Luona Prescott, or, The curse fulfilled
page: (TitlePage) [View Page (TitlePage) ]LUONA PRESCOTT: on, i 4nut 4guiUed. A TALE OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. x BY NED BUNTLINE. NEW YORK: I R EDERIo A. BRADYa NO. 24 ANN STREET. I t page: [View Page ] ti. /" r LUONA PRESCOTT: ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858. BY M. B. DEAN. in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. OR, he (!1urtie uiflkeiL t ,; "It is the truth, girl, the truth Death's chill is at my heart, and the fierce, wild fire upon which my life has lived so long, is nearly out. The embers glow hotly, it is true, but they will soon expire !" "Mother! mother !" and great tears rained from Luona's eyes as she spoke. "Grieve not, child-grieve not! Thou'lt have no time to grieve when I am gone ; for I shall leave thee too mich work to do for that! The world will not be cold to thee, for--humble though we seem to others-I have gold which will be thine, and thou shalt be a very queen F But mark me, girl ! let not that world or aught within it, know that thou hast a heart! Love not, nor listen thou to words of love from the lips of men ; for they are but treachery, and death is in them. With a wild vehemence, which almost belied the thought of approaching death, these words were uttered. But the speaker's voice fell, ana her tone was more low and very mournful, a she continued "Eighteen years ago, Luona, I was two years younger than thou art now, and my mirror told inc that I was beautiful. And I was pure, all unknowing of the evils of this dark. bad world. Sin had not entered the portals of my heart; for I had a dear mother to watch without, even as I have striven to watch over thee ; but she knew not, as I have learned by many a bitter teaching, howc ruel and how vile that outer world was ; for her world was in her home, her guide the Bible: her trust in God ! And when from that world a gallant-looking man cane, with manhood sittin. on him like a grace, and honeyed words upon his lips, nor sIe nor I believed him other than he seemed, one mold- ed after creation's Creator! I never had seen his like before, and it was but an easy task for him to win my heart ; for I loved to gaze upon his noble form, to dwell upon the music of his lips. Time moved on with rapid steps ; and I all dreamily went forward-for he was ever with me. Wildly, passionately I loved him-loved,, R~ - C CHAPTER I. TUE CURSE OF THE DYING AND THE MISSION OF TIHE LIvIN--A HISToRY OF WRONo AND DES- OLATION, AND A CRY FOR VENGEANCE. "Girl, come hither! I am dying; but, be- fore my wrecked spirit breaks its strained shackles aid departs into the dark unknown which lies before it, I hive acurse to utter, and a charge for thee, to both of which thou must listen and give heed when I am gone, lest the curse of thy lost mother should cling to thee- to thee, child, instead of him for whom it is intended ?"? Extended upon a plain-but cleanly couch, in a humble cottage, tree-shaded arnd vine-em- bowered, iii the village of New London, lay the woman who uttered these words, but a short time prior to the war of the American Revolu- tion. She was not old-for not a thread of silver had Time or sorrow laid among the masses of black, glossy hair which overhung her white brow, and thin, pallid face. Her thin fora, wasted features, and the fierce, unnatural brightness of her large, black eyes, al-ne sec- onded the thought which her bloodless lips had spoken-that she was dying. In health she must have been very beautiful ; every feature chiseled as by some rare sculptor's hand, each limb-a marvel of loveliness andj grace, even now-told this. And proud and haughty-flashing eye, firm lip, thin and swell- ing nostrils, spoke thy that. Yet not more beautiful than the girl to whom she spoke, who was just bursting into woman- hood. Till, stately, with an eye more soft, t et all as dark as that which gazed upon her ; fea- tures which told of a will imperious, and a heart full of fire, yet under stern control of self; in figure exquisitely shaped ; she was one alike fitted as a study for a painter, a model for a sculptor, or a vision for a poet's eye to dwell upon. "Do not say that you are dying, mother- dying, to leave your poor Luona all alone in tis cold, cold world !" i is r ;: F, . ~ 4' , f'.r ,.s _ -s _ ,i4- Lt's. ~ U~ page: 4-5[View Page 4-5] 4 until, knowing not my crime, I fell-fell from that spotless plain where " had found me. And when my fall was knosuo, as all too soon it was, my mother fell-fell into the arms of death, to rise no monre. And when he tired of me, as soon lie did, and fled fruom my side, I followed, oily to learn that another had a wifely right upon him-that he was not only a hus- band, but a father. And then I cursed him, as now I curse, with all of hell's hot bitterness, his memory ! My love curdled into hate, and I swore to be revenged! I still had beauty. I sold all that my poor mother sad left, and moved to a town where no one knew me. There I met your father. He wooed moe and won my hand. I married him, not that I loved him ; but he hal wealth, and with it, l knew that I could buy vengeance upon him who wronged me. You were born ; but yot r father died be- fore you were of ani age to lisp his name. I then remove I to this place, to ie near him whose ruin I had sworn to accomp1lisi!" Whoa as lie, nmotlier ?" asked Luona, who, with breathless interest, had listened to the sad narration. "Lemuel Arnold !" was the mother's reply. He died a miserable bankru it. as you know"; and his lat hours were emlbittereid with my curses, and with the k noiw h ue hat I had wrought hisI pecunimar ruin, and lput blots upon his name wluicli no net of his couil ever efface. Arid I told him then-aud 1 now renew the vow-that not with his death should my hatred cease. lie has a son ! To you, Leona, I leave the ruin of t iat son. I know, I feel that the spirits of haln omen, shut out front heaven, are domed to wanidehr unseen iiun ihe earth where they has e sinned that they can know no other, fo lbott r li lI, and his ejirit shall writhe in agony over the ruin of his only child ! Swear to rie, girl, sear by may wrungs, by my just hat red, by that which has consumed mye ery existence, arid thus early laid me on the bed of death, that thou wilt do as I bid thee ! Exalt hii:, only to erash him ; lead him on and up uni life is bright, and ftre is in li grasp, unt: ie over-tips Ii s helhiw-imen, then dash him don ai so low that the meanest worm which craig Is may be above him! Swear it, Luona ! swer it!" Mother, I swear to do thy liddi ng!" " Io it, girl-do it ! I cuir-se hin n's I cursed his fatier-for in his form, his every look, his voice, its mien, his treacherous father lives again !" "lie shall envy yet his father's fate !" said Luona, bitterly. " It is well,~ehild-it is well ! When I am passed away, you till tind my vill. All that I have is tlhine. I appoint no guardian for thee ; for I have so educated thee that none is re- quired. My hank-account i5 larger than the world supposes; with ordinary prudence, you will through life be indepenaent. And now, child, go you to your room, and let me rest awhile, for I am weak and weary. Let me not be distprbed, for my last hour is near !" There were tears in the eyes of Luona, and her face looked very sad ; but she obeyed her mother, and went out. About an hour later, the doctor came, and he hurried into the house ; for a storm, which had been for some time gathering, was about to break. Although the sun hand not yet gone down, the black clouds, which hung pall-like between the earth and sky, cast a somibre shade, more dark than tsiilight, over all things. Open the window, child," said the mother, as Luona entered with the physician. "It is about to storm, miy mother," replied the girl. "Ay. It is well that my spirit should de- part when the elements are at war, and ill earth in turmoil. Open the window, and let me look upon the drivi..g clouds, upon the red light- ning ; let the full tones of thunder coie rattling on my ear. I do not fear. I die, as dies the soldier on the battle-field !" "Mother, the doctor is here !" "It is well ; lie is used to looking upon death --to him it is not terrible." "Madam, madam, do not excite yourself," said the physician, kindly, as he and Luona stood by the bedside ; while the fitful flashes of lightning, rolling out from the black clouds, threw a flickering and ghastly light upon the scene. Excite myself ?" she cried, with fierce energy, as she hall-rose from her couch. " Know you not that I am dying ?" The exertion was too much forher. Pale and quivering, she sunk back upon the couch. Bring a light quickly," said the doctor, as he hastened to offer the invalid a strengthening cordial. "No! no !" moaned the dying woman; "my lamp is going out-the oih-is spent!1" Luona, who had hurried out for a light, now returned, and scarcely could she repress a scream as she saw the sudden and the fearful change which had come over her mother's face. The eyes were fixed-already the fea- tures seemed rigid. She clasped the hand which, nerveless, hung over the bedside. It was cold as ice. "0, doctor, is this death " she moaned. A deafening burst of thunder, shook the house to its foundation, while a blinding flash of light suffused the room, drowning his reply. The blue lips gasped once, once only, while the reverberative thunder rolled away; there was a shuddering motion of that slender form, then all was still, within and without. The doctor was the first to break Lime silence, as he looked upon her who lay so cold upon the couch, and then on the orphan who knelt be- side it. 4 Poor child 1" said he, with deep emotion, "your mother will suffer no more ; she is dead !" U LUONA PRESCOTT; OR, TBE CURSE Then, in great drops, rolled out the rain of grief from Luona's cloud-like eyes, and as if Heaven felt a sympathy, its thunders ceased, and down from its gloomy concave came the unchecked torrents of the storm, drenching the. dry earth, stripping the proud flower-stems, bowing the green branches low toward the ground. The doctor did not try to check her tears. lie knew that her heart would be the lighter that they were shed. It is only tearless grief-the sorrow that knows no utterance-which kills! He called the only servant which they kept, and saying that lie would send others to assist in watching and preparing the body for burial, and himself give such orders for the funeral as were necessary, he bade Luoni-who, amid her sobs, thanked him-a tender good-night and departed. CIIAPTER II. inK MILITARY DRILL UPON THE VILLAGE GREF.N, AND TiHE FUNERAL. The sun rose brightly on he next morning, and smiling upon the crushed and weeping flowers, bade them raise their heads again. And a gentle breeze came softly among them, and swept away their tears, and shook the bend- ing branches until they laughed and shone brightly in the cheerful sunlight. And as it rolled up its azure pathway, the grass rose greenly from the steaming earth, and all things looked more lovely even for the storm that had come and gone. There was a pretty scene upon the village green, shortly before that sun reached its me- ridian altitude. It was a comely band of stal- wart young men, ranging from the ages of eighteen to twenty-five years, all clad in a neat and tasty uniform, drawn up in line with a steadiness and precision which would have won praise from veterans, and which spoke well of the skill and discipline of their young com- mander, whose erect form, voice, clear as a bugle, flashing eye, and martial tread, betoken- ed him a soldier, every inch. Their banner was a pine tree, upon a white ground ; at its root a coiled rattlesnake; and over it these words: "Touch me and I shrike !" Their music consisted of a fife, small and bass drums, and though not quite so noisy as our brazen bands of the present day, still was suf- ficiently inspiring for those whose hearts were already alight with martial fire. A crowd of the village people, and all of the boys of the little town and its neighborhood were assembled to witness the drill, evolutions, and marchings of the company, which were sufficiently creditable to call forth open and hearty encomiums from several old veterans. who had served in the times of Braddock and of Wolfe, against the French ; and who, old though they were, undisguisedly were looking to an almost surely impending rupture with the mother country, which would again bring them 7 FULFILLED. 6 under arms-for that lovely village was a home of patriots, even though it was its fate to nurse and nestle one traitor to his native land within its bosom. "Your men drill well, Benedict. How do you think they'd stand fire ?" asked one of those old veterans, as he approached the young com- mander, who had brought his men to "a rest" for a few moments. "Like salamanders, major-like salamanders," replied young Arnold, with enthusiasm. "They're a likely-looking set o' lads," con- tinued the old man. "It puts me in mind of Louisburg to look at 'em." "Who is dead ?" asked Arnold, pointing to a funeral cortege, which was slowly approaching -for the way to the village burying-ground lay in a direction which led it past the green. "I heard that the Widow Prescott had died last night; but they seem in a hurry to put her under round," said the old man. " Attention, company I shoulder arms! right dress ! front ! order arms I" These rapid orders broiliht the company from the negligence of a position at "rest" to order, and as the solemn procession approached, the coffin, borne on a bier, supported on the shoulders of men, the young officer, in a low tone, gave the order, "Uncover !" In a moment, every plulmed hat was doffed, and the surrounding crowd, struck with the act of respect, also remembered their hats. There were not many who followed the wid- ow's corpse to the grave : for in life she had been cold and distant, and had made but few friends. And to those who knew how bitterly she had hated and persecuted Lemuel Ar- nold, the res pect which Benedict now showed to her funeral train seemed singular. By the side of the minister, leaning on his arm, and walking by the side of the coffin, was Luona, looking more tall and stately than ever, in her long and trailing robes of mourning. And her face, pale from sorrow, looked very beautiful in its snowy contrast, with eyes and tresses dark as night. The minister, who noted the respectful posi- tion of the company, and of the crowd which had gathered about it, said something to the fair mourner, whose tearful eyes had been bent to- ward the ground. She looked up, and as her glance met that of Arnold, her cheeks, before so deathly pale, suddenly reddened with a crimson blush, and for an instant she seemed fearfully agitated: But quick as a transient sun-gleam, glancing through the opening clouds, it passed away, and she was as pale and as calm as before ; yet not so quickly but that Arnold's eagle eyeh ad noticed the change, and thought it strange. lIe had seen her more than once before, and marked her wonderful beauty, and not even sought to make her no- quaintance ; but her mother, stern and cold to all the world but her, had kept too close a watch for that. page: 6-7[View Page 6-7] 8 LUONA PRESCOTT'; OR, Yet his society was sought by more than one of the fair maidens of that town-for he was handsome and gallant in his bearing, though rumor often told a tale of his fondness for the wine-cup. and the midnight card-party, and of gallartries which were not linked with honor. How strange it is that these latter errors find excuse with the tL'ntler sex, if committed by a man, yet are so unforgivingly considered if they emanate from a female! The 1 ruc'sion passed on, and soon disa.- peared aiil dthe thick growth of elms, which, with drooping branches, overshadowed the graveyard ; and the young offileer resumed his drill a~ai.Ilhut his heart dlid not seem so in- tent upon the business as it had been before, and soon, with a few words of thanks to his companiei, and naming the day when they were to reassemble for exercise, he dismissed them. "Mother "said lie, as a few minutes after- ward lie atecri«d hip own humble home ; " the Widow l'recoutt died Ist night, and was buried to-day !"t I know it, Benedict," replied the gray- haired and srrowfu-looking matron; "she has tak ii ti- tli over which we must all pass ! She was a hitter wuman, but all should be for- gotten iio'V "' iiat will become of her daughter now?- who protect e rY ?One so beautiful will need a protectr: SGod li pritt ct her, my son. In a quiet village like t is, I should hope her beauty would nit ei lanr her safety !" Ali, motlir, the re are sharks in quiet wa- ters, evnn as m thwse that are turbulent-bad men are tter' where " Triyiv son ; but you seem to take a sin- gular interest in this girl. Do you know her?" "No, nther. I but saw her as she followed her met hr's coin to-day, and therefore my thouglihtm ran that way. She looked very beau- tiful, and 14 emheily sad " Thue pr cinll ins reason for sadness. 'Tis a col d wrl I t he left alone in !" " shi ti l ii h to marry !" said young Arnold, iii an butiate manner. - Marri i'-- undh death are not to be thought of togetiar. I'll warrant 'twill be long before she so fr -ts iE rwho was laid in the earth to- day, that sl- n ill listen to the voice of love 1" There-« a- mare harsh news from Boston, to-day,mt , her ! said the young man, sudden- ly chanmtheint suiject. " Iies! Wt4hat was it, my son?" " More o prcesion and more wrong. The king, thurougzhi his despotic servants here, seems determined to drive his colonies into open re- bellion; and if lie does, then he may bid fare- well to his rule here forever!" "Nonense, my son. What could our peo- ple, thinly scattered over a vast territory, with- out discipline. and but feebly armed, do in re- bellion against a king, whose veteran armies, numbering thousands where we count tens, could be thrown like an avalanche upon our shores !" "Mother, right makes might! That our people are thinly scattered over a vast terri- tory, is true; but his troops will have to scat- ter to find them. And what will discipline- avail, when death lurks in every bush, behind every rock, and wall, and tree. So surely as war is forced upon us, then will these colonies he free-free from the rule of a bad man and a tyrant !" " Ihush, my son; even walls have ears, 'tis said ; such words might bring persecution upon you!'' "Let it come! Were the king upon this spot, I would not eat my words !" "Ah, Benedict, Benedict, you were ever a willful boy!" "But not disrespectful to my mother. I now only echo the feelings of discontent with the government which, each day, grows stronger through the land. ' New rules, heavier taxes, moure tyrants to enforce them,' is the cry everywhere. It is to prepare for a struggle, which seems inevitable, that I drill my com- pany so constantly-for that, that I pore daily and nightly over the military books that I have purchased. Mother, if a war should break out, I will he a general or I will perish The mother smiled at the earnestness of her son; but tiers was a smile of pride--for she had a patriot heart in her bosom, and lie was all in all t her. God had left her no other comfort. "Every upward step you take will bring joy to ie, Benedict!" said ste. "But let there be no rust upon the rounds of your ladder. Let honorthe your guide ;for that fame is infamy, upon which dishonor casts a single shadow !" "Do you suppose that Luona Prescott will still live in her mother's cottage, with only that old housekeper to guard her ?" asked Ar- nld, changing back to his former subject as sui denly as he had left it. How should I know, who have had no inti- macy with her, or, during life, with her mother?" naked Mrs. Arnold. "It is strange," she added, earnestly, " that this girl should so much ucen- py your mind to-day !" "Not strange, when I have but just come from looking at her in her grief, while she fol- lowed her mother's corpse to the tomb!' said Arnold, quietly ; and then he went to a table by the window and took up a book, But the book did not much seem to occupy his attention, for his eyes were frequently raised from it, and he would look out through the sweet-briar vines and honeysuckles which were trained up over a lattice, outside-of his own manufactare-look out upon the broad and well-shaded street, and down toward the river, where he could see, traced in thread-like lines against the distant sky, the rigging and taper- iug spars of the vessels which lay at their moorings there- f l Y 3, i S THE CURSE F Perhaps he was wondering why Luona blush- ed and paled so suddenly when her eyes met his that day. He had met her before, more than once, and boldly gazed upon her lovely face and form ; but she had coldly passed, as if she neither knew nor cared to know who or what lie was ; and though he often turn- ed to look at her when she had gone by, her head was never turned to get a second glance at him. CHAPTER III. THE LEADING OP TIS WILI-THE PULPIT VrCrus PILLS. The last sad offices had been rendered to the dead, and Luona Prescott had returned to her gloomy home-for to her auch it was ; the light which had shone for her since her infancy, had departed forever. "Don't give up to sadness, young mistress," said the old servant, or housekeeper-who had been in the family ever since Luona could re- member. "Whatever is, is God's doing, and we can't help it: and they say, that is, good folks say, that we've no right to grumble at it, though I haven't learning enough to see the reason or sense of that." "You have a brother, I believe, Barbara. I think I saw him here once 1" said Luona, not seeming to heed the words of the old woman. "A half-brother, Miss Lona !" replied Bar- bara, who had a Yankee faculty of shortening names. "lie lives over in Sharon ; his name is Elnathan Goodrich. He's two years older than I be!" "Do you think he'd like to come here and live with us? I feel now that we need the pro- tection of a man in the house, and he could at- tend to the garden!" "Yes, and do a heap of other chores !" cried Barbara. "Yes, indeed, Miss Lone, he'd like to come, I'm sure I He's most too old to be working out at day's work here and there, as he is doing now. It you'll let me send for him, I'll warrant he'll come in a jiffy, and thankyou for the char. , and ask nothing but his victuals and clothes !" "You can send for him as soon as you like." replied the orphan. "And, Barbara, put our little parlor in order ; I have requested Dr. Griswold, and Mr. Everett, the minister, to come here this evening. They were friends of my mother, and her will must be opened ; and it is also proper that I should look to them for advice ; though Heaven knows, if they advise aught that does not suit my will, I shall not heed it, I am my own mistress now, and mean ever to remain so." "So say all young girls ; but when a roper mate comes along, they change their minds, and right gladly take a master to their hearts," said the garrulous old woman. "I shall be an exception," said Luona. "But do as I bade you, Barbara; they will soon be here." L ULFILLED. 7 The grief of that lovely girl, so violent at first, had subsided into a calm, submissive sor- row; yet it was not the less deep for its quiet. She was firm ; for she knew her loss was irre- trievable, and that thenceforth she must act for herself. And she felt that she had a mission before her which would require more than the common strength of woman to execute; but she had sworn to her dying mother that she would fulfill it, and she did not mean to break her oath. The minister and his friend, the doctor, we'e both pleased to find her so resigned, when they came in the evening, for both attributed it to their own influence and counsels-not even giv- ing her credit for the strong will and stern self- control which she really possessed. After they were seated, Barbara was called in, and the will produced, opened, and read-by the minister. Luona, who never had asked her mother a question about her property, was surprised to find herself the possessor not only of the house and lot where she lived, and a small farm near by-which her mother had leased to a worthy farmer-but also of sixty thousand dollars in cash, well-secured -in those days, a fortune indeed. An annuity of two hundred dollars per year was left to Bar- bara so long-as she should remain with Lugna. "Dear soul," said the good housekeeper, "she needn't have done that. I never should have left Lona at any rate." "Although a witness to her signature tothis will, I little dreamed of the amount your dear mother had left," said the doctor. "What an opportunity to distinguish your- self in deeds of charity I'said the minister. "Yes, with the twentieth part of it you could build a marine hospital, and every sailor who came sick into port would bless you," cried the doctor. "It were better expended in building a church, and then God would bless her," cried the minister. "Our old meeting-house is be- coming really shabby." " Pahaw ! a hospital is more needed. Your church members are rich enough to build a new meeting-house whenever they want it," cried the doctor. "You needn't pshaw me, Dr. Griswold," cried the minister, reddening with anger. "I know that,in your ungodliness, you are opposed to the advancement of the Gospel; but you can't induce Miss Prescott to give you money to build up a rotten hospital for a lot of swear ing, drinking, graceless, sailors, who are no bet, ter than you are." "They're a thundering sightbetter than you, at any rate, you whining old milk-sop," cried the doctor, fairly blue with wrath. "Miss Prescott knows well enough what an old beg. gar you tre." "-Dr. Griswold, if I were not a preacher, I'd- -I'd smite you." "Do it if you dare, Jim Everett, I licked page: 8 (Illustration) [View Page 8 (Illustration) ] LUONA PRESCOT; OR, you when you were a school-boy, and I can do it again. if it wasn't for your black coat, I'd give you a dose now." "I can lay aside my coat, Dr. Griswold." "Do it, Mr. Everett." Seeing that a combat was almost inevitable, Luona, who, in spite of the grief which lay so heavily at her heart, could scarcely keep from laughing at this ludicrous scene, now inter- ferred. " Gentlemen," said she, with calm dignity, "I hope that, if you do forget the respectabili- ty of your professions, you will yet remember that you are in the presence of a lady." Her words fell like oil upon troubled water. Both of the disputants cooled down and apolo- gized for their rudeness, "If I should make up my mind to use a portion of this large sum- To build a hospital," suggested the doctor. "A church," cried the minister. "If I should make up my mind to use any of my money in either of the projects which you have named," continued Luona, smiling at their interruption, "I will let you knows. At present, I have no such intention." " Umph !" growled the doctor, looking as if he had been forced to swallow one of his own pills. " Ah !" said the reverend, looking upward, as if to in7oke a change of mind on her part. "Barbara will bring you a glass of wine, gentlemen, and I beg that you will excuse me, for I am very weary. Let me hope that you will reconcile your differences, however, before you part," said the orphan ; and then, with a graceful inclination, she retired. Barbara quickly brought the wine, for she had been sadly terrified during the foreoging scene. "James," said the doctor, as he reached out his right hand, the left holding a full wine- glass. "Samuel':" said the minister, as he grasped the ext ended hand, while his eyes were almost as full as his glass-and that was running over. " here's to yo', James ; and let all be for. given and fajgotten," continued the doctor. Amen, Samuel!" said the minister, and then they emptied their glasses, and afterward they embraced. Then they refilled their glasses, and sat down and talked of their school-boy days, of their 'l1 plsys, sweethearts, bird-nestings, etc., etc., washing away the mist of memory with the choice old wine, until they had finished the bottle. Then they rose to go. Behold how good it is for brethren to dwell in unity together I" said the pastor to Bar- bara, as arns-in-arm with the doctor he crossed tie threshold. " Yes, 'specially after they've been within a nick of blacking each other's eyes !" muttered the housekeeper, as she closed and double-bolt- ed the door CHAPTER IV. ARNOLD IN THE COTTAGE-ELNATIIAN OODRICI-- A PICTURE--A MYSTERY. Several days elapsed after the death of Mrs. Prescott, and yet Luona did not stir abroad, though formerly she was seen daily strolling along the lovely walks, which even yet charac- terize that beautiful place. But there were unny calls made at the cottage, by neighbors suddenly grown. sympathetic, since they had heard, through the Reverend Mr. Everett and l)octor Griswold, how much wealth had been left to lie. But Barbara received all of these calls, for Luona, seeing through the motives which induced them, sent word that she was too unwell to see company. Yet she made an exception, and one which more surprised Bar- bara than any other act which she had ever known her young mistress to com'nit. One morning, nearly a week after the funeral, the housekeeper hurried into the sitting-room, and said "0 Miss Lona, who do you think is coming up the lane toward the house ?" " how can I know until you tell me, Bar- bara ?" "Why, Miss Lona, it's that good-for-noth- ing scapegrace, Benedict Arnold !" Ah !" and the color went and came, as it had before, upon the face of the beautiful girl. "Oh, don't be scared, Miss Lona," said the housekeeper; "I won't let him in. I'd as soon open the door to a tiger-I'll tell him you don't want to see him, or any of his kind." "You will do no such thing, Barbara !" said her mistress. "If lie asks for me, you will in. vite him politely into the parlor, and say to him that I will join him directly." "Miss Lona, la sakes! Be you in right- down earnest ?" cried Barbara, opening both eyes and mouth to an unusual extent. "Yes, do as I bid you ; and when I go into the parlor, come you also in, and busy yourself about something during my interview with him." Did you ever !" exclaimed the housekeeper, raising both hands. "Go to the door ; do you not hear the knocker ?" said Luona, sharply, although she was half-inclined to laugh at the oddity Bar- bara displayed. "The creetur is in the parlor, Miss Lona," said the housekeeper, as she soon after re-enter- ed the room. "Very well ; as soon as I have arranged my toilet, I will see him," replied Luona. "Goodness me I she didn't fix herself up a bit for the minister nor the doctor. What is agoin' to happen ?" said Barbara to herself. In a few moments, Luona, accompanied by the housekeeper, entered the parlor, where she found Arnold standing before a portrait of her- self, which her mother had caused to be paint- ed a couple of years before. Hearing the rustle of her dress he turned and bowel low, 8 page: -9[View Page -9] A s .g a A while a blush mantled his cheek, and she felt was not to be recorded, for a neavy rap was her face also burning, again heard at the door. " I call at my mother's request, Miss Pres- " Remember that I wish to see no visitors at cott," said he, " to inquire matter your h alth, present, without it is Mrs. Arnold or her son, and to ask if there is anything in which she Barbara," said Luona, as the housekeeper went can be of service to you. She has heard with out. sorrow that you were ill, and deeply sympa- " It is Elnathan," said the latter, when she thizes with you in your great loss !" returned, a moment later. " Be seated, sir," said Luona, pointing to a " Admit him at once ; I wish to see him," re- chair. " I sincerely thank your mother for her plied Luona. message, and you for bearing it. I am not un- The housekeeper went out and brought in well, but have refused to see the crowd of visit- her half-brother, who looked sufficiently queer ors who called upon ue, for I distrusted their to merit a description at our hands. motives." lie was tall, or would have been, had he "Be assured, Miss Prescott, that the only etrai:;htened himself up; but he bent forward motive which prompted my mother's Ii art like a syphon. And like that character, he was was that of sorrow for one left an orphim at so lean, and about the same size all the way up early an age, and a wish to serve her, if it lay from his foundation, where two feet that were in liir power." feet, and full measure, too, were encased in a "I do not doubt it, Mr. Arnold ; and again I pair of cowhide boots, with soles as thick i ast thank hler. You can say to her, that whenever Eithiope's skull. -is liataloons--comi posed c it pleases her to call at my humble home, I linsey-woolsey, home-made, ind dyed with but shill be glad to welcome her, and include your- ternmu. bark--descended a little below the tops of self in the same invitationn" his we ll-greased boots, but scorned a nearerap- I shall be but too happy to be so highly ioacl to earth. His waistcoat, of similar ma- hotored," said the young man, and for very joyu trials, descended below his hips-if hie tad any, he blushed up to his temples. which was doubtful, according to his build. Noticing the glance of admiration which lie Its coat--which was also home-made, but had east upon some lovely roses, intertwining with been dyed sky-blue--was 'remarkable for the woodhine and elegantines, before her open win- shortness of its waist, and the length of its dow, she arose and selected a beautifulbouquet, skirts--or tails, as they are generally called. and presented it to him. The buttons were of brass, bright, an ainearly lie bosed low as lie took it in his hand, and as large as the bottom of an ordinary coffee- at the samte time gave a sudden start, fora thorn cup. his shirt, of unblenehed cotton, had a from a rose-stem pierced his finger so deeply very wide .collar, and it had been so stiffly that it drew blood. starched, and it stood so firmly under his ears, "'The bouquet is very beautiful," said he, tht-his head seemed to rest on it, instead of making no allusion to his hurt, his shoulders ; nor could he turn his face in any " Ytu must bewareofthings of beauty-they direction without he turned his holy also. are dangerous," said Luona, archly, as she " Eyes front" was a dire necessity with him. glanced at his wounded finger. Upon his head he wore a strnwi hat, with a "'True," ie answered," they sometin'ies pr- broad green ribbon around it ; and in one hand due wounds which never heal." arrivedd a bundle, tied tip in -u cotton hand- lIe sighed, and looked as if he vishied to sayt kerebtief of many colors ; while the other held a more ; hut if he really did so, the presence of stick more crooiked than lie was. his features Barbara was a bar. were sharp and cadaverous ; his complexion a. After a few more commonplace remarks, lie dried pumpkin color ; his eyes small and arose and took his leave ; not, however, until gray ; his hair a kind of a dirty white, ntneh like Luonta tad modestly reiterated her invitation that of a cream-colored horse, that hadn't been to himselfaand his mother to visit her. curried for a month. But his hair had been "'Well, Barbara, the young man did not seem combed and greased, too, so that its long locks to lie quite en ogre, after all; at any rate, he hung down as stiff on either side of his face as if didn't eat me up," said Luona, in a bantering it had been plastered there. tone. " Mornin', iarm," said ht, as lie came in, "Ie behaved proper good while he was here ; taking off his hat, and ducking his heid forward but they do say awful things about him, for ahl a very little, to the itrmmediate peril of his ears. that, They say he gets a girl dead in love w.th "'This is Einathian Go drehi, Miss Long," him, and then laughs at her," said the house- sail Barbara; "and lie's come to stay, cordial ' keeper. to the letter which I sent bins by your con- "He'll never have a chance to laugh at me," mand." said Luona; and then she added, in a tone so "Jest so," said Elnathan, putting down his ebhanged and stern, that it fairly startled the old bundle, and seating himself, without any invi- woman: "He may weep tears of blood yet, tation ; "you're fixed all-fired nicely here," he and curse the hour when first.he met me!" continued ; "shouldn't wonderif youlived righi- What the housekeeper would have replied onifortable." a c THE CURSE FULFILLED. 9 4 page: 10-11[View Page 10-11] I 10 LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, You can take Elnathan to his room, and They are generally down at the heels, and out then show him whatever work you may require at the elbows ; for the home of which they will of him, Barbara," said Luona, who, though she take no care, is not likely to take care of them. could hardly help laughing at his odd appear- Though they are nuisances, the landlord en- ance, did not like his cool familiarity. dues them ; and generally manages, in one way "Jest so," said Elnathan ; and he took up his or another, to make it pay, without one of their bundle and followed the housekeeper readily. number becomes a downright sot, and can nei- And now Luona was left alone, to wonder there pay nor influence a "treat "-then he is what could have caused the visit of Benedict kicked out, as unworthy of belonging to decent Arnold to her. And we, reader, may wonder society! heaven save the mark, or remark! with her, what arguments he had used to cause Such a tavern there was, in the village of his mother to send a message like that which he which we write. And near noon, one daysome brought, especially as that mother had known three weeks or more after the burial of Mrs. how bitterly Mrs. Prescott had hated and perse- Prescott, while a knot of loungers were smoking cuted her husband, though she did not know away the fag ends of their long niues,their ears, the cause. There was a mystery in it which eyes, and mouths, opened rider than usual, as time and our fraure pages may unveil. And it "a solitary horseman" came elattering down was a mystery which much troubled the curi- the street at full speed, from the eastward, his ous and inquisitive in the neighborhood, es pe- horse all in a foam, and himself looking as if he cially when Mrs. Arnold herself was received at had ridden far and hard. the cottage, and her visit returned by Luona, "Where does Captain Arnold live ?" asked and the visits of lBened.ct were more frequent the stranger, by he threw liiniself from his there, he often sending to Luona the fruits of trembling horse, which was instantly taken in his hunting and fishing-trips-for lie wasan en- hand by the hostler. thusiastic and a very successful s ortsmen. " At the lower end of the village, sir !" re- in truth, this mystery annoyed the Reverend plied the landlord. 'If you wish to see him, I Mr. Everett so much that he called upon the will send for him." fair orphan, and rather imprudently remon- ")o so," replied the stranger. "And have strated with her upon receiving visits from such my horse well attended to ; for as soon as he is an "ungodly young man" as Arnold was re- rested, I must speed forward on my way to ported to be. New York. In the meantime, you may order If he expected to find penitence for impru- sone refreliinent for myself." dence, or submission tob is advice, he was wo- "Yes, sir; walk in, sir, and your wants shall fully mistaken that time. With flashing eyes, be promptly supplied," said the landlord. and a tone full of indignant bitterness, luona " Any news from the cast, sir ?" asked one of said : the loungers. "Sir, I am old enough to choose my own "Plenty of it !" sail. the stranger; entering company y, and will elevate whom 1 l)leae to the the house without waiting for any further ques- honor of my society. When I require your ad- tiois. vice, I will send for you!" "By thunderr! I'd like to know what it is. " Farewell to all hopes of her building a lie's as crabbed as a cross-cut saw !" said the church," said the abashed minister, as he left questioner, as he returned to the group of cro- the cottage. nies on the tavern stoop, as they called the porch in those days. The messenger who was dispatched after Ar- ClIAPTEl V. nold soon returned with him, having met the rAvYaN PECULIAaTIESL-WAR ANDi RUMORS or young captain, with his gun and well-filled WARs. genie-bag, coming from his morning sport. There was a tavern, in those days, in New " Who ia that feller from the east that sent London. What would a certain class do with- for you, Benedict ?" asked the loungerwho had out a tavern, indeed? For the class which I questioned the stranger, when Arnold made his will designate was, in those days, a large one in appearance. our small villages ; and tottering relics of their " I can tell better after I've seen him, Mr. race can still be seen occasionally. They are Blossom," was Arnold's reply, as he entered men who think they can't do without their the hotel, and was shown up to the room where morning "bitters ;" their "eleven o'clock," to the stranger was washing away the dust of give them an appetite for dinner, and a "snif- travel from his person-for so the latter had ter" afterwards to settle it-to say nothing directed. about the by-chanoe " treats " of the ay. They The interview between these persons was se- know all the news of the day, discuss politics, cret and lengthy; and only brought to a con- smoke long nines, whittle benches, chairs, and elusion after the landlord had for a third time sign-posts; in fact, they are "model artists" rapped atthe door and announced that the din- of laziness, tippling, and general uselessness. ner was ready. Yon ean, in an instant, recognize them by their "You will not leave, colonel, until I muster mulet heads, carbuncle noses, and tan color, my men, will you ?" said Arnold, in hearing of THE CURSE FULFILLED. 11 the Ian lord, ts they came out of the room. "Done slick as grease ; but I say, capting, "I wish you not only to see what stuff they are just hold on a bit., 've something to ax you made of, but also to know their minds !" about." "I shall be glad to do so, that I may at once "Recover arms !" ordered the officer. Then send back a dispatch to the council," replied he turned sharply upon the intruder, and said : the stranger, as he entered the dining-room. " Mind your own msiness, you old fool, and " Well, Benedict, who is he ?" asked Blos- don't annoy me!" som, as Arnold came out of the tavern. "If I was mindin' my own business, I would " A man !" said the latter, hurrying away out not be a coming' here of a fool's arrant to you, of ear-shot of the lounger. from Miss Lona Prescott !" replied the man, "Darnation! was there ever anything so tartly. devilishly provoking !" cried Blossom. " I know "From Miss Prescott, did you say ?" asked that there is something new, and big news, too, Arnoldlowering his voice. or they wouldn't be s9 close with it." " Jest so,' replied the man, coolly. " That's a fact!" said the landlord, who had " Well, deliver your message, my good just come out. " The man inside is a colonel- friend." I heard young Arnold call him so. And Bene- " Good friend, eli? I thought you'd haul in diet has gone to muster his military company your horns when I told you who sent me !" for something. There is some strange matter " But her message, my fine fellow ; you say afloat ; but what it is, can't be got out of them she sent you to me." just now." "Jest so. You see, my name is Elnathan "I'll bet the rum that it's war ! The Brit- Goodrich, from away up to Sharon, and I'm ishers are going' to fight the colonies, and may. help-that is, man-help--to Miss Lona and be they're coming right here now !" said Blos- sister'Barbara is the she-help there." som. " i've heard tell that they've a powerful "Yes, yes, I understand all that---but do heap of redcoats down to Boston !" come to your message !" cried Arnold, impa- "Maybe so-maybe so ; but- I hope they tiently. won't come here. 'I'hey'd drink all my liquor, "Jest so! I was comin' to that ; but I reck- and neverpay me a stiver for it," said the land- oied 'twas best to let you know who I was, first lord, and foremost. Well, Miss Lona heard the bell The tolling of the bell on the village church a tollin', and the fife squeakin, and the drums a -not slow,-as for a funeral, but rapi and con- goin' rub-idy-dub, and she axed me would I go tinuous-was now heard and understood by over and ask Capting Arnold what the matter all; for it was a signal which Arnold had con- was. 'Jest so, marm,' said I; 'I'll do it.' And certed to use to draw his company together here I ani." upon any emergency. "You can say to the lady, Mr. Goodrich, that Soon, the martial music, with its stirring I will call over and inform her, this evening, of peals, was heard upon the village green ; and important news which I have received ; and the members of Arnold's company, hurriedly which causes me to call my company together donning their uniforms, and grasping their most unexpectedly." muskets, were seen gathering from every direc- "Jest so! But, capting, will you do me a tion to their usual centre, - favor ?" The group of loungers were now about to go "Certainly, if it is in my power, Mr. Good- over to the green ; but were very easily stayed rich. What can I do for you ?" by the landlord, who said : "Jest tell me what changed me from beli' "Arnold is going to bring his men here, an old fool, a little while ago, to being' Mister boys, for the colonel to look at. No need of Goodrich now !" said the old man, with such a your going away. Come in and turn a glass comical look, that Arnold couldn't help laugh- up; it's my treat this time." mug. IIe wel knew that the bigger the crowd "Because l've since learned that ou are in around his house, on such an occasion, the the service of an angel !" said Arnold in a tone greater would be his profit ; for when men see so low that only Elnathan could hear hima; and rosy and round-bellied temptation sparkling he handed the old man a Spanish dollar at the before them at a "tavern heat,". they are, or in same time. those days were, not apt to resist it. ' "Jest so !" said Elnathan, as he turned the In the course of half an hour or 'so, Arnold's rare coin over and over in his hand. "I'll tell company, in nearly its full strength, was drawn her what you said, capting ; and thankee, too, up on the green. Just as he hd formed his for this here." line, and brought his men to a shoulder, a figure As soon as Luona's messenger had departed, strangely homely, even for that land of strange- Arnold made his men count off for platoons; nesses, hphroached the young officer. and as soon as ie had arranged them in march- " Captilg," said this individual, "your sojers ing order, bade the music strike up a quick do looleelmighty nice !" step, and then ie moved off for the'-hotel. "Present arms !" cried Arnold to his men, "Now, I reckon, we'll hear the news !" cried aying no attention to his admiring neighbor. old Blossom, as the company came up in fine -v -' - -. k ~ a page: 12-13[View Page 12-13] 12 LUONA PRESCOTT; 01, order, and halted before the door, formed in leave to the capable and gallant captain of this line, in two ranks; while the stranger came out well-drilled company the tsk of recruitingI" upon the porch, and eyed them with the keen The colonel closed; and three hearty cheers glance of roe used toeilitary matters. announced the effect of his appeal. e re- Gentleen," said Arnold, addressing his turned within the house, saying to Arnold, as company of vountecrs as such are usually ad- he did so: dressed, " have the honor to introduce you to "Captain, let me see you afteryour company Colonel Wainwood, of Massachusetts. Present has bon diocalled upon such as wished to 'rse order was obeyed admirably; and, after join him to step forward and give their names ; giigThe order s reemr,' yrold' co- tating that he intended, inside of twenty-four giving Ithe order to recovere, rno con- ours, to be on the march for the Continental t'i'e colonel, gentlemen, will give you im- camp. His own company, without an exeep- poThet cone,-n gentm nhic hs nued me to tion, declared themselves ready to move with call you ut, tt lie migt see what stuff you him ; and many others stepped forward and were yuIe oft l e lie delivered it. And, I will gave their names' ade, tdit if the -news which lie is aimut to give "Blossom, you are very patriotic in your slithlal idue any others present to wish tiuon talk-shall I take your name dow?" asked my cod sney-wic hill, probably, soon be in Arnold of that individual-who, if color and mcotiv e nervic- wvill gladly receive their looks were indicative of a proper amie, should naie ." have been called Rum-blossom, in full . "Didn't I tell you there was war news ?" said " Why, 1 hardly know yet, cap'n !" replied Blossom, in a tone of importance to his cro- Blossonm. "There's so much saltpetre in gun- Isos powder, that the smell of it gives sme the sick e is therien," sid t s colonel, " I bring you ieadnche. I can't even eat beef d ht's been news wtlemehsuld set eve y heart in a fianse ' put down with saltpetre. Now, if 'twastit for nesw s hloiuld natve c se with pa- that. I'd jine jest as quick as takin' a glass o' T he F+"i of nm y native provi mco is red ithp- . , triot IIoI!l!Tie lurch ii .n iiiions of thme Brit- grog!' ish t lun!t. hive hillei murder to the dark cats- " But you can go into the cavalry, where logim of their auanv crimes. Up fros the soil, cold steel does the work," said the captain. who, like the ie-tile sicli eld fro Antel-s veins, knowing Blossom-like all braggarts aml busy a c ie ueto t wf -acr bodies-to be an arrant coward, was ierely acry ari +s to thme Lord Goud of lie ele tring h !mim. fur vtmgc :mer At Le'xingtiin. at Conmcord, it Isantering 1m last firii v une.r's ill, the dying groaiis of " But I cant ride-never could-my head undrels have gone up to the ears 'f th Al- swis if I only get astraddle of a rail eume o ni etys Warvis gUon us, with all its dreadful sad Blossom, moving off. horrors. ! ais been forced upon usI What Arnold soon took'all the names that were of. shall we do? Kiss the 'rod which sites us? ferel, and, appointing a muster at the tavern, Yielsha our o.is to the spoiler--our iv es'and to the delight of the landlord, at ten on the daughters to the pled ensraces fra hireling succeeding day, he dismissed his company in band of ruffians? God and patriotism for- due form, and rejoined Colonel Wainwood. bid ! 'tL I "Amtnt!"burst from the lips of nearly every CIAPTER VI. t Arilledmlistener. TE INTERvIEW--THE BAG OF GOLD-TIlE NATAL "Maisy of your countrymen are ahea ly in STARS-THE P~tOPtECY-A NEW RECRUIT. arni! Messengers like m self are speeding Luona sat by her open window, that evening, through the landg arousingiepeople on every The gentle breeze of the young suiiner came hand. Leaving the plowing thefurrow-the sweetly in from its wanderings over the clover wagon by the roadside--the crop half plnte, fields, and amiid those clusterig wild roses-bear. yeomen and gentlemen are hurrying to thme ing, too.the breath of the jessamsine atml honey- field I Thougt t Gage, and owe, ad Burgoryve suckle fromu the valley, the lily from tise lake, are in Bts'+ tuni, with! tein or twelve thsousand v'- tind thse hare-bell from the Iilsile. Auth it era sisldiers, they dare not stir from their bsreatlhed soft sighs as it swept through the pen- strn ts!d to ,meet y r undisciplined bsut indig- d at branches of the elms, which hung above nant forcs. I casmee oere by request of tise the graves of the departed ; and the moonbeams Council of Safety, to ask Captisiy Asol, to joits tatsklel amid the quivering leaves lhte flashes ou in tis eiee of tito and to say to all of of ir. It was a lovely night-suc'i a onme as a you ths t will jninti si, you will fiil a warm dreamy soul best can enjoy ; when, almost dis- ansd a brave welcome on our lines if you go emsbodyiig itself, it borrows Faiscy's wings, tlh, re. As soon as may horse is rested ani and sweeps away into the mystic 'ealmns of fed, I is:st speed onward to arouse New York thought. to our aid, andi to send messengers still farther, 'hie orphan was wrapped in a reverie, which for abug and a turrile struggle hus surely bet- was not disturbed imy the earnest cionvversation gun! To yusi two love ysrlonI s, aundrhate carried on between Elnathan andi Barara- tyranes and usurpers, I need say no more; bu i who, enjoying the balmy night air, were seated 4! THE CURSE FULFILLED. 18 on a bench, beneath a large shade-tree in the He paused ; while, with her head bowed fobr yard. ward upon her hands, and resting against the But the sound of rapid and heavy footsteps flower-shaded window-casing, she seemed to be coming up the avenue which led from the main endeavoring to subdue her evident agitation. street did arouse her ; and the color rushed into " Forgive me if I have offended you Miss her pale cheek, as she recognized young Arnold Prescott. I have spoken all that I have to sa in the approaching visitor. now. No one else knows m feelingss, noh "lam on the road to fulfill my mother's bid- they; but when I amn tebattle-ld 1all ding," she murmured. "I believe the fool loves think of you, and try to win a name of which me; and if he does, I will so fan the flame that no man need be ashamed." he will do my bidding, even if hell yawns in his "Yam not angry with you, Mr. Arnold," re- way. But he must rise first-rise till he over- plied Luona, in a tone which fell like ravishing topples all his fellows-else a fall will not hurt music on Arnold's ears. Your preference is him. Mother, if thy spirit lingers yet where it flattering, indeed; but my recent bereavement can look upon thy child, aid thou her to do thy forbids me, at present, to think of anything dying will." else." Scarce had those low-spoken words left her And, as she said this, she extended her hand, lips, when Arnold reached the threshold of the small and white, to him. open door, and she appeared there to welcome He took it; and, as he pressed it to his burn- him, in her gentlest tones. After he had en- ing lips, lie said : tered, taken a seat, and the customary saluta- "Oh ! lady, you are an angel I" tions of the evening had been interchanged, "So you told Elnathan, this afternoon," she Arnold said : replied, archly ; "but you must beware, lest "You sent a most singular messenger to me, you find me more Satanic than heavenly." this afternoon, Miss Prescott, requesting to "I fear it not, fairest and best of your sex," know what was the cause of my mustering my said he, again kissing the jeweled hand, which company by the alarm signal." was not withdrawn. "Yes. Elnathan is indeed an oddity; yet "A truce to compliments, Mr. 4nold, or he seems a very faithful, honest fellow," she re- captain, I should say." plied. "Plain Benedict, Miss Luona; only to that do TIe-reason of my calling out my company, I aspire." was news which will soon force me from your "It is almost too early in a courtship to talk most agreeable society," continued Arnold. of being a Benedict yet !" said the witty girl, "Indeed, sir! Pray what is the news ?" with a low and musical laughs; "but, as I was "The colonies are at open war with the saying, drop compliments for the time and let troops of the mother country. Blood has been us talk of business." shed freely on three several occasions ; and the "Of business, Miss Prescott ?" cried Arnold, people have arisen and besieged the British in surprise. troops.it Boston. I have between one and two "Yes, sir; for, as you will find, I have the hundred men recruited, and shall soon start for practical, as well as the ideal, in my composi- the fiehl." tion. With nearly or quite men enough to "Where you will win fame and glory, and form a battalion, you are about to enter the perhaps forget those whom you leave behind service of your country. You are a captain, you," said the lady, in a well-assumed tone o now-soon, undoubtedly, will be a major, per- sadness. haps a colonel. Uniforms, horses, trappings, "There are those, Luona--forgive me Miss and arms cost money. You are poor." Prescott-I used that cherished name inadvert- "My misfortune, not my crime, lady t" said enthy--there are those in this village whom no the young officer, blushing. fame or glory could cause me for an instant to "Now you do me an injustice," said the lady. forget." "My motive was not to wound your feelings, "I have heard,.sir, that you had formed but to insist uponyour accepting a loan from some attachments in the place," said the lady, me sufficient to fit you out genteelly, so that. coldly. you may go into service as proudly al more "'me attachments, Miss Prescott? Why wealthy competitors. -When you are a eneral must I be so misapprehended by the only one you can repay me." on earth whose good opinion I care for and "But, lady, I may fall in battle." court, beyond my mother and yourself, dear "Then the debt, ike all other debts, will be lady, there is no oe in the world for whom I canceled! But you will not fall. I am a pro- feel th least affection. Forgive me, if, in this phetess. Honor and fame are before you ! Do haour, when I m about to part with you-per- you see yon bright star ?--that which almost faps forevertI speak too plainly the feehings centres in the heavens? Look, just to the east of a full heart. Itis in vain, under such cir- of the moon." eunastanees, that I try to conceal a lo s which, "I observe it" otherwise, I should have endeavore to hide " Well, keep it ever in view. It is my natal until I hid at least a hove of its return." star, else I ama no astrologist. Close upon its M~ ° M I I V 9 i page: 14 (Illustration) [View Page 14 (Illustration) ] 14 LUONA PRESCOTT; OR, right, observe another, which seems to waver in daddy fit in the French and Injun war; and its light-now bright, now dim. It betokens a there never was a Goodrich yet that hadn't grit life of danger and vicissitudes. That star is in him." yours. It seems to borrow light from mine." "Well, if you wish it, you shall go with ' "It does--it does !" said Arnold, enthusias- Captain Arnold, and be attached to his own tically, as he looked up from the open window. person." " So long as that star remains in sight, all " As to that, Miss Lona, I'm kinder attached will be well with you," continued Luona. "But to him now-been so ever since he gin me that% I warn you to beware of the hour when it is bright dollar." no longer to be seen ! And now excuse me a "You don't understand me, Elnathan. I moment." mean that instead of going into the ranks, you She retired into her private room ; but soon can act as a kind of valet to him." returned, bearing in her hand a bag of guineas. "A what, marm?" "'Take these," she said,"and use them freely. "A valet-that is, see to his tent, uniforms, and when you need more, a line from you will and all that." comman-1 all that you require." "Jest so ! A kind o' help ?" ' "Oh! ;elv, you will crush me with the "Exactly." weight of vur generous kindess." "I'm dreadful feard if I go for that I won't Speak-not c~ it ; you will only pain me by have no chance fora pop at the British, marm." so doing. I am rich, and have no use for money "0 yes, the best in the world ; for he will be except to Irocure pleasure ; and this is a pleas- at the head of his men, and you will be with ore to me." him." "Ah ! lad, I know not how to thank you I" 'Jest so! I see it now; and I'll go, Miss "I ask nothing. but that you will strive to Lona, and thankee, too. And-if you'll letdaddy !hI rise in the tield of glory." stay here in my place, he'll do almost as well as j "JLadv, I shall need no incentive but thoughts me about the house and garden. He's awful of you. ~1 will rise or perish in the trial !" spry for a man of nigh seventy ; and hadn't gotiII lie not so rash ! Prudence goes hand in no fault but being' hard o' hearing. " hand with true valor, always. When will you " That is an excellent fault-it is well to be start?" deaf and dumb too, sometimes."1' " Either to-morrow evening or next day "Jest so, marm. If you say so, I'll send for morning." him."H c "For my sake, defer your march until after "Do so, Elnathan." sunrise on the next day morning. I hawe some- The old man now turned away, but quicklyt- thing to prepare for you." wheeled around and said:iIic! "Your w-hces are laws to me, and I obey " I haven't got a gun, marm-what shall I do I/ them." about that/?" "'lTen I will witness your departure in per- "Captain Arnold will supply that want." - son. If not otherwise engaged, call over with "Jest so ! thanked marm." our mother, and spend to-morrow evening And Elnathan departed, to tell Barbara of ere." the prospect of " blood and glory " which lay a "I will do so most gladly, kind lad'. Dur- before him. Pug tt dav, Iex pect to be much occupied; for "Elnathan is shrewd and cautious. Through I have taken mans to spread the news far and him I can be made constantly acquainted with near, and shall recruit as large a force as possi- Arnold's every movement," murmured Luona ble," said A rnold ; and then, depositing the to herself, when she was again alone. gold in his pocket, he rc se and took his leave. Scarcely al lihe left the front-yard, when the scmi-hoop'form-no offence intended, ladies of CHAPTER VII. the preseat day-of Elnathan appeared before nuu AND RECRUIlTraG-'riiK DANNER AND Tilt Luon', an 1, in an abashed manner-for her cool Maanctn. hauteur heal rather taken him down-he said : The next day was a busy one with the youn "lPleac, marm, if 'tien t a secret too good captain-also witti the much-pleased landlo I for common creeturs to know, will you tell me of the village tavern ; for Arnold treated freely what oai !c the casting train his men to-day ?" as did also other patriots, who, though too old "Yes." said Luna. "'The colony of Massa- to go themselves, wished to encourage others to chi,,'tL is mt war with the British." take the field. Rum is a very efficient aid in "Then, Icy jingo it's time sister Connecticut recruiting. It fires up the veins, and aids the 'ined in'"~-xelcimied Elnathan, bringing his music in inspiring martial ardor. It drives horny hiam i down upon his thigh, with a report away fear, and, for the time, makes a herofrom hike a muskt. g ta very coward. But such courage is not to be - Wculc1 ou like to go to the ware with Cap- relied on; for, as with liquor, evaporation takes tamn Arnold" ccntmiued Luona. away all its spirit. Rum, moreover, is an able " Woul in't I ? Only jest you say the word, aid to the recruiter; for it takes awayall mem- 1-- MikLana, a i, eee! 3oth my daddy and gran'- ory of home, of other duties, of sweet and cher- , ' !i . i .i 1 ktr ,a i i t i e , t I by y x ;; 4 " ' ij y #i a , ., ,j ,r i : , ., , . ; , , " ' i !! r F I' ! 1 i S 1 ' I + i i 1 't " i page: -15[View Page -15] TILE CURSE FULFILLED. ished scenes from the mind of the recruit, and "Cass you, did you do that?" yelled keeps him insensible to them until it is useless som, fairly dancing a miserere from pain. for him to awake-lie is bound to the service. " Jest so!" said Elnathan, Coolly. Rum, at this very time, enlists two-thirIs of the must lar to keep out of the way when sh privates in our army, ain- necessity picks up irons re handled." the other third. Ask any officer, and lie will "You shall go with me, Mr. Gooric - tell you so. ,Ennathan, as I shall henceforth call you, Recruits came pouring in from every side. Arnold, after he had read Luona's note Sturdy fathers came with their sons--ranging will see yon again this evening, and give from sixteen years of age upward-b. iiiig fial direction." their rusted guns, old and ha-ked swords, which "Jest so" sad Enthan. " I knowed had seen service in the hands of generations bit o' paper would pass me." passed away, and ninny an odd accoutrement. " Will you nut ink a glass of toddy? The topirs hung around, as usual, with ium tined the eeer. Blossom at their head ; for the chances of an " No, thuikee, captain, no, thanked. I occasional treat were suffcient to cause them to touch sperrits-dont think they're good f brave (?) the sarcastic remarks fr. ely indulged in stomach nor head either, 'elpt'in case o' by those who had rponded to the call for re- tal sickness. My mother seen a drunken crits. about six weeks afore I was horn, nod I e By night. Arnold had enlisted nearly three that set me so agin it that the smell out humired men, and lie closed his miuster-roll-= make me heave all hut my toe-nails up ! giving directions for all of his mna to be assen- " You are quite excusable then,' sail A bled by sunrise in the morning, on the village laughing " and I shall he weil pleased to green ; for, having got his recruits, he wished a sober ai steady man about my person. to keep theta clear of the tavern afterward. you must try to told yourself upright They were also toli to have at least four days' position of a soldier. provision in their haversacks ; and to carry no " ll try, capting. But, you see, I got baggage but a change of shirts ani a pair of over withlhard work when I was a boy blankets. ' you know the ol saving: ' As the twig us One scene which occurred, however, was too the tree indines. good to have our readers miss ; therefore we " Yes, if you do your best T shall not give it. plai," said Arnold and then walked Einathan Goodrich was seen advancing to- dismiss his men while the last accept ward the tavern, hearing a very long, rusty, cruit hurried home, to let Miss Prescott big-barreled, hell-nmuzzled tucking-gun, which of his success. looked as if it would chamber at I ast. half a * * * * pound of sht; antd girded to his side, with Not a cloud could be seen in heaven's the point of its iroti seaboard trailing tg2elitd concave en the next mtrning's sit himi on the ground, was a sabre, uwmh was The dew liuneg ing gemmaeiny durtops upon b- heavy entough to have heen used dhoti le-hiandetd and lowver ;antd the zephytrs breaithet1 by the kuiihts of the days of " Cnur de Lion." lest they should displace them. Troug As lie caine upl, stridinig along with hus p pleasant air rolieh the pealing of thev lengthy legs, bent forward a usual, a general hells; and the shrill file, with the ra " snicker "' wais seen in the crowd ; hut lie was dirtum, almost tdrowntetd the imutsic of the not one to heed such demonstrations. which sung from among the lofty tree-to "Capting," said he, " I want you to put my Arntld, at an early hour, was on the g name down for your train-band,h ere I be, and hs men came pouring in, fall ng in armed and equipped as the law directs." as fast as they arrived. Iis own company "Don't you think you are rather old for hard the right; for they were in uinifulrlon, andl l sers ice, Mr. Gooduich, ?" replied Arnol. kindly remarkably w~ell. The others were fine-lo -for lie dlid not wish thn ill-wvill of one who men ; but, not yet bteinig in uniform, di -dwelt with, Mis- Prescott. make co good a'dhisplay as the fist-namie "Darned the bit, capting! I'm seasoned, Three strong wagons, with four horses d'ye see-worth a dozen of them 'ere sreen uns- of each, stood near b, into which the that's sappy and weak vet. Read this 'erc; I were directed 10 place their huaversac reckon that'l pass me." blankets, and extra auuiition, si as to And he handed him a note. en themselves fr the march ;. and Arnol " From Miss Prescott ?" asked Arnold, as he also collected some tents, and old sail fro glanced at the superseription. sels in the harbor to make more ; for h ".Jest so!" replied Elnathan, bringing his deterinedabl to take the fiel" in a gun ftrim a hiotiltder to ian urder', andh uninzten- sense, f-omu the very start, so as to use hi tionally settlitnt its butt heavily on Mr. Blos- to service. son's toes-that individual having put himself By ten o'clock all was reat for a star rather to far forward, in his anxiety to get a the commander still fingered, for he ha glance at the note which Arnold hehl. requested so to do, by Luona-who, with 1 15 Blos- 'You ootia' li-or ' said you 1tha t 'con- never or the mor- man xpect would 'nold, haveI But a the bent ;and bent, com- out to d re- know ublue arose. ranch softly, hi the illage ttling birds, PS. reen ; o line y took ooked okiig d not d. ahead men s, and light- d had in yes- e was literal is men t; but d been IsOVO- * . " page: 16-17[View Page 16-17] LUONA PR) ral other ladies, had been mysteriously busy all the day before, and also from the dawn of that da\'. IlIs men were becoming impatient, when a dputttrn of young ladies was seen approach- in, head lvnirona, who looked magnificently beautiful, like a peers queen, surrounded by her maids of honor. As they applroaiched, Arnold "dressed" his hnes, ant when they halted, a few feet before him, the order came from his lips : Present arms! At a tng from Luona, Elnathan stepped for- ward, be .ring a banner, which was furled around a neat and serviceable statf of oak. This sh- unfurled ; and as she did so, deafen- ing cheers arose from every lip. It wtas t snow-white sitk ; and upon one side these WIr wr-e inset ibel, in crimson letters: "riis: I trips OY NEW LOrNIoN tAIL THEIR On the otherr silt, sets a full-lhngt i likeness of their b ras e otting etain, sn ho otinted with hiA swerd at at bllo re I star aove his head. Upon it nas this motto . " 1;a i 5w11in or i0ME ."'' When the celt-rs were mitewlat subsided, Luonau in a ct ar and nI t!tlitous ti ce, which lon s rung in tih ears of th-to who heard it, sail "('aptain A inol, anad gnt lmtin, all: The ladies of this atilage, irlt."1s wii hi a grateful sense of vtmr valor,ant I th-tcritites which you make in le av ini y our cimt fr tale humies to aveit.:e wr tog, secure ri.iit, a it l ito unis the m.i reenary ft- Onth itlnalt- ti1r tsthres, have trared tfr yon this iatnr. Though it may b bllet-tint tan 1 battle stained, tnsamguined nar is-wiith rte li-tideI of tou1r iavt--t atIn your . 1 1 ''I-t- th ii iesr, wit1rr, tt Io t it~ fali int'oI i t he bantf t a em nu tti of f reed'toml!" S te p ,"ti . "Never, mtt r.m n- h-m 1us, the God of ii s '" r--e itn one unis cral -1it0ut frttmi the pt Iirt- \Ve lhieve yx\ou! '" ctitru -L- uonira -' anti wel Iid ti farewell, nit sititr, but with smi; f r you go frot us in a just and holy cat- - ' A:itold feIt as if ht ciulI, thn ind there, ha.- k m-it atntI wotr-ltiped- i r, while lie gazed upt a her. Never heftire hal shit, seemed to h imi so beauntiftl-lter dark eves full anI flashing- her tall fortm drawn to iis ut most heiit, her bosom heaving with etotioi, her color height- ened. In a few words, eloquent andi patriotic, he re- ceived t hi larnner, titail-d a color ntrard " for its tpec. l lpro-eeiont, bett low and kissed her hanl, then iavet' tlhe order to march. light all:tant ly his imei moved on, amid the ceers of theyounbsg h1tv ant he old men who Were itt bt- li behttind, ~and tthe waving of many a kerchief--which did the double duty of wip- ESCOTT ; OR, ing away tears, as well as bannering their de- parture. -When the force was passing the inn, a depu- tation of several, healed by Mr. Blossom, ac- costed the young leader, bearing the invitation of the inn-keeper to them to stop and take a parting drink all round, This was promptly declined, and the men marched on; while Blossom, blushing-not from the rebuke which Arnold gave him for his want of patriotism, but from repeated doses of rum-returned to the inn to console the land- lord for his disappointment, by offering to drink for each and every one of the company. Soon the sount of the fifes and drums died away, the boys ceased cheering, and the village seemed almost deserted. CIiA'I'ml VIII. THE ARRIVAL AT CAaMnIJD(iE, AND TILE WELCOME-- A COLONEL S COMMISSION AND WORK AHEAD- ELNATIiAN AN) HIS HORSE. 'the arrival of young Arnold and his small force was hailed with delight at Cambridge. Not that men were scarce-for patriots were hurryimg im, in immense numbers, from every side-but because lie looked and seemed to be an ofitcer of skill, and his men were well drilled and disciplined. Not a corps in the young armia could vie with them upon this point ; and the Matssachiusetts council at once ctonferred the raik of colonel upon Iiti, ant increased his ranks front their own volunteers-for the conti- nental army was not yet organized, nor had Vashington taken the comniand. Olicers, at that era, who understood military tactics and the art of war, were very mue needed. Raw recruits were to be drilled into preparation to meet veterans, who had been led to victory on many a Europeann attle-field - and who were ith byoflicers that had been reared, frot childhood u, in the camp. Attoldlanti ever otfheer there found that they thinlemough todo to endeavor to produce aiythiig like orer atongst the heterogeneous mass assembled--armed with every conceiv- able weapon, wviitioutunifoirrmity of dress, and as iidelendent as if each individual ws a gene- ral, at the lowest calculation. Ye-t ranonttr hemttrthere wssone uniformity it was their' biiiei-hatred to British oppression -their united deteruminattion to resist it to the death Otto thing was much wanted in the American camp-artillery and its necessary ammunition. They were besieging a regular army in Boston, which was well provided with stores and arms of every'kind; an which, providentially for tiert, did rtt scon to knowtheir weakness, or at least refrtained from mairking a general sally -atohich, at such a time, would have been very apt to e successful. Tie English govern men very heavily condemned that inactivity in their generals and veterans, which allowed an army of men, not half armed or provided with warlike THE CURSE F munitions, to organize, form lines of defences, and eventually, under Washington, to force their evacuation from Boston, when they could" have been so easily crushed at first. Yet when we consider what a terrible lesson they had so recently received at Bunker Hill, it can hardly be a matter of wonder that they should be cau- tious. Arnold --whose ambition, even then, was boundless, saw this great need of having artil- lery; and having noticed, in several trading trips which he had made to Canada, before tie war, the careless state of defence of some of the frontier forts, his active mind suggested the capture of these, with their artillery and muni, tions. lie laid his plans before the Massachu setts Council, or Committee of Safety-for thoe Continental Congress was not yet organia and they were received with immense favor. To rmake the expedition successful, it'd deemed inexpedient to send any troops away froni Cambridge ; lest the enemy, suspecting their destination, would "express" the news to Canada,haud give the forces there time for prep- aration and defence. The secret was carefully kept; and Arnold, with orders from them to raise four hundred men in the western part of the colony on his route, started with a small retinue of eight or ten officers and servants on his emission. IIe left the camp in the night, and none but those who were chief in power knew of his absence, or at least of its cause. But others there were who had ambition and patriotism also, and whose eyes had also sighted the prizes to be had at Ticonderoga and Crown Point. The colony of Connecticut had sent a commission thitherward ; and Ethan Allen, with a band of brave Green Mountain boys, was hastening forward, even before Arnold left Cambridge. The latter heard of this only after he had started, and ie pushed forward with all pos- sible speed, not waiting to enlist men ; for he heard that Allen and Warner had got men enough together, and lie supposed that ,his commission fromt the Massachusetts council would give him the command, and that Allen and lus men would at once acknowledge his rank and obey his orders. The speed with which the young officer traveled was rather annoying to his attendants, who had not then got used to such " break-neck work ;" but his spirit then, as afterwards, leap- ed over all obstacles ; and he spurred forward, night and day, despite their. groans and com- plaints. One there was who would appear to be, more than all the rest, liable to suffering-he was so sharp-boned, angular, and thin-fleshed, and so encumbered with his long gun and sabre-yet no complaint came from the lips of our whilom friend, Elnathan Goodrich, chief valet and body-guard to Colonel Arnold. Mounted on a very hiugh, raw-boned, and solemn-looking horse --which, from its length of legs alone, looked as ULFILLED. 17 if speed must be in them-he rode on as seri- ously as if the weight of the nation's weal, or woe was settled upon his shoulders. He never smiled, and seldom spoke ; but when he did, he always said something so dry and peculiar, that it brought many a laugh from those who heard him. ""mAre you no tIred, Elnathan 2" asked Ar- nold, one even' , after they had gone some forty miles witout halti "Be yo w lie -'reply, Yankee-tiely given, by5 - question. "N e colonel. " f said Elnathan ; and he prod- ded: hi: s the sides of his horse with ; .:CHAPTER IX. AND THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS. right May morning-the 9th day of that onth, 1775, when Arnold and his jaded servants and friends, only ten in number, after riding all night, arrived at Castleton, and drew up before a little tavern in that place. Their horses were worn down, and the riders, covered with dust, did not seem to be in much better condition. The young officer, who, as was usually his case, was very particular in his personal appear- ance, passed in at once, followed by Elnathan, with his portmanteau, and inquired fora private room, in which to change his apparel. This was a difficult thing to get, for the house was full of company, and the small village seeded crowded with people. But room was finally got for the purpose ; and in a short time, Col. Arnold reappeared in all the glory of clean linen and a new Continental uniform, looking as Elnathan said, "as nice as a new pin." He then condescended to inquire what was the cause of such a large concourse of people in the village, lie was informed by the land- lord that'Colonels Allen and Warner were there with a body of militia, which they had collect- ed, and were going somewhere or other to fight the British, or so he "reckoned." "I should like to see Colonel Allen!" said Arnold. "There he stands, talking to them men there!I" said the landlord, pointing to a tall, rough-looking, red-faced man, dressed very plainly, and looking as though he had just come from a plaw-field. "I'll call him. Hey, Colonel Allen ---here's a feller wants to see you!" Arnold. rather choked at being considered a "feller," nor did he much like the little respect exhibited in Allen's reply, who said: "Tell him to hold on till I get through with the boys here, and then I'l see him!" The young colonel did "hold on," but rather impatiently, for, deeming himself the superior of the other in every way, and naturally of an imperious disposition, he felt himself almost insulted by such treatment. - Y page: 18-19[View Page 18-19] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, After gstting through with the "boys," as he.tcrmi it tithharl imountaineers, with whom he had hii iocouversing, Allen approached Ar- noldn.! t ifer Ikint at hm from head to foot, as if Ii was iipictitig 1i3 fitness for service, he said. mi a c"li, ler i w ty : Yiu tbl the t tvern- keeper just now that you w niicid to see mte, yi4 fan !" " e-- n lie twncity o mutes ago, I did !' r hi ArnoIld, wi asperity in both I-k mil tone. " Well, I was b1uy then on want with ie t iske lAlk n.t dra short pipe, nill inning to aran it with fliit aid steel for in t matches ire ukoiwn. My i:inie is A rnol Benedi I holdi aiicotusion as colonel fro chosents conoiittee of Saf«-ty." Uii h !wliat i that to me ?" e oontin thie occlla ition of lighting his pipe, very conlv. I h.ie otrde to proceed to capture Ticon- dero i t;iii 4ow inPout !" " i b t:- ireour ien ?" asked Allen, put- i n p Ilu' il ste.-I, and sending out a ohun- i -t rii ii is pipe. " i i".r-to 13in Ii i reruited a siifiieent force t . rsi ii h , edition, whicl I have nam I . i t P 1 to you ? I sli I ti t chief command and proceed with t ia }l oiir wn !'said Arnold, coolly. '1I b n ! t m w l !Young man, do you know w y ii sir t ilkitg to ?" "lo un eii i E han Allen " V-, ('uon l tlitn Allen, commissioned by the Sut-t of i'.tinecticut, ani if you utter an- other wiI aloti takiitg command of my men, they'll drum vii out of sight with the 'rogues' march.'" thitred the oil colonel, his face reddenito. sie tie so excited, that he crushed his pip 'til pin bis Ihtnd, as if it had been paper,j and bini--i h s ti-gteirs in the act. lit. cr, myvcoiuliiissiosin "UD-n \3uil anI Iyiour commission! Here you come willh a liav-ac'tor's gauds on your back, and no men, tol offer to take command of me and my tin, ndttl to go and try to do the work which I trill do before I'm three days older!" Arnol ias very angry, but he saw that the conversation was~ drawing listeners, and not wishing i ' his patriotisni to injure the cause of his coitit r yby ill-timed personal quarrels, he said. ciatily : I do nit wish to interfere with any arrange- ments yo have nie. sir, and if you will per- mit it, will nccoimpany you as a mere volunteer, and will fight by your side 1" Niuw you talk sense 1" said Alien, who was quick to angor, and quickly over it. "I've no objection to that, come in and take a rum sling with me, nmd we'll talk matters over like men and friends, for you must have some soldier in you, in spite of your dressy clothes, or them old chaps down at Boston wouldn't have made you a colonel at your age I" Arnold was now introduced to Warner and other officers; and though his proud and ambi- tions spirit wus bitterly chafed by his peculiar position, he restrainedtin exhibition of his feel- ings, and endeavored by his sociability to erad- icate any symptoms of antipathy which his first appearance and conduct might have creat- ed toward lin on their parts. In this he tol- erally well succeeded-for they were plain, warmi-hearted people, unused to the mts of dis' simulation, and as such, not calculated to hold malice or feel undue prejudice. Thus the day wor.on ph-asantly, and with perfect unanimnity the arrangements for the expedition were made, for 'T'iconderoga was near, only across a narrow portion of the lake, within a few hours' imnareh ; 4 the gathering of Allen's men had been so aMden, and yet so secret, that his destination was not suspected : in truth, it was openly supposed that the Cuntinental camp, in tint of Bostii, was the place to which they meant to march. CIIAPIIEl X. TuiE CAPirE OF' TiCONDFROOA, IN TH E NAME Or Tu a:tiAT JEIOVAiH AND THE CONTINENTAL A s soun ms night had drawn her friendly cir- tain over the movements of the Aimericans, tiiy hgao to leave town in small parties, hay- ing directions to meet at a precincerted ren- d-zvou, from whence they were to advance by a rapid, :urced march to the )lace where hioats had len oilered to lie collected, ready for their eiiibarkaion. The night w-as dull ai'd drizzly, and nut the best for travel, but served the double purpose of conceding their movements and keeping stragtgling people, who iad no business abroad, at home. It was but little after mid- iight, when A len with the advance, accompani- ed iy Arnotd and his scanty suite, reached the position opposite the fort, from which they in- tended to embark. But the difficulty was to get boats for the crossing . Not enough to cross more than seventy or eighty could he got. But Allen was the last main the world to tarn back when lie started, the last to lit any ob- stacle thwart him; he was as obstinate and persevering as ever Arnold was, and no one could lie more so So, with a young man for a guide who knew the position -ani entrances of the fort well, Allen anti a picked body of men embarked in the few boats which were ready, inteniding to at once send hack for the men left with Colonel Warner, after the first detachment had been landed. But the dawn was already streaking the east, when they, numbering altogether only about eighty men, stood upon the shore. Thny could dimly see the dark-grey battlements of the fortress rising sternly in their front. in short grape shot range, and knew well that if its gar- rison was alarmed in a few moments iron death the gallant officer, and the man was disabled in would be hailed upon them in destructive another instant. showers. Theirs as a position of fearful peril. They were now in the open parade-ground ; The boats were lrea on their way to the and forming in two lines, so as to face the Mbai- . other shore ; but1lo fore they could return rack , they gave three hearty cheers, and stood with more men, the swift increasing light would prepared to shoot down every one who offered reveal their position and scanty numbers, draw to resist. Led by his faithful guide, Allen -the fire of the enemy, and undoubtedly assure rushed to the doorof the room in which the their utter annihilation. British commander of the fort, Captain Dela- "What do you think we'd better do, colon- place, was ;leepie, and thundered against it el?" asked Allen of Arnold. with the hilt ofih heavy sabre. "Advance and storm the fort if we can get The arese4oflcer hurried to the door, in it. In ten minutes we'll be under their fire if very s-aty ents, and asked what was the we stay here, for-it will be light enough then .ter. for them to see us'!" ,#S . -this instant, or you're a dead sol- "You speak my sentiments, to a notch!" 4len, raising his sword. said Allen. "I only asked to see what stuff and by what authority ?" cried you were made of !" t-aed officer. Then he turned to his men, Who had arog . : me, in the name of the Great Jehovah i to previous orders formed in column oidida & the Continental Congress 1" thundered th beach, and said, pointing to the fort: Allen. "Look. at my men there, hungry for "Boys, in ten minutes we must be inside of blood! Speak quick, or I'll lot them at it!" that stone pile. I've been sent to take it, and "I surrender.!" said the mortified officer; I mean to de it ! No noise now, but follow me. and, dressing himself, he mustered his dis. The man who fires a gun, or speaks loud before armed men, and gave them up as prisoners of me, eats cold iron! Come on1" war. There was no reply ; that was forbidden, but This had scarcely been done, when over a every man grasped his gun more firmly, as they hundred more men arrived from the other side strode on after that grim and fearless man, for of the lake ; but there was nothing for them to all they knew, into the very jaws of death, to do-the surprise had been complete and blood- attack one of the strongest forts in North less. America. And its importance may be judged from the There was true heroism. Not amid shouts fact, that they captured one hundred and twenty and cheers-not to the peal of the trumpet, or pieces of cannon, fifty swivels, two large mor- the sound of the brazen drum-not with a tars, a howitzer, ten tons of musket-balls, seve- thousand to see, or lips to applaud their courage, pal cart-loads of flints, a large number of ms- moved that firm phalanx, that true "forlorn kets, ate., etc., all of which were much needed hope"-but in silence and in gloom, they hur- by the Continental army. ned on, prepared to die or achieve a victory. Aftel sectring the prisoners and posting sen- On, uptie hill they strode-Allen and his tinels--so that he should not be surprised- patriot-guide in advance, Arnold following Allen permitted his men to refresh themselves close behind ; on, until they stood in the shad- and rest ; but, as soon as possible, he sent a ow of the frowning walls-stood near a covered strong detachment of men. with Colonel 'War- entrance, or sally-port, guarded only by a sea- ner, to take the fortress at Crown Point, which, siel. though delayed by a severe storm, was event- Here the gallant Arnold paused, that his men ally taken on the 12th of the same month, or might close up-paused for an instant, ere he two or three days after the taking of Ticonde- made the dash upon which success or defeat roga. would depend. Allwas still within. No sound fell upon their ears save the quick breathing of CHAPTER XI. the excited men. Did the sentinel sleep upon TIn STAROLIMtSIS OUT AGAIN, AND YET AGAIN his post? Was he dreaming of the loved ones - IS CLOUDED. left behind him in "merry England ?" A couple of days only hail elapsed since the It grev lighter. "Advance "" was whispered capture of Ticonderoga, when a company of along the dense column, now closed up. The some thirty or forty recruits came on to Join leader was in the covered way, when-" Who Arnold, which had been collected by an omeer comes there 1" came startling upon every ear ; whom he had left behind, for that purpose, and a musket was leveled at his breast and when he made his rapid movement to overtake snapped ; but Allen's hour had not arrived--it Allen. missed fire. In he rushed, to alarm the fort ; The prisoners taken at Ticonderoga, as well but close upon his heels sped Allen and his as many of the stores, had been at once sent on men, well guided by his voice ; and, in another to Connecticut by Allen, as well as a protest minute, they were inside of the walls. Here an- from Arnold, claiming the chief command, and other sentinel made a -deadly thrust at Allen a remonstrance on Allen's part-the last of with his bayonet; but the blow was parried by which, coupled with his sooss, caused him 1A 18 r'I9 TIIE CURSE FULFILLED. page: 20 (Illustration) [View Page 20 (Illustration) ] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, eventually to be sustained in his position, not only by the Council but by Congress. When Arnold found himself at the head of a company which really acknowledged him as leader, the tire of ambition and the embers of disappointment which had rankled so fiercely in his bosom, began to burn anew; and again praduing his commission, he demanded to be considered as the commander-in-chief of the fortresses and forces on the frontiers. "Young man, you had better' o back to Boston ! You're too tall for ti s tude, and may break your back by stooping aid Allen, liugliing at this demand. .- I )o you refuse to acknowledgany autho ity ?" asked Ara id, reddening. 1 - Seeing that you have no authority, _ tliik I do!" said Allen, adding an o , eincher to his remark. "The day will soon come, sir, when you will have to know ue as your superior !" said Ar- nll. In the meiantimre, I'll-"' " Well, what will you do " asked Allen, see- ing that Arnold hesitated. " (o and win laurels while you are sleeping !" raid Arnold, bitterly. " don't ! you are green enough now !" said Allen, tauntmngly. Colonel, jest you let rue take that old chap down a leetle '" said Elnathan, at this juncture; for he was indignant at seeing his master snub- bed in that way. "Silence, sii'! vou have other business to at- tend to !" said Arnold, sternly. Then, turning to one of his own officers, he bade him muster his own men, and make ready for an expedition. This done, he turned abruptly away from Allen, and went to his own quarters. That night he encamped some distance down the lake from the fort ; and sent out to pur- chase boats, wherever they could be found. He told no one of his plans or destination; but seemed bent on some desperate enterprise which should throw Allen's successful but bloodless capture in the shade. And he wanted some- thing to occupy him, and keep him apart from Allen until he had received an answer from the authorities to his protest ; for he felt assured that the Marsachusetts Council would insist up- on his commission being respected. Though his men, wearied from a rap'd.march, slept, excepting only his sentinels, Arnold was awake ; and for hours paced to and fro along the beach, waiting for his boats, attended only by Elnathan, who could not be induced to leave him. He had "promised Miss Lony to stick by him," he said ; "and darn him into pewter buttons if he wouldn't !" Shortly after midnight, a schooner, or yacht, which had belonged to Major Skene, of Skenes- boro'-a story, whose "good advice" contributed afterward more to the defeat of Burgoyne than anything else-was brought down ; and, as the wind was fair, Arnold at once embarked his men on board, and made sail for St. John's-a fortified town on the Sorel river, near the lake, with which he was well acquainted. This act was full as desperate, if not more so, than Allen's attack upon Ticonderoga; for Ar- nold had onlyabout fifty men, and the chances were that news had reached St. John's of the irruption of the Americans, and that the garri- son would give imu a warm reception. But the young leader, ever rash, did not pause to count the cost, or reflect upon the danger. Well ac- quainted with the place, he stood boldly to- ward it ; and, with his men concealed below, entered the harbor in the broad light of day. There lay at anchor a war sloop, and several smaller vessels, which he boarded and took as he passed ; and then landing, before .it was known that he was an enemy, he secured the rison, which consisted of a sergeant and ye men, without losing a man upon his side. Loading his vessel and the sloop with store from the fort--which he knew he could not hold with so small a force, when a heavy force of British was near-he hoisted sail again and run up the lake, before a wind which had chopped around in his favor. On the ensuing day, ie had returned to with- in a short distance of Ticonderuga, and the wind had died away into a calm, when Allen made' his appearance with nearly two hundred men, in boats, bound upon the very expedition in which Arnold had forestalled him. "Where are you from, sir ?" asked Allen, when he came within hail of Arnold. "From St. John's," was the curt reply. "Eli? did they drive you off?" asked the astonished old veteran. "No, sir; I took the fortoand these vessels, and have the garrison prisoners !" replied Ar- nold, delighted at the chagrin of Allen. "Why didn't you keep it?" asked Allen gruffly. "Because I had other fish to fry. You are good at garrison duty; you had better go and retain it, while I capture few more !" " Umph! it is an important post, and must be garrisoned !" muttered Allen, and he pro- ceeded on his way ; but he never reached St. John's. The British had gathered in force, and he was obliged to return to Ticonderoga with the loss of several men-to the great delight of Arnold, who hated him bitterly. General Carleton, who had command, in Can- ada, of the British forces, was utterly astound- ed when he heard of the surprise and capture of these important posts; and, instantly send- ing a large garrison to St. John's, ie made ac- tive preparations to attack and try to retake Ticonderoga and Crown Point, with a large force. When this news reached Arnold, he com- menced forming a flotilla to oppose them. He fully armed his schooner and slopp, also several boats from Crown Point, and determined to make a brilliant effort upon the water, and to attack the British before they could land. But 20 I a L page: -21[View Page -21] THE CURSE FULFILLED. his star was not in the ascendant. The repre- sentations made to the Massachusetts Council of his arrogance and assume ptions,were scli.that they appointed a committee of inquiry on his conduct. Thia so mortified and angered him, that he at once wrote a formal letter of resigna- tion, and returned to Cambridge, where lie found General Washington, to whom lie male a full report of his conduct. Such was his de- fence, that the gallant chief placed him imnumedi- ately in an honorable position ; and he never lost confidence in him, or wavered in his friend- ship, until the star of tie misguided man was clouded by his treason at West Point. CHAPTER XII. ELNATIIAN ONCE MORE IN NEW LONDON. Weeks, even months, had elapsed since Ar- nokd and his gallant company had ma.ched from New London, to the stirring music of i he fife and drum. And excepting that, when the mails arrived, the old mien and women, and the cliildrei, eagerly crowded to time office, to re:- ceive news from sons, hiusbitands, or fathers; or the excitement attendant upon the sailing or arrival of a privateer, everything went oiu as usual in the quiet place. Blossom and his as- 'sistant loafers still lingered around the tavern stoop, discussing the topis of the war-the landlord enduring them, because lie had few other customers, and probably considered bad con iyii better than none. Bnt, once in a while, when some military courier rode up to rest his horse, or get a mor- sel of food, all was ex itement until the news was pumped out of him ; and from Blossom's skill mi such matters, lie was fully entitled to the cognomen of Punip-laster General-albeit he w'as no patron of pump-water, when he could get and thing stronger. But, one evening, a few wicks after the stir- ring events narrated in the two preceding chap- ters, a tall, very military-l'ookiing man, galloped into town 111)011 a large tinl raw-btoned chnrger, built nuci upon a model with himself. There were holsters to his saddle, and brass-mounted pistols showed their butts therefromi. Ige spurs garnished his heels; and the sabre which he wore nearly touched the ground with its rusty iron scabbard. lisyell ow-grav hair was dressed neatly, and confined in a cue, which emerged stiffly from beneath his tri-colored hat, and his every look was that of a veteran ; and his voice, too, was gruff, as he reined up in front of the tavern, dismounted, took his holsters and portmateau from the saddl -, and said : "Feed this horse well, rub him down, and have hinm ready for me in two hours, precisely." Time hostler seized the braille, and the obse- quious landlord reached out his hands for the portmnanteau and holsters ; but the soldier said, ml his rough tone : II ii "I reckon I can take care of my own.things." " What's the newsfroii the army, colonel?" said the e eer-lpresent Blossoii. I ain't no colonel !" sail the stranguer, with a look of contempt, as lie turned away Ioma the loafer. "Major; then-do tell us the news !" cried the unaiashed loafer. "" Nor I ain't a major, you mean skunk ! i know yon. Your nue is Blossom ; aii you was afeard to go to the wars with the rest of us, along with Colonel Arnold-who is going' to be a gin'ral, pirty Soon !" Bless moy soul alive ! 'tis Eiunthan Cool- rihtie"cried the landlord. " W bty, how you've entered ! Come, captain, come and take a drink." "I ain't no captain ; nor I ain't trot so bad as ti tech sperruts vet !"said Eluathan---for it was himself, indeed. "Well. you'll smoke a friendly pipe, ani tell us how the colonel is," said the latidlori, anx- ions to detain and lilease one who tvould ie sure ti bring in plenty of custom as soon as it was known that he was there. "I don't use tolaecynrno sicl iuniy etnff; haven't got so lad as Lhat, yet, fit ill l've sarv- ed and fit in the war!" said Einatanum; and lie strode iffl' away from the tavern. "-Blast the -fellow ! I wish his hiirse could talk ; 'le shtouuin't have a bite till I got the ne Ws !" said Ilie lanidlord. " Maybue A=nuld is coning himself, atin sent him oiunhead to tell them of it at hoime," sug- gested lis-om. "S it m uy lie ;it would do no hurt to let the people think so, at any rate," said ihe land- lurd. whose eye was on uisitnss, and that only. 'fake a drink, bloss, and t hen gi round and stir the folks up with that idea." B ossom, being pail in an advance inistall- ment, hurried off to fulfill the desires of Mr. Boniface. * * * * * Luona Prescott was reclining iti her pleasant sittmg-riomit, looki g out upon the Iirds and bees, which fluttered to and fro miid the "low- ers of her gardse. - She looked, as usual, mag- mnficentlt in her disliabille; and, to one who knew her not, her look of dreamy tei o ' and quiet would have Ibeen mst deceitie ; fit' it Iblied her fiery, impulsive nature-it bueled the hot blood in her veins, the wild thoughts of her heart the sttn nature il lier own, the tfierce hate which she felt as she thought of thie oaith which he had taken whet he'r ttutlh'r d:ed, atmd which she never lad regretted. She seemed quite lost in thought ; but., if' so, was sitddenly recalled from lier reverie, by thie entrance of larhatra-n ho came in on a run, in ai terrible flutter, crying: " nmy gracious 1 O my gracious Ie's come-lie's conic I" 21 y r . , t .z t ;} r t. ( I r i page: 22-23[View Page 22-23] * f 22 LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, And she tumbled on a sofa, and commenced him to a point where I can use him, and then-- fanning herself with her apron. then-well, 1 shall net forget my oath f Who has come, Barbarae"lasked the lady, She now went to ,her writing-desk, and an- without, however, exhibiting any excitement. swered his letter. " He-he-he's come ! gasped Barbara, fan- ning herself violently. " Who, in the devil's name, who " asked MissIIAPTER XI Luona, getting angry at the hysterical folly of ChAPTR XWKA D the woman. OUR HERO IN FAVOR, AND woRst AHEAD. "Me, Miss Lona !" said a solemn voice at the door-only me! What that creetur is skeered Arnold was received with every kindness by for, is more than I can tell; for they say I'm Washington, at Cambridge ; and when ihe un- uncommon good-looki' since I've seen sarv- folded to that chief his plans in regard to the iceo o conquest of Canada, he found a ready and at- 'Why, it is Elnathan, surely !" said Luona, tentive listener. lie was given a commission as smiling at the stiff, gaunt figure which stoodia -colonel in the Continental Army ; and eleven the g doorway. hundred men were placed under his command, Yes; don't lie look awful fierce :" gasped with which force he pledged himself to find his Barbara. way into Canada, by the way of the Kennebec "rCome in, lnathan; i'm glad to see you, River and the Chaudiere. The season for start' and wish to talk with you. Barbara, you may ing was late ; but he was hopeful and vigorous- go to your work again," said Luona. enterprising nd active. Within a few days "gAn't you afraid to stay in the room with after the lan was formed and sanctioned by him alone, uss Lona " asked the old servant. General \ashington and a committee from "lie looks so savagiferical !" Congress, his troops were ready for the march- There's so danger in him-do as bid you!" the order being to proceed by land to Newbury- said Miss Luona ; nd the old woman obeyed, port, and thence to the Kennvbee mi vOls- backing out of the room, and keeping an eye Only a few days were occupied by Elnathan, upon Elnathan all the while, in his journey to and from New London. Rath- pThen, when the coast was clear, she motioned cc jaded and'tired, but with a ush of satisfac- the old man to take a seat. tion brightening up his dry and rust-looking, teWhere did you leave Mr. Arnold?" she face, he presented himself in the tent of his aske e d e chief, and drew forth the letters which Luona "I left the colonel with Gin'ral Washington," and Mr,. Arnold, his mother. had intrusted to said Eleathan, who had no idea that a man of his care ; which, enveloped in a bright-colored his masters rank should be mistered in his cotton "noserchif"- s lie called his handker- resece, e cared not by whom, chief--were as unsoiled as wlenl he received 6 presene smilaed nt this an onasked, in a care- them. Luona smiled at this ; an' c " Were all well at New London ?" asked the sWas he well " ofieer, as he hastened to open the letter of the Yes Miss Lona ; but I reckon you'll find younger lady first. out most from his dispatches ;" and lie handed ' "Yes, sir; uncommon well, and glad to see the lad a letter, which he had been specially me and hear froni you,"said Elnath in. " Your deputed ta deliver. mother was ever so hearty; and Miss Lona as The lady opened it and read the contents ; hmarudsome as a hollyhock in July. She's get- but, though E nathan closelyawatched the cx- ting awful purtey,'I tell you. And I saw old prion of her countenance, he could see no Blossom and the rest of his tribe. They tried change there to indicate what her feelings to get the news out o' mei; but 'twas like milk- we eo ing a dry cow! They didn't make no two times W hen do you return to your duty s" she out of me! And Barbara was sheered-I look- asked, after she ba l reclosed the letter. ed so military !" "This evening, Miss Lone. I only came to Elnathan now paused in his communications T bring you that, and see how things went at home for he saw that Arnold, instead of listening to here" he replied, him, was with eager pleasure perusing Miss I will have a package ready for ryou in l'rescott's letter. hIs face, flushcd with a time," she said. Then she added r'ou can pleasant light, indicated tlhe dht whichdher retire, and let Barbara get used to your pres- communication gave him, and he sead to #sence. forget that he was not alone, for as le read, he would exclaim-" Angel---noble thoughts- Yes The lady again looked at the letter, and made I will rise; no one shall o'ertop me oi the lad- comments upon it, after the old man had left der of fame! Angelic girl! she must love me, the room. or she wouldn't write so!" I believe the young fool is getting in love " Irayther think she does, she asked so per- -that is, if one so selfish as he can love !" she tikler 'bout youI" said Elnathan, coolly, as murmured. "I must encourage him till I get Arnold made he last remark. 28 "What are you here listening for ?" thunder upon ioar-frost, and the evening winds were ed the latter, hip face darkening with anger. keen and cold, when Arnold gathered his men " Why you didn't tell me to go, and I ain't at their final rendezvous at Fort Western, on deaf!" said Elnathan. "There isn't no use in the eastern bank of the Kennebec, opposite to your gettin' mad at an old man like me !" the present city of Augusta, capital of the State. " True," said Arnold, a little ashamed of his They we' e on the verge of the then bounds of hasty ebullition. "But you can go and see civilization of our territory in that direction. that my clothes are in order for a march. We Behind them were the farms where the had shall leave here in the morning." left the plow in the furrow, the scythe by the " Where be we agoin', colonel?" asked the swath, and the sickle in ,the grain, at their old man. country's call. Behind them were their homes, "You'll know when we get there-go on and their loving wives, their aged sires, their tender do as I bid you !" , children. Before, the eternal forests of gloomy "I aspectt I shall; but 'twouldn't have been pine reared their tall heads-before them were much waste o' breath or manners to tell a fel- rugged mountains, deep miorasses, rapid rivers her !" muttered Elnathan, as he went out. and, these dangers passed, a land of foemen, to Arnold did not heed the reply, but pressing meet amid the ice and snow. Luona's letter to his lips, he placed it in his Bold, indeed, was the leader who could plan vest. next his heart, and proceeded to read that and dare such perils and such hardships, and which had been written by his mother. This fortunate that lie could inspire a confidence in did not elicit such warm comments from his his men to make them follow where lie led. No ips as the other-showing, alas ! how quickly one but those who have traversed those forests, filial lore is usurped by the passion which is stemmed the rapid current of the upper Ken- born of rosy cheeks and flashing eyes. They nebee-looked upon the rushing eataract of say that is love ! How can it be, when it dies Norridgewock - passed the high ridges and with the beauty which called it into existence? rocky mountains beyond, and then tempted the That blase of passion which springs up from fearful perils of the swift Ciaudiere. can im- beauty only, is like the fire lighted in a bunch agine the hardships which lay before that patriot of withered grass -- fierce for an instant, yet band. Tents had to be discarded, provisions in a moment gone;, not even leaving embers or "packed," or backed, and the highest officer, ashes to mark that it was ! When we think of like the humblest private, forced to "foot" o'er that, and study the philosophy of Mrs. Norton's the pathless route. song of " Love Not "-for philosophy there is It is rather the duty of the historian than the in it--the cooler we keep in such matters, the novelist to detail such matters-; yet, iii those better we feel. days of historic forgetfulness, it is not amiss to Newburyport was nearly as large and quite enbellish even a work of fiction with the graver as important in the time of the Revolution as touches of historic romance. now, or, at least, history tells us so ; for it was As soon as the men reached the upper waters a great fitting-out place for those dashing pri- of the Kennebee, they were obligeI to wade vateers which aided so much in annoying our along the rapids, and push their boats ; and as enemy, and in capturing much-needed stores ice now formed at night, and only melted away for our infant army. When the troops of Col. when the sun was well up, this was no pleasant Arnold arrived there, they created a great ex- procedure-the more especially to such as came citement-far the more that no one but the from the South, of whom there were many ; for leader 'knew whether they were destined. Not in our holy struggle for freedom, the fanatical even the captains of his transports knew what feeling was not alive which defined any lines course to steer, until they opened their sealed like Mason and Dixon's in our common coun- orders at sea, outside of the harbor. Builders try. The leaders, or most of them, on this oc- had been sent, some weeks before, to construct casion, were men to inspire their followers by boats on the Kennebec, opposite the now lively their own example. Morgan was there to head town of Gardiner, but even they were ignorant 'his rifles; Colonel Kit Green, the hero of Red of the purpose for which the boats were wanted. Bank, on the Delaware, was another ; Meigs and Bigelow were others. Enos, the coward, "---who eventually turned back, and was banished fm'om tieae'heey, and shiruntk away inishmamne, CIIAPTER XIV. commanded tie rear-guard; but of that, per- TnE KENNEBEC AND ITS SoURCES -- THE CITAU- l'aps more anin. nIEitE AND ITS DANoS ASSAULT ON QUEBEC Morgan, with three companies of gallant -~MONTOIERY KILLED--ARNOLD WOUNDED. rifles, from Virginia and Pennsylvania, was a man after Arnold's own heart, as his heart was The birch and the maple, the tamarack and then. elm, had already changed their hues of green When Arnold reached his last "carrying- for the gaudier colors of scarlet and of gold ; place," or portage on the Kennebec side, hies which betokened tie approach of the frosts of frce was reduced to nine hundred and fifty ef- deatn to them. The morning sun glittered fective men ; but he was within ten days' march, THE CURSE FULFILLED. r # i . F ( # iF 6 F i E { g d ° 'L 4 F 4 1t'zzG. ' Y -.'s 1r d ' . n 1 + "i ,i '- t a page: 24-25[View Page 24-25] V LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, he .1sppoaed~ of the Chaudiere, nd cheerfully I the clit f command; sickness in the worst shape, they sPosied, on. thet Chaudiere and mr a set g small-pox, was in his camp, and he had to11 they pushed on.lBut nowt storm anti ninst back nd wait fur saiW. in, tlhe rlemient seemed all to work .ait On the wd f d him and though oft he looked up ino the Ofthe of Dewhosebon l est nolret in ill- frowing y tteldc ldi bheee t e ehisstar Empire Cit' of the Union, arrived, and is soon light of that which he ihy.eveuatobeona possible nioved forward. Ills force united, T h s ty w hen they w ere still vet th irty u miere l only nine h udred a iomen ; n w i t h m il' s i ta ht fro n th e h ead o f th e i ll t li re , th is h d ete r nu n d to a tta c k t h e s ro u p t a nd th at i n g iii f urioth h e a o , th e C h e b est fertitie l c ity in N o rth A m e ric a, m i w h ich banks, mt a lutr day, manny a moose has fall.i vietwerslirs,c mmdli e t od tir exIrtciiesand to the mu-ic of try rile-for I write of gri1 vtirs, nd i d by ebera"Yed on winch l've trod. lie'1e, wth more th iitwo volute'r ricitie dhy a coiarleatleor, i ny of tirds of his pirov ionrsi lost, or iiiiit for tie, coltit , ereii i the manot fCarlesin ithien in Arno tfor the tirst time called a concimCerilof hIScoin ant b fe1iid mtinthe French in the city, ohicers. 1lii i itiit was hrcilel to seii))lrthe sic): oi'ii i ato h riel ntn iy a iicfer lt t. and t uidd hinatlswith thrle loirCutlesi would have male a sorle, 1itt at a str fleg b aci. ki a d ti p us1S 1 ai - ,'li rcar- d iia l, blow is e criish e I tie o u t fo rev er h u t he on ts r 'i ul1 i . was o, ibhered tole . h rcoo a i ed mot risk it. unr o w lit' ii tt, as rdvesedts,o e:m ign il B it liil ifter peril gathered ithiarould thie thi o tn th to reti rii d ut s he o i i e "t o ,tr~e r rve pv atriot Ieader. Sick ess was m lihe e imP lu.iti in , , rt iirtui i l all, for wt ieh, is al- wei -r nil hi its horrors rapped lit e -hiea h id + th m n p r i in s a t -i'his C a d t o s ir o n dii . p t s m s w e r e s c a r e , i l1itoii ibve had arty.e 1n:n ilmiust murtinouIs fromti loin'g sil ritge. To r p i it itm , it then ad ow iig f this aerial re i rn w without tt Ip rting t o naccom h h his f tu ih ill 1i rrj e 'l iii , eithr co t t iii tgi i' g g o 1w s a tLou ght which M o ntg ot ei w ould or stilloni iii pl it to reth nlh irs. it iarbior. 11 is ollicers were twmm in spirit n sluitir to oals t' treaiiic tir silte-o-f with himself. At)a council of wai, it wi so.- the hhee ole l gn ,wit iiiii oly i ti aiemnt to stormi the town, and t rate it tbith Cho h e ih t h i r iv rit e sl on1 or 1eri- i iii the trial. To retreat t t at season aul me -ii butcrc trio. -re trgelit i tie wi more danrgero s than the assa . old tall tii he t1 tri ni at wire is irg helt t il. A ccirhingly, at hire e o'clock on the c r ing ere t ein iiirtoa proper ot aleii in, of tie inst diy of te yer, I7, e litte with a rer tugarl to rritcthe drcli t le-:rI i arm msteredl iii three clmins or iisi aos, ith I o. r g1, toii ract 1-r on, fi mrched ill silence to the a:ts ih lthe. te' ,a lc iow fuandfisndbcprii fr 1 y s trif inw fIalling, froimii bove tn u that r we iiitre ino i ifarfttl f'llyfitrduce f i irtliI onliti alir:vlyN hrv drip eiM w, obcur d their were -i 'itr .e a a i ii .raniunvciuieit s. 'nd ida each coliutm heen aile to itc i "pi i iiaslii au't l u rilu h lis. iii I nany iiiv fiil i 1=tio n iuii and reachedil a poist in ii e the nt rc nilsherd s farihiis cau- a , I ice msit tave fiileni beliriii sliher Laens mi i ri nk iic u io u e tro n i i t l lt h e ir Id e ratioi n io f o u r i liceis niid m ur. b t it rati temli nwnric1 tric eradliit ait t.ee wi-i it , t, lie. lontgomiery fel. A:riold b ti nlh t r ,k a h d ctli s an dt Ir ein t Ii ( ' l i 'i n ' le d th ehwy ieirtl ic r qirirt ier, h u t If eI die p e- h i i a k- li ans ahc the1nd rirehas ei for their ratil iy nnded t the hi ad of Irs m in, and sutlh riinIsa ichi thic eyir. ihr s lbre to the reat'. Argn noylv proved irm coraoies in the rear. theved in n. enteredthe town, ainI ldI hi ip iiti for TIre .ii iaborut two onth .ithey arr iedtouenirist frfui odds ; but at length outi h i f v e i o tigi r i rit iu ee reie h w as fo rce d to suirre n d ir, to s:v e th e few m en n lii eh. ft he cactiwoir trigmdl nu ; howere- lift aronrd inii. wOn nnere Imhr left ieecBorth a ha ozeo Aruihl tuogh hadly wounded still hecld comt- t . ut u1 hI ur nit iii pe fect oltr they n n:tttl if the retin:itt f the iat riot army, and a ; e f ndfrth tink , br:t u tmh s h e t e f iet i t t r r o ei nC i i o n ly a leta g u e f r otm t h e e it , w a ite d wiler i. ik atru terroriitii trho etm s i f t fr irifrriirr the Leteral gopvermeitnel t, feeling tIeir m.' 'ii atricktuero IICi, iti ie irl i tr si conhl tihiehulnt thit ie ciolhd ca1tire It-- city. t i hrri d a t s e , c ir a l it ts c ind iuct w as a lu'jre t t i h e a d-qtia rters, a uhi red e r , i \hc u tll.dl st ith t e c i in itniossi nu i of a l riga lier-g, ral w a forth iu 1 erushed titen'. " weak nhi, uu t: et L-bi :ti V W. re. II 'it ttn-;tlitl tilt ilire ate iitIhrr fi ih' ti iti. Ah e r oi l l e - i ' i o. t ot e l i cit d a Sr att e -hr i i F i i t h is h o u r, i n io tin g o f n o te w a s d o n e b y Aoh, cld rahe aitoncivei crhints thue tnericats In C.madarii'at least i that tur i the City.lhuintnrstari h"r iiti I im't-r 1rtnr of it. Ceitr.d I\Vooster was chief-in- turt 1thi e . ut a rsti u ulrmofwinan nniI, sindi Inr chit I rill mi Itacivity :cli ti ht ati ice, as also the drit "ithe glt ofn. uion. le heter, being hl; ijured ten ieid.i iihintCu'l, ann all of Ihis a i flir s(t hninnt lioIris alir A fillna g on lhs outind' d h-g. retired at div e re ireih, an al. fielf Mnitt to Mlnral. Andl tire lhI ins eli e this chap- gti ery i er on i i n w ay to join h rt aid tal e ter of brave die ts aind sa il d sasters. g6 eynso i a ojmuia CHAPTER XV. ARNOLD AS A SEAMAN--BATTLE ON TUE LAKE. Over all of our beloved laud the gloom-cloud hung dark and thick, when the campaign open- ed in the spring of 1776. Forced from post to post, poor, sick, and worn out, our forces had been driven from Canada. General Schuyler -than whom a braver man, noble patriot, or generous foeman never existed - had been superseded by General Gates, who had centred his forces at Ticonderoga, with the intention of there resisting the approach of the British under General Carleton, who now threatenedi to invade our soil. The command of the lake was very necessary to resist this invasion, but our naval resources were few, and their in- crease almost impossible. Again, at thisjuncture, Arnold displayed his ambition and his energy. Receiving permis- sion from Gates, he fitted out a squadron, con- sisting of one sloop, three schooners, and five gondolas -- altogether mounting about. fifty guns--and with these he prepared, in the vicinity of Crown Point, to meet a naval force of the British of more than treble his weight and force. But the preparations of both par- ties delayed them until the summer was over, and again had the leafy trees begun to wear- their hues of red ani gold before our hero had another chance to distinguish himself. But it came at last. lIe had mcreased his fleet to two sloops, three schooners, three galleys, eight gondolas, and twenty-one gun-boats. Yet the enemy's force outnunbered his, and seven hundred chosen seamen under Commodore Pringle, and Edward P elew, afterwards Admiral Viscount Exmouth, one of England's greatest naval lead- ers, were opposed to his heterogeneous forces. Arnold fell thaek from his first position to a better one, between Isle La Mott and the main land, and there awaited the approach of the enemy. Few naval commanders could have chosen their position better, or maintained it with more skill anti spirit. The fire commenced at an early hour, and was continued'steadily all the day. One of the American vessels was soon in flames and destroyed, but the crew es- caped. The British landed a large body of' their Indian allies on the island, and the Ameri- cans were-expose I to their fire also. The ves- sels on both sides suffered very severely. N- arly one-fifth of Arniil's men were killed or wound - ed; but urged on by him, wio. pointed nearly every gun from iis own vessel, they fought all tne nore desperately for their loss. Nor had the enemy anvthig to brag over in regard to loss. With vessels hulled, shattered, and dis- malted, tiny anchored when darkness came on, within a few hitind ed yards of each other, forced by the nightto rest from earnare. But Arnold's eye sought not for sleep. He knew that the English had the advanL'ag in force, weight of seital, and men, and that to renew the fight where he then was, would in- sure his defeat in the morning. Taking ad- vantage of a cloudy, gusty night, he slipped his cables quietly, and ran through the enemy's lines to the southward, and sought a-harbor or cove some ten miles southward, near Schuyler's Island, where all hands were put to work to repair damages, and prepare for another en- counter. Not once during the dark and stormy night did the American leader leave his deck, but he paced to and fro, issuing his orders, and ever and anon looking up through the driving clouds to gaze at that star which Luona had pointed out to him as his star of destiny, an which seemed to pierce the gloom with cheering ray, and to look out upon him. At last, morning came, and the British were astonished to find that the Americans, whom they supposed to be hemmed in and crippled beyond the power of escape, were not, in sight. But judging from the direction of the wind wheretthey hadgone, they soon made all sail in pursuit. The breeze was light, and it was nearly noon before they came in sight of Ar- nold, who, with his vessels repaired as much as possible, stood down the lake, determined, byr the chances of a running fight, to weaken and separate the enemy as much as possible, and then use every exertion to retrieve the for- tunes of the contest. But the British, whose numerous vessels were splendidly handled by the veteran seamen on board, gradually closed with him, and finally brought him to close action, with greater odds against him than ever. The "Washington" sloop was attacked so heavily that she was obliged to strike her col- ors ; and several gondolas, and Arnold's own galley-the-" Congress"-were the only vessels left to struggle for a victory hopelessly impos- sible. For four hours Arnold kept up the ter- rible contest, and only when his vessel, literally riddled, was sinking under him, did te run her ashore and set her and the gondolas on fire, each with her flag tattered and torn still flying to the breeze. Nor did he let the enemy board them to lower those proud ensigns, but kept up such a fire from the shore that the vessels were all destroyed, and the enemy obliged to haul off. Then, with those who were left of his noble hand, he retreated through the woods to Crown Point, and from thence to Ticonderoga, after display- ing as much skill in retreat as he did gallantry in action. And now, when this news spread, his name rung throughout the land, coupled with praises. No man in the army was more popular, when his age and rank were considered; for, young as he was, his commission as Brigadier-General had been made out. But we will hurry on with our tale, instead of pausing to relate matters with which every historical student should be acquainted. $ I t THE CURSE FULFILLED. 1 ' I t I t 1 r s i k page: 26 (Illustration) [View Page 26 (Illustration) ] t t LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, CHAPTER XVI. ONCE MORE AT HOME-NEW LONDON AWAKE, AND OUR HEROINE IN SIGIIT. "THe is coming home! Coming home, cov- ered with honors, doubtless elated with pride and exultant from his rapid promotion! how shall I treat him? how shall I bind lim to me--without actually compromising myself- so as to fully control his future career, ana fulfill my mother's dying wish? lie will rise yet higher; he must reach the topmost round of the ladder of fame, else his fall will not forever crush him. It is only those who stand very higlh whose fall will be fatal!" Thus soliloquized Luona Prescott a few weeks after the occurrence noted in the prec ding chapter. She hell a letter in her hand which she had just received from Arnold, informing her of his intended return to rest for a short time prior to preparations soon to be made for the stormy and eventful campaign of 1777. And while she spoke, she gazed upon the leaf- less trees in her garden, upon the snowy sheet which overspread the ground, and all as cold did she seem as she planned her campaign in regard to him. Ier soliloquy was interrupted by the en- trance of Barbara. I've got a letter from Elnathan, Miss Lona !" said the old woman. " Aht' he is well, I suppO ?" " lor the life of' me I can't make out but what he's crazy, every word is so full of sojer! I do wish this war was over, for I'm afeard he'll ie so epiled when it is, that he'll never be no good at anything else. Why, he wouldn't split kinllinig-wood for oe when he was here last- sail it wasn't dignity to do it. But what I come to tell you was, that he was a Commn' home right away. They are a goin' to rest off awhile from tightin', while the weather is cold. I should think they'd have to, for it must be awful hard work a sleepin' in the field, and a haudlin' of cold iron:' unI wish tou would put on your hood and mantle,b irhara, and go over to Mrs. Arnold's, to siy that I have a letter from her son, who is coming home soon ; perhaps she has not heard from hin! "I gue's sic has," sail the old housekeeper. " Laeta is, I see the postman a stoppin' at her house wlin I itent out to the store to get some sugar, a leetle while ago." ' It wil it hurt you to go over and deliver my message," sail the young lady. " Not nm'uh, nly is hard travelin' for old legs," rephed the pl~ain-spoken old creature, n mor 'slpecialv in cold weather, and so slip- per, to. Eliathan's father can only jest git round with lis rhesiuatiz and all-liut look, Miss Louna, sakes alive, look ! There's two of- tieers getti' off their horses at the gate. Law me, if they should ie Britishers, what could we poor women do ! Memev me-if they should ." And the old woman trembled with terror. "Can you not see that it is General Arnold and Elnathan ?" said Luona, with a smile. I a sakes-no! Is it, though? You see I hadn't my specks on-and Benedict Arnold is a real gin'ral now. I shan't hardly dare to look atlhim. I s'pose Elnathan '1l feel too big to speak to me now, too." "You had better go and let them in," said Luona. "You'll want to dress up afore you see him now? Jest think, he's a gin'ral,' said Bar- bara. "And yet nothing more than a man-admit him at once to this room-I shall dress no more." "It won't take but jest a minute for me to make up a fire in the best company-room," said the old servant. "You will do as I bid you-nothing more," said Miss Prescott, sternly. The old servant hurried away, muttering something about a gin'ral being better treated ; but Luona arose and glanced at the mirror, then, throwing a light shawl over her shoul- ders, she reseated herself in a graceful position -for she, like most ladies, wished undoubtedly to look well before him-not that she loved him in the least, but that no fault of hers should lessen the impression she wished to make upon his nature. A moment only elapsed before his footsteps fell upon her ear, and he entered hastily, his face flushed with pleasure and pride, and hurry- ing up to take her extended hand, pressed it warmly but respectfully to his lips. "I am very, very happy to see you well, Miss Preseott," lie cried. " And I, that General Arnold has escaped so many perils, and returned in safety to visit his gio and anxius mother," said the lady, calmly, but kindly. " Ah, fair lady, it may be unfilial in me to say so, but if I had thought tlhat only my miothiur would feel rejoiced at my return, it is doubtful whether I should have revisited New London while the war lasted." "You surely have called upon her," said the lady, earnestly. "I have not; in feelings which absence have only strengthened, I caine first here to offer myi respee'ful duty." " l)uty, sir, should have been rendered first to the shrine of her who surely must feel most anxious for her only son. A mother's heart, tender in all its yearnings, so unselfish in its love, should not be wounded by the one who should be most earnest to cherish it," said Luota. "Excuse isle, General, if I speak re- provingly, but I had a mother once, and were I, even now that she is gone, to forget her, I should deem myself most ungrateful." "Lady, forgive me; I have erred, and will hasten to refrain my error. That duty done, may I hope again to be permitted to ask your forgiveness ?" r I 26 t 4 i } { t E F i V k Y i S i t v V i t .d page: -27[View Page -27] THE CURSE FULFILLED. "I shall never refuse to see General Arnold at proper hours, while he remembers his duty to nis ,motherand his country," said Luona, ad she extended her hand to him, which he again pressed to his lips. Then he hastened away. "There is a lesson forihim which will please his mother, and make her a thousand times warmer in my favor, while it will add to his respect for me, for no man will love a woman whom lie is not made to respect," she said, when she was alone again. "He is proud, they say, inmperious to others, but I can control him. It is well for me that my heart is steeled to hate instead of love, and that I can remember my mother's wrongs, else would it, perchance, be hard to keep my oath." Arnold did not seem very well satisfied at being hurried away from her presence, and told to do what his sense, rather than his heirt's impulses, should have dictated to him at first. "She is a strange compound," ie said. "She has written to inc the kindest letters, fur- nished me money without a request, knowing the almost impossibility of our getting pay from the cramped government ; given me every proof of attachment and interest in that way-- yet now she is cold, haughty as a queen, and reproves ue its if I were a school-boy! But she was right. I should have called upon my mother first. Yet most women would have been flattered by the haste which carried me first into their presence. She is a strange woman, but I love her all the more for that. I would iot have one who is like the common class--sentiniental, nervous, full of terrors and palpitations, and whimsies. There is but one Luona in all the world, and she must be mine !" ieL reutnonted his horse and rode away, fol- lowed by Elnatlhan, who appeared to have been in Barbara's kitchen, for ie cane out of the house with a large chunk of gingerbread in his hand. llow could a Yankee live without gin- gerbread? Better deprive a Spaniard of tis garlic, an Italiitn of his maccaroni, a French- man of his frogs, or a German of his sourkrout, than to stint a Yankee in his gingerbread. CIIAPTZ R XVII. BLOSSoM OuT-BLoSsoMED-ELNATIAN GIVES THEM TIE NEWS. Not having stable accommodations at his mother's house, Arnold ordered Elinathan to take the horses to the tavern, while he hurried in to ernibrace her who had brought hin into the world. And deeply affecting was the meeting of mo- ther and son. Tears of joy rolled down her pale cheeks, hilessings were sobbed from her quiver- iag lips, mingled with thanks to that Deity which haid preserved him-her heart's prile and idol-froms the battle's carnage, from the perils of the terrible winter, front the mountain march, from the cataract's boiling yeast of dearth. Nor was ie emotionless. His heaving breast, his. flushed cheek, his low, husky tone, as he tried to choke back excitement-as he strained her to his manly bosom--all of this showed that nei- ther the stern trials of war, nor absence, nor power, nor gratified ambition, had lessened the son's feelings for his mother. But such scenes are sacred, and though it is a pleasure for us to dwell upon them, we must rush on with the tide, or our story and its events will never be told. * * ** * *' * "There comes that crabbed old stick, Elna- thani Goodrich, again !" said Blossom to the landlord of th6 tavern, as he saw the old man riding up. "Yes, and with two horses 1" said the other. "General Arnold must have conic. If I could only get the geiral to come here to stop, I'd give something nice ! Re'd draw a heap of custom I" "If you'll stand treat, I'll put an idea in your head that'll draw a heap if lie loni't coimie, and please him besides !" said Blossom, whose main study in life was how to get "a treat." " Done !"said the landlord. " What is it ?" "I'll tell you after the old crab is gone, for I don't want him to hear it !" said Blossom. "But you can set out the liquor now !" "I reckon I'll wait till I hear your plan !" said the landlord, who was used to tinny a case of "false pretence" on hBlossom's part, and meant to have "a show" for his liquor this time, at any rate. "An how d'ye do, Cap'n Goodrich ?" said lie, as Einatlan rode up and dismounted. "If you'd been with the army stead of selling p'ison rum, you'd know a cap'n when you see him, and not make a fool of yourself!" said El- nathan, with a tone of dry contempt. Oh, I meant no offence !" replied Boniface. But yo m'll give us the news, won't you ?" "The latest-yes, let's have it, Mister Good- rich !" added Blossom. "The very latest 'I1 suit you, won't it ?" asked Elnathan, quietly. " Yes, yes, the very latest, in course I" said the landlord, as several mote of the denizens of the village crowded up to hear it. "But hadn't you better come in by the fire, out o' the cold, and tell it!" " No ; I reckon it won't take so long as you think !" said Elnathan, who felt ill of a vet- eran's contempt for the non-combatant topers around him. " The very latest news is-" Here he paused, while every mouth, ear, and eye of his auditors opened wider and wider. What? Is Gin'ral Washin'ton dead, or Bosting taken, or-or what ?" asked Blossom, eagerly. "Yes, tell us quickly, if you can't conic in to do it, for it's awful cold out here !" said the land- lord. "Awful cold? You talk of cold, with woolen stocking's and boots on your feet; with thick trowsers on your legs, and warm coats to your back; a big fire in the house ; thick walls about F 27 1' l: i E { iti} i Z c ! y , f ,4 " ' ' page: 28-29[View Page 28-29] 28 LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, you, and a roof overhead ! You talk of cold, when the enthat are fightin' for your freedom haven't half ont 'em shoes, nor stockin's, nor blanket- ind .r ra''ed and hungry !You talk of ct!d, whn you're burnin' up with spiced rum'-talk of it to a man that's wintered in Canada. aith snow for a hed, and ice for a pil- low, (atnnt frozen dog and moccasin soup and darned hln 1tivo' that. It's enough to make a preached r lanh to hear you." [ it the nEws-the news!" said his shiver- ing an Ittrs. "The very latest news," said Elnathan, ad- dressin it aif to the' landlord, '' is, that Gen. Arnold o t these horses pot ip and fed, and. well attenlel to, aol if it isn't well done he'll kick un a tarsal ftrs" Havtrtc thus delivered himself, and tossed the bridles to t he wai'in 'hostler, Elnathan turned on his heel with military precision, and strode coolly oil. liv I bc ky, I thogtlt he was agoin' to tell us sot in," e'ied thi disappointed Blossom. "11 's a iii-'tle stuck-up old cuss," said the latltrI, lot enough for Elnathanto hear it. le wh11.. h around is itifily as he had done in gui aww,'iV.iv al l ailing hack to the group, said. i'' ic is nt lu uc l Boniface quake ' - re.t bi" another sich word about menc -hat loas fit antd suffered while you loaifed it i, ani bI'll cut off both of your long , t t' ".au.I1 gtVt' 'em lto the dogs. liii a miath en, at I-the friehid of Gin'rat Ar- nobl a m abl bi l 'etuss! Take back your wotrd-, tont'i it'd k xiiturupagainst your own rtuittiU e'a't t.t,''aniiht'pitt his hand upon its l i -, as if he meant to put his threat " l ' Mi-ti (rGotdrich, don't, for the Lord. a t't I lit'h l nodlord, drawing back. -- I I t ' mi n I it I id!" " I r eki voillI kmtt' better in futur'," said Elnatiati, andt i' tini turned away, while the shiverti ' irt't p iwt ititri the tavern to warm up, anl i-c' thtn' ttatter. W"h'iat was it viii was agoin' to tell me that would biing tie nore custom, Blossom ?" said the landlord, as lie proceeded to mix a hotslittig for himself. " Why, I was thinkin' if you'd have a new sign paintetl, with a petur' of Gin'ral Arnold on it, antl call 'tour house * The Soldiers' Home,' tin'l let' hini and draw a heap of travelers--'setrmly oticers-and I'll warrant you they tave tttney." "Th'idea is goid! I'll do it-mix yourself a sline, ls-t ire i3 sense in it, and the iin'- ral may coetin over mice in a while. He likes a slind once in a while, anti always was free of his monte'v. 'ltre's San Glazier, *he painter, that ditiot gt to the wars 'cause he was lame, he can It it. and lie owes meabill now for rum that he was to pint house for in the spring. I'll has e the sign. tome up, boys-1'll treat this time, if you drink to the success of the 'Soldiers' Home.'" 'te invitation was not to be declined with that crowd-they didn't know how. When Elnathan returned to the cheerful kitchen where Barbara, his half-sister, had al- ready prepared a warm and most luxurious meal for one so long used to the hardships of a camp, she at once noticed the sour look on his face, and said: "aYou look as if you were mad, Elnathan." "Jest so," said he, as he sat down before the fire. "Then do take off your sword, you might do somethin' dreadful with it," said sie. "No fear o' me when I'i amongst wit- men," he replied, but he got up and took his sword, and hung it up carefully on a hook in a corner. "What made you mad? But I reckon you'll better eat supper first. That'll put you in better hupor." "Jest so,' replied Elnathan, "eatin' always does. You cook awful nice, Barbara, I've often wished you were 'long with us, we've hard eatin', sometimne,1" " dare say," said Barbara, as she poured out a cup of tea for Elintlatn-for she had tea, scare and high as it was ; ihe could no more do without tiat, than Blossom could without grog. gDogs, horse-meat, any sil like,- some. times," said Elnathan, as he cut a huge piece of pork front aid its surroundings of baked getts. Sakes alive! and you eat it ?" "est so. Ihad to, or starve, when we was gouit' through the woods to Uanala." Mercy me. It was well yoi had no women alone." " But we did. There was Sergeant Grier's wife, Polly, kept as fat as butter, tnl she lived. jest its poorly as any of us. She was more of a matt in her ways than a good rtany that wore trowsers. Site never grunhled, and when we were a wading' and slipping' along over the racks and through the frozen swamps, and the men was a cussin' and swearin', atd some of 'em must a crying' for home, she'd go ahead, and sing as cheerful as a lirk." "Dear me, she must have loved her man mightily, to go along wit h him." " I reckon she did. W heni ie got wumnrded at Quebec she carried hi nof' on her back, and wouldn't let rine of us touch him, but told us to keep a tightin'.she would nurse him." "My-my I I should have died, sartain," anti Ilrbarta tpoturedt rut two more cups of tea; for Elnathan's father, her step-father, came in from doing ; p his evening chores. What do you think Ehnathian has had to eat, father, since lie's been gtne' ?" se asked, as the old man threw down a shoulder-load of wood in tIe corner. I 29 "Beef and pork, and sich like. We had it stars were out ia all the brilliancy of a moon- when we were in the old war," said the old less and cloudless night. man. The smile was brighter on Luona's face now, No, dogs an horses, and sieh," said she., her look more winning, aid her voice very gen- VWhat --Einathan wasn't given to lyin' tie, when she welcomed him, for she had thou t when he was a boy ; but folks larn bad habits that perhaps she was rather too haughty rid when they go a sojerin,'" said the old man, cold at their last interview. shaking Iis bead. "Your star yet shines, I perceivee" said she, "It's the hivi' truth, daddy. You ask Gin'- pointing to that which she had named his star ral Arnold 'bout it," said Elnathan, indignant when last he was seated by her side, at that at having his veracity questioned. very window. "He's a sojer. too, and has got into their "Yes, lady," he replied ; "and if you knew ways, maybe," said the old man, still uncon- how often in storm and in calm, and even in minced. the excitement of battle, I have looked for it, "Look out, that tea is jest off the fire," cried and thought of your words-looked, too, for the Barbara, as Eluathan raised the hot cup of tea twin star beside it, you would deem me at least to Iris lips, and took a large swallow, perhaps faithful to memory." to drown the rising anger. "You have bgen very fortunate, and risen The warmng came too late from Barbara, for rapidly in rank, and I sineerely congratulate nearly a half cupful went down his throat at you," said Luona. scalding heat. "Alt, lady, I have you to thank for all. You "arnation," he sputtered, as soon as he first encouraged me---you aided me to bring my coul datch his breath. company equipped into the field, and the hope Sweamin', like lyin', is ketchin' amongg of winning your approbation has caused me to sojers," said the old tuau, quietly. venture more, far more, than anything else "'ou'd do worse than swear, if you'd got which could influence me." burnt so," growled Elnathan, writhing with "You must not lead me to believe that per- pain, sonal feeling with you is greater than patri t- "'Why didn't you blow it?" said the old ism ?"said the lady, with a snuile. "BEut I for- man, got to inquire after your mother. Is she well "Blow the devil ! If you wasn't my father, this evening ?" I'd blowyou.!" said Einathan, really angry. "She is, and wis very gratefulhalien I'told "You'u better take some fresh butter, and her that you had hastened me to her side. She let it melt in your mouth, and perhaps you'll wihl come to-morrow to thank out, in penrso. speak smoother to an old gray-haired man like She said that if she had such a dauglttr her tie." happiness would be cotmpliete I "Well. father, I didn't mean nothin'. I know "lioneshas Elnathian hhavd ?" asked Lu- I was wrong, but Iwas mad when I came in. ona, wishing to change the turn which Arnold Them lazy, cowardly cusses up at the tavern sought to give to the conversation. were a pesterin' me with questions. Barbara, " Ever bravely-he is the most singularly do give me some cold milk or cream ; my mouth cool and dry man in action that I ever saw. No is all a blister." excitement affects him-no danger seenms to The old woman hastened to do this, and in a take from him his humor. In hardship and little while Elnathan felt easier, but his appe- suffering he is uncomplaining in hue duties, as tite was gone. Even gingerbread could not attendant upon my person so ftithful, that I can hempt him. readily pardon many an awkwardness that in "Hasn't Miss Lona asked after me " he, in- another would annoy me exceedigl'." qunired, as he rose from the table. "I am glad to hear th it he ha' done so well. "Yes, and she wanted to see you after sup- I feared that he was getting too old to be as ser- per, she said," replied Barbara, viceable a person as yowwould require, and "Then I reckon I'11 go in now, though my had thought of commendimg to yon a young month is too sore to talk much," said El- cousin of mine, who resides svhere my mother nathan, suiting his actions to the remark. formerly did, and who has written to me to ask "May be 'twill keep you from tellin' about me to place him, through my influence, some- eatin' dog, and makr' old folks sick to the where where lie can be of service." stomach, muttered the old man, after his son "Any relative of yours, Miss Prescott, will had got out of hearing. "I've been a sojerin', ever be welcomed to my side in the best position and I never eat dog nor horse either." which I can give him-but never can I penut one linked to you in blood to be a servant of CHAPTER XVIII. mine. If our cousin wishes to serve with me, HOT AND COLD--WOMAN'S WAYS, AND WHAT SHE I will be g adto aid him onward and upward to CAN DO WITH Us POOR HE-THENS. the best of my power. It was night when Arnold again returned to "Thank you, general ; I will write to him, the house of Miss Prescott, after having taken and if his mind is not changed, lie will join you tea with his mother -early evening, yet the in time for the coming campaign." [' T 1E f F 1. S P f 4 f= f, lA THE CURSE FULFILLED. ' page: 30-31[View Page 30-31] 843 LUONA PRi "I wish, fair and most kind lady, that I had no such high-sounding title as general, whn a I am in your presence. It sounds so coldly from your lips. Could I address you as a queen, I would be glad then to be considered as your general-none more true or faithful should be found among your subjects !" "I fear that you would prefer to be my mon- arch; and possess rue for a subject !" sail the lady, with a sitile, now leading him toward the very track from which she had driven him so often "Ah, lady, if such happiness could be mine, I would change thrones with no monarch on earth !" said Arnold, in an impassioned tone. As it is, I aiii only too happy to kneel as a subject." And he bent one knee before her and grasped her lind. What next he would have said or done, we cannot t II, for a heavy rap at the door caused him to start to his feet and blush with c+infueiuun. In fact, he was so confused that he du nut note her calmness and perfect self-possession, nor the gleam of triumph in her eye-a luk so unlike the timid mreekness of tone that a riiere tyro in the "art divine" would have Cecii it, had lie been observant. The intruder was none other than Elnathan, who, with his grave and stolid face and upright form, now stood in the door-way with his hand raised to a riilitary s lute, not knowing wheth- er to lance or retreat, but waited orders. "Ikarbairn said that you wanted to see me after smug1r, Miss lona'!" said lie. "Yes," she replied, delighted at the in terruhptmwn, because it so annoyed Arnold - "I wishd to hear your adventures in the war. Oh, I haven't had any, ma'am-the in'ra did all that, pnid he can tell you ! lie know how to talk to ladies-h don't !" replied Elina than, who, seeing that Arnold was displeased wanted to hack out now. "'erlaps hte has hind more experience o late," s ut l.uona, amni hug. " Jeet so," replied Eluathian, not knowin1 what he sai, so flurried was he. You imiipudent rascal !-you never saw m speak to a wuvomuan while we have been absent!I cried Arnold, in a rage.' "tWho sail I did, gin'ral !" said Elnathan in a reproachful tone. " And what's mor I never heard you call me an impudent ra cal, either-neither afore folks nor no othe time "1W l, well, I was angry at your expre sion, nthieh night have led this young lady believe that I had thought of other matters tha those pertaiiiing to my duty as a soldier whi away." "I'll take my Bihle oath you ain't, ginral- I was up early and late with you, drilling th men and tigitin' the enemy every chance- don't believe you ever thought of a woman- 'sept Miss Lona and your mother-while 1I ESCOTT ; OR, were gone ; leastwise you never spoke of any other." It was Luona's turn to feel a little confused now, and the old mantprobably thinking that he had said enough, took theback track, and closed the door as he made his exit. "lie spoke the truth, lady !" said Arnold, without taking his former position at her feet, however. " No thought of mine, apart from duty, has been wasted upon another-the senti- mernts which I expressed before I went away have grown only stronger as time advanced.' "General, let us speak of something nobler than my poor, perishable self. Until this war is over, no true soldier should think of love "Ah, lady, if I could but hope that, when it was over, that dear hand might be the reward for every peril and hardship Ihad endured, that hope would seal my lips while it fortified my heart !" "You may hate me by that time . , "hate you ?-oh, never, never can such love' as mine be changed to hate!' "There is no hate so fierce as that born of love, disappointed or unrequited-or, at least, so I have heard." "Lady, at least tell me that you do not love another ?" " Yes-dearly, very dearly !" replied Luona, warmly. "Then I must bid you farewell forever! My only hope is for a noble death, even as for your sake I have sought to live a noble life ."~; And lie rose to go. - "Stay !" said she, earnestly. "You have not asked me to whom my present affections e are engaged." "Surely, I do not seek to know. If I di, l my passion might prompt an act which would e make you unhappy! I do not seek to know his - name." , "His name? who spoke of a him'?" she cried, laughing. "I can appeal toBarbara and prove f by her, as you did by Elnathan, that I have lived like a very hermit ever since my poor g mother's death. I have only visited our mother; and my only male visitors have been e the village parson and the doctor--one of whom wants me to pave my road to Heaven by build- ing him a new church, and the other desires me , to immortalize myself by erecting a hos- e, pital. Not knowing but I might need the serv- e- ices of one to kill me, secundum artem, and of r the other to preach my funeral-sermon, accord- ing to orthodox custom, I thought it not beat a- to shut my doors against them I" o "But, lady, you jest strangely. You said n you loved some one very, very dearly. Oh may le I hope that it is-" "My own very, very dear self!" she cried, - with a merrier laugh than ever he had heard ie from her lips. "Why, 1 spend almost an hour I a day at my mirror admiring myself." -- " ah ad, you trifle with me while you ci.' ye jest I" 81 " But I do not jest-I speak the truth. If, after the war is over, by any possibility I should love you better than myself, you shall not be left ignorant of the fact." "Then, dear lady, I will wait for that hour, and as little as possible intrude upon you my presence, or the feelings which I cannot all conceal." "Remember that I do not banish you from my preseece-your visits, like those of your mother, will ever be agreeable to me," she said, with a smile and a tone which set his impulsive heart on fire. "Angel!" he cried, and again he knelt and pressed her hand upon his lips. "Be you going' to have any tea, Miss Lena ?" cried Barbara, opening the door at that instant and discovering the position of Arnold. "Yes, I suppose even angels must eat. Tea in haste for two, Barbara, in the front room. You must excuse late suppers, general, for I am so unfashionable as to eat only when I am hungry." Arnold stammered out something, he was so confused he hardly knew what. It did look rather beneath the dignity of a Brigadier-Gen- eral in the American army to becaught by a servant in the act of kneeling at a lady's feet-. but I believe, even to this day, more generals and their subordinates, except colonels, will be found kneeling and offering prayers and vows there than any where else. Isn't it so,ladies? After taking one good long look'as if to sat- isfy herself that it was safe to believe her eyes, Barbara turned away to obey the directions which she had received. . "You are unfortunate, general, in being dis- covered when you forget your dignity. Let me advise you never to kneel to any but your God 1" said Luona, kindly. "I am the last one to be worshiped, I am sure; for it seems to me that the spirit of mischief is in me to-night. But if I have in any light word wounded your feelings to night, I aieerely regret it, and ask your forgiveness." " Ah,lady, you make me feel that I am but a poor soldiei- if I cannot bear a jest from your lips. But I believe I am too sincere in my own feelings toe eale to understand the jests of another. Yet one word of kindness from your lips, one look when your good and noble heart seems to speak through your eyes, heals every wound I" "Tea is ready-'twas all fixed, but steepin', r said Barbara, taking the precaution this time,. -by coughing, to announce her approach. How bread and butter sinks the starry light of romance down into the tallow-candle-ss of reality ! Talk of love and bohea-tea-cakes and affection-ginger-bread and matrimony!-- It is not to be thought of ! Therefore, while our heroine and hero are over the table, we'll close the chapter and look elsewhere. THE CURSE FULFILLED. If i I CHAPTER XIX. THE PERPLEXITY OF THE INEXPERIENCED, AND THE EXPLANATION OF THE ARTFUL. "La, sakes ! what can it mean I" said Bar- bara. "What can Gin'ral Arnold have done to Miss Lona ? When I went into her sittin'- room, jest now, to ask her if she wanted tea, he was a kneelin' down afore her as if he'd been a doin' somethin' awful, and was beggin' her to forgive him !" "Did she look mad ?" asked Elnathan, glanc- ing at his father, who had got to sleep in his chair, in the chimney-corner. "No ; she was a-laughin' fit to burst the hooks and eyes off her dress !" replied Barbara. "I never knew the like before. What can it mean ?" "Wasn't he lookin' for something' on the floor that she'd dropped ?" asked Elnathan, thought- fully. " No ; for his eyes was lookin' up tow'rds hers, and he had hold of her hand." "If she was a laughing' he wasn't a prayin' ; and I never knew him to pray, though he swears awful when lie's a fighting . it's nip and tie with him and old Ethan Allen." "Do tell! I'm afeard you'll get to swearin' hearing' so much as you do !" "So be I,sometimes," said Elnathan, thought- fully. "There's one man in the army that never swears." "And that's-" " Gin'ral Washington! and they do say he prays, but lie don't do out afore folks like Pharisee, thoughli e has worship every Sunday when there isn't no marchin'." "He's a good man; but I'd like to know what the gm'ral--our gin'ral I mean-was a doin' on his knees afore Miss Lona !" "Maybe lie was making' love--for I know he loves her," said Einathan. "That wasn't the way folks made love When I was a gal !" said Barbara. "If a feller loved a gal then, as soon as the old folbs was out of the way, courtin' night, he slid right close up to his gal, and hugged and kissed lher; and if she liked him, she didn't stick to tell him of it, but kissed him, ever so many times !" "Yes, that was the way, I remember it," said Elnathan, with a sigh. ''Pumpkin-pies wasn't scarce, neither." "No, nor ginger-bread; and the fellers used to bring sugar-sticks and raisins in their pock- ets, just to let the gale pick 'em out 1" A ring from Luona's bell put an end to this sonfab, for Barbara had to- hasten to answer it; therefore undoubtedly some of the reminiscent secrets of ancient courtship were irrecoverably lost to our readers. * * * * * * * The quiet village of New London had some- thing new again to talk of, within three or four days after Arnold's arrival at home. The" idea" of the immortal Blossom had been carried out bythe skillful hand of Tim Glazier, the painter, page: 32 (Illustration) [View Page 32 (Illustration) ] 4 r~ i I 82 LUONA PRL and Mr. Boniface, the landlord, wa in his zlorv, ' for the new sign of the "So!Jier's Hlomne," in all the " beauty" of rel, green, and yeleow paint, swung fri the sin-post. And all thei boys in the iillage w, r there to hurra, andI all the toper3 to ts or iaugi right out," when reiue-ted l the p d atoll'n-. And Blossom was there to ho.t of h.,ing origirat -I the idea. But, best of all, Gehn-ral Arnold had, before he left the army, ordered a recruiting sergeant th follow loin, il hopes of raising some men in that direction, and that very important mdi- vidual, at once the delight of the little bove, the grown-up girls, aiid the terror of old women and nervous imidividuals, hadl arrived, with a color-bearer, a fifer, and a druinnier, and what with his gaudy uniform aind music, created an immense furore at the tavern. Several of those whom nothing elSe could have affected enli-ted after they hadl become valorous over the rum of Mr. ioniface , and e',en Blossom went so far as to net as an aid, an advocate for the ser- geant, taking i Is 1ay in hot slings. But noth- ing cooli fin hice himi to put his own name down, for he sail that lie was weakly in the legs, and couldn't stand it to iareb, and lie couldn't sde, for that madels lhiim dizzy. Wh ei we last left Itarlhara, she was in great :ribulttii it Ii what ticral Arnold had miant b kl it In t the f ,t sf cr msetrees .\ isa t onei wIo knows how perses ering wi- man always is, when her curiosity becomes -- cited, ught feel certain that she never would resi' untutit was gratitled. The refore, Ui moment Arnold tok his leave, Itart ara ente redl the ro"nm, her vers face telling her errand before she opened her hips. " bes Ina, dlo tell mic sometlun', for I'm almost lvin' to know." What is it, larbara ?" asked the lady. " What nsas Gin'ral Arnold a doing' of, kneel- in' down afore you-ie wasn't a worshipin' of you agm the cotmandnients, was lie ?' "Oh, no-only tieing my shoe !" said Luona, so gravely, thattfs almost excusable " white fib" was'really believed by the guileless old woman, "Oh, I see! and yon was a helpin' him up when lie had hold o your hand," said Barbara. le must be dreadful modest-he blushed as red as a beet." And Barbara hurried away, feeling much easier in her mind, to tell Einathan what Miss Luona had said, And the latter lady har Ily waited for Barbara to get out of the room before her hearty laugh rung out while she thought of Arnold a confu- sion ant how she had turned Barbara's thoughts fronm the real fact,, of the case. SCOTT; OR, CIIPTER XX. l!YON'tiIN t A---A:NOtIU IN TilE FIELD. AND MO LAURELS ON 1115ItuoW--ELNATHAN GETS fRaOVFo AND PIOuIrtI). le spring had come icagain-not the soft andI balyro spring of the southern elime, but the cold an ln-kward season between snow and bh. esomin-, known as spring in New England. Althouhls April had nearly run its length, and May-day" was near, no flowers yet carpeted" the earth--the frozen-looking buds upon the trees yet shivered on their branches, and refused to cast their green banners to the cold north- tastein blasts. Yet the campaign had already commenced, or was commencing, whenever the season would allow-though Burgoyne, stillim- peded by the ice and snow of Canada, had no' commenced the marches which ended in his capture, and the destruction of one of the best appointed armies which our patriot fathers had to meet in all the ilevolution. But of that, when the proper time and place artives. General Arnold had bidden adieu to those whom he loved at New London, and as usual, followed by Elnathan, had arrived at New Ha- yen to ma-e arrangements and wait orders for the active service so rapidly to ensue. With him was General Wooster and several other othicers. They were at dinner on the 26th of April, when a messenger arrived it full speed from General Silliman, of the Connectient militia, who announced that a large British force had been landed under Governor Tryon, near Con"lo, whose destination was Danbury, and their object the capture or destruction of a large depot of military store's there. The meal was left untasted-th re was boot- ing and spurring in hot haste, and soon the brave officers were mounted and oil to meet th- invaders, spreading the news, and gathering the brave militia-men as they hurried on. But rapidly as they moved, and hastily as they gathered their men, they were too late to save the town of Danbury, or to preserve the stores. They reached a village called ltethel shortly before midnight, and at that very hour the dense gloom of a stormy night was ma'e lurid by the flames which roared andl whirledl above the burning houses of Danhury ; where death and mad havoc was already going on- where the British, maddened by rumn and di- rected by a second Nero, or a fiend Incarnate in the shape of Tryon, were eousnsitting the most horrible excesses. The British papers teemed but lately with accounts of atrocities consisttel by the h oor East Indians, whom they have robhed and in- slaved for years-deeds done, as thry say, by heathens nd by savages-hut let them look back to the darkened pages of their own histo- ry, and remember how the and their hired! 1lessians and Indians burned our towns and vil- lages, slew old men, women, and children, who were defenceless-how the wail of the violated, the shriek of the dying, rose all over our land, Vi ( page: -33[View Page -33] THE ~CUTRSE~ FULFILLE~D. 88 especially in the track of Tryon, Tarleton, and such ' gallant British leadera" and forever after hold their peace. Never was an unjust war more cruelly waged than that in which the Americans struggled for their freedom. Espe- cially in its earlier portion was every rule of civilized warfare violated by the English, and it was only when our prowess enabled us to make reprisals, that their barbarity was lessened. But this is not our sary, though the episode is very natural in one who cones from old Revo- lutionary stock. - In the morning after his arrival at Danbury, altlhough it was the Sabbath, 'ryon burned all of the houses which had escaped the night be- fore, except a few belonging to Tory friends of" tne British cause ; and then, perceiving that the country was alarmed, began to retreat to- ward the shipping from which lie had landed. Meantime, the Americans forming in two di- visions, one to harass his rear, and the other to head him off, or in military parlance, to "in- tercept his retreat," pushed forward with the utmost speed. General Wooster, who proved his devotion with his best heart's blood, commanded the first named, consisting of only about two hundred raw and undisciplined militiamen, without ar- tillerv, and following them up by the smoke and tihe track of their accursed desolation, soon opened a deadly fire upon their rear-guard, which, tired from havoc and unrest, and weak from dissipation, at first fell into such disorder, that lie killed many, and took over forty pris- oners. So fiercely did lie attack the enemy, that their march was checked, and they were obliged to.turn upon him and bring their artil- lery into play. This enabled Arnold and Silli- man with the other division of four hundred men to gain a point in advance of the British, and to prepare to give them a serious check. But, ala-! for him and his country's cause, of which few more useful or brighter ornaments existed, lie fell while leading on his men, and Tryon again moved forward. But now Arnold was before him, and at Ridge- field village had formed a barricade across the main street, flanked by houses on one side, and a ledge of rocks on the other. Here, with only two hundred men, he stood and faced over two thousand of the advancing enemy. For fifteen minutes, with terrific effect, a Are was kept up by the gallant Americans, but sudden- ly they found that they were -flanked both on the right and left. Arnold-who sat upon his horse encouraging his men-was fired at by an entire British pla- toon from the crest of the rocks, at not thirty yards distance ; his horse shot dead ; so that his feet were entangled beneath the dead animal; yet not a bullet touched him. But the Ameri- cans began to fly, for they supposed him to he killed. Never was he in greater peril of death or capture. "Darn you, don't run off and leave the II I t $1 Ii9 tIj a gin'ral here to be stuck like a fall pig !" shout. ed. Elnathan, to the flying Americans, while , threw down the long musket which he had been using with great effect, and drew him out from beneath the horse, A dozen of the enemy sprang ever the now deserted barricade, but Elnathan seized his long gun, and swinging it around his head with fear. ful force, kept back, for a moment, all who did not fall before his terrible blows, "Run, gin'ral-my horse is tied to a post out there a leetle ways-runnin' ain't no disgrace when there's only us agin' a multitude !' he shouted, slowly retreating, but striking right and left all the time. Arnold reached the horse, and mounting, rode off to endeavor to rally his flying men for another stand;1t Elinathan was not quite so lucky-; he tripped over t he corpse of a man behind him, and fell; and in another instant was pinned to the earth, with one bayonet through his shoulder, and another through the fleshy part of his thigh. "You're a dead Yankee !" shouted a burly ruffian, as lie raised his sword to crush the ex- istence out of him. "Jest so !" said Elnathan, "do it quickand don't hurt no more'n possible l" But Elnathan's time had not come. A Bri- tish officer, who had noticed his bravery and his devotion to his master, interfered, and he was kindly carried to one side, and there left to bleed to death ; for the British could not take care of their own wounded now--the enraged Americans gathering from every quarter were so pressing them, that a hasty retreat to their ships alone could save them from titter de- struction. But this was not to be effected so easily. The Americans increased every hour ; the men became tired and disheartened ; and when night came on, they were obliged to en- camp in a strong position and rest. Meantime the Americans still gathered, and when the British moved on at daylight, Arnold was again upon them, aided by other brave offi- cers. At last, assisted by the marines from the ships, the British re-embarked, with the loss of over three hundred men, and Tryon himself was wounded. But for a hesitation on the part of the Connecticut militia-who fell back when Arnold had a second horse shot under him, all of the marauders would have been captured. Never before had Arnold acted more brit- liantly titan here. Leading on raw men, liter. ally forcing them to fight, lie exposed himself with more than his usual temerity. Congress passed a resolution of praise upon hearing of his conduct, and directed the quartermaster- general to purchase a horse, and present the same to him as a token of approval. After the British were gone, his first thought was to find if Elnathan was yet alive, for the British had carried off no prisoners. Upon in- quiring at Ridgefield, he at last foundwhere a man lay at a farm-house answering his de. page: 34-35[View Page 34-35] S4LUONA PRESCOTT; OR, E4 ription' and uponOseeking therefound to his no man except the commander-in chief was lkaus tebravetherellou, dearer to the people than he was for the del et that it was thu brmv brave old friend ?" fame of his daring and despfetilt exploitnd hi i you're badly hurt, my skill as a genera , and his i ndital rsend in saids o" rlied the old man, quietly. manumlvers, aswell as his ipdlto eatble prse- B Jeit si. a vrep ee horse! Are the British verance, had passd from lip to ear throughout "& But it mighthe et IossworepiArnold. elad.ws Sept er when he took his position 'lien h i t rt m!"-re solid bAre ll in cw eteiand of one of the wings of the army of agin Ys-i the rt mno soobewellcGates.Aleady lad the hoar-frost begun to I ame s r to hlt e y b be glisten on ths. grass blades in the morning al- again! i the ldr ian mout fr yus be rena ntgrs green begun to yield to SI amsorry to leave you , eyufor yurex- eady hd summnersuumanissireng pgain n the fiud-h re i me know you will thl coming glories of autumn and its stiffening enseo unt young pldi e said Arnol, han.i- clhangs. o thi at Uon ars a - .l he American army with skillfully chosen g himapra, d so! I needn't ask position, was eca e awaiting the advance " enfidgill rah, tewhr hbgetoffllurgoyne, oreaorespecttheyforce where to fid you--itl , whticaution o ce hisloua nd chance of fight 'un iailpens mas hanin efrewithcimutio; wforhee began to resp The fe Arnold pressed the brave old ran'swasd in b efr" hdail hich, already his netal in nuen ln c e n h nh rs e s d i y b e in g re i fo rc id t T h e i d e fe a t ilence, and ten departed. ofiBau 1oand lreyoal at Ben g CI APTlR XXI. another lesson toetie sun went down upon the night of Cit N lI' . _Ell i A TIO . S' W bhen 17th. 1777, the pickets of the opos- A it m uARTia ta ie BriMotiN nACTimroN igIarmies were placed almost in hail of each had D Au an thro ugN tishe enralr iuig th tIther, for the caps were only two miles apart- nrhiuntie rch the woderness fr e oAnd when on the morrow that sun rose clear eyad adanedthrohgtdII i e d b e the lovl v"P e Acloudless sky, the curling smoke of the n o r t h , u n d e e a h eieaad bi r esro fod no thta r miee snr o s e i n s p i r a l c o l u m n s o f leyrr rs thrwll hi - a hi thle tt all re of blue tilthrough the breezleSs air, and barer thc~0r her bing hithe roimgrti, the shrill fife, and defiant patriotiC Schuylr, than she llt i, entheirnotesromcamptocamp, to existed at tit era. wYear'sAdbtheuglesthotth'e theear. dinner witht Sir hetr ou iton, in New York, untigle with eac t n eisaddledhorse, sdeie Ith if l tlen ten t -nfor his arily, Arnold was standing by his a horse, spee hcrtiiaiuef 'lt eredl, was flushed which was held by an orderly, when a young spithi hyr apfte anctor' and had overcome man, dressed something like a nriua, i-tg the itostr aftrrotclt art of tie road. lint Wash- dently anblArica nging 1ong and curhg the mosthitghu tr ali gaiist Clinton's his thick, black ee and forgto the southrwad, turned his eagles this down his neck, and his coalblack eye and fory ces to thrgsut ith his rifles, Poor, Ciiley, dark skin, looked foreign, rode , ond a horse ay, a M hales, were froiii New Ilanp- evidently jaded by long travel, earm, a d heayles werom Massachusett, General Arnold- an What is wanted?" shire, and heavyevi sork were hurried for- "I cia he, young ma-. Connectsaid theNelitter. Cwndecy him to check the enemy before ajunc- said the ridden far and hard to find you,sir," eSatesb cut of womthe Midd by the line said the youth, for he was not over eighteen, to ofBionBtishscouldbeeformederthe ido bn othe e dge fouh looks. "1ere is a letter for ern States cut off fromwho had been unfortu- judge from 1 - nate at Fort Edwardbuit who was ever a better you!" had a nble patriot than Arnold looked at the supersface,rpashemu and a Gate, arr soldier, adnb th e latter and all at flush of pleasurecame over i aice asthe ma. oice, wasyunerfo d that iehad no child's mured- It is from her raised broke the seal. oncerefore that ere t was something be- After reading the letter, lie an attentive pday befo h iiii to do. No sooner the youth, and regarded him with sids dl bostn , ha G nerl into "o. ouare Master James Prescott, and had beepassed Fort Edward, than Geiieral Lin- look. chn, by pasmemenatthe time unknown to "So you ar Mater mes Prsotn ol, by a movement atof the British general, would see service with me Gates, amed the rertant positions, ut off his "Yes, sir-I could find no one so famous ao Apols of tpleid him literally between two serve with i" replied thie youth feeling o b "upies, and placeddowny moustache,which i young as en foreno pausing only for one gallant dash up coaxed out upon his upper lip, yn s Arnolle pof the nohawk to relieve Fort was. hoer, and drive back St. Leger with his '-The family likeness is verhatong I sa Torsand Indias hurried to this field to win Arnold, as he shame pto thae hsOinea face new lanrls; for now, though yet in the prime "Twoul easaet aes ieafc new laurs of yoh hh aajorGenrl e and and figure scarred by battle I" sad flush of youth, he wasa aorGna, I THE CURSE FULFILLED. Then, raising his voice, he added: "What do you think you could do, my young friend ?" "My cousin has told me what to do, sir?' said the youth, returning Arnold's look steadi- ly, as if he felt deeply interested in gazing upon so great a man. "If not a secret, what were her directions ?" "To fight like a man by your side, sir, and die there, to aid you, if necessary !" replied the youth, placing his hand upon a fine French rapier by his side, and then touching the hilts of two gold-mounted pistols in his holsters. Arnold smiled-but gratified pride was in his look also, that sie should think so much of him as to give such directions to her cousin. It is well-I will make you my aid, Mr. Prescott, and as soon as possible will see about getting a commission for you!" " I wish no commission, sir-will accept none. M y only desire is accomplished in the positi'tn you give milel' "Well-wie will see ! But I expect every mo- ment to hi' called into action, and you are too tired to participate iii it. You had better re- tire into my eluarters and rest "No, sir; please excuse iie in that, and give me a fresh horse. Mine is timed, but I am not -" Arnold smiled, and ordered one of his own horses to be brought out, and to have young Prescott's saddle and mountimgs changed to that--at the same time observing, th it a few months of hard service would cool down that fiery enthusiasm. "It don't seem to have altered you much, sir! or else you mrust have been very enthu- siastic at first !" said the young man, as he noticed how , restlessly Arnold watched for the first sound of movement from the enemy's camn). Agaim Arnold smiled, for he was pleased with the easy honesty apparent in the youth's comn- pliments, and the absence of that fear and stiff- ness which pervaded those around him, who ad- dressed him not as Sir, but as General. "You at uiast will take refreshments before we mount!" said lie. Not without you order it, sir, for I break- fasted with some jolly good fellows about five miles from here, where they were on guard ! They belonged to Morgan's rifles, and wanted me to enlist, iut I told them I was engaged ! One of them said it was to a pretty girl, but to that I answered nay ! IIallo-what's that ?" It was the heavy boom of an advanced bat- tery of light artillery in the direction of the enemy's camp. "The play has begun !" eriel Arnold, as he mounted, to place himself at the head of his division. "But not ended'!" said young Prescott, as he sprung imto his saddle- "Keep close by me, and do not expose your- self unnecessarily !" cried Arnold, to the for- mer, as he drove his spurs into his horse and gal- 85 loped off, followed by his young aid, orderly, and several subordinates. It was a grand sight-that of those two ar- mies extended over the plains and rolling hills of the beautiful Hudson-their pennons wav- ing, their arms glittering like silver and gold, their plumes fluttering in the air. A grand sight, as they moved into position, and paused to breathe before they rushed together- paused to tighten girths and reins, to firmer grasp their weapons ere they rushed forward into the strife from which so many never would retire. . When Arnold rode to the head of his divi- sion, consisting of Morgan's invincible rifle- men, and Dearborn's infantry, the deafening cheers which rose attested his popularity. Slowly the British advanced-so slowly, indeed, that Arnold repeatedly sent to General Gates for permission to commence the attack, by ad- vancing with his division. The permission was at last granted, and like a flight of arrows from pliant bows,-the light horse of Morgan flew for- ward, followed on the run by Dearborn's men. And in the very van, Arnold was seen on his favorite charger, a huge brown stallion, as fierce and fiery as his master. "Forward I" was the word, and nobly was it obeyed, and soon the crash of the battle of Still- water made the air resound with its awful noise. At first time British recoiled before the shock - but, rallied by the gallant Fraser, they in turn were forced forward, and the Americans checked, then driven back. And now back and forth, like strong men clenched, neither yielding, but alternately swaying to and fro, they struggled through all the long, long day. Night alone brought a cessation to time conflict, and neither party were victors. Upon their arms many of term slept ; but, aimh! how many slept in death. Near one thousand gallant spirits went up that day to the King of kings, to appeal against that king who, with his vile ministers, had caused this bloodshed. Again Arnold, though he had been every- where in peril, retired to Isis quarters to rest, without hav.nig been touched. With him was young Prescott, who had behaved as calmly during all that terrible conflict as if he hid been a veteran in service instead-of being engaged in his first battle. "This has been a hard day, James !" said Ar- nold, to his young aid, for the latter had been so near him ill day thatlie had become quite familiarized to him. "iRather a busy one, sir! But you seemed to like it." No better than yourself. You take matters very coolly !" * Who could help it, sir, with such an exam- ple before him !" "Why, James, you are quite a woman in flat. tery !" ." But a man in action, I hope, sirl" said the youth, hastily. '6 t a page: 36-37[View Page 36-37] " Yes, I will testify to that! In that large on the Hessian dragoons I saw you un'iorsel one of their finest officers "lie was try ing to do me the same favor, sir,' but fortune was on my side !" "Not fort une, but skill, my brave boy. You hinlie a sword beautifully, and your horse as well!' "'I'me credit is due to my cousin, sir !" said the -outh. "She would not let me enter the field until 1 had taken lessons and prepared my. self with practice " Bltes your cousin, she is to me a guardian angel, ' sad Arnold, warmly; and ihe glanced up to tho starry sky to look upon the star of destiny again. "By-the way, I ought to write to her' but 1 am very tired! Can you not pen her a faN lili"s " Wlhat shall I say, sir? That you love her very much Al , you young rogue, what makes you thinkso" causee your face flushed up, and your hand trembled, when you opened and read her letter "To are ob'ervant, Master James ! Do you think that she loves mc?" "Yea-at least I have an idea she does !" said the youth. "W h ' "Because I heard her say once that she hated you !" Arnold laughed. "h ow on earth, then, could you think she loved me ?" he asked. " Be-ause women always go by contraries !" repli-l ti he young 1l1u. " You seem to in lersaind women very well, for one so young?" said Arnold, looking him iiin the ee.c'p "'lst is easily accounted for," replied the aid, conifidently. ~1 have been much in their company ; anti being young, they dil not think it worth while to mask themselves from me, as they walh from older men! tool reasoning !" said Arnold. "Jest so !' replied James, so perfectly imi- tating Eluathan's voice, in his favorite expres- sion, that Arnold looked around, believing that his obl favorite was there. Was that you who spoke r he asked. " Yes, sir," replied the youth ; "at my cous- in's I met your old valet, who has almost re- covered from his wounds, and is on his way to join you; and I got into the habit of imitating him 'sometutii'." 'Youi ire a ca ital mimic. I would have swri that it ias Eluathan himself!" said Ar- null. ~"I am better than you think for-if you het the liue', I'll laigh y out of them in a voice so litc+uin Lu's, that you'll swear i'm her instead of En than ! But excuse moe, sir ; l'll go anl write that letter to her before I get too sleepy." "By Jove ! the likeness would be strong, if his skin was not so dark. Besides, he is not near so tall as she. Ile is a brave lat, and a likely one, too!" muttered Arnold, gazing after him. Several officers entered now, and a discussion ensued about the action of the day, and the p)lanis of the future. "Where is General Gates, and how is he pleased with the battle ?" asked Arnold, who a sent his adjutant to report, lit had not gone himself; for there was no f. iendship be- tween them. Gates was jealous of his fame and reputation, and Arnold despised Gates, be- cause he was lazy and inactive, id given to in- temperance-which, with a military command- er, is a most grievous fault indeed ; benumbing the senses as it does, and exposing him to commit the grossest errors of naismanagement. At his quarters, with a bottle of wiie in his hands, and a dozenmore before him, trying to convince some of the prisoner officers of the folly which King George shows in waging war with the colonies !" replied the officer to Ar- nold's question. "Are io orders given to renew the battle, now more than half won, in the morning?." asked Arnold. "None," was the reply. "And I believe he means that we shall wait until we are attacked before lie renews the action Imbecile !" muttered Arnold, impetuously. "Why, we know not how soon Clinton may be on our rear, with reinforcements for him. I'll se the general and remonstrate with hnim And get nothing for your pains. bchuyler tried it, mind was fairly insulted !" said another ofhlicer. " Then, by Ileaven! Congress shall know of it. Burgoyne is fairly in our power now. If I had conimmand of his army, for to-morrow only, the sun should set upon a field of American victory "If the general should hear of your remarks, he would not be overpleased with them !" said one a ho was friendly to.Arnold, and did not wish to see him commit himself, fur everywhere there can be found newsbearers to stir up dis- sension, especially among rivals for fame. "I care not how soon he hears them," re- plied Arnold. "I stand ready to justify myself before the country." The conversation continued in this strain for sonic time : and the officers, one by one, broke off, aid Arnold, much to his satisfaction, was left to his repose. CHAPTER XXII. OT BLOOD AND COOL BLOOD-A SPICE OF TRUTn IN TIE EAR OF OATES. Another Tmorning-the 20th-dawned upon the opposing armies, not clear and brilliant like that of the day before, but doll and cloudy -dark and cheerless, even as the prospet of the beleaguered British army. LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, 868 r . THE CURSE FULFILLED. At an early hour, Arnold was afoot and with his horses, ready saddled for actionwaited the orders of the day, his impetuous enemy chaf- ing at the unaccountable delay. Hours passed, and no movement was made by the troops upon either side. At last, Arnold's patience gave way entirely, and bidding his aids follow him, he mounted, and galloped to the quarters of General Gates, H. found that officer seated on the little piazza in front of the house.*in which he had taken quarters, smoking a pipe, and leisurely playing a game of draughts with his Adjutant-General. Several officers were grouped near, among whom was General Schuyler, their faces wear' ing the look of mortification and disappoint- ment. Arnold merely bowed a hasty recogni- tion as he rode by them ; and reigning up be- fore the piazza, addressed General Gates with- out either saluting or dismounting, ad in no very respectful tone: "I have been waiting orders, sir, until I was tired, at my quarters, a d now am come to re- ceive them !'t "You can return to your quarters and still wait until I send them !" said Gates, coolly, without even removing the pipe from his mouth, or ceasing his moves upon the draught- board. "Are you not going to attack the enemy to- day, sir?" cried Arnold, exasperated beyond control at the indifference manifested by the American commander-in-chief. "Are you commander of this army, sir!" cried Gates, and a flush of anger came over his face. "No, sir--I wish to God that I was, and I would be playing draughts with the enemy upon the battle-field!" replied Arnold. He would have said more, but a prudent thought for once restrained him. "I need no one to teach ime my duty, sir !" said Gates. "I heard that you had before spoken of me disrespectfully, behind my back, but I did not believe that you had the effront- ery to do so to my face !" "I mean no disrespect to you, as mysuper ior, sir-but I am tired of inactivity ' p "Then, sir, you can go where you can find moreactivity if you desire it. I expect General Lincoln every hour, and he can take charge of your division, and will probably have the pa-f tience to await the judgment of his superior general."- "Very well, sir-give me a pass for myself and suite to the head-quarters of General1 Washington !" cried Arnold, purple with rage. "Make out the pays forGeneral Arnold, Wil- kinson," said Gates, coolly, to his aid, "and then return and finish the game." Arnold received the paper, and rode with fiery speed to his quarters to prepare for his I journey.' "May I see you alone a moment, sir 9" said ' young Prescott, when they arrived there. l "Yes-what do you want?" ,said Arnold, less gently than usual ; for every passion of his na- ture was excited. "You will forgive me, sir, and not vent the anger upon a poor boy which that lazy gener- al has excited, if I venture a little advice at this moment !" said he, respectfully, but firmly. d My cousin bade me serve you to the very death,and I, who would place myself in death's peril to save your life, ought surely to do as much for your honor and fame; for both I know to you are dear as life 1" "What does the boy mean ?" "This, sir! We are on the eve of a great and .decisive battle! It must come. Neither the enemy nor we can avoid it. They cannot retreat. We have cut off their supplies. They will soon have to fight, from sheer hunger !" "That is true I"e "Well, sir, what would the country say, if your envious enemies told that, on the eve of a great battle, in a fit of momentary anger, yon had left tme army. They would tike advan- tage of that very step to work yesurruin ; for I care not how high a man may have reached on Fame's ladder, one misstep will send him head- long to the bottom b" "By Heaven, boy, you speak the truth! My anger made me blind to this danger ! You are tIe best friend I have on earth. Yourcous- in did intend to act an angel's part when she sent you to me ! I will not leave the army until the fate of this field is decided, and here--" "You will win more fame than ever yet has graced your name! General Gates will let tre best opportunities pass, and you will strike whenever a chance offers I" "But he Commands--he will get the credit" said Arnold, gloomily. "He commands from his quarters-you will lead in the fieldI, And do not fear but you will get the credit for your actions there !" Why, James, you talk more like a genera! yourself, than like a beardless boy. You should be in our councils of war !" "No, sir; I antbest where I am and can f' no other position-would not if I could !" "Well, you arc a good adviser, and my be friend. Ride back to General Gates wits miy respectful compliments, and say to him slat, after a moment's reflection, I have ore! ded sot to avail myself of his permissinr t; join General Washington; but will rem& with the army at present, and will await audi o r4ers as he may send at his leisure." he young aid bowed, and, rmtcunting his horse, rode off. Tme boy has saved my haorI" mused Arvold. "It would have Irilad my reputation to have left the army at crib a tme. how ike the boy, in sense and waom, is to his beauitiful dgsin-.she wh'm I lore each hour more and more. At fin ,, paiun only fird sty veins ; now I know ishct it imeitv's w/fi',h I I page: 38 (Illustration) [View Page 38 (Illustration) ] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, fe' lie must have a commission ; he will ris- -ri-c rapilly. I must write to Washington about him. CIIAI'TER XXIII. LKMUS HIFiviTS-TILE YIELD OF ARNOLD'S GREAT- EST GLoiRY. ANO TiHE FALSE YASiR O5 IATES. Day af ec day wore on, and. beyond slight skiriihes between picket-guards, or matters of that art, iio action took place between the Brit:sl and American armies. The coriander of the former having fortified his position, waited anxiously for help from below, lpromised by General Clinton. But he waited all in vain. Cli.ton had enough to keep him busy in the sicioity if New York, and in Jersey. Meantimiie, the Aiericau army daily became stronger. General Lincoln arrived with a large force , and, true to his word, Gates gave the latter g, o rul the coiiniand of the wing which ha l bel d to Arnold. And with a mean- neir utterly, ninth a man in his position, lie ha l-in his iaatchts repo: ting the brilliant Settle of Sllbutr r-entirely refrained from - . 'k: of Arold n any manner whatever. T lr. c 1 the indignation of every ('ne in the aryf, ,\Cpt the e, rnues of Arnold, and of that cia-sa hu aishied to advance their own in- tt sts by law hon every act of the commander -a ho never a a'fit for his station, whose fame was won Iv cities, amid who suiik to his proper level ni hnii inhas southern canlaign, he had rio Sclii I1 r to advise hm, and no Arnold to right fir lhim. Up to tilwr the 7th, IBurgvne thus a a' I, nal Ie was oiliged to lut his troops =n -h rt ailowieinance , and then, fuihng that he 1rld r cr e nio ri hef from iCliniton-hie deter- 1 l to -. do o Idi+"-either to break through the lines alhich egviraned him, or fro lperisli at the hi ai of his firer s. Early on that morning, it put evi rv is aillle man of his army in ac- t. i, an 1. h m ii g them linself, attacked the A: rw.r ii their own intrenichied ground, Sidh iie rc an cdespr rat e valor. Go to history, . cer, fir a Inl ace-tnt of that conflict-it is nl with aeh ,or1tins of it as part icularly ,'tibraece tin ciocnuet f the hero of this story tlst a I i ti ih al n itIh. Wih vilaryi. fortui s the battle had waver- I oi :1 n r r f=or o'c ork in the afternoon ; anil A inol,, p1rived of a command, had lingered near Gat , in hopes that the latter, with some little gencr-ntV, might afford him an opportu- rity to serve lis country, anl prove, as he had often on ltfore, Iis devotion to her cause. But as well might lie have expected to draw 1laod froi a tonic, as a generous thought from the heart if Gates. The latter, all apart from the lanig r of tet battle, issued his orders ac- cording to thie r ports whih were brought him. lut Ariold's tune camie. The British centre, uhich aIi stool firimaainct every assault, could not be shaken, sod upon its destruction zr repulsc de pss.ilcd the fortune of the day., Arnold, with eagle eye, saw it, sprung to the back of his brown war-horse, and in a moment was at the head of a column of his old division They rent the air with cheers ; and lte pointed his sword whither lie would lead them-had no need to order them to follow. On-on, like the black spirit of the whirl- wind, he sped-on, crushing everything in his way-on, and down went Briton and Hessian-- on, with his invincibles in his rear, wheeling, ferrying here, like a band of desolating angels sent by the band of the Almighty, they clove their way ! Burgoyne turned pale. "Where is Frazer?" was his cry. "Down with Ackland, and our bravest!" was the hoarse reply. Gates half mad with envy, sent aids to recall Arnold; but they dared not follow him into the shower of iron death through which he madly rode. The English began to retreat; but on, on, now the ruling spirit of the whole army, Arnold rode, following them up like theory king of carnage! He was now the commander- in-chief! In vain could the English throw for- ward their best men to check him. Beaten back into their very entrenchments, one last stand was made by the Ilessians in a strong redoubt. On, over ditch and embankment, leaped Arnold, followed by all who could keep near him. H re, alnnst alone, his horse was killed ; the same ieg which was wounded in Canada was again shattered ; but even thus he was victorious, for the enemy fled and left the redoubt when lie was alniost the only one within it. Gasping, he lay beneath his dead horse -- smoke in clouds above him-dead men all around-his bloody sword grasped in his hand, and his eye flashing like that of the wounded eagle, which would strike its talons home to the heart of his captors-but for an instant was he alone. A tall horseman thundered on, and sprung down by his side. ";in'ral, lim here-there's life in ye, isn't there ?" cried an old, finiliar voice. " Plenty of it; is that you, Elnathan ?" cried the wound hero. "Jest so ! It's me, gin'ral ; jest in time to be too late! But here comes mere of your friends -the enemy is licked Oh, for another hour of daylight!" cried Arnold, as they dragged him froii beneath his horse ; "one hour more, and they were crushed forever !" But darkness was over the field, even though it was won; and they bore the hero back to his quarters, when his services were no longer needed. Burgoyne, in that battle, lost the flower of his army, and all of his best officers. IIe never again shiewed a battlefront, but retreated to Saratoga, and there eventually capitulated. But again I refer the reader to history for a narra- tion of matters not directly connected with my Y -, i F F , ' t i , . i . i P 1 , 4 (1 ' 1 ' : ' : , k , 1 ,,# (' ,T 5'. i (' S , f ( fi . t i i . , ; I EEf 1 y 7 s ; S r {{ i '. s' v , f 4 ' .'I. t page: -39[View Page -39] THE CURSE FULFILLED. hero ; and speed away on the wings of our ro- mance, over river and lake, and mountain, and dale, to other scenes. CIIAPTER XXIV. TIlE PLOT DEEPENS--A LADY SEEKS AN INTER- VIEW WITH SIR HENRY CLINTON. Young Prescott had spoken truly, when, in advising Arnold not to leave the army of Gates until a ha tie was fought, he said that there his brightest laurels would be won. Though Gates gave him no credit, the army and the country did ! Gates wrote his dispatcnes--Arnold wrote none, nr di lhe need any. Burgoynle and his morttiel otlieers attributed their double defeat to Arnold, and not to Gates. In u''r own land and abroad, as a soldier 1nl a brave mian, lie then stood second to none blt Washinston. IIe had reached the pinnacle of fame ! Encvy ould lot crni-li, or mahice ruin himt then ! What could ? Let ou story tell. It was Il-.nths later. Sir lllelrv Clinton strode to and fro in his room at thle British head-quarters in New York, in a state of mind! not to be envied.. The rebel(," as he considered the American pa- triots, elated with their recent success, were gaining ground everywhere. Anl his govern- ment 1was continually bilanung him1 ad the Briti-hl ilers her 1for not crushing the aiind ending th war-whiel, from its expenditure of life and money, had become Very unpopular at home. An orle'rly 'entered, and said o A ahy, closely veilel, wishes to see you upon hali ness of import e11, Si' IIenry A lia-lyr ind oil lu-iness ?' " 's, Sir henry !'' " A huit her - t hough I am in no humor to talk With women!" The soldier disappeared, but soon returned, ushered in tite lady, and then retired. With lis custolnary politeness, the British general bowel and handled the lady a chair, while he remained standing to hear what her business was. She threw lack her veil, a+d he who had no- ticed her figure and ldIemued it superb, almost started lack at thie majestic beauty of her coun- tenance. Having described her once, we need not do it again, except to say that tile had but added to and ripened her beauty. The lady was Luona Prescott. "Whom have I the honor to address ?" asked the general, as he bowed a second time. "An Arnrican lady, sr !" was her reply. "If America produce 1 many as fair, I should fear for the loyalty of the king's officers." "I came not here, sir, to list is to words of gallantry, but upon business !" said she ; and the colr so rOss 111101 hr cheek, and the light grew brighter in her dark eye, that he knew that she was not one with whom he could trifle. "Well, lady, if a loyal officer can confer with a reblc lady, as you confess yourself, on business, 1 am at your service 1" And Sir Ienry seated himself. You and your king would, at this juncture, be glad to create disaffeiction in the Continental army by the defection of one of their bravest and most popular officers, would you not ?" she asked. Most undoubtedly his majesty would desire anything which would hdl tocrush this wicked a11 most unnatural rebellion !' re phed the wily officer. Who is the person of whom you It does not suit my purpose to name him yet, I would first know what you would do to gain him.' 1)You speak very bol lly, fair lady.'' "' U tils tim', Sir Henry Clinton must have got used to boldness from'relsh.' So used to it, fair lady, that I generally take summnlary means to pul a stop) to it. But yourl case is an cxcepItionl. flake your propo- sition distinctly, and I will as distinctly answer it The accession of a general officer from the American ranks to your cause would be desir- abgle, would it not ?" * If popular with the Americans, yes-if not, no!'' Is Benedict Arnold popular with them, and has he proved dangerous to you ?" "on do not m1ean hin, lady ?" ," I mean him sir'!"' You speak of an in lossihility, lady. Amer- ica has had no braver, r 11' i' servant in her rants. 'th etlst to draw to word fr t ei , he will be the last to sha;the it !You are mock- ing me Sir--does this look like mockery ? Forget- ful of msy S x, I com her1 befre you to make a proposition which I knew would he to your interest to accept! I can gain over Benedict Arnold to your cause, and when lie comes he shall not come em0pty-h.lined. Either an army or some important post shall lie dclivired by hiimsM, and wvith hhinselft, wh len lie 01)111!" h What will you demand if this is done ?" Nothing " "You are to me a mystery, lady. What in- fluences you in this mat er?' "'The only feeling wicl is stronger in wo- ma's bosom than livk-tue !" And as she hissed t hat last word through her lips, she so looked the passion of which she spoke, that he started back in actual fear from her. "Then you are a victim -of his-he has wronged you?" "No, sir--no man could wrong me and live ! It matters not to you mAcy I hate him, you may know in time, or you, may not! All thatI ask of you is, to write to him, and make him offers I 39 4 . i 1 tT i t t1t . i S . y S t t s f F S t f 14 6 f A 1 SS . to 7 t a F r 4 . 1, r }: page: 40-41[View Page 40-41] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, of rank and money if he wi:l leave his own and CHAPTER XXV. juin youssi' srvie.-to do it in your own name ! ARNOLD IN PIRLADELPIIIA--THE FULL OF TIDE I will see that/vour letter teabces him ; or you AND FIRST OF Elm.15 tmay sient a n'iesenger of your own, and he Major-General Benedict Arnold sat in one of shall gotsnI cone safely !" the finest rooms of one of the finest houses in Upon what Eafeguard ?" the city of Philadelphia. And upon his coun- "'This p fro Arnold's own hand," replied tenance, the color of which was heig htened by the lady, hti:iling Clinton a paper, dissipation, a shadow of care and of annoyance 11 real it, ast cid: rested. Why should care sit there ? Placed as " This is a pass for one Jrames Prescott and a favorite of the corunander-in-chief in com- his fiends, to go and coen when and where he mand there, with a salary adequate to his rank, p1leas1s- ' what could annoy him ? Like some showy men "Yes, sir; aiil at prese nt, and for months of the present dayl hle had heen proud of his I st he has tn)15' known ie as Jaisies Prescott, position, and had'gone fir, far bysind his means his ad, th :b im baiiis s -n isitlithuh"/it lie loved to make it appear glorious. lit' was in debt, oe inth en i nInch I wear i'' and dunned upon every liands., and none but a 1 hiv I 11h r-t iiI. Vou ilhave already proud andI sinst ivye mian ican know the wiors'r deciiu. i, noull dive Iin Itosfurther ?'' than inquisitorial Iiitrture that a dun, a deribsh " . s, e!'' dun inficts !''hery nss er trouble mc, I try sot " will i n.' the of ir you propose, lady, and tis deserve their visit s, hut i' they conie, my old I will trust ti vol aii I tol no o-I r tin ci nvsev it six-shooter should I 1!aceC theist or tile beyond to him. 1 nil lo n e ysou a phi'r by wlsich the reach of tort ure. ii ean o'f! y emasnnuiseate ivi mIIn', and a j uBtt this is oft t' trail, excise me, gentlemen, passI by v. ich yiii u Vour me-sin g re may and forgive mne, ladies-iy readers, for the di- cross our lhus ~.s Any money whieli you may gression. need-'- That Arnold was in trouble, could le seen by I nei tne, sir! All the gold in Eiglanl his looks. A st-p srusledl him. Isls favorite ca : hu v'v w Ir fr miiy lips!" aid, Mastir Iuns Preseott, entered. L'e- ni', lil, I nI ant so sin'l ee ! Will " s'James, I iai really glad to see you," said you al's hV k eI itl'snirme iof 'Vshngton's the iteeral. mssovstiii 1-fOr I prunr oiiu' s inteniL toreturi " Why so, sir, why to-iglit more thai. to I'hsiladI1,l' usuisI a'5'' "I il d1 - Iiin'thuin', sir, ibut wh t I have toll " Because I ans ssia, veRv sail ! You have yost. 1 2'' , mthif vs' ':si mim-tieii, inlu' Gss- U'-ever advise Iite w Il-yet "I fear you cannot cml Arntsi i ti I1 bni' t'be Au' rei srvics, andt advise mie nion. W istii site of Gats and to ii liveri' li' ri mniay snlt- in'is 'ati, all my eneimies, General Wailiitsmgton pIlaced moe or .sitisup imt i n l-I i Isis ehr:ss' e to you. 'Ihast here, I was too imuich el-itcd, atid is entertain- I-i no t.0-ri - n - , limitsis went t heivn miiy iicsncome ; m and the .- lily,' doit:. ani thi- first cir'ontet in i- I death of youri cousi-in Litonia, who suPplied tme la. shrilln n n' - b -- usr hyii ' with funls ev'n before I asked aid, has left, mne - I sv ih ni n i i v r. sr ti r' tini ,' of ri-wasd, -ci- its a position th it ismisn-"t eiililrlsiiiig'' buit wr .s nr ltie mnil pas a i'n, rlnd I "i' it isis it u ie t ibe s 1 whil' life is left. mt i ret ''n." Y st arofd'stfo ltsi it hy lints nlot yet set.'' 'e tsn :;l- pan.l, :il rs-le-t-d iut a iio- "No, nii hers ! ~To-night looked on both. un: r. ti a'it dwuvn :anl wrviote the irequired Au-I vet I mins totl csheshe whsomt i sio loved is dii. ne n -. ssr ! 31a v (5w5 mit hI 'Ir si lit r buricil 1! So --al ui lterItohim wi' vi.-tsr own seal, she wrote mu' ! As-', th- - 'is' e iuIay iss lit it , 'utisiie,'' sail I the 'Anti vt this very igit, general, I saw you lay pving i-scry st ti'alun'ii to abes Shsippen, at Col. I1V t 1' r innrr 'oui if funsh Iupii 'o'r onlt's "Pratt's iiiri',.' per- ,n"'' Hu'- ISir Iln-'y. ~ iTue; ,tam', trut'-not that I loved your I feat' r isa. My iv' titan's a nisu ill npritct cosutsit, or lien hmoirs-ss'y, ratheri-, the less, bu' be- ite' 'ut Ar 1' ''m:.\m. i5, a nd vl'in r rI 'i-s fm'i int- li t5ause, pie11cniitrily', I stias its a great stri-t. Miss ots," shsi '' dl, ini ai 5 one5 oif pquit sa: casm. Shippsn is an his's ! I not only owe a large " ! T l t,sanifortun h e' wit hii 'o,'said' -sm prl 'i'ately', hist. I io a de'fautilte' to hie gov- Sir il-tnr',', :s ihe msld the letter with Ihis own ernnt'it. Tish' is nit kniowvn yet, anti I know signet. ' that you will notihetIray mi. ut could I mar- "I ihsyTomsir-somlwillhrtfrom imeryher, ecld ' i lier tortim) "o retrieve my- often ; assd uni Imyt isjt is accomle i she be self, that I coushl standi firm oince more.', sutre I will Ciiitiili'.'''Will she a cc'it youth " asked the youth; blhe bowesd, an-d Sir lleinry was alone, and there was somse feeling in his tone when he spoke. - "She has!" " A already, and upon so short an acquaint ance ?" " Yes ; but what excites you, who are usually so calm, James ?" "Only the thought that that woman could be so easily won," said the youth ; and there was bitterness in his tone. " Will her fortune make you all right ?" con- tinued young Prescott. "Yes; I shall owe the government nothing !" "Nothing? You who have been cheated of rank and position, you who have been wronged from the first hour when you drew your sword in their cause! You will owe them nothing? No, no, you will not, and the paltry dollars which so trouble you now, should not count with them against your services. But your services in their cause will never be appreciated! I who have see them can say so." A packet for General Arnold," said a eerv- ant, entering, and handing a packet to the aid, and then retiring. "A packet for me?" said Arnold, taking it and breaking the seal, while the aid sat down and took up a book in a careless way. But his eyes were not upon the pages, but over them, and closely watching the emotions depicted upon the face of Arnold, as he read the first offer of Sir henry Clinton. And strange emotions were painted upon his face, while Arnold read the letter. Anger- contempt-and then a different feeling, for plausibly did it appeal to his injured pride and to his ambition. A second time he read it, and then a third. Then for some minutes he strode to and fro in thought, while his young aid seemed to be reading his book very attentively. At last he paused, and spoke: "James, what are you reading?" -An old copy of Shakspere, sir," replied the aid. "Is there any play there which depicts the character of a traitor ?" 'Yes, sir, there is a most damnable one in the play which I am reading-it is Iago, who is a traitor to Othello." "Pshaw! a woman affair-I mean a traitor to his country ?" "None that I have yet read of, sir." "None yet-none yet! Leave me awhile, James, I an in trouble, and need rest. I wish to see you early in the morning-early, James." "Yes, sir! The matter works well !" mut- tered the aid, as he left the room. "Shall I take the offer and damn myself for ever if the American cause succeeds?' solilo- quized Arnold, as soon as he was alone. "He speaks truly; I have been wronged-wronged on every hand. That one noble heart, Wash- ington, alone has been Just to me. And he, too, who is the soul of honor, would; turn against me, if he saw that I had committed an error in my financial matters. If I were to take this offer, and he to fall, mine would be the blackest ingratitude! No, I will not take it-- at least not now, for my marriage will enable me to face all creditors, and in future I will so L1i live as not to be harassed by them again ! No, I will not think of it, at present at least." CIIAPTER XXVI. CLOUDS ARE GATIIERING EvEIN wILE THiE nIRIDAL FLOWEIRS InLOOM. But a few weeks later. Married to Miss Ship- pen, one of the wealthiest and most prominent belles in Philadelphia, living in a style of ex- travagant splendor. it might have been sup- posed that Benedict Arnold was happy. As yet his fame was unsullied, and though envied by many, and slandered by some, none could les- sen him in the esteem of his commander, the immortal Washington. Was he happy? To learn, we must visit him. To and fro is the same room where he last met us, lie was pacing very nervously. He did not look happy, even though surrounded by all the evidences of luxury and the trappings of wealth. lie rang a bell, which was answered a moment after by a servant in livery. "Tell Mr. Prescott, my aid and secretary, that I wish to see him!" said he. In a short time the young man entered. " dames, I sent for you because I need your advice. In my brightest hours you have been my friend ; be so now when clouds darken my pathway!" said the general. Your natal star is yet in the ascendant, sir! It has not even reached its zenith !" said the young man, confidently. "Talk not to me of stars now, James--when your cousin lived I could think of such mat- ters of romance, but now earthly annoyances drive all such thoughts from my head Why, what have you to annoy you, gene- ral ? With rank and pover-tarried to the belle of the city, your position seems one to be envied, rather than one to complain of." " You are in error, James. I lack that which alone wives power to man-wealth ! I am pes- tered to death by duns-illy paid for my serv- ices, have been unfortunate insotie private speculations ; and now Congress is about to ap- point a committee to investigate my official acts financially. It is enough to drive a man to any act of treason to be so wronged by those whom I have only served too long and too well !" "Has not your lady a fortune in her own right ?" asked the aid. "No-not that she can command, although in time she will doubtless inherit money !" re- plied the general. "You ask my advice, sir, and I will give It. I would,,were I in your place, request the com- mander-in-chief to relieve me from this expen- sive and inactive position, and to give me a command !" "But I am not fit for field-service-.-my wounded leg is too weak still !" "True, sir, but I did not mean that kind of service-some military post-for instance, there i ty, i f d. jr i :, t p t l S" 11 n e 1 i 5 .a s ;i i '4 . , it y - r : 41 40 THE CURSE FULFILLED. page: 42-43[View Page 42-43] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, is West Point, an important fortress, a trusty and honoiri.ilile posjoi ion, which commands the Ilighlan lI of the llu !son. his Excellency, General bsiriington, is your friend, in spite of all that rb e andu envy has done to retract from ; our writ, and will not refuse any favor that you ask:' " You speak truly there, James-I believe that lie ir my friend, and trusts me implicitly. I wish I hal a~k d fir that appointment weeks i ago, ro:iths ago,. be fore I became involved in r ay lm- t ro llS! James, I have a secret to revl to you! It lies heavy upon my heart, al u-o nofshare it with me, for I know tot wii ti di! Nesuer was a man more tempt- l t n I - 'leni . ,I sir? To do what?" asked the ai 1, wit hiv I asnrod surprise. 'To cio nit ircason to my country !' said Arnolld, pr loi'g the packet of Sir Henry t1 toin ui i bOlo-om. " II I that:" lie continued ; " and then when you think of rry troubles and the wrongs which have be i don toure-do not wonder that I have panmii and pondered upon my answer, or whether to atus er it all, or to send it to General Washington hiwiif!"' Arnold watched the face of his aid very elreIly i. lie perirsed the document, as if he would reirl t hire the sentiments which he felt. But no uniioua n was visible upon the ever-carn face of t w ioun roan. W ien lie hil pt rushed the paper, he very carefully a folded it, and handed it back to the general. " What do you think of the offer?" asked Arnold. "rThat to your military talents and influence in the caute, it is most complimentary-to your honor' ns a patriot, nrost insulting!" was the reply. " Vet nit more insulting than the formation of this aci''ursed ('ourt of Inquiry, from those who should Ilie my friends !" "True, sir, thatis aggravating, but yet they may not ust ain the charges against you!" "TIey will-warped by prejudice and with the eviliece of those who wish to rise upon my ruin, I tel tlit they willI" "'The, sir, if I fell, I would not fall alone! Like Samenui, I would pu11 down the house upon thiwe u ho crushed me "'our aleice is good, James, and suits my own nature. lut how to do it, is the question. Set your wits to work my brave lad, and plan for me. So you think it safe to reply to this letter?" " I hardly know-verbally, by some trusty agent if at all. Letters are awkward things if they get into wrong hands. How did the letter reach you ?" "That is true-you are prudent and faithful, and whatever may be my fortune, you shall not be the loser i But you asked how the letter reached lie. It was sent by private hand-I know not who brought it, but it bears the seal and crest of Sir Ilenry, and is in his hand- writing !" Yes, sir, that is evident. Yet I would ad- vise you to destroy it, for you know not whom to trust. You have enemies who would ask no better chance to crush you, than to bring a charge of treasonable correspondence with the enemy ; and that, if proven, would, by the rules of war, be sure to bring death-a disgraceful death-a a penalty True-you understand the rules of war well for a young soldier!" "I have a good teacher, sir! But when do yon expect these impertinent commissioners, sir ?" "Every hour. I have already been furnished with a copy of their charges !"' "Then, sir-it is too late for you to make your application for a change to West Point before their investigation ?" "Yes-but why do you urge that change, James ?" "Because, sir, if the caus' which now looks so dark, should fail, with such a strong and inm- pirtant post in your possession, you could make almost any terms for yourself !' "That is true, again. Your foresight is far superior to mine. Should I determine to open any negotiations with Sir henry, you must be my messenger. There is no one wlhm I can trust but you !" " And yet even I may ie faithless ?" said the youth, with a strange smile. I fear not that! I would trust my life and honor with you !" "And yet, general, the advice I have given you nay ie your ruin! I am almost sorry that I gave it!" "Fear not, James, I shall never blame you ! In truth, had you not given it, the probability is, that my course would be the same. I have borne ; wrongs enough to drive any officer to desperation. Others, without merit, promoted over me-my services forgotten, or unheeded at ay rate. That republics are always ungrate- ful is a truth proved by every history. Mon archs can be just and grateful, if they will! But governments which change almost as often as the wind, possessing no stability, cannot be depended upon! If this were but an empire, then would my past deeds have given me power and rank-means to feed and support my tower- ing ambition-for that I have such, do not deny!" "'Some gentlemen wish to see General Ar- nold !" said a servant, entering. "Admit them-Ill warrant they are those of whom I spoke !" said Arnold, in a bitter tone. "Shall I remain, or leave you, general?" asked the aid. "Remain, James, and note carefully all that happens and is said !" replied Arnolb. " I feel that a crisis in my fate is fast approaching!" "Your star is not yet at its height 1" said the young man, in an encouraging tone.. "Fortune has vet many a smile for you, and I hope that you will not despond "Never while life lasts, and I have you by my side !" replied Arnold, cheerfully, as ie heard the footsteps of the advancing company. CHAPTER XXVII. ARNOLD'S DESPERATION-TIE FIRST FALSE STEP IS TAKEN, AND IT LEADS-WHERE? It was but a short time later, and to and fro General Arnold strode with his face flushed, and his whole frame quivering with excitement. in his hand he held the decision of the court of inquiry, or court-martial, which had been held upon him. It found hin guilty of having upon one occasion used public wagons to convey some private property of his, though he paid all the expenses of the teams ; and also, that lie had granted protection to a vessel wishing to leave li'hiladelphia, without consulting the comman- der.in.chief, though knowing the character of the vessel, he deemed it right. All of the other charges had fallen to the ground, and these it would seen were almost too trivial for notice, especially in view of what he had done for the country ; yet private malice so wrought them into crimes, that he was sentenced to be repri- manded by General Washington. No keener pang could be infilieted upon his proud heart, which had already borne so much, than this. He felt that a reprimand from him who had been his earliest friend-who had been the first to place him in the pathway of fame, would dark- en his name forever!" I would be the last to apologize for a traitor ; but when all had been bright, brave, patriotic, up to the hour when his proud and sensitive spirit was galled into madness by wrong, it is but just and manly that all which is extenuating should be written down in his favor. his after sins were as dark and fearful as his first marks in the world had been brilliant, it is true ; but back with the eye of charity let us look through the cloud of darkness, upon such light as can be seen through it. To and fro, with that unjust and cruel sen- tence in his hand, he strode, while bitter curses rose from his lips. "Yes, James," he said, to his aid-"yes, they have run my cup of bitterness over! Forbear- ance is with me no longer a virtue. I have been a faithful friend to America-have poured out my blood like water for'her-but now it would afford me pleasure to fight as fiercely against, as I ever have for her! Yes, I am free- dom's foe now, if freedom is in this land. Mine has been the hand to help to build up the cause, and mine shall be the hand-the first and fore- most to help to pull it down I Go to Sir Henry Clinton, meet Iis overtures with my free assent -to you I leave all, and will abide by any agreement which you may make !" "Will you apply for the command of West Point, sir?" I II 3 r Y e 3 k, "Yes, and get it, if it can be procured by art and dissimulation! They have made me ap- pear as a villain ; and by high Ieaven they shall not be disappointed in their estimate of my character! I will crush them and their cause, or die in the attempt!" "Please give ate a letter to Sir Henry Clin- ton, to attest that I am your agent!1" said the aid ; and his eye flashed, and his face reddened, and his limbs quivered with nervous excite- ment, while Arnold sat and wrote the letter. "A little higher and his star is at the zenith !" muttered the youth. "And then-then down, down forever into eternal darkness, where infa- my shall crush its light, shall it descend 1" - ' The letter was written and given t the youth. At the same time, Arnold offered him a purse of gold to defray his expenses. "No, sir, keep your gold, I have money, and will make the British general pay my expenses. Ie and his master are richer than us!" said the young man. "That is so !" replied Arnold, "and fear not but that I will dlaw heavily upon them. That which I meditate and will perform, must be well paid for, for it is a fearful risk for me to run! Name, honor, all will be lostif I do not succeed. If I-do, then my success will gild my actions, and I will still be hailed as a hero ! He only is criminal who fails in action! I may even lose my young bride !" "No fear of that!" said the young man, with a covert sneer, which Arnold did not notice. "She, as well as her family, are more attached to the king's cause than our own. The fear of the confiscation of their property has made them endure the patriot name and cause 1" "I believe that you are correct in that,James, but it is singular that I did not think of it be- fore !" "I have seen it in a thousand things !" said the aid. "But let me advise you, general, not to reveal any of your secrets to her ; few wo- men can keep a secret !" "I will be cautious, but now away to New York, to Sir lien-y Clinton, disguised as best you can, and hurry matters through; for every hour that I am now in the service of America is to me an hour of misery !" "A pass through our lines might be neces- sary !" "Yes, it is well thought of! What name shall it be in?" "That depends upon my disguise. I think, by removing my moustache, I could go as a woman-as a Quakeress, perhaps I Write it as Deborah Brierly, if you please, sir!" The pass was written, and the aid hastened away, as if he feared that Arnold's mind might possibly change, or something occur to prevent his journey. "The die is east!1" muttered the general, as soon as he was alone. "I cannot retract now if I would, but it is a fearful risk. Yet it must be met boldly ! And why should I shrink 42 TAE CURSE FULFILLED. 48 x } page: 44-45[View Page 44-45] 44 LUONA PRESCOTT; OR, THE CURSE FULFILLED. 45 who have faced death so often ? Yet it was where honor would have been my pall and not infamy ! And he shuddered as if the icy shadow of the future had fallen upon his soul. And well he might ; for already were the dark clouds gathering which would blacken his name for- ever ! Already was weaving the net which would forever ensnare all of life for him that wai worth possessing. CHAPTER XXVIII. wimAQte(ITO AN) Tiiy REaiiNAND-TI E ivona ASKEDi AND GRANTED. There was in Gte ral Washington a loftiness f presence whih commianded respect alike froni friend and foe. A respect not allied with fear-a respect which no tyrant could command, a feeling that lie was souitlhing purer, older, hitter than a mere ordinary normal. Selected, it would seem, lv the hand of the Almiglty- e lucated, too, for t he very position which lie held, destiny marked him, indeed, to be theI father of a nation of freedom. No envious hand could blacken lts fame. Slander recoiled front him, like a bounding ball east against marble; treacht ry could not betray him ; and death, the merciless, spared him un- til his work was done, and then gntly laid his hand upon him, and led him away to heaven, to receive the reward of the just. And never, perhaps, 'lid Washington appear in more angelic light than when duty called him to use the word of reproof. Never, per- haps, except in the case of Lee, at the battle of Monmouth, did such words pass from his lips in a harsh tone. And there lie seemed to feel intuitively that Lee was a traitor-one who would have been worse than Arnold, if he had possessed the same opportunity, and had one half the provocation-for he was ten times as cynical, and lacked the enduring fortitude of the other in every point of his character. This is a matter of op men, it is true; but from one who has studied is country's history very closely, and also examined the prejudices of the various writers of that history, and found many a trace whereby he can track treason in men highly lauded, who only lacked the opportunity, not the inclination to be traitors. And Lee was one! But to return to my paragraph--Arnold stood before Washington, to receive from him the reprimand adjudged by the court-martial. The light of kindness shone warmly from the great chiefs eyes ; and there was a shade of sorrow upon his face that such a duty devolved upon him-for he was, and ever had been, Ar- nold's friend-could see his faults and allow for them ; while he admired his impetuous valor, and a natural generosity in his character that few others would see. lie spoke very kindly to Arnold, using these vords: Our profession is the chastest of all. The shadow of a fault tarnishes our most brilliant actions. The least inadvertence would cause us to lose that public favor which is so hard to be gained. I reprimand you for having forgot- ten, that in Irolortion as you had rendered 'ourself formidable to our enemies you should have shown moderation to our own citi.ens. Exhibit again those splendid qualities which have placed you in the ranks of our most'dis- tinguished generals. As far as it shall be in my power, I will furnish you opportunities for retaining the esteei which you formerly had." Even before Wahington ceased to speak, his voice was tremtulous, and his eyes moist, and it was evident that he suffered as much or more than he to whom he was obliged to administer reproof. And Arnold must have felt the reproof even more deeply thain if it lad been harsher. lie tould have steeled his already rebellious spirit against that; but kind words pierce deeply into, a heart that is not all given over to evil. "General !" said lie; "you say that you will give me an opportinity-to regain the esteem which my eneimes have robbed me of! For the sake of the past I ask it! My wounds are not suflicienctly healed to endure the fatigues and hardships of the field ; but let me entreat a position where I can be free from my present expenses and trammeled position, and where future fidelity and the duties of a soldier can be verified." Washington paused thoughtfully, and looked Arnold in the eyes, as if he would read his every thought. " What position is there in my gift where you can be useful to your country, sir, and do credit to yourself ' ie asked, at last. "The command of West Point, General, until I am able to take the field." Washington hesitated a moment, and then remarked : "It is a most important post, and requires to be guarded with unceasing vigilance ;for the enemy have a desire to re-open their route to" ('anada, by the valley of the Hudson and Mo- hawk. But until you are ready to re-enter the field for an active service, you shall have the position." "Thanks, myCeneral'"cried Arnold, scarcely able to conceal his joy at the result of his ap- plication. He was now on the road to complete his treachery ; and with all the hidden evil of his nature he contemplated the path without paus- ing to look for obstacles in tIe way. CHAPTER XXIX. ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH CLiNTON-DEEPER AND DARKER oRowS TIHE PLOT. Sir Henry Clinton, who had wondered at the long delay in procuring an answer to his offer to Arnold, was delighted at last at the reappear- ance of the person we have known for some time as James Prescott, dressed again in her woman's garb, and bearinga letter to him from General Arnold-offering, upon certain condi- tions, to leave the service of the Americans for that of the king ; and also pledging himself, if he could get the command of a post or a divis- ion of the army,to make dhe delivery of the one or the other a portion of his treachery. "The general places a high value upon his return to allegiance to the king !" said Sir henry, after he perused the letter of Arnold, "His position enabled hium to do so, sir! lie is trusted by Washington-the idol of the army -and thought much of by the people !" "But he has not been so popular of late? "Not with a few leading men and officers, who are envious of his talents and fame, sir- but they have striveinin vain to crush him; and you will see him i a very few days in com- mand of one of the most important fortresses in America-West Point The British General started in unfeigned sur- prise when hlie hear this declaration. ,Ie knew the value of that impervious post-the Gibral- tar of the Iludson---knew nothing but treachery could ever place it in the hands of the British; and that, when it was gained, the upper valley of the Hudson-the teemimg riches of the Mo- hawk and Schiharie valleys, and, above all, the free passage to Canada, which Burgoyne risked so much to gain, were his own. And with the possession of that line also, lie would cut off the intercourse with the Eastern and Middle States-deprive Washington of a large field for supplies for his Southern forces; and do more to crush the patriot power here than by any other means. In truth, the possession of the upper Hudson, and the rich region there, had been the British desire from the commence- ment of the war. "If Arnold will put that post in my posses- sion, there is'nothimg im his demand which I will hesitate to grant! He shall do it, sir !" replied the lady. "It is the act of all acts that I have reserved for him When he bas sold himself, and betrays his country, thea my olbjet is accomplished !" "You must hate him very bitterly to lead him to do this !" said Sir henry. "No act of mine has been, to him, like hate, sir! I have periled-my life to save his-I have been his best adviser so far. What my motive is, is for myself to keep alone. But I wished him to rise to the topmost ladder before lie fell -and he has ! He can rise no higher as a sol- dier, either in rank or reputation ; but one act of treachery will simk him forever, and then I shall be almost satisfied, and the ruling action of my life will have been accomplishe !" "What a strange creature is woman!--an angel in her love, and a fiend in her hate !"said the general, in a thoughtful way, but not ad- dressing himself to her. "Before you study out the character of wo- man, Sir Henry, we will plan out the manner in which this enterprise is to be accomplished -for it must be well planned, to be safely per- fected!" "Thatis very true, fair lady ; and as on Gen- eral Arnold's part you have full power to act,I shall be glad to hiave you lay out the plan b which this most desirable object can be effected. I would like if General Lee could also be ap- proached. He is a valuable general to the rebel cause !" "Excuse me, Sir henry, you err there. He is morose, self-willed, anidunpopular alike with officers and men. Neither he nor Gates would be of any real benefit to you. The latter is imbecile, and owes all the name he'has to for- tiuie, and that only. The possession of such a pure patriot and noble snan as General Schuyler would indeed be a benefit to you; for the Americans would yield in utter hopelessness, it they saw such mei as he give up or leave the cause. But while lie and Green. and Putnam and Morgan, and Wayne are true and in th field, your work is not done. But Arnold is the one you want, must have, shall have, and the only one with whom I will hr.ve anything to do!" "You exhibit a remarkable knowledge of these generals, lady." "Why should I not, sir ? Disgtuised, and acting as a confidential aid to General Arnold, who has no suspicion of my sex, but believes that Iam dead-for I represent to him the cousin of the one I really am--I have met these gener- als on and off the field. My situation enables me to hear the opinions of others about them, and to know myself how they stand-how they act. I am a woman, it is true ; but having nerved myself to a certain object, every energy of my mind has been kej*constantly in action. That one object is ever uppermost iiin my mind. It accomplished, and I care not what next oc- curs ! How this war ends-what party suc- ceeds, matters not to me. I serve you now not for gold, but because, by so doing, even though it benefits you, I shall obtain my object. "1!t I saw General Arnold raised to the pinnacle oil which lie stands, I worked against you-fmr- nished him with funds-encouraged him witi the thought of my love to rise, and lie sue- ceeded. Then when I laid the plain which, with your aid, I will execute, I had the report of my death borne to him. I have since not only encouraged, but brought about his mar- riage with another, and one who is not unfriendly to your cause. All this, sir, for one object, and that to eternally crush him !" "Lady, you astonish me! Were your talents all enlistedagainst us, I should fear you more than any general that you have named. A De Stael and a Maintenon were dangerous foes to more than one government in the old world- you, in the same field, with all their talent, and a fiercer nature, would have shaken kingdoms, while they only ruled weak-minded men I" "' I do not seek your fhatte:-y, Sir Ienry-but let us think of this business. Some conafde4- I page: 46-47[View Page 46-47] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, teal flierr of yours, empowered to act, must neat Arnold anda s+ tt e the final conditions. lie a- nit i lait uic ee, and will not come to a o any j o c oitaity. lor any prelini- srx air*aa, n at Is will still act as your mes- r,," iutb iil niatters another must take - 1i link of it, anal sliet one so soon as \ \ ,' t Point-fur you seem to feel cer- mi t bit hi will get that lost.'' - 1 invgw he n ill; fir he will ask General Wa'iiun tani fr it; and the latter is deeply at- tic +t to 111thim, anl full of confidence in him; ti:i t u,for th sake of his past wrongs and ens:.ccs, do an thing that he can for him." + '1 bn n 1dv. 1 will be prepared to open, +: a '! couriiiiications with him. And in t m e. a a f a f.. sf hours I will prepare a letter for ia in cipher, and give you the key. 1 i ie. it ite oler you a room and refresh- ian iit-, rn iha you to tel easy, and that every ae., t a u have confided to me of your reasons or cntrpiajang him, are safe with me." I be lly lid, and permitted the general to eat lier to an apartment, where she could anit titahaprepanration of these documents. 'I I APEIR X X X. AI.Niii aS-tiEITaN troN TIIE FIELD OF TRiA- ioN-lllS \iEiSSENGER ARIvIIES. liaik-listen to the peal of cannonry rolling away aniiwng the clefts of the rocky highlands, fari p and down the placid bosom of the Hudson, echoig as if an hundred guns replied to every one that was fired. And close following it, the sound of the rolling drum, the cheerful bugle, and the shrill fife. And still following this, the gla I eiouts of hearty' oiced men. What does it mean. It is Arnold's welcome to the command of West Point. his desire is acotiiplished-he is in possession of the for- tress most necessary to the American cause. And while he gazes upon that brave and true garrison-while he stands there with a flushed and proud face-he is calmly thinking of de- livering them over to the enemy-calmly study- ing how to do an infamous treason. And be. side him stands his young wife, and near her the babe she has so lately borne to him, resting in the arms of a servant, gazing with wonder- ing eyes upon the glittering and noisy pageant before it. Oh, if lie has forgotten the call of honor, patriotism, duty, all that should bind him like links of gold unto his country, why does not the thought of the sorrow which his dark acts must bring upon her heart-the love, and pride, and hope now beaming on her face, which he must crush-the scorn which she must endure with him-rise to his mind. Why does he not think of that day so surely to come when the budding youth of his child will be frost strick- en by that cold world which will point to him and say, there goes the son of a traitor ! Madness-utter madness not to think of these things, but he is beyond thought now. The frenzy of wrong is in his brain: ambition to rise, even upon a young nation's wreck; has usurped all that was good in his soul he is lost, lost forever. In that group, looking on with pride at the grand display, is old Elnathan Goodrich, still chief valet to his master, but little dreaming, however, of his intended treachery-else he, humble and dependent as he is, would scorn him and turn away from him, even as the Jews did from Judas, after he had sold his Lord and Master into their hands. The troops reviewed, and dismissed, and Ar- nold turns away to go to his quarters-notin the massive fort, not within its rocky intrench- menta, but to more comfortable quarters in a mansion near by-from whence he can more easily steal forth to meet the emissaries of America's foe, and avoid the watchful eyes of officers and vigilant sentinels. 1-Hi every stet and movement now mark the coolness and de- liberatioti of the man beset uon error, who will not turn back from the line ie has marked out, even though it leads alone to infamy, and 'ruin. Before he gains the portals of the house wherein lie has taken up his quarters, he ob- serves a young horseman covered with the dust of rapid travel, riding swiftly toward him from "below," and a pleased smile gathers upon Isis face as lie recognizes his aid. " Al, James, I am glad to see you ?" lie cried, as the youth reined up his panting steed and dismounted. "I hope you enjoyed your visit to your friends -" "Very much, sir; very much, I thank you !" said the youth, as he handed the reins of his horse to a groom who approached. "Come to me in my private office as soon as you have changed your apparel, and refreshed yourself," said the general. And then with his fair wife leaning fondly upon his arm, lie en- tered the mansion. An hour later, he was seated by a table, upon which lay writing-materials, and official pa- pers, nani opposite to him was his confidential aid-upon whose calm face could be traced a look of intense satisfaction, while he watched the countenance of Arnold, who was reading Sir henry Chunt' a's last letter. "It is well-Sir Henry seems inclined to-be very liberal," said Arnold, as he closed the doc- ument, and carefully placed it ia an inside pocket of his coat. "When will the officer he sends to close our final conference, arrive ?" " Very soon, as quickly as possible ; he has chosen one with whom he can trust such im- portant negotiations. When one of the British war vessels moves up the Hudson, within a few miles of this post, so near as not to excite par- ticular suspicion, nor to get within range of our batteries, the officer will be on board, and will expect you to visit him 1" 'No-lie must come to me! ,I will not trust iiyself into the lion's claws until I have full assurance and security of good faith, upon his part. Ths toay be a pints to inveigle me so that Icannot retreat, and then to sacrifice inc." " taeral ! do you think I could pander to your ryi:y ' cried the youth ; and a flesh as of weiinled feehing came over his face. a N, James, no, not you! You are the last in the world whom I would suspect of an inten- tion to injure me! But I fs ir the treachery of the Iitisltgeneral. To get me in his power lie iii. .t do anything." iur ijure himself, and lose that which lie cares fir almost as much as the securing of yourelf : tse possession of this fortress ?" \ell, the oticer can meet me on shore, ieat tie vessel, under cover of night, both of us ,.ng disguised : there can be no danger in Perhaps not !" said the youth, thought- fully. "Well, you have done well so far, James,1 an you tst arrange all up to the very close. Of course when I go, you will go with me "Never fear, sir, but I shall be with you to the s e!" said the youth. Illd Arnold noticed the slightly sarcastic tone, and ttsg flash of hate, which caine almost snake-like from the eyes of the youth, his sis- picions of some treachery to himself, of some itmpetling power besides a wish to serve him, which actuated the youth-must have been arouse.l You will personally watch for the arrival of the vessel, James ! It will not do to intrust another with a hint which might lead to the disecrv of our secret !" Yit.iwish shall be obeyed, sir!" "Iaho deh matter can be arranged soon !" stid A rnold, thouightfuI y'. " Wly do you feel in haste, sir ?" " I have two reasons. The sooner the work is done, and the danger of premature discovery is past, the easier I shall feel. Again, General Washington, who is son to come north to visit the French general, Count de loelhambeau, at IIartforl. has written to me, that upon his re- turn lie will visit this post. lie has Ctse eye of an eagle, and almost the perception of a god and if the least suspicion of intended treachery upon my'part falls on is uind, my star is set, atnd seitforever !I" "Could you iot turn his visit to some more account than all else?" said the nil, more wily than the fiend who seduced Eve from duty to her Gusd and husband. "What do you mean " asked Arnold. "A dukedom and its rental-roll might be yours, by one act?" "And that act is what, James? do not speak so vsaueiy." O "To deliver Washington into the hands of the Iritish general, with this fortress. With him in their power, the English would close the ci a' war in a month. There is no one in this land who can fill the place of Washington, either in the council or the field. With his loss the dis- heartened people would submit, and kiss the hand which smote them 2" " Deliver Washington !' muttered Arnold ; and his face grew white, and his frame shook as with an ague at the thought. "Deliver Washington to the eadsman's block or the hangman's cord, or tlshat lie might be caged as a wild beast, and shown to wonder- ing eyes in Europe, as a fallen champion of freedom-as one hike Wallace, an lHofer', and Tell-who had been destined to strike for free- dom, and strike in vain." Wickr d, God-forsaken, and devilish as he was, Benedict Arnold shuddered at that thought. " lie his been my friend!" he imurmsured. My friend, when all else were my foes Yet whieni you have corst atea yotr bargain withs Sir hlenry, lie witllhue the lirst amid- loudest to condemn you, and would sign your heath-warrant with an unshrimking hand l" I believe he woil, for ie would dueem it his dut, ! And from duty he never shrinks! II love sins, Jates, and had I iot b en so wrong- ed, never, never, have given ims cause as I may, to hate mise!'" Lore, sir, is a scarce thing in this world. It's name is very often only a cloak for deceit?" " True, yet you are young for a philosopher !" And the heavy-hearted Arnsold smile faistly. It is not age, sir, but experience which tiacls piilosophly! Btt I will go to y duty, thre apparoaceh of Ctse English vessel roust be watched!" Anl again Arnold was alone. "Deliver up Wassintgtoi"-he murmured, in seep thought-- dehiver up my patron and friend ? It were a most ungrateful act, yet I will think of it ; for, as Jmses says, a dukedom might henisv rewvard! But it must he thi etjict of special negotia- tion ! I woil think of it." Oh, when the wrong is before you, never pause to think, for he who does, is lost ! CHAPTER XX . TttE FLOWER OF TIIE iRITISH ARMY QUIvERS ON TtIE STEM-a itS STORATHIG vtoWILL citusIlIT. 'rell Major Andrd, my adjuitant-geniral, tsat I wish to see him," said Sir -henry Chmto to Iis orderly, after lie had dismissed the emitsary of Arnold with documents to that ebihr'otie traitor. In a brief time, a young and noble-looking officer entered the room, one with dignity, in- tellect, and hoor marked upon every express- ive littesita .t of Isis face. Yost wished to see me, Sir Henry !" he said, as lie bowed upon coming im. I dial, major, sit down !" replied the English nohieman ; "I have an important matter upon which I wish to confer with you I" "I amnat your service, Sir Henry," said the young officer, sitting. 47 THE CURSE FULFILLED. page: 48-49[View Page 48-49] v 48 LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, "I have a secret and most dangerous mission upon which some one must be sent; and, after thinking of all my officers, I know of none with whom I can intrust an expedition that is deli- cate and important so well as yourself. You are suave in your manners, possess a diplomatic turn, and have nerve and courage ; and you can comprehend my ideas without the necessity of my committing them to paper." "You flatter me, my general." "I do not. I knew your worth when I placed you, although a subordinate, in so im- portant a position upon my staff as that which you occupy." "Thanks, Sir Henry ; I am ready to under- take the mission, provided it be honorable, utbelv disregarding any danger which I may incur No duty for your king should he consider- ed dishonorable, major !" said Sir henry. "'There is but one duty in war-time vhich I consider dishonorable, general, except that of unnecessary cruelty to the helplesss-such as the butchery of disarmed prisoners, or the em- ployment of sasages to scalp women and child- ren at a premium "And what is that, major ?" "The duty of a spy, which, in all nations, is considered so dishonorable that it is punished with a disgraceful death ! I am ever ready and willing to die for my king and country, but I wish to die a so'dier's death !" "The wish is honorable ; but, with the mis- sion which I desire to intrust you, it is q1ues- tionable whether you could ie considered a spy by the rules of war. It is true that I wish you to visit a rebel fortification, or, at least, the commander of one !" "Then if I do not do it under a flag of truce, or with arms in my hand, in net of hostility, I surely would be considered a spy, and so dealt with, if taken " Sir Henry looked annoyed. "I fear that the use of a flag of truce would endanger, and, perhaps, dest-oy the object of the errand ; in truth, I feel sure that it would perhaps draw suspicions upon that man with whom I must communicate and negotiate through some able and responsible officer. And hostilely you cannot go ; for we wish to draw him over to his majesty's cause, and to get pos- session of the fortress which he holds!" "May I ask, if it is not wrong to put the question, who this officer is, Sir Ilenry'" "It is Major-General Benedict Arnold !" re- plied the British commander. "Impossible !" cried Andre. "lie is one of the first and most desperately patriotic gener- als in the American army-I would as soon think that Washington could himself be cor- rupted!" "And yet this same incorruptible general has been corresponding treasonably with me for months 1" said Sir Henry, with a smile. "And," be added, "it only wants the payment of the } moneys into his hand, and, the filling out of his commission, to close the act which will deliver West Point to us, and secure his services to our side "By Heavens ! there seems to be no honor in man!' said Andre, excitedly. "You speak as warmly as ii yen were friend- ly to the rebel cause," said Sir henry. "You know that I am not, general; but I am so attached to the profession to which I be- long, that it pais me to see a soldier sell him- self to dishonor, even though he be an enemy, and by his act renders us a benefit ! "But, my dear major, we must not be so nice in our distinctions of honor, in a case like this. lie is but a rebel to his king, and returns to his lawful allegiance I" , 'For a price !" said Andro, scornfully; "for a price, and not from a sense of duty ! ie would for a hrice as soon betray us again " " Not when a halter would hang ready for him upon both sides. his very treachery will guarantee his fidelity to us. Ifesides, having the coninand of the entire 'Hudson, and its ad' vantages, will en: ble us to close this hateful and unprofitable war speedily. I know that no warmer desire animates your heart, which sighs so often for old England and a loved one there, whose hand but awaits your return!1 The young officer blushed deeply at this al- lusion, but evidently not front displeasure. After a moment's thought. he d.ail "The defection of Arnold. and the yielding to us of \\est loint, woll e invaluable in- del to our cause. It is sail that the place is almost iiiqregnable."'.'. That is s but the most important thing wil lbe its effect on the army, of which Arnold was a very idol. Other officers wi.l follow him- the men will desert-:the people despond be- neath the blow, and Washmigton will distrust all around li; for he puts more trust in Ar- nold than in any one else It will be so, perhaps, sir; hut yet indiina- t;on may aroute them beyond lespondence, and the name of traitor become so hateful, that all others will dread to ussunie it Well, major, these are points which it is useless for us to argue. Am I to understand that you wish to decline this vision, imiport- ant as it is 1" "Sir Ienry, if you order me upon it, it is not for me to refuse it! I only say that it is a duty repugnant to my feelings as a man and a soldier. Sincerely-as impregnable as they say West Point is-I would rather be the leader of a for' hora hope to storm its battlements than to be the negotiator for its delivery by a traitor to the cause which lie has espoused !" Sir Henry seemed to be more troubled than ever. "I have no officer of high rank," said he, "with sufficient tact and prudence to do what must be done.' "Then, general, I must do it-give me you TIlE CURSE FULFILLED i 49 instructions, and make such preparations for my departure as you deem best," said he, with a sigh and look of gloom which seemed to shadow a presentiment of his coming doom, so sad and sorrowful. CH APTER XXXII:. MiDNIGHT TREASON - THE MESSENGER, AND TIra VULTURE IN HER NEST. It was night, and upon the bosom of the Hludson dark and gloomy shadows lay-sha- dows from the black clouds in the sky over- head, and from the gray cliffs and tall trees upon the shore. And a low, gloomy ripple was on the waters, made by the breeze which, with a S!len murmur, swept down from over the western cliffs, and through the tree-tops upon the shore. It was a night fitting for the consmmation of dark deeds. A few miles below West Point, a sloop-of-war lay at anchor, lark in hull and dark in name ; for it was the British sloop "Vulture." She had crept up in the gloom of the night to that posi- tion stealthily, as if those who guided her knew how dark and unholy was her errand. But she had been observed from the shore, and scarce had her anchor dropped, when a light skiff, imi- pelled by only one person, left the land and gained her side so silently, that no sentinel ob- served its approach until the person who came in it stood upon the deck. Who are you, and whom do you wish to see ?" asked the started officer of the deck, as he saw this person step over the gangway. "Ilist, speak low-h am a messenger to Major_ Andre, whom you have on board, and vish to see him !" replied the visitor. The officer led the way to the cabin, and in a moment the young aid stood in presence of the Adjutant-General of the British army. "Where is General Arnold ?"insked And'r, recognizing the messenger by a signal which had been agreed upon. " On the shore, but a short distance hence. lie will there await you," was the reply. Why lid he not come on board in person ?" said AnudrS, impatiently. "lie preferred to see you on shore, where, disguised as he is, you can both meet in safety ; anti would rather not trust himself in British hands until he held a British coiinission for his safe-guard, and had -delis ered over the fortress vhich he holds, as a proof of his fideli- ty to the cause lie is about to espouse !" re- plied the aid. "I do not like to leave my ship," said Andre, gloomily. '' The interview might have taken luhace as well here. Whatever General Arnold may be, I would scorn to detain him here a' moment beyond his pleasure, when Iliad passed my word for his safety", Nevertheless, sir,"'replied the aid, "lie will only meet you on the shore, where hme is even now waiting with impatience. General Wash- ington is soon expected at West Point, and it is his wish to consummate matters as quickly as possible." "General Washington to be at West Point?" asked Andr, hurriedly. "What is the object of his visit there ?" "Merely a visit on his return from Hartford, whither he has gone to have an interview with the French generals. If matters are arranged, General Arnold will deliver him into your hands!" "heavens ! lie canot be quite so base as that-so near akin to Judis!" "Y" u understand him not--when a man once stoops to wrong, lie knows not where to stop !" "YOu penk of his course as wrong, and yet aid him in it !" said Andre, eyeing the ahl with a look of suspicion. SI an only his servant in the matter !" re- plied the iii, carelessly. " I am paid for my services, and follow where he leads, or go where hie bidsi me " You say lie waits on shore for me. Will you pilot my boat to the spot ?' 1 will do what is better and more safe for you. 1 will row you there in silence in my skif, which is light and small, and less-likely to at- tract the -ittention of wandering sei u s than one of your large boats." " It is well-1 will trust myself to your guid- anee, for you seen young, sind free from a treachery which would endanger my life." " thought soldiers set but'a li hIt value on their lives " said the aid, in a light tone. They seek a more honorable le-ti than that which{I might meet if taken within your liins said Andre, earnestly. " And though my life may not be worth much to me, it iiay he to another!" "u have you a mother ?" asked the ail, quick- lv mind earnestly. " No ! But why do you ask ?" sail Amndri, whoe ns wrapping his cloak around 'hisum, ani hd not notice the agitated manner of the ques- tioner. only that I hai a mot her once, anil sc swas remy dear to mtc !' replit d the ill, recovering Is comtpiisurtie, and leading the ay toithe vessel's side, that they might enter t hue'skiff. Iosi' soon will you return, miij i' ?" asked tie cornmsamder of the vessel. "kI nowm int, but as soon as possible," re- plied the iritish officer. " I tone your detention will not he lengthy," said the naval officer ; ' for were are in a star. row channel hit re, and under' high bmnuks ; and the cursed rebels have so mnyummiy nsked bat- teries that we know not when one will open upon us-especially whm daylight discovers us to the people up this way." "I hope to be tack long before daylight," said Andie, as he descended the gangway lad- der into the skiff. i .' t page: 50-51[View Page 50-51] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, 50 CHAPTER XXXIII. have been shed over his "untimely end "-and mx A.Ar. AND TIIE v ULTURE STAr.TLED FROM whom I hold to have been mrallya mIuc a v l3 ' ND -T" lrLMA criminal as the other-for he hie Alone N the gloomy shade of the trees upon and pa i his price for treo-teonward that shoe, mthoo rn d await ng the return I as rapily as tey could throu the t of h re, nstigo -,rnteoficial agemt of Sr rush, and soon reached the od( lt. Antis of hey ins in.g r ew it atide _not alone rwas atrtled to hear a crash in the woods as fHenry i drntin +1,'I.l ast-yrut fir lns, they ap1roaclied the broken entrance of the for hs d arktv 'ohat cuild those thouldtrts h oihun-- \ l base hun e nfhe atst glories of his career, " Be nt alarmed, major," said troll. which he wae alen. it to dim forever by the acts " Only the horses of myself and e star there wo sich to h e c insum nated ? f the cause anul, ht rimig our steps, they e o sl on ie ii It cruihi forever ? \ hat sliow their im p1at1 lence, probably.'' whicr l s coue In ie ld to he a te ror to I:a ure, Andret entered the lin n in a hie er er 'i nrvott-l' as t ach ictiereas- few momurn lit5, t the anid of flu mnt reel, and tin ii. !;tif cli c k thclatrte h I i~ tt i uS hr' I t', ii~ tl iitli a miathiof itrlii'toe-the l ak thtliefy braterilhe'ssdobefore 1lo poirus ala l I a k I" e mututcared. " N " Co-f cos" cam e in vogue, ucceed 1 in n x t i t t i i t lat i r -n +: l it I oi tbl t atl i i I c u l l l i g h t i n r g a s m a l l "d a r k l a n t e r n . '' m o et i a f h r It r v aled th e outl ines of thu" ' h u l, sw 'iri' te nt him fa wat a ir ci rule yrdit' suny , l'rto+, r xiotin , no fumiitre hut an ollI m e i,nut1 tuatl' x ! ~t arugtr Ct iii e in flut'it fl!t/t-c, l "tui )tillu tl i ic Shairl1eles(f tllth e nu +)-tiutt'dh da v t',r Yr t Itl1l 1 c+ll look s re iin liu.t rv, who met thi antlrireo h tt f - i t r is it d it ot th frit tint. Ainit waii n l ,ttiti uon it. ftr t ia -lie di too ly. fir n idr i, w h ntO sign rif his rinkl ior It tsih- t o xi i r uf i nc I l 'I li - r- atuit him lInt the thin, h lri fot rmtl t lsh s i 1 e nti hing :ti ate ill ig ery , tn'e tiin nostn1, anli t iret e lt dm, t W'-' it ili VIf r dr thy tarry so t tid i ito anii what he was. tl i thIit alw dt' l - .\s Ai le there o it i n his aunti mnifitarin f li ilftto Im fear of r. d s -el h, h re (a hed th ;i gaul', sc h n fo I«f flrj b, fr I hi , irf li cort iry aid also that aii' xx« i nst.ll c,_ .I l i lcire t'' a p t''' ix r 'u tl itl ra' to dtifenti lire's If r:tiitt etz , ,! t r b a eI , ', ",, 11[1on tathe rnwd+ , n 'ready 1o +lt.i t~d i ced the i bi he - h.ih a r thul 1 ciiy to dh i uti g en iwr . ti In t ir"iio the4ci xtf ti n' c i f '' n ri, r' r , r t ii'! i g toit , a n r'11li na ch, an I Ar whi dr. -s xxn uM. tiux r I" 'In Iitr'fu'a th - ar II''eI1 -iiiari 'i iiii ir ntl t ! , in nuty think' Imeeiit t Ihirt. hmt it was o n h It r qtiiira dl gisr t it Iasl t i l ^rkli ri l i i ituut ..ti i ti i," repulird anahre. 'l'tcx ti' ile Iar thi Ij ' \ilfrl' a'l d it e titor. s''-tms stechid I, alt1 ouir coinfrecew ir i h t t I t i i t«c ii n ra l A rn il d " w ias th ' 1 ro bs e Ila l i t' a r y len g t try, I p r :s u nt ' I h ere+ is ta ' - 1o tanier of a discover'- rt . }, Walk bck ithi me,, maijir, Sr a de- " Mir' to .c-that is, mtre uda r titan S uciIt ii a ens' I ekret lear yottrsil m er e oif a i lic t .ll -i t r'ii nt il S t' r I i nsr' tort' alI f ,r tamt trig a Is it, hits e youit ir armed A esel to retii t dheli darkl i t t ' tt ", "ie l +# +tii t «' Amtllyt I atiri til",t li.Iiiti t'ii ii'inrlttls r u-ie c0 ti aiit k u ', oirle , rit e as tltr w h I n t r e w i a n d u .- t 1 1 . n e c a n 0 " , ,r a ci t f "t u r s n n c P i t n i i l e .rre d o ae c n it t xorc mrr lttrieh ii cases hhe ''\Well, general, we will at one' 1trr' r reatitt s, n r tooi btis-t i hrave ht e h yrnrtor to re it thinewit th aI th t t ert cotm10(t untr mf m Il itannsic covetvs sr r '' -ir htli sten- our litt a i' ,' in ' o t i nmk, - ht ttrt f r I 'xt I i li" t i tur ie arl y tnsIi hii ptnlr." I meris yi enetoitl sai l A rit it c rra ele d irmik iiin Ir nl the o tum nt w ii- t et re i nt 1trIr rirl t h lc itimt cuns a'ch is iehi l to the " Alo," hue ailedi, " the wtritten ti irrf i the dtark It it .t1 is tire) wrent, tire aid muot- 1 i-ry Sir pay yrou teni thiiousrihviii in w red aItt t ti yur1, the momit that 'ou arr i tee '. hi it irt Arnold, your star of glrr'vy t Yrk'."--N'y ows ltlk li in I et forever ! i'ver tir i shal ' It is kioi ly tine, ' tPi musta hain's lni hrt faIl tir ein th' birotas r, totitl memn of tire mamniner in whih ll 'ethourt mthe losse unk natmt itaie sw itr pridt e 'Thte' h In ret rier p akeni to nc uire it' nt rr'owitrirt thtt' ri youf fit i"' rint h at t,' aii ht rce fto rth i i i ! in n tio 'ith r i , f mt1 rsn wo ,IIt in"i to li hh'"' thit tire ollhcem's anti miii n of tth r . rp.ctrime asn h ' tr cr t Irs the traitor and thie suo nsri , r ist to ithe dear ,x t r sit trance osi oftit-li, in av 'h Isas as guilt s him so complete as tstC wheom ir ai urnrul-th ough oceanS~ oh tea, s tle.'' L t THE CURSE "I presume they would, general ; but with the most of the arms so placed that a select party could seize them, andwith the sentinels drugged so that at a given hour we cold in silence occupy the place-according to the plan -with a powerful force, I think there would be no danger of much resistance. It would then be folly ; and when you, their supposed gen- eral, ordered those who had seized arms to lay them down, they surely would not refuse." "I think not," said Arnold, "llowsoon can you move up troops?" "i Almost unmetdiately. To-morrow night, if it is a night like this ; for they are embarked in transports and vessels but a few miles below, atd rruld move up the stream at a very short mnotce." "I mayhave the rchestprize in all America vithlun the walls of the fort, or att miy own quar-j tears, to-morrow night," said Arnol'd, trying to appear careless, though let'emiibled when he made the announcement. "Ah!-iwhat is prized so highly ?" asked Andre', as if he knew not that the traitor meant George Washington-the man so great and good that even his enemies could not repress their r'evererce for Iis character. What would your king do if he had the piersm of General'Washington in his power ?" The same that e huts done to other great rebels, probally-behead him,"replied Andr. I asked with another meaning. What would hie do frr hiim iwho rendered the service of de- livering hin up ?'.' Not hreimg his agent, but only that of Sir Henry Clinton. I could not say," replied Andre', dryly. "But ih d you asked ie what I would do, 1I would not hesitate in my answer." Arnold lid not like the looks of Andre as lie said this, therefore he did not press the ques- tion home to him ; for he dirl not care to quar- rel with hum then, and a rude answer might havi been given. After a brief pause, Arnold said: " I expect that General Washington will be at West Pomit to-morrow, or rather to-tlay ; for it is already approaching the morn of another day." "Then I must hasten to be gone. Iave you thie promised drawings and plans of the works ready for me ?" "They are here," said Arnold, handing him the pipers spoken of. " Are the posts where the sentinels are sta- tioned all marked ?" "They are ; and so accurate a description of the grounds anI all the approaches are iven, that no one can mitake them, much less a sol- dier luke yourself," replied the traitor. Then, general, if to-morrow night is dark and favorable, hke the present,,-we will make the attempt, The countersign ar.d parole will Ie-' . Washngton and Congress.' to-morrow night. If the night is not favorable, ' Brittania FULFILLED. 51 and Clinton' the next. But I shall have a faith- ful man ready to meet and guide you; for you, I presume, will head the enterprise." "That honor i.e reserved for me by Sir henry Clinton," replied' Andre. "Is there anything else for us to think of ?" "Not that I am aware of," replied Arnold. And they rose to return to the river side. At that moment, a heavy, rumbling sound was heard in the' direction of the river. "Heavens! what is that?" asked Andre, quickly placing his papers within his coat. " It is a sound which I have heard too often not to recognize it," replied Arnold, far more agitated than the other. "It is the movement of the artillery, down upon the banks of the river." And in the very election of the place where I landed !" "Even so," replied General Arnold. "Some one must have discovered the vessel in which you came, and is planting a battery to play upon her." "General Arnold, I would not doubt you- but if this is a plan to involve me and mygu'- eriment, and perchance to take my life, yours shall first pay the forfeit," said Andre, sternly - and his hand was upon the butt of one of his pistols when he spoke. "Sir-I who never have been guilty of a small action, nor of this great act of treachery, till forced by my country to dlo it. would scorn so mean an act as your words infer. I would not be a traitor to youi; and I swear to you that I do not know anything more of the matter which now excites us than vou." "I will, I must believe you, general. Lut how can I regain my ship ?--day is actually showing the first gray of dawrn." "I know not; but here comes my aid he may tell us. In heaven's name, Jaimes, what means that noise ?" "Sonic of Wayne's artillerymen, sir, having found out that a British vessel hd ventured so far up the river, have got down their light bat. terry to pay their compliments to her.' Can you not order them raway ?" asked Andre of Arnold." I impossible !" was the reply ; "for my mo- tives would be suspected in a moment." '' True; but you can row me on board iin spite of their fire, my brave young man," said Andre, appealing to the aide. "I could, sir, if they haid not planted their battery within ten feet of where rmy skiff lies," was the disheartening answer. What can I do ? I must regain the vessel or get below in some way," said'Andre, passion- ately. " I will see you safe beyond our lines at every peril !" cried Arnold, " hut, to do it, mount my aid's horse, and with mne rife to my quar- ters ; and there, furnished with a change of dress, I will arrange for your safe eondvet to a place of embarkation below." r - i f S t , (q r .4Y ]. I ' i "T - s Y i t 4 a t i P , page: 52-53[View Page 52-53] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, " I have no choice, I must do it. I never HiM who rules all destiny cried: " hold, the evil e ioulil have If: my ve'sel," said Amtlre, as they goes no further !" proceed d t,1 t i' liorsev. At that moment three mien who, without pay, A nl i 1 look u-l tone were very sal. The without naameiii1-iilite. without rank or emolu- presi'ntt im.at if in ing evil aireaty lay heavy mint, were serving their country-literally upon lis hi irt. Ilow true it is tlhat " fighting on their owvn hook-as did one of my "'C " . ebt, ca t their shatotws before." blood, whose name is not yet forgotten, nor his As t lev rh' 'l, the thunder of the guns death all unavenged, were seated near the road frot ihe' I.itt ry. an the cheers of the artller- which rung with his wirse's heavy steps, en- itcLai. Iih lV upon their ears, but it did gagl in the nit incident, nor yet classic, but tliui a ii o', for a hr wlne1 the 'ound of the ir tite-killing gaimie of " sevei-ulp.'' liiir~ir- bi i :'fi 11i i th Jd litled up aloiin the rocky e tIc ri ' ri1 13 1 ii'iaeh1 , te pl r eto their roii~ 1.-- feetIi olipeil their cairl.,seiz.ed their rude fire- lois, antl in a moment barred his way. t' I I.\i'"'l'! l.-\V ho arte Von, a:transit'r, a dwl hlithier bound, i i : -+ ii ii ii t I r ' 'ir ire, stiiil mu aiisi i're . era 1' au li ir, the fore- ' : + ;I i I; n ra!. mte i .ost of the'three, sihll e aivak'inig Andre '1' i . n l'1 the uiu-, tty fio 011 ni h 1itaant daiy-diieams of a fair and fond I, ry irin 'hr h. o ,, -h,,i*'* r r'iomrii.h r acc y "1 romni en cuc ale . i;u, getiit emen ." he ask- !l" lit (. li i i ii itt for ' I'vli ' r o ity '- rcphaii l W illiams, the most l :t i l ,'i nitil tihe io ' imicrt y, mitiimting ihis reply w.' , in, : mi a tle' i mi- et d a 0n of tat th ey behged to the 1iUnti-h side of the hlu e i pi fromia b m, m if. "I!" sail \ndyr', ioyit all his ens-, ttotn re cal i n ill tIie i'511:ri it franieiiss of thme _i., u '"~. 1to i' iut if iivair iniale ule \ o""ii . i. r' tn'n. in .\ii 1! 1 n bir le a ' thiioe iitr' uiiiiwrs sealed lis donmi. 1 ;t _H. uro 1 ' ( Xvik ivi 11i 1 ,slint, ani lit us se' wihat you are I t 1, +1 ,1 n haryii un'ii iti'v li.iiti1' .. ide of! cried Van itI. t hc 'iyn er of thi' Ttt ~ ss l~ s tiiitlVc, mt al d la s115 thr ,anlem, :i' i F 1 1l la brolle r11m. - ' :p.- i ii1 itt ld by ' t' lle I am m eaiit haste-let me t :c " H b1r, tt u i :t; all A me r t' a ! ' . ma l Amide, e ntii i re h un m ned at the ps I rci n . : . a ias souitihwda. r rairl.'liLi't t' :min sudmttiti'n' "if the dangir which ""tlu i '"5+"! =i .\anin t- f only t,} n w e e dhnt5V1i') it v i. '' i you w11h1 goblt, here 2s 01. or;, ' it'ii ' a iri hii v I - sm a len s iof it.' and+ htdrw forth the netted ct 'u ii td t fi r niii' f:lull'r' 1 1 .iie liy hils so slim' to hu nt, and showed ) . t ' n g'lbt tei .rim m t- i iebic l li it. . r1 Iin. 'u si 'till it y' .oi en IP iib -''i of the coeuiitrnmnin tlasled when tTn n3.'""t v*E uf"c:- h irn a lsn:h 1)t h b~j le ktwy an fi he ttun :e . sm ht. or they twere ;very at1 ' t 1 u ;;Er u bl ;t,1 rCu E a n ay. n, r. )t lint tile' o hatst re phed s . . . i sr ii tit il inii (If thii " It looks c lvh Ih tith roil , if it is, it would - r t'! -" ' i ii I lirni'hhli'i uirniii an Jmetiicr lsu inil. Vie do hot waiint your : ',.1 t Iri h t nills m neytt iii ! )in uoiout .'' h - 'ah. Ah p a d on ,i ''ll\. bii ii .a\niAm'i'anl, thei? I was but n hh-h horHer j'y't ni i,' n i Oiiii''ii I Sthiiouln id I tifi'iiiwas from below. : , t "" t'L I ~n~ :i I"lusbh 1nIi ti uth i atminot, ibut :ani.\metrican hike your- er r e ' ... ful tI n than h lies. litre is timy l1es fri tlthe irate (G'u- ti r ' ' lt mi mii li iii inivsilprove eral Arnoli, of West oimt, from whom I cone v' r i t+o a 'rirt d 'ree, fi' indi upon w hse biusine s I amt hotiut .'' cried it+ anIt I p':t.ike tim a great Ant ir, d rawitmg out and priesett ing tihe paper. iiriiuin s the im. lu ulhh og toik it mind ari'iwly exaniiiiied .t. b .i t. I r 1',t iCi.Ii iiis. tie '' All looks f.ur so fitr as the p:1s is concerned'" 'u i h' i i' i i l r, ianen l hebal sl he ;'' lut .m\ii'ric.iis se blom carry gold. , ' iiraii t rmi i ti iat is ii iuiiiistiitmount ilan sunIiiit to a search r ' '. 1 .: i- ! . f la r r o ow n, 1ht'ei" G entle me'n, tutakem y w atcl, anid le t n meass. tr.ltck'ii My' husiesis urgent ." ;+- t.;sa-I hrse.la rdnt t'at '"\\'e nee d noin t ches to tell us when to (o So:r linty .I) imoutnt, or we wrill help 30 0" t, i r if ( is uw itvii the dial of his wat the stern really. t{." o 1 'w, b iwat'' is m i t' t t ' hophoes if Anid ri' hesit:,ted a mio:ent; hail le been ini m: t.' ' in a '1uu'Clhtug freemtn, marked ardch, even though those three strong men, ii.h' turi 'i' ii' tt iterluri se which was atr'med as they' were, were li odds, he would ist ndud to e eush that natou, and the voice of 1 have.struggled for life and liberty. But acting 529 upon the advice of Arnold,he had left his arms with his uniform, behind. Thinking that their search might not be so thorough as to discover the papers in his boots, he dismounted. The pockets of his coat, waistcoat, and breeches, and even the lining of his hat, were all carefully in- inspected, and no evidence found whereby to detain him. "I guess he's all right, let him goI" said Williams. "Guessing work won't do for meI" said Paulding. "Off with your boots, sin" Andre turned pale as death. "There is nothing there," said be, "the ground is damp, and I shall catch cold ; I am not a well man now !" "Off with your hoots !" thundered Paulding, who had noticed hi agitastion. "You caostand on your head till this examination is over, and if you catch cold, we'll doctor you up !" Andrd still hesitated, and' Paulding rudely raised one of his feet, and drew the boot from it. As he did so, the secret came forth, the fatal papers fell to the ground. Paulding took them up, and inspected one after the other. "Plans of the fortification of West Point !" he muttered. " Countersigns, paroles, etc., etc. You are a British spy, sir !" "Not a spy, hut yet a British officer, I ac- knowledge," replied Andri, who saw that fur- ther concealment was useless. "You can mount your horse, sir, and we will take you back to the nearest post, where the commanding officer will know best what to do with you, and be better able to comprehend these papers than we who are poor and igno- rant !" said Paulding. "You shall no longer be poor if you will let me proceed to the British lines. Nay, if you doubt me, go with me, and, besides this purse, watch, and the horse which I ride, you shall each have a hundred golden guineas I" "Mount, I say, you are our prisoner I" thundered Paulding. "I will give you a thousand golden guineas !" groaned Andr6. There was a moment's hesitation, while each man glanced in the flushed face of the other. A thousand guineas to men who scarce ever had handled one o sons of toil, whose hands were hard, and pose brows were dark with the stain of labor ! A thousand guineas to them ! what a temptation ! It woulk buy a thousand of the brawling patriots of the present day - haa bought the editor and his press, the congress- man and his vote, the judge on the bench, and the governor in his chair I God, what a trial I When Andre saw this hesitation, joy crept within the clammy portalsof his freezing heart, and Hope's light beamed from his eyes. But oh, how quick his sudden exultation changed when front every lip of those priceless patriots came the holy words "asrsaa GOLD cANNOT BUT us! " Enshrined forever be they upon the records .,,,' I L I 58 of all which is immortal in history ! Engraven be they upon every true American's heart. Mothers, lisp them to your babea Fathers, teach them to oursons Would to God that in letters of gold, visible to every eye, like the star they were written eternally in the sky above us, that they may shame the recreant sons of patriot sires into a remembrance of the duty they owe to such fathers, to their country, and their God! But I forgot the patriotic politicians of the present day have no God but gold-no duty but what is iaid for ! "I will give ten thousand guineas to be liber- ated and sent on my way. One of you may go to Sir Henry Clinton with a note for me, and get the money !" groaned Andre. "I will stay till he returns!" "You will stay until you prove that you are not a spy ! All the gold in Eniland cannot buy us ; we know and will do our duty ! Mount, or we will help you to!" was the stern answer, Andr6 groaned, and his heart sunk, for he knew that all was lost for him, but he obeyed the order. He was mounted, and they return- ed, one leading the horse, the two others guard- ing him with watchful eyes, and ready arms on either side. CHAPTER XXXV, COL. JAMESON'S WEAKNESS, ANt) ANDRE'S MES- SAG TO Says A TaAITRn'SI'SFE. There was great excitement at the advanced posts of Colonel Jameson, when the three brave and incorruptible patrolmen brought their prisoner in. Every man at the post was aroused with a feeling of pride and patriotism, when they learned what princely bribes the brave capt6rs of such a prize had scorned and refused. The colonel, impressed with the calm dignity and gentlemanly bearing of the prisoner, knew not what to do. And not being sutlicientle scholarly or erudite to fully understand te meaning of the papers found upon Andri; und as Arnold's name was only upon the pass, and he not acquainted with that generals hand- writing, and one who could not dream of the treason of so brave a man and so great a patriot as Arnold was supposed to be-was all the more easily mystified. When Andre requested to be privately ex- amined by Col. Jameson-for the major at once saw an advantage in such a course, for intui- tively he read the good and easy character of the man-Jameson acquiesced without hesita- tion. "I am glad, colonel, now that we are alone and free from those ignorant mep, whose' pre- tended patriotism was only based upon a desire to reahse a large sum of money, and whose eupidity I have fairly tested-I am glad that, alone with you, whose intelligence and gentle- manly bearing assures me that I speak to a patriot and a man of honor, I can reveal myself t' ; i 7. . F f i t ' .y f ! y t S 1 1 e i t w i}r }t i f i i THE CURSE FULFILLED. page: 54-55[View Page 54-55] f in nyi true character !" said Andre, with a suave dissinulation that proved indeed how great a' diplomat he was. "I am not the man whom they believe me to be ; and, I assure you, upon the honor of a gentleman, that I am not, nor have I been, a say ," The i honor of a gentleman" in those days was something, and not, as now, too often an idle wrd ; anuid what with Andro's flattery and this inastisolemn observation, poor Jameson was indeed in a qua:idary. IIn had no efficient offi- eer noar to aid or consult, and he was perplexed dreuiflly. .1 dear sir," said he, addressing Andre in the ku! bt tones, "if you are not that which ou utid to the men you were, pray, who are you r p rivate gentleman engaged in the patriot caue, with heart and foitune. I am a friend of t; i wral Arnold's, and his pass is genuine. I beg that you will at once dispatch an express with all eseed to him. I will write but three lines to lin, or you may write them yourself, stating only that Mr. Anderson has been de- tained at your post; and I have no doubt but that lie n'll hasten in person to assure you of ity true character, and of the injury my unjust dete nuon bty those boors han done the cause." "Thor- cm be no harm with the express-I will Cu l1 it," said Jameson; "write your note, whiil- I go and mount an orderly." "f I erish, I can at least save Arnold, and enable lim, with energy, to yet fulfill our plan. hy ee niiisuiiiating with the troops below," said Andi-whose every impulse was noble, even though we deem Iis correspondence with Ar- nol,.:n the first placea crime. And he hastily wrote a note, so guarded that none but Arnold could comprehend its meaing, yet it fully re- vealeil thic (anger of both. The colonel came in a moment later, and the note was at once dispatched in all haste. After the express had been sent, Colonel Jatmson, knowing that General Washington was 'p1cted above, enclosed the papers taken upon Anri', and an account of his capture to his euc'ltency, and, mounting another orderly. bade it ride and meet the general on his road froth 1artford, and to give him the dispatch. is lit e returned to the room where Aadr6 was coposetdly seated, he mentioned this act, and froit that hour Andrsl gave himself up asa lost man. Yet he kept his self-possession, con- versed pleasantly, and partook temperately of refreshments, which the good-natured and hon- est colonel offered him; and no one, to look upon his frank and manly face, would deem that in his heart he felt assured that a disgrace- ful death was his inevitable doom. He as a soldier well knew that the papers found upon his person would convict him as a spy, for no man in the British army was better acquainted with al the rules of war than he. But he nerved himself to meet the fate before him as a man and as a soldier. CHAPTER XXXVI. THE ALARM--TUE TRAITOR'S ESCAPE-TnE WARN- ING OF LUNA. Arnold having been infurioed by avant-cour- iers of the approach of Gtneral Washington, made every preparation to receive the illus- trious chieftain with all of the honor due his rank and position. No one who saw with what perfect calmness and decision he gave all of his orders-even to the dressing of the officers and men--or noticed how carefully he made his own toilet, would have dreamed that he was already a traitor to his country. The preparations duly made, he returned to his own quarters, there to await in quiet--if the hell within him could leave him quiet-the ar- rival of Washington. All that was noticed pe- culiar in his conduct on that day was the fre- quency of his potations. lIe undoubtedly wish- ed to stifle feeling by the free use of spirits; but false is the idea which prompts such means to acquire the desired end. It was a few hours later. Washington had not come ; but having diverged from his intended route to view a spot designated for a post in- land, lie sent on two of his aids, to say that he would soon be with his favorite general. And while Arnold was cheerfully conversing with these gentlemen, and witnessing their enjoy- ment of the refreshments before them, the courier from Colonel Jameson rode up at breath- 1. ss speed, anddhanded the general the brief dis patch of Andre. dhadta thinderbolt struck him to the heart, no heavier blow could have come upon Benedict Arnold. IIe turned white as a ghost, and gasped for breath. Had not his back been turned to the officers, they could have seen his guilt in his very looks. And had not the tired courier been busy in loosening the girths of his panting horse, le, too, must have noticed it. With a choking effort, Arnold mastered an emotion which he knew would be his ruin were it not controlled ; and bidding the orderly take his horse to the stable and there rest until the reply to the dispatch was ready, lie turned to the ottheers, and said ' "Make yourselves perfectly at home, gentle- men ; I have a few orders to give, and then, with you, will await the arrival of our beloved com- mander." ie said this as calmly as if the flames of hell and the fear of death and dishonor were not burning in- his breast. Then he passed into another apartment where his wife and babe were, the young mother toying with the inno- cent in her lap. The moment he looked at them, all of the man that was left in him welled up in his bosom, and tears started to his eyes. le knew that in his rapid, desperate flight, he could not bea them with him-he knew not what their fats would be when hate assailed and cursed his name-when his vile defection should be known, as soon it would. LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, "What is the matter. my husband ?" asked the terrified wife-looking with strange fear upon his pale face, his quivering form, and tear- ful eyes. I-Ic stooped, kissed her and the child, and then whispered a few words in her ear. How terrible to her young heart they must have been. With a low moan she sunk lack in bet- chair and fainted. Again he kissed her cold, pale brow, and then hurried forth from the house. Oitside, he met the faithful Elnathan. Where is my aid ? he asked, hurriedly. "I saw him jest now a talkin' to the sojer that brought you a letter," said Eltithan ; "and then he got on a horse and rode down toward the river." " llave my horse here instantly," said Ar- nold, turning paler still at this news ; "and if any one inquires where I have gone, say that it is to visit an outpost." ",lest so." said the phlegmatic Yankee. In a few moments more, Arnold was mounted, and riding madly away toward a place where a barge was usually moored for the purpose of crossing the river. his pace, when upon horse- back was usually so rapid, that no one noticed it now particularly, yet he felt as if every eye Was upon him, S on lie gained the hank of the river, where the boat's crew, in their cleanest apparel, were sitting, expatiatitiguipotn the hotnot- wich they hoped to have of rowing Washington, the b- loved of all, across the river, when lie appeared upon the eastern shore. But just as he threw himself from his horse, and ordered his men to take their oars, le heard his name called from a clump of bushes a short distance in his rear. Ile turned and saw a figure in white, with great dark eyes looming out fi-om a pale face uponiin, and long cutling lotks of ebon lcue twitting, about features a 1 too well rentein- bereil. "G d of Heaven-it is the spirit of Luona Prescott ! b Beneiit Arnold, your star is set forever; but u-e will meet agaiti. G--o for the bloodi. hounds are on 'our track! Go-go ." said she. lie needed no second bidding, but almost fell, rather than stepped, into the boat. had not these boatmen before seen him "rather the worse for wear," as far as liquor was- concerned, they would not now have been so ready to obey his orders, for tey thuhhtnodw le wis"lghl evtd thuh htnwh a sihl lvtdas gentlemanly drunkenness is politely termed. They had not seen the figure which he hail; for it was hidden from them by a thick screen of bush's. "Where-away, your honor-which way shall I steer ?" said the old sailor, vho at times nIl- ed the after-oar, and at others acted as cox- swain. "Down the river, and pull as if the devil THE CURSE FULFILLED. was after you-my business is urgent," sail Arnold, taking the tiller himself. Used to obeying orders, the mn henit to their oars with a will, and the boat rushed through the water with great speed. On it went for miles, and the men began to wonder if their general was not really crazy,; for when they a ackened their speed, if but for a mo- ment, he noticed it, and bade them sternly "Row on !" At !ast, as they turned a point, the dark hull of an English vessel of war lootied tip close before them. And as he saw the vessel. his eye flashed, and he muttered to himself: " Saved ! SAE!" lut saved for what? Why did not his heart a-k that? Saved only to be known its ita u- diring Gatin upon earttithr-more occurs, u t'nit he who site his Saviour on his way to .31o:it Calvary ! But away with reflections, and to the story I When the crew saw the English vessel so close ahead, they stopped pulling ; for they did not believe that their general knew her charac- ter, or that, if he did, he would risk himself near hr. "Row on-why do you slack your oars ?" shtouted Arnold. iereely. "That is an Enghinh man-of-war, yor hon- or," said the old seaman, humbly touching his hat as a mark of respect. O bey my orders l" shouted Arnold, more fiercely thiouhetfoi'e. "General, you nay be willing to be taken prisoner by the infernal Jobiiy B .hIs, but il-ti e if I am!" said the hioniest coxswain, blutitly. . "Roy on-the -first one that fatirs hies !" shouted A rnold, drawing his pistols:nitt-I frowi- in, upon the unartiied crew. " I have business on hoar-d of that vessel t" "It is no hottest business, but I will not row another stroke unless you hoist ait u hite flag. They will not dare to take us prisoners inlera flag of truce," said, the blunt old sitant, who in this exhibited ct'sider-abht k iuvmmledge tuf he rules of tear. " if von don't, we'll le having shti-i hove at sea rsed sn. As if no verify the w+ords of the Cxit'i-uued old tars a spiral jet of white smoke tiut-~t ft-itt , the brs-port of the "Vulture," a houtiurelot followed, and a whistling shot flew over their heads. Arnold saw that it was necessary to comply with the action nsuggese by the u otr. lie hastily dres- a white ha adre-rt-hii'f from his pocket, ad fastening it to tadehile of his swrd, rise e it ier the ir. Anatther mont passed, antI a svhimx- flag fluttere-d f" mu it- miii a truck of the vessel. Sullemnly anihsliowly the nie-i them resumed timeir oat-a, and lulledul oing-. side of thie sloop-of-war. Arnolud hastily sct-tited the ladller which had bet'n l,a.rehl over thte side. anti was met ity the British commander at the gangway ; for' his page: 56-57[View Page 56-57] rank, indicated by his uniform, had been ob- served as he approached. "Whom have I the honor to address ?" said the British officer, politely. "Major-General Arnold, formerly holding a commission in the American army, but now holding the same rank in the army of his Brit- tanio majesty. I am anxious to be conveyed, as soon as possible, to Sir Henry Clinton, for whom I have news of vital importance." "Are you the officer with whom Major An- dre, a passenger up the river with me, had bus- iness, sir ?" asked the naval officer. "I am," was Arnold's reply. 4 May I ask, sir, where he is?" "lie has been captured in trying to return to New York, and I have been obliged to fly in haste from my post to escape the same fate." "Captured! Good God, sir! he was the finest officer in our army," said the command- er, almost overcome with feeling. "I cannot help it, sir. His capture occurred from no fault of mine. The only way to benefit him is to hasten to Sir Henry clinton and take measures for effecting his release." Arnold's attention was now drawn to the old coxswain of the barge, who, having ascended to the deck, stood with his hands resting upon his broad hips and his arms akimbo, looking at him intently, with an expression of the most bitter contempt upon his race. "Why do you stare at me so, fellow ?" asked Arnold, actually paling before his gaze. "I wanted to see exactly how a traitor to his country looked, so that I could remember it forever afterward," replied the noble seaman, with fearless candor. "Captain," said Arnold, addressing himself to the naval officer, "you will oblige me by putting this mutinous scoundrel and all of the boat's crew in irons, and detaining them as prisoners of war." And his eyes flashed and his face flushed with the bitterest anger as he spoke these words. "I hope your honor will remember," said the old tar, addressing himself to the naval officer, "thatwe are American sailors, and came along- side of your vessel under a flag of truce ; and, moreover, not of our own free will, but by the order of that man, whom we did not then know as a traitor, but believed to be our own true general, though we thought he acted as if he was three sheets in the wind." "Ishall not detain you, my brave lad," said the honest Briton. "You came under the pro- tection of a flag, and I would be the last to dis- honor it." "I order you to detain those men as prison- irs of war,,rsaid Arnold, in a rage, exhibiting eis British commission. "Your orders will be good with a subordi- nate military officer, on shore, General Arnold,' said the officer, stiffly ; "but I am a naval offi- oar, and only obey my superiors." Arnold, siasost ehoked with anger, turned 3 i ij E i upon his heel and entered the cabin, while the naval commander turned kindly to the old cox- swain and said : "My brave lad, you and your companions are free to return, as I said before; but first call them on deck, and let them, with you, drink a pot of good rum to the health of his majesty." "Excuse me, your honor, we will drink to your honor's best health forever ; but, as Amer. icans, true ones, wearing no false colors, we can- not drink to the king,!" "You shall not miss your rum for your scru- ples, my lad-call up your men. I know how to honor true bravery and patriotism, and to detest treason, whether it be under a blue jacket or an epauletted coat I" The Americans now came up and drank a glass to the commander's health, and then push- ed for the shore. After they were gone, the "Vulture" got under way and stood down thne river to New York. Meantime, almost unno- ticed by all on board, Arnold paced to and fro, suffering a hell which no mortal man can well describe. I shall not try. lie had learned a traitor's first lesson-the scorn of all honest men, no matter what their rank or station! - CIIAPTER XXXVII. WASINUTON DISCOVERS THE TREASON-TREATMENT OF MRS. ARNOLD. Not an hour-no, not thirty minutes had elapsed after Arnold left his quarters before General Washington arrived there. Surprised at not being received in a manner suitable to his rank, and by the commander of the post, his first inquiry was for General Arnold. No one had seen him since he rode so rapidly away, saying that he had orders to give. "There must be something wrong in this," said the general, sternly. "Where is Mrs. Ar- nold ?" "Very sick," said one of her attendants ; "for some time she has been passing ft om faint- ing-fit to fainting-fit. We do not know the rea- son." "Poor lady, there must be something wrong," said Washington, kindly. "Let orderlies he sent out in every direction to seek for the gen- eral. Something very unusual must have called him away at an hour when he knew that I would arrive." The general had scarcely given these orders, when an orderly rode up, covered with dust and sweat, and his horse nearly dead from fatigue." "A package for your excellency from Colonel Jameson," said the orderly. "I missed your excellency on the road here, and have ridden hard, for I know that it is very important." Washington took the paelage and hastily broke the seal. A frown, dark and terrible, gathered upon his face, usually so mild ; but he gave no other indication of excitement, while I he read paper after paper. When he was through with the perusal, he handed the papers to General Lafayette, with only this memorable remark.: " WooM CAN wE TRUST NOW ?" The young and enthusiastic Lafayette had not the command of feature and of motion that marked the commander-in-chief. Indignation and anger both found expression in his face, as. he read the proofs of Arnold's treason. "Whom can we trust, indeed I" he replied, as he folded up the papers and handed them back to General Washington. "What shall be done, sir, iiow ?" "Double the guards at every point with men known to be trusty," said the general. "Send out scouts in every direction, end bid them use redoubled vigilance. If General Arnold can be found, have him taken alive by all means. lie must be made an example of. Send a strong escort to Colonel Jameson, with orders to con- duct his prisoner across the river to the strong post at Tappan, where a speedy court-martial" shall reveal who and what he is, and assign his punishment as speedily as possible. Let every movement be prompt and decisive." There orders were given in a tone so low, that none but Lafayette heard them ; and when that general departed with his aides to put them into execution, Washington entered the house and requested to be conducted to Mrs. Arnold. Uponentering the room, the lady turned her tearful face upon him, and, clasping her poor babe to her bosom, rushed and knelt at his feet. With a noble delicacy, General Washington waved to the attendants to leave the room, that they might not hear his words, and then he gently raised ier, and conducted her to a seat. "I did not know of his treason until be came to bid ne.farewell !" sobbed the poor woman. "I candidly believe you, madam, your pres- ent suffering assures me of that. I pray you to be under no alarm for yourself or child. Whatever I may thin' of the cruel ingratitude of your husband, rest assured that none of its effects shall be visited upon yourself!" Affected by this kindness, the poor lady wept yet the mor4'; and with the soft tenderness of a father lie sought to comfort her. When she was so recovered that she could speak coherently, she said : "General, I have but one favor to ask of you. Let me return to my parents in Phila- delphia, with my child, there to bury my head in the shame he has cast upon me, and to di~! I ask no more." "Your wish shall be granted, madam, and such conveyance and escort detailed to attend you as you would have been entitled to had not this unfortunate circumstance happened." Overcome by his noble words, the lady knelt at his icet and covered his hands with tears and kisses; but lie again gently raised her, and bid. ding her have no fear, but order her departure as she desired, he left her, more composed, to the care of her attendants. CHAPTER XXXVIII. TnE NEWS OF ANDRE'S' CAPTURE BORNE BY THE TRAITOR TO CLINTON. With deep anxiety marked upon his counten- ance, Sir Henry Clinton sat in his room,-wait- ing to hear the result of the mission of Major Andr4, upon which so much depended. His anxiety for the public success of the mission was not unmingled with personal feeling, for he was really and deeply attached to his young and gifted adjutant-general, as in truth was the ease with nearly every one who knew him. When an orderly entered and announced that General Arnold sought an interview, Sir IHenry's face of gloom and anxiety brightened in an instant. "Admit him without delay I" he cried. The entrance of Arnold alone a nionent after, and with more of gloom than joy in his face, Sir Henry felt intuitively that something had gone wrong, and, as he extended his hand of wel- come to Arnold, he asked: "Where, my dear sir, is Major Andre. Does he not accompany you, or is West Point ours, and he in charge ?" "Alas! Sir Henry, West 'Point is not yet ours, and Andrt is in the hands of the enemy." "My God-is he lost? They will hang him as aspy 1" "Not, Sir Henry, if energetic means are taken and proper reprisals threatened. I have already sent a letter to General Washington in his behalf, exetilp-iting him from all blame, which letter I wrote while coming down on board the 'Vulture.'" For some timn' Sir henry paced to and fro, in too much agor.y to give utterance to his feel- ings. At last he said : "1 (ow did it happen? I pray you to explain all. To mne it is a terrible blow! No son could be so dear. If lost, not a man in the army but will mourn his loss, and curse all that led to it. Accomplished, brave, generous, high-minded, he was our idol, lie shrankfrom the mission because it might place him in a posit ion to be considered as a s pyli Tell me all, General Arnold; tell me all, now that.! am more com. posed ! Arnold now explained all that lie did know of the matter, which was nothing beyond the manner in which Andre attempted to return to the city, and the note which he had sent Arnold after his capture. "Unfortunate-so unfortunate, when all was so well concerted for the surrender of your post !" said Sir Henry, after Arnold had con- eluded his brief narration. "All that can be done for his release by me, and all that I can do to prove my devotion to the kmng's cause, Sir henry, shall be done!" said Arnold. "I 'do not doubt you, general," replied the British chief. "Nor, I hope, do you blame me for this un- toward mishap 1" continued Arnold. " The ar- THE CURSE FULFILLED. 566 LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, 67 ' page: 58-59[View Page 58-59] 58 LUONA PRESCOTT, OR, rest of MajcrAndre alone disconcerted the plan nor ever near so jnstly. Because Napoleon of acio~ which would surely have given on was htviali of huouiu life: in his amhiii is aims \ec'L Point, and root prohatlyviav replied lie would sacri tice his dearest oftle, his General Washington himself a prisoner in your hravest men. Lookat his advance to mussia, hands-for that was my intention 1 and thtn at lis retr-at-himself lcailiiig, not " Well concerted! Truly so! The Provi- covering it. In every great battle that e dence wlich seens so won erfully to work for foti he aed not how ta y ie litst, e only andl protect thia tman, must have worked in this that lie ganed the victory. Bithetw.'tii \ash- instaice. An itfieer with a flag al priopols iglon and Napolen there can o aCoilirison must at once ie dispatched to the Aiierica lie aute. Niapoleon Iyi have ici a more hea'l-qitar era to save time, that we can do all scintitie soldier, or rather a bNtcoa r, but that is po ible to save Anidri !" - iuiwgtha was the goater man. h o sacri t It nd! be nell, Sir Henry; and, in the tic ut wiat le wouldtitke for his country, mantmll, if you wil permit it. Sir lLenry, Iytne niimay tin e a worshiper of the wtatue f ma n s their siikio g r ao l tijish Fatier of iy c u trt'y. So I am, hut not a ca i m' l fur ittuelung t ys e lf i, that of li lut d one, t iand my dear parents c ul no t ha:e neJt~t'. fIt twill nrgaw thiounds fi to t1t ieii - Ias e i d mtie het ter than when they t' li ed rtm ; I i nill lie able ii raise a force of fe tirgi e Vastiituis iititto hea i, their se ru t r+c rim thlieu w ho sill he niore te t rri , -t t k. I dni't e iti e h1 al I iuial , a .hiltI t t~ :' ilt t r tri +ll dthatcould 1 lleudlon- t as"""i tii+; itt'''' it fliit'I 1111is tah lf. . Bit thm mn rtopthat coul e Iiice.'un- l're1 in ch-ar oifttthe trilagang m11 .1 iraintof de ir is to t i i k lhst in tlh at m t tern. g miti al a pr p os r i lections. 1.c itl tr, (ni v i 1 1(oi Frl I1 ilit ' it cite t Lanriti '. it iiI j aI L g'iii B t cxc le til e if at yrceu rt 1 ciwi W hen t he n trs of A rnlll s esc pi e 'r iached tliau i t ut" excuse t ne ftit p e clrt t i a's of AntrI, Iy t' iheSCtItwi'hi na to t Ik : t 1 'r st i e r o ni' A nt' ilt n. ti l 'i'uI 1y - v iii . i dt'1 t t m to h is l i c e ot tif tinl t ori i l i , a p it ahit p. nri t e iii, oi'r le t r ,' a n ol 3 s; tm -it' ti iit a l L t'r sutti l pit sei o v er h is fac e, tl lie w a s pai'"t b l o~~u"n t+ , :-or lle ny , larn' " " ' ... h t" o ttrut' h i ht1'' i t 1 t ait inti r e i mtti' ' u'ati r ,'w 1 1 n rot it h a ' s av e te b y (ein' ll, ta p . , i 'b i u- n l or et tit l r f nrg tte tI t, ( t ri- t etfl rt hut t aitors are etivards m i iri trea- er tl A r l h ad ni f t y ter c f rlieiar I o thetln t th at son, a l se1itcha i iii ev e'r I' t oitu g It. V I h tuti hon or ierartliatl, one' fInaitithtillaliatitr gillt"iti'Is, IrIotoediatllelytektioilli' that he twas the CH AP'I' F XXXI. Aijtiut t"'lu tiil of the Britishn iinuv. ut de-- TLNAT iAN'S ti sTtts-ItONA IN sitItT AGAtN. -l tl th tIt:W Si y. 'I!ittttaut', ,iillthat It w bust t it i t th- w atti fift ' W iift. u o" ,tuvi slit', e it I t) nullitit wuu t halii the i' d-u kmiiLi ly v ted itMrs. Aruuld, i i' d l th nteiiii ofli l o t th e Ai thtrt-1, tltat tie buit's cretwi retiurtiur itho lit ! I' t et tit itn itout iu iof ea ntintr s,"' aid lie, bei t o lit s in itnl fihtr it . ii at. uitu I a ndoiutti hu l ,ti ntv bt ratith-its it' e toder A riob!Iit to f, c ins trc'ly . I he termall~i i't.tl t t o lInsamy own umform and ss ~undets fr of Arni il's treao n :and flili t was at t one -st ~~dtli it\ YiItitrt t. ute connu ea at, d by ttv themIi, ait he in s which ta n -it- h Ot :rue!turuof ilt th i lit hel'ti scrtiuptlously ithl ien tt i't tnduAttir e b-ot ht ol fth', et tiandnt'+' Ii of t it', i t I itie, tts, tiiw frio tillt' eii'ar, as S iumtd diitil uot to h}'iti' t i t 'he " k'y ofitt O i if iii ii a t oif thew at. tbroutgh thie t upt . btt i if " i triot hitit itutiwil t lhe wi 'v ine cthe Aol! tiltiii lr tttttuutt iii !l :liithe ttt ii ts ti- lI hi~ ul' Not t !!\",h i 'lt' ittiivitoi i' tchart A . ih t m hitilt , t a nut et'- tll y f ' t, w l l hiatt tit'.in aitin in ou r boi ts, tun l er iim a united - ot r I ih nl a , u n- e ri a llti t , w a v - i f I ' a nldt y t a i t ' , i ht g 's i 'n i s e d i s it c it i l i a , uit tu g hi t ai rit b, if tie l h Latiiit tit Otti C r tir it a iak hv the watlihful patr'ols -lit a' i you t h! ii . 2 t h e k rn - ti t n oti a n t tt ' c' r llC e to ! ie i t it h h u e . Te la t a t. ii tu 'r, ai;' I(h ut rii r iA tI I tlintt uuui of thteutiti i!liltit aiitll it'tlttit 'out lit trhit ' tt tttit V t 'ihti- n~~ t. Gint a Arn'Id-lino atioelft i t1m a ~ it ii i {hte Worl'd Mist ge'itnrls wonid ' have th t n li mfi e t hscs-iu rn oft s t u'it' hin r iii ai' th bort sh ri t a t it a speedy d tth your Ur u i h11n~un4 it \\alliitnton deem lt fintat L a et e.- 1 'I ti.:r arrival, Gi tneral Wahitnet io i i et asit - i t e t e b fr hi h I't'a crewt', tian ul' t Rly sut ?i el il atm ilt ti e tt 's, att tjtielis it terrible, i l e'' it it' ly. a.d fottih, thatmt theti' ctti et tutgii th s in-t 'ii i ht'i wiflf Itae t i hat nit it N :ly It hn ufbl.u , e-s, butI m tIme ltittir h i t' ittini orueh'rl a Cuutti't rvtht' tirunft getiru pit' 'nilt c r' erhititthul:i ant te spke t 'to thtuim l t - a irlyto ct' tenll tiihi'' the' iituf'etOtite luu l. i I v. ti iiuet' itft i te I mtltir' hintrett uin tn. B' tieni ft'\ enttl. f dtl ' aS b.an'ted of thai . 1 e.hi itt re' ii tug a c omniusittiit tihe ha itii a p tb re'dlititis CuutiCititiUS citt ann 5uii' 1' ti whth hliete wtas devted, . N.iuileot n hittioziu~ nti atc'e t1 i t i atril ith it'nge, w a. e. r I 1 ftr wittto ig ihie atct tno iti t itt -adinttstorythat-bfo w Gile'. fito i nilltti ii its his s e' cus, buht iot more so than \\iashingtoun, partieul irs you tmay reat1in history-hot' Chin- ton first entreated, then raved and threatened, but all uselessly ; for Vashington knew no duty but to his country-nofcar but of his God. * * * * We will return to West Point again for one scene, and then dash away upon the steed of our romance into other scenes. Not one of all that garrison, or of Arnold's private household, perhaps his wife excepted, felt so bitterly and suffered so keen a grief as old Ehnattian Goodrich. lie had been with Arnold through nearly all of his battles, had been constantly by his side, and had learned to look upon aits a being second only to his Creator. lie had not be in regularly enlisted, but had set'ved and acted as Arnold's special body-'servant-and now he felt as if he was dis- graced forever. "Jest to think of his turning' traitor! I-wish I'd a let lii die at liidgetield, or at Bemis's heights. Woe's the day I ever left New Lou- don with him--I shall be ashamed ever to show my had tiee agin " Yet there you must go, EInathan !" said a sweut, voice behittid hin ; and he started, for it was twilight, and lie had wandered down by the river sidle. "Gracious goodness O Lord - O Lord --it is the seirit of Miss Lonua !" he cried, as lie turned iua saw Luona Pirescott, dressed in the sate robe of white in which she had terri- lied Arnold so mttuch in his flight. Not a spirit, hut i-eulth anttaid blood. Come and take me by the hand, Einathan," she said, kindly. "''ite Lord said suomuthin' like to that after lie rio 'from the de'adl--I readitt in the Bible. Be you really a livin', Miss Lotat ?" said he, as he advntanced andt tuched her hand. "cYes, as yo see, Eunathan!" Anl you ulidn't die and e buried at New London, as IBurhara writ me and the gin'ral-- cuss hitu ttt I should name him afire you," said he. " You know what lie's been agoiu' an' doing? " " Yes, I know all, EInathan "i Bt Master J ntes was so sure of it, he e'en almost eried when hi' talkeul to toe of it !'' "Mauster Jtunes was given somewhat to ly- ing!" replied Luonu with a smile ; " but that i is not what I want to talk to talk to you about. You nmst go back'to Bairbara, and tell her I'll be thereohire long " " Then nse knows that you're alive ?" " Yi s, tn knows why I wished sty death re- ported ; but of tlht tino more. You are old, tind must serve no more. 'ake this purse of gold anl go tom, and do as I ale you !" "Butt where's Muster Jiurams, Miss Lona ?" "What is that there ?'"said Luona, pointing to soni ohjuet in the distance. Ehtithat tuirntl to look. "I lou't see toth n'," said he, innocently. "No, nor dil you ever when you was want- ed to; go, brush your master's clothes I" cried L - 5'x THE CURSE FULFILLED. 59 a sharp voice behind him, in a tone so like that in which the "aid" usually addressed him, that he turned quick as thought, expecting to see Jaes Prescott standing before him. But only Lona was there, snuiling at his perplexity. He looked intently at her a moment, and then a sudden thought seemed to spring upon his brain. "What a cussed old foolI've been " lie mut- tered. "I might a know'dit all the time. Cous- ins ain't in the habit of looking' as nigh alike as brother and sister. Elinathan Goodrich is a pesky old fool, hardly fit to tend babies now, or hold open a churchyard gate to let folks go by. You've been Master James all the time, and I've often been so sassy to you. Forgive me, Miss Lona, for I didn't dream it was you." " You are not to blame, Elnatharn ; but now obey my orders. Say nothing about what you have seen or know about me, except to Bar- bara. Go at once; no words." The old man turned slowly away, muttering as lie went: "How she must have loved imnn !-the darned cuss that he is-to have dressed up in mian's clothes and follered him so. I might have knowed it afore. Master James was so shy of the officers, so proud like, 'he wouldn't have nothing' to say to 'em; and when We was in quar- ters, must have a room all to himself. 'Ihis is a strange world, and stra ge creeters are in it." CILAi iTRXL. ARNOLD WAKES To MSisnY---TII tDARKiCST DEED OF ALL CoNCoCttD. "God of mercy-if mercy there is for one so cursed as I-what next must I endure? Andre is dead, and I aloneu'am blamed for it on every hatdl Sir Ienry Cinton shudlers when I ap- proaclt him, the other oflieers all shun me, the very women in the streets put down their veils when I advance, and the little children say that's he' as I go by. Not a soldier except my own corps of refuge's, deep-stained 'in sin as I, seem to feel the least respect fot mie, and that is because 1 am the head devil of them all. It is unbearable. In my own ind my name is a bye-word of shame; if they speak of a villain, they mall him Arno'd Even Washitgtc~nou curses me, and offers a price for my personthat ho may gibbet roe as he did Andr6;. By heavens, but I'll hi revtesngedI I suppio0e that event my own wife and child will bekept from me !" Thus soliloquized Benediet. Arnold, as he walked in the garden in the rert' of his qmtflr- ters (on a soot now known as tire Atlantic Gar- dens in New York, front on Bradway. rear in Greenwich street). a few days after Ailro had suffered. To look upon his sunken cheek and 'hollow eyes, one woubl think that.like lis pro- totype, Judas Iseariot, he would have hung himself rather than suier so. But there are mren who lack the courage to lie by their owna hand, who would leap laughing: into death's page: 60-61[View Page 60-61] I 60 LUONA PRESCOTT; OR, arms upon the battle-field, and Arnold was one of that kind. "I suppose," said he, continuing his solilo- quy, "that even my poor old mother has been taught to hate ine." "She is dead 1" said a voice close behind him, which made every nerve and fibre in his frame quiver. "Dead ?" lie moaned, as hi turned and saw Luona Prescott sanding in the pale moonlight there, looking herself like a spirit-messenger from the tormbl. " Yes ; the tre ason of her son was a constant s ame to hr; tihy pointed the finger of scorn at her as sire i it aibing the street, and cried, 'there is ch n ho bore Benedict Arnold, the traitor!' She bowed ier head in grief, went home and d i of a broken heart!" SGl-1Ii Ga-this is too much !" moaned Arnold. Ils brain reeled, and he fell senseless to the grunal. Ilow Ilong lie lay there lie did not know ; but when lie rmsecvred, the dew lay damp upon his hair aii cloth s, anI he was alone. "C in Lonra l'rcecott be alive?" lie asked himself. 'twice have I Eeen her since my fatal fall. and atre wore the very look of death, yet her vie was"s it was in he I I cannot be- lieve iii- p ri'trsi." eve a ' i titsin lira -y s wire raised toward that Ir i iin of the sky to which he had so often looked niths superstitious belief in "des- tiny." "My ear is gone, lut hers still shines," lie said. '' Eine uvt be giving ." For some rimoments lie Remtied buried in thorough, si dip, sr s id, that it could not he spo, nv. ; .t it ist wor-is caine. 1My iiti r 1. ah-of is broken heart! And they m i wmi shie was ir trd-they nho dwell i re I wii s i"rn, imu'ed sianieos limger at it r uhm wa uliiI. -s of my fault! Be her mcmny I i cr I mill have revenge! .'iy shall I:mi-v Wm avd i whit Benedict Arnold is. They hiiil 1 iit call me evii for nothing. 'lhey shall tin that hre andl n iv"are in myo track wherever I go, and I will be terrible if I cannot be grit. i w L inldon shall lie in ashes, and death shall ri ap a heavy harvest there. I must have t pilam+ e iiinit or I shall die. Sir usury Clinton will -d ny me nothing that takes me from his lirnece. It is not yet his retiring hour, I rat s, e hint instantly. Mother, recre- ant thoui your son may 'be, he will yet ie- ven 'e tiher-e!' . Ani lhe i-rrid away from the garden to ful- fill 's p r, Sr llvirv Clinton sat in his reception-room with s n e rnal of lis favorite officers. Wine was on th t.ble before thmei, hut though they were l 'art ii n 'if it, iine of its cxliil rating effects sem vid1 ti-i ible either in the couintenuicea or coner-t-.ati+i of tiho-e prrneent. Rather did an air of glom poinervade both tone and look. An orderly entered, and said : "Sir Henry, General Arnold wishes a special interview upon a special and important matter." "For Heaven's sake don't have him up here, Sir Henry," said one of the oldest officers; "if you do, 1 must leave." "And we," repeated several others. "Tell General Arnold to take a seat in my office, and I will be there as soon as I am dis- engaged !" said Sir Henry to the orderly, who saluted and retired. "No, gentlemen," said he to his officers, after the soldier was gone, "do not think that I would obtrude a rian upon your company, un- necessarily, whom I myself abhor. But we have got him and must use him. He is in the king's service now, and it is too late to help it. Excuse me, and pass the wine among yourselves until my return. Officially, I eaniot refuse to see hini, nor 3 ou to act wih him." With these words, Sir lleury left the room, and went to that in which Arnold awaited him. " What can I do for you, general?" he in- quired, as he entered. "I came, Sir I Ienry, to a k fir active service. I wish work to do Ii ve tbeen used to activity and cannot live withorurt it." hs there any part uculir paiiit where your kn wledge of i he eonutrv w ill eiiatde you to strike an ujurious blow to the enemy ?" asked the British general. 'There is onepoit, a port from which very many of the private rs nre fitted out that so annoy your transports. It is guarded by two small forts, hut I an take i wi twelve or fif- tre'e ihundredtr m n. It is Nmw Liiidon-i-a most ohunxious anl relbellious hole, which ought to be iid stroyed.' " Yes I thiee yout toliime that you were born tter." " I uas,'' replied Arnold--either not noticing, or aflfct ig not, to notice the deep cut im the words of Sir lenry ; " ani for t hat r iison know how best to alproaeh and capture it without loss." "Very well, General Arnold, you shall be gratilie im your desire: ii thie morning I will take steps to organize rn expi edition which you shall command. Goodnight, sir!'' " I will show them that 'I r on was a fool to me in burning and destroying !'' muttered Ar' gold, as he also left the room to return to his own quarters. ' lle spared sonic, I will spare none! Traitor, iilain, they call ime, andl'l1 merit the name as far as it can go. No one shall say that I avim unfaithlti to the cause which I have espoused at last! " CIIAI''EIR XLI. A TANKEE CONFAB BETWEEN ELNATHAN AND DAn- nAaA-LUONA AT HOME ONCE MoRE. Elnathan and Barbara were alote in the cot- tage of Luona Prescott, for the old father had lain down to rest, to that rest which awaits us THE CURSE FULFILLED. 61 all, and which seems to be the h rdest to be got by those whe seek it most, and to conic first to those who most dread its approach. Elnatsan had told her over and over againhis thousand- and-one tales of his fights with the Britishers -how he'd shot one, bayoneted another, etc., ending always with a history of how that "cussed traitor," Arnold, had -deceived even him. And as often had he held a long Bible argu- ment with Barbara about the right and wrong of killing men,-she commenimg with the com- mandment, " Thou shalt not kill," and he refut- ing with the battles of David, front that with Goliah upward. These arguments would be amusing to the reader I know, but no "report- er" having been present, they are lost to f- turity, like many an exquisite "Candle lec- ture" of the present age. " Miss Lona said, when you left her at West Point, that she'd be here soon ?" said Barbara, interrogatively, on this occasion. "Jest sa !" replied Elinathan. " Well, don't you think, brother, that 'soon' has most gone by ! : You've been here a con- siderable time, and she isn't here yet." "Jest so "Well, but brother Elnathan, where do you suppose she is ?" " Iiain't got no idea, Barbara, not none in the world." "Maybe she's a trapesing after that good-for- nothin'~traitor vet!" "Jest so! But if it is, it's for no good she owes him. lie's got a wife nud baby for one thing, and another is, I tell you-she is a patri- ,t. Crepass! if you'd seen how she fit at Bea- mus heights, you'd never have taken her for aj woman!" "But she is a woman, for I've seen her cry," said Barbara, emphatically. "What's that? I've seen Gineral Schyler cry over a lot of women and children a suffer- in' when we-took Burgoyne. But he didn't cry none when they burned up his fine house and mills." "No ? Then I s'pose he swore some wicked words, didn't he ?" "No-he only lighted his pipe, and went to smoking, and said he reckoned they'd feel sorry for it souse day" "Now, Elnathan, ain't you a tellin' me a story ?" "I'll take my Bible oath that I ain't, Bar- bara." "'Then he was a real Christian man, if he was a soldier." "Jest so," said Elnathian. "I wish I had Benedict Arnold here jest one minute and a half," said Elinathan, after a long pause, during which Barbara's knitting-needles had been going with unusual rapidity, a habit with her when she was thinking hard. "You will have your wish shortly, then, El. nathan," said a voice at the open door, t Ii Barbara screamed faintly, and dropped her knitting-work on the floor, while EInathan jumped from his chair as if Satan had attacked him in the rear ; or, what is worse, a hornet had stung him. " Hevings and earth, Miss Lona, you creep on folks jist as the Injins used to, or our sent- eries at Burgoyne ; you e'en almost skeeredime out of my wits." "Provided you have any left," said Luona, advancing from the door-way to which she had so silently approached. "Jest so," said Eliathan. "But what did you say? Is Benedict Arnold going to come here ?' "his fleet will be in our harbor to-night; he is on his way here to burn and destroy I" "Thunder I i must go and 'Jarm the town. Colonel Ledyard is in Fort Griswold; he'll pepper 'em ; I nust go and stir everybody up." " You'll do no such thing ." said Luona, calmly but firmly. "You have always obeyed my $orders-have you not ." " Jest so, Miss Lona. lut-" "I wish and will have no buts or ifs and ands, in this matter. I will be ohbeyed !" said Luona, almost fiercely. 'It is necessary that he should do this last disaeefiul act to eter- nally damn him in the eyes of the civilized world, and add a deeper dye to his treason to his country !" "Jest so; that is if you say so, Miss Lona, but it seems kind o' hard that folks should be killed or burned in their bed by this murderin' cuss "And onebristian. I'd fight agin' him my- self, though 'twould be awful unbecomin' in a woman of my age and expe'rience," said Bar- bara, picking up one of her knitting-needles, and brandisliing it in ti, air. And I'll load iiy old nuslket, and put it out of his power to commit more sin1" said Elnathan, fiercely. " You will not harm him. Death is too good for him," said Luon, firmly. " To live, scorn- ed as he now is, by all the world, even by his own employers and associates, is a thousand times worse punilmsnt than deathh "Jest so; but he'll do so much harm if he lives," said Elnathan, deprecatingly. "No, his race for evil is nearly run. The odium which wjll come upon hint for this act will cause the Briiish, for their own sakes, to withdraw 1dm from the service-at least, in this country." "But suppose, Miss Lona,-he should come and burn up this louse, what would become of us Y" said Barbara. "I shall be here, and lie would rather face his God than me," said Luona, proudly. Fear not for yourselves, but obey my orders im- plicitly, and without a doubt!" "If you say so, we must, Miss Lona, but I would so like to have just one crack at him, to see if the devil would protect his own1" f page: 62-63[View Page 62-63] LUONA PRESCOTT ; OR, ' I And with this Elnathan settled down, while without a shudder, had passed the house where- Luona entered the apartments from which she in he was born-leaving there, as elsewhere, a had been so long absent, there to meditate man to appl the torch when the signal was upon her feature course, and prepare fur it. given-stood before the cottage of Luona Pres. Cott. CHAPTER XLII. Strange. the reader will say that as yet no Til TIAITOR AND 1118 PLAS-HIS EVIL DEMON alarm had been given. Not strange, for every LEAUS HIM ON. moving being met had plerish(d quickly by At the very hour when Luona Prescott was steel, or had been silenced before the alarm acquainting tier servants that Arnold was in- could be made. tending the de-tructitn of the town of New " Can she be living ?" muttered Arnold to London, I, np1rotebirg with his sqiiadrun, lmirnself, aloud, as he stood upon the door-step. wonder covur of tight, was arranging his di- " If so, and here she will wake, the time to bolical 1Lns for the completion of the dirktst start thie blaze lacks not more than ten .ninutes decd of it If--of twh it was truly the crown- now! Can she be living, or have I seen a ing p-int of lis nfamry. his troops were mostly spirit, and dreamed 1 heat d her voice. If she refu get s anI n hliit lirttil oilfici rs lie had wit i is living, she at luast shall yet he nine, for the him were of a class to suit his purposes-fir old lire yet burns in my vein, ! What ho! Io gentleman woobl sers e with hin, and Sir Luona Prescott, are you lhere-" nHenry ltiton would force none to go, and And he struck heavily upon the door with ony perntititthd Arnold to call for volunteers. the massive hilt of his sword. By artfully alvatncortg the prospect of plunder, he titus secured som t u ercenatry wretchesiit CIIAPTERXLIII. fur any tdef--frtm tthe kil liti of an old woman T EI t I In. LI CO N C I U SCii ON. down to the hut cliery of an o eIlir with his oin Upon leaving Barbtira at Eliithan, Luona sword aft-r ie hi of suirr ndereI it. 'rte+tt went ito tltii room wherein her Arn i Ili his Ila Ittitiers on board of another hal died. It was-as it ever liad been his vt-;41, tniltd, is utider the g iidtance of ttry since ht r tiother passed iaway-drptel in som- pilots tih y vajirtacte 1 the ntirb, l e, with lie btick. There was the bel esite which 1lts of (+ tI'town aI the neighorinig tforth- ste knelt when she swore It avenge that dying eations drawi by hi own hat ndit, laid ifrI iot hers wrong -to te h-lier ytung life, all hi it, a-itt d to each lits sepatirite duty. To of Iii atnd lieutttty that ther-- 'was in it to one one and t bte strtt,-t' party was assigned the eus. IIad she so fir fulfilh l (l that oath! eatture of tort Irsvoldt ; to antthir, iort IlaI she inot periled lift-, uea t fortuii, endured Trumbiiitill; to niii-th-r. th leerunt iii if c try aird' ,hi p, le ever ti i i lut n imtiipure vel tanillit or iin the sic'. 1l1- comttiatni naitntiti, all for the ile t l ai shte not of thti- f turt witilt Iih ais ti tire his native ttowti, stt-e hIt er heartita aini till I ovi .--lie ieyes he assutii d nsitti lf, fur r atons ihic liwe will agtainst all at trictitt cotnotnitit wi hitier age loonli It rn. atd s-x, fror t his one suyt et ? Greater, you To e acli ti -er liis special istrtuctions were ,i tthive followed her so far, ta Inswer just given wit h a mtnun which Sho e v 1how care- as at Ii as I., ally he hadI stuli , -Ihiei ltllisth plan. On short', There, with its dark tdr wiiry arontid it, hung ever sir it was itrked out for a dilT, r-tt ti' Por rait of twr miothtir, aid, :s ii the ale bandi-t tlthy ti-hie reserve to li'tiseltf Ibe I glit f thue smgl cii-ane itnil hib sithe be , it liglititt of the tir-t incendtitry torch was to be semedt-tnt:tI to look tiln n h i ia ssitilei toltnt her, the signal for all, and then t he order was to tears tart ed in the proud, cold girls tyes, and gst a i t inter, to use ni'' eilrcy I IIow faith- site si :i fully -wa it carrie+l tit ! lb ailer, turn to his- " wouldd , mother, that mty twork were done, ttry fir d- titna, hvticb ymii n ill it tid inti lis that whe'er thioti art in~ anothtier world, I story, for I ttve an ioItted track to follow, tiItt seek thee there ! tht civica all ltii trtm Il-yt even too biin- AI n then si nicd the ticatle hdtwn upon r n i- is cull It -eri i fir the seems ih teltitIttle table- bietfore t pi:eturi , andI iglited did1 ot'' r, hiti , tu ii tntw cannot d-plict ther candh lts, tuntiltth'ro tm was in: arla of them, fur tt v na tc a shick to all thatins l0ht. But the clontl sutties Hi ttdoor emitted humt~ in, e+"i iimt i l tp 1tu~irehsintg day ! no bght ~tit t nd lt'ee rele of her'own ision. "iowly, ind it perfct sitt ice, the fleet of ll1w starting evertn tlin eulE. lEv ry article tie'n i ti h im i term a-hii a o, d 1; with cares o f futrnlirnre ' i lrapIle+1in btlactk. Having ar- each nt dt ar ii -i dri1pped I in the Wattr ran-ied -th futntitiur-'ett ln i-ielf, Luona left winch I e, tht- itmird, rt i s ti tlh' shore. Clo Ik the rotli fruit a bititltwiI!-, ani wtht n she re- e itt i t in :ut' t'it' dlmonsi ae-re fottit, turi-I shte- ais d ms-el ti1-itk-w'ih con- advitc I sith ipi st Itt1p. tte, aI it.:n all wi, rt ttri-te wahiti ier ntwt tile fice ain white neck ra I t tl- fir itt itgitrti light of hell ndut lhhbrtiIi, to it- t mkitite heir ltk very whiali- t .ll tel tt- ihi to btigin the work ofl- htuitiftil. d Ii att vi-atatnit. Slit tow drew frott ac-th lthe pilottw of the It was untidight, and LUen- dict Arnold, who, bed where her mitother lhid died a saill casket. First she took from it the miniature, painted I upion ivory, of a young man who, at a tirst k glance, would have been taken for Benedict s Arnold, so like himi was it ; yet it was not he. b And after gazing upon it for a little while, she a laid it down on the black table-cloth, and drew c forth a package of letters dark with age and much worn, as if they had been read many times. She had sea echy done this, a-thn Bar- bart knocked at t.e door. Luoia went to it, amid the woman, pale with fmrighit, said that hier- self anai Einathan had heard stealthy steps about the hituse.3 "It is well-tie hour has come at last !" said Luonia, as site moivel fnrom the room to thle l fromt i r, h i ng Iltrhara to stay witl, Elat tha iii the kitchen, and by no means to leave itt until shteetcaldthitu.i. She arrived at the door, and was about to - openi t to look out, whin Arnitoli's lud sum- moni thundmered u in Ii, i' iar. Witthout a 11o- ment's hesitation sit threw open the door, al, answered, in as sweet a tone as had ever fallen upon his ear Yes, Benedict, ant waiting for you-come in ,, 11l1' would have started back, but her hand was already upon his, and her large dark eyes - fixed u ton h i i with a testerie strength that seemed to force him to'follow her, whether he would or nit, Whit means this, Lunna-T cannot stay- I have business atat !" said he, shuuddering as he looked at the dark h mungs all about himm, and at the face, now stern in tue brighter light, of the portrait of the I low Prescott. No, Bnedtet, sit dowi by this table with te. I know 3ou have hutsiness, know all about " - but lust you have business here. I wiltnot detaimi3y1u.You did not use to wish to so hurry from me-am I less beautiful than I was?"' Amd nashe smiled so sweetly, and looked so -avishin gy betutiful, that, fIorgetful of the past, present, future, allt ildtie titter loveli- ness,.lie kmelt at tier feet amid Iluitilre-d "Angel !" But as he pressed her hand to his lips, and 6unud it icy cold, he hardly needed her words to mk Mtit ealnrige. "Do nt kneel here. Benedict!" she said; my mother died in this room i" "Youribusiness, your business !" said he; I must away-but wll come aguin to see you. No harm shall come to you !" "Oh, to-I do not fmr harm--hut look here, Benedict, here is a keepsake for you! Is not this a pretty picture ?" and she handed him the miniature front the table. "Why it is meant for myself, though I never wore such a dress !" said he. "No-it is the likeness of your father at your age!' - "lIow did it come into your possession ?" "I will tell you directly, Benedict-sit still, 62 will detain you only a few minutes. You now you called me angel just now, and that eemed so like old times. But we'll talk of that y-and-bye, wjen you know how much of an angel I amh Observe these letters, do you re- ogmize the hand writing . " Yes-tpy father wrote such a hand. Were hey his"alsf?" "They were another's-, but he wrote them !" " Explain, and quckly fur 1 must go!'" Well, I yill hasten,Blenetlict. Your father, shortly after he was married, met a lady as your more innocent, and all as beautiful as you think I at. You, however, were born before hie met this lady. le felt a passion for her, told htr he loved ier, gave her that pie- ture, wrote tie those litters ;lii saie, not ktiir w lie as miirried, loved hi in return -loved him so madly and so b indily that she forgot all on earth but him; and, ird by his soft words, fell is woman only canfall!" lut why this itle taole toime . "it is not idle-on it your past destiny has depended-on it now r ts your fate. Dare not to move utit ion hear allI m Ici' eyes as-i-tt-d to hiotld hini as by a spell-- he dild not offer to move ; but, rigid and pale, sat looking at ier, while she contmiuet "Your father ruined that poorgirl, nd when her . shame became known, her other sunk broken-hearted to the grave, and the poor girl in diespair fledti far ity to those who did not know her. There, courted for her beauty and her virtue-fr' she who sinned onice for love would never 'in again-she liltt a wealthy and an honorable tan, who wooed and wlhed her, even though she told himt all, aid did not sle- etive him. Frotm their union sprang a laugh- ter, but three or ffur years younger than you. ier fatter djd, unil then her mother, wealthy and a widow, moved to the place where le lived who haid betrayed het' and d inenblii mother broken-hearted'down to the grave. She came to work his ruin, and she wrought it. She sent him a disr'aetuktruu t ti ihisgrve, ad she wvouldthatve worke-iyet-mtortie rinmthin, but she reserved it for a later day ; for not one life -no, imr fifty, could repay her for all ter sul' ferineos ! f M n ast shelay uponter det-athbetl andthen for the first time she told her own dautghte- then grown up to the itimage of what she once had heen-alI this tale; amiul matide tier swear a terrible oath to follow that man's son to perdi- tion-to raise him by every art tas high as man could be raised, and then to dash him down- down so low that the veriest be ar upon earth would scorn to be his friend . hie did it. She made him love her-she point-d hin out the path of fame, and with cheering words and ready purse she helped him omi and upward! life rose in famea, a hero, and bec-lme-the idol of a nation-hlaudel on every htnd, anil trusted with toundl-iRs power ! ~And through all this she was by his side. Donnming male attire, she I I 63 ii THE CURSE FULFILLED. page: 64-65[View Page 64-65] = }}}{{{ :* {j {1 7 } f t LUONA PRESCOTT; OR, i' fought where he fought, and saved his life that she might damn it forever, blast his name, and bring hiin to shame. In his confidence she kinew his plans. aided him in his temptations, aid finally worked him to do a Gced that made him hateful to his country-for she made him a traitor--miade him AroLD TIlE TRAITOR!" With cold sweat starting froinevery pore, his eyes almost bursting from his head, every vein swelling into blackness, Arnold hadlisten- ed to her while thus she revealed the plot of his c levat ion an+3 his fall "hinl -oLnona Prescott, did you do all this ? ' hhouteid, as lie rose to his feet. " Ah ! Jnediet, I wis an angel, but now-" she raid, im tones of such sweet mockery, that though be had raised his hand to strike her, it did not fall. Seeing him pause she rose, and while her dark eye flashed, and her tall form dilated, her voice rose. and she said " Yes, J en-liet Arrtol. I have kept my oath to her: .You are scorned by the very big- ars in the street -- despised by those ye serve- She paused, and heari the crackling of flams, and 'h fi' icf g ins, and the shouts of the rmadl, eud s ildi r, and the shrieks of the dyine. Ah! your e ils are at work-one word, and then e andelel y 1 hemr! I l as e hated you throuil hf, and I hate and scorn you--ay, Spit 111)011Von U n1 So f 'rfuti.y wr'ult up was Arnold by this list act, tha t lus o uorl, airealy drawn, was plinr d into h r trast to the very ilt. ' I haik ~ ivon, wrerch, that was all I asked ; now go and lo*k it the body of your old mt r. nm !ui oilm. of sour riscreazits have Nr i'y ci.. n ,r this !' cried lenona, as she si'o k lack upon the b-d where her mother had iii. a 64 "My mother alive ?" lie groaned. "Yes, and sick in bed--she will roast well- ha I ha !I ha !" shrieked Luona. Arnold, horrified, started to fly, hut was met by Elnathan with uplifted sabre, whoshoutei "I've got the cuss! I've got the cuss !" "Let him pass !" shrieked Luona "let hiin pass-to live is his curse The old man dropped his sword, and Arni rushed by, with distraction in his looks. "las the cuss hurt ye, Miss Lona?" asked, the old man, as e tottered toward the bed. No answer came fiom her white lips; with that last shrieking curse which followed Bene- dict Arnold till lie died, her spirit fled to join her mother's in another world . * * * * * * * Arnold heeded not shot, nor shout, nor shriek, nor crackling flames, as he flew from that terrific scene, but sped with mad haste to the spot whereon had stood the cottage in which he was born. had stood, I 'say ; for when lie got there, its last timbers werefallin in. One moment he stood before it, then reeled and fell ; and of all that occurred in New Lon- don after that, lie knew nothing. lIe was borne insensible on board of his yes sel ; and, from that hour, I defy the historian to write with truth that lie was ever known to smile. lie lived on for tears, scorned, detested by every one, insulted on every hand. The wealth whichli e gained by his infimy melted from his hands; and poor, miserably poor, and utterly wretched, he died ! The curse was fulfilled to the uttermost. And oh, how bitterly! Ilader, my task is done-the historian can furnish you with the history of the other hor- rors of the night; for me the curtain has fallen, so far as this tragedy is concerned. But we will soon meet again I do not say farewell, but only au revoir. CHAPTER I. I NTR ODUC T ION. Let me introduce you, my friend, to one of expected discharge of a pistol in the hands of the bravest heroes that ever drew a sword in a younger brother. He then made a voyage defenceof American hberty--JosIUA BRNEY. to Cadiz and Genoa, and in 1775 saile for I am about to weave a portion of his life into Italy. On this trip the mate was discharged, the web of romance; and if, spider-like, I can and Barney promoted in his place. The can- inveigle yon into the web, l'iI strive to keep tainbhemgtaken sick, thenavigation and whole you there until you acknowledge that Amen- charge of the vessel devolved upon Barney, can history and romance can be so blendid as who was then not quite sixteen years of age. to kee alive the fire of patriotism in the In July, 1775, he went to Alicant, where ina breasts of all true Americans. vessel was engaged by the Spaniards in the And before I haul the romance tacks aboard, transport service, they being engaged in an I will say a word in regard to the birth and expedition against Algiers. But the expedi- early prestiges of my hero. He was bern in tion failed, and he returned home. On his Baltimore, in 1759. His father was a farmer, arrival at themouth of the Chesapeake bay, his and lived near that city. He received a plain vessel was boarded by an offieerfrem the Brit- English education, and at the early age of ish corvette King Fisher, and there, for the eleven was placed in a retail store in Alexan- first time, he heard of the Battle of Bunker dria, but he was "like a fish out of waters" in Hill, though he was boarded on the first of such an employment. Unlike some of our October, 1775. The ship was searched, her molern counter-jumpers, he had a soul above arms and letters taken from her, and Barney ribbons and shoe-laces. In 1771 he returned was grossly insulted by the English officer, to Baltimore, and insisted upon going to sea. who-called him "a brat of a Yankee." From For several months he cruised in a pilot boat, that time he bore a grudge against John Bull siled by a friend of his father, and learned a which henever forgot. Immediately on land- good deal of the coast, especially around the ing, he sought a berth on board the sloop Hor- Chesapeake and Capes of the Delaware, gain- net, Captain Stone, and having received a ing a knowledge which was of immense benefit fiag from Commodore Hopkins, the first to him afterward. His father, fioding that ever raised in Maryland, he beat up for re- nothing would break his inclination for the emits, and in one day got a full crew for the sea, apprenticed him in a brig to a Captain vessel. Drysdale, who made a voyage from Baltimore Now, having given you a starting point, so to Cork. Their passage was rough, but they far as my hero is concerned, I am ready to arrived safe, and soon after the vessel was make sail on the course of my story. And sold. Barney returned to Baltimore, where, having got my "bearings," taken "distanee soon after, he had the misfortune to lose his and departure." I11 open a fresh chapter by Heather, who was accidentally killed by the un- way of an anchorage. 1±I THE MAN-O'-WAR'S-MAN'S GRUDGE. page: 66-67[View Page 66-67] I TIIE MAN-O'-WAR'S-MAN'S GRUDGE. CIIAPTER IL TIlE CHASE. It was Oefoher. 177. A heavy gale was blowing from tthe north ward. Two vessels- one was a ehit, the other a rakish fore-topsail schooner both armed-were standing off the coast, leavmtn the Capesof the Delaware. Both were unlre reef-d sails Trie ship contained Benjamin Franklin. then bound on his mission to Fran -e -t he schooner was the gallant litt e Wasp. to which Barney had been transferred from the Uiorne'. It was singular that his first experience in armed vessels was in these sling- ing birds as P, lily called the bees. The Wasr convoyed Franklin's ship until she was well hegond the line of cruisers which in festel our cast at that time, and then her Captain, barleyey Alexander, put about to return to the Debaware. It was a clear rrorning when they re-sight- ed Cape Genlopen,and at the same time made out several sail 1a) Ing in the roads on that side of the bay. "What kind of craft do you think they are. Mr. Barney Y ' asked the captain, as the former, who was perched on the foretopsail yard, looked at them through a spy glass. "British m-n-o'-war, sir. Blast'em, lowe them the worst kind of a grudge I" replied Barney. "Are they heavy vessels ?" "Yes. sir-1'w sure one of them is a large frigate. and the other is a frigate or a large sloop-of-war" "Too heavy for us-I'll stand off, and then try the Cape May channel," said the captain. The breze was pretty fresh, and hauling more to the east ward now. But the gallant little Wasp st aiered along under a whole topsail uait-arl, foresail and jib, and soon was up abreast of tie Cape May channel. Her head was now laid for the entrance of the bay. But she was not to slip in without notice, or an attempt being made to bring her to. The British ve-sets hal evidently, from her rake and rig. discovered her character, and were under a press of canvas standing across to cut her off. "She must hear the topgallant sail," mut- tered the certain, as he saw that his chance to slip by the enrony's cruisers was slim. " She'll srani it, and the squaresail, too, sir," said Barney-" the wind is well on our quarter" The aiditionl sail was added, and with the bows fairly buried in foam, the little, schooner stood bravely on her course. The British ships, covered from the dece almost to their trucas with canvas, were coming up After about two hours run, the leading vessel ltffed up, and a cloud or smoke was seen to puff out from her bow. Tnee the spray from a shot, as it strict the eater nearly a quarter of a mile short of the schooner, rose in the ar. "Too weak winded," muttered Barney. Then turning to the captain of the Wast, he said : "If you please, sir, I think our Long Tom could measure the distance a little better th in that." "Try it, Mr. Barney, if you like," said the captain. "Thank you, sir," replied the youthful offi. eer. " I owe the beef-eating rascals a grudge." Carefully sighting the gun. which threw a thirty-two pound shot, Barney applied the match. Although the leading ship was full two wiles off, the eff-ect of Barney's shot was to knock her foreyard in two close to the slings, and to derive her of the use of both the foresail and foretopsail for a time. "Splenaid. Mr. Barney, splendidly 'cried the captain, in delght " Shall I give her another, just by way of complitnent, sir?" "No, sir-not until we get further up the bay. Every shot we fire will deaden our headway-they are too heavy for us, and I see there is a brig larger than us standing out too. if the wind should die away, their noats, with so many men, might give us a deal of trouble." Tue three British vessels, now finding itim- possible to cut off the schooner before she would place a middle-ground between them over which they could not pass, for they were provided with tory pilots, now stood up the tienlopen channel, pressing every stitch of canvas which they could set, determined to overhaul her before she could reach a point of the river protected by the American batteries. But a stern chase is ever a long one. Ttie schooner had a little the advantage in distance, hot they had greatly the advantage in canvas, for all three carried studding sails, and the schooner had none On-on dashed the Wasp, like a deer before the hounds still keeping just out of gun shot until nearly night. Toen, as the breeze began to die away, the enemy began to gain. "It would be accursed luck if we were taken at last," muttered the captain. 5 THE MAN.O'-WAR'S-MAN'S GRUDGE. "We will not be," said Barney, calmly. "How can we help it if they close with us? They have one forty-four gun frigate, one of twenty-eight, and that brig has eighteen. There is but one way-we can run the schoon- er ashore, escape in the boats, and blow her up." "There is another way, sir," said Barney, with an air of confidence. "I'd thank you to point it out, sir," re- plied the captamn,,less assured than his young officer. "We are within three miles of Wilmington creek, air; I krow the way into it, and there is plenty of water for us, but not enough for them. We will be protected, in a great mea- sure, from their guns by the trees growing at the mouth, and after running up a little way, we can takein sail and lay the schooner broad- side on ; and if they want to come in with their boats, we'll take the old grudge out of them with a little grape and canister." "Your idea is good, Mr. Barney-I will fol- lo w it." "And, sir," continued Barney, "after we get in we can send word up the river by ex- press to the galleys, and they can come down and pepper the British, for it is likely they'll lay at anchor till daylight." "Trueagain, Mr. Barney," said Captain Alexander. In a short time, under his skillful pilotage, Barney had the Wasp inside the creek, and in a posture for defence. The British vessels, as he had predicted, anchored outside. An express was also sent immediately to Com- modore Hopkins, who was furier up the Delaware. I 1 " f ' page: 68[View Page 68] TUE XAN.O'-WAR'S-MANfS GRUDGE. CHAPTER IIL Tns rnT. All that night the crew of the Wasp lay on their arms on deck read} for and expecting a beat attack. Neither Barry or the comman- der closed an eye. They knew that if not at- taeked at night, they would te, most probably, in the morning. Bt the nignt passed without an alarm, and before the gray cf the ocmiog dawn, thewind, which had been so strong, died away into a breeze so gentle that it hardly lifted the short night pennant at the masthead. Suddenly the boom of a sing'e gun, evidently of very heavy cstbre, care thundering over the water. In a few moment it was repeated, and shortly gun aftergun opened loudly in the morning air. "The Commodore is down withthe galleys, I expect sir,' said Brnev. "Wthyourper- mission, 1'd tate a boat and pull to the mouth of the creek. and see what is up" "Do so, Mr Barney, but hurry back," said the captain ; "if there is a chance, I wish to improve it " "Not worse than I do-mv old grudge never will be satisfied," said Barney,as he ordered a boat lowered, that he might proceed to re- connoitre. lie was not gote long, for ere the first gleam of the rising sun had reddened the eastern sky, be retsrnrd and reported that the galleys, in full force, had attacked the vessels, which were anchored in the river a short dis- tanee below the mouth of 'he creek. The two larger vessels were some ways out in the river, but the brig lay close in shore, having follow- ed the schooner the night previous much nearer in than the rest. There was not breeze enough to enable the vessels to get under way, and the galleys and gun boats, propelled by cars and sweeps, were enabled to chose their own position, and to do considerable execution. The British vessels got springs on their cah es, and prepared to make the best defence they could, but their ehanees were precarious wiibout a breeze. "Cant we bring the schooner into action, Mr. Barney ?" asked Alexander, fatning with impatience, as the rapid discharge of cannon- ry and rising clouds of smoke told him how busy they were outside. "Easily, sir-by warping," replied the young master's mate, who was acting as first officer under the commander; "and it we could only lay the brig alongside we could take her. Standing off, ane is too heavy metal for us." Acting under Barney's advice, and by his assistance, Alexander now bad the sehooner warped to the mouth of the-creek. The officers and crew of the brig were oc- cupied in returning the fire of the galleys, and watching their attack upon the larger vessels, and were not aware of the proxitaity of the schooner, until a thirty-two pound snot crash- ed throughtheir bulwarks, dismounting one of their carronades, and killing and wounding nearly a dozen men. It is about as comfort- able to be caught between two fires as it isfor married man to he caught by his wife kiss- ing a girl whom he has been courting under the pretence of being single. If he isn't under two fires, who is? In less than half a minute, another shot from the saucy little Wasp crashed into the brig, hitting her just above wind and water, and knocking a hole in her large enough to have shoved a man through. At that moment a gentle land breeze began to ruffle the leaves in the tree tops. The commander of the schooner saw it. " Aloft, men, and loose the top sail!" he cried-" loose the to gallant-rail, too. Mr. Barney, clap the canvas on her-we'll board that fellow." "Good I That's the tune I like, sir. One more chance to take out my grudge for John- ny Bull, and show him what -'a Yankee brat' can do," shouted Barney, himself springing aloft tojourry the men in their work. Before the commander of the brig knew that a breeze was springing up, the Wasp was under canvas, and standing down upon himin a course which enabled her to rake him fore and aft, without his having hardly a chaneeto return the fire. The gun-boats, seeing the schooner come out, now centered their fire on the larger vessels, and left the brig to be han- died by the Wasp. "Stand by to let everything go by the run, and grapple as I lay her aboard I' shouted Alexander, as he bore down. "Mr. Barney, you will head the boarders." "Ay, ay, sir,'' was the cheerful response. "Strip to the waist, men-we've got work to do," be added, as he threw off his coat and bared his right arm, with which he sustained a keen and heavy cutlas Tbe next mo nent, amid the rattling of pis- tols and musketry, and the yells of maddened foemen, the hulls of the two vessels crashed together, In an instant, sheets and halliards q ' yt r ? i
