The Secret Shot; Or, The Rivals Of Misty Mount — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

gaid Judith. 2% “Do you not know some cayern in the mountains in which we can conceal the young man ?” “Yes; there is a cave on the eastern face of the Misty Mountain, which is known but to Wandalo and the eagles.” “ Away, then, and bring Heartstead hither. I also will accompany you to the cave. Why do you hesitate ?” “Oh, my fierce, wild spirit!” cried the remorseful Indian, falling on his knees be- before her. “What would you have ?” “Pity—pity for the white Lily of the Vale !” “Never! Away, weak heart! Have you not learnt that pity was not for me? Away ! and if you breathe that word again, we part forever !” “ Nay, say not so! See—Wandalo obeys his Flower!’ whined the sayage; and he slunk away in the woods. In a few moments he returned, followed by Heartstead. The latter eyed Judith with repugnance ; but he did not now approach her with menace and abuse, as had been his custom. He had latterly learned to fear as well as to distrust her power over others. Neverthe- less, there was gloom and hatred in his tone. “ Whither do you propose to hide me ?” he asked. “Tn Wandalo’s cavern on the mountain,” gaid Judith. “Be not downcast, Heartstead. She shall be your bride. The plot shall yet triumph.” : “ A curse on the plot and you together, you slave! I will no more of it.” “Coward !” she hissed between her teeth ; “coward! are you dashed by such a little failure ?” “Yes,” said he, moodily. “This morning I was at least a man. Now I am meaner than a dog. Say what you please; I give it up.” “There is one I know of who will be delighted with your yalorous determination.” “ Who ?” “ Colonel Cleveland.” ' “ Curse him!” cried the other, his face almost black with passion. “ And yet—and yet,” he continued, with more calmness, “ what has Cleaveland to do with the affair of this afternoon? He was not there.” “Not there! Ha! ha!” mocked the im- placable quadroon, “you must have fled fast indeed, and without a backward glance. Why, man, Ae was her rescuer. Wandalo THE SECRET SHOT. saw him carry her to the river when she had swooned. Not only this, but Wandalo saw him kiss her forehead and embrace her.” ‘Oh, misery | can this be true ?” groaned the wicked man, ‘“ Lead me wherever you will, then; do as you please with me; if I but have vengeance on this Cleayeland— this murderer of my brother, I am satisfied.” Wandalo took the lead, while Judith and Heartstead followed him toward the moun- tain. , Their forms were scarcely out of sight of the open lawn, when Cleayeland, at the head of his troop, came swiftly up the road, and, in a few moments the house was com- pletely surrounded. “Ts there a person named Hartstead Glea- son within this house?” asked the com- mander, of the astonished negro who had opened the door. “No, sah.” “Ts his father in ?” * 08,,8an.” “JT would see him in private. Request him to come in the parlor,” said the officer, entering the drawing-room with an air of most perfect. nonchalance. In a few moments old Jacob Gleason entered the room. “To whom am I indebted for the honor of this visit?” he coldly inquired. “To Colonel Cleayeland, of the Conti- nental army, sir. Do -I addresa Mr. Jacob Gleason ?” Te O82 Bit.” “T haye an order for the arrest of your son, sir. He is at present within this house, or upon these premises. I demand that you* produce him instantly.” “T assure you, sir, I know nothing of his whereabouts. He is at present with the army of Lord Cornwallis, I believe, and—” “Excuse me, sir, you state that which is positively false,” said the officer, firmly. *“ Not only is the person in question within this vicinity, but he, this afternoon, attempt- ed to carry off the person of the daughter of your neighbor, Mr. Gwin. Your house is surrounded; I will search it immediately and without ceremony, unless you produce the man.” “Colonel Cleayeland is at perfect liberty to search as much as.he pleases,” said the old man, coolly; well aware that: he was safe in giving the permission, since Heart- stead must by this time be far away. So the search was. instituted, and, of course, without result. The whole vicinity (CO) choo