisive tone, `I mean, Jake Sherwood,
that if Captain Hendee's boy lived, he is now
among us!'

Long and earnestly communed these worthies in
conjectures, about the person concerning whom Darrow
had made, as he felt confident he had, so startling
a discovery. Who could he be? By what
name now known? Could he be aware of his own
family history? Had he discovered his relations?
were questions which were raised by them, but without
finding any satisfactory answers. The two last
questions, however, were at length settled in the
negative. And after some further discussion, in regard
to the best means of ascertaining more about
the private history of the unconscious object of their
deliberations, and the most feasible way of

[figure description] Page 131.[end figure description]

disposing of him, if the information gained rendered it
probable he was the person they feared him to be,
they broke up their conference, Darrow retiring to
rest, and Sherwood, with two of his men, as attendants
and oarsmen, setting off for head quarters, fifteen
or twenty miles distant from the tory encampment.