cold chill ran through Sam's veins He fancied before him gang of murderers, about to bury their victim His knees smote together agitation he shook the branch of tree supporting himself as he looked over the edge cliff

"What's that ? " cried gang "Some one stirs bushes ! "

The lantern was held up direction noise red-caps cocked pistol, and pointed it toward the very place where Sam was standing He stood motionless, breathless, expecting the next moment his last Fortunately his dingy complexion was favor, and made no glare leaves

"'Tis no one," said the man lantern "What plague ! fire off your pistol and alarm the country ! "

The pistol was uncocked, the burden was resumed, party slowly toiled along the bank Sam watched them went, the light sending back fitful gleams dripping bushes, and not till they were fairly out of sight that he ventured to draw breath freely He now thought of getting back boat, and making his escape reach dangerous neighbors; but curiosity was all-powerful He hesitated, and lingered, and listened By and by he heard the strokes of spades " digging the grave ! " said he to himself, cold sweat started upon his forehead Every stroke of spade, as it sounded silent groves, went heart evident as little noise made as possible; everything had an air of terrible mystery and secrecy Sam had great relish horrible; tale of murder was treat for him, and constant attendant at executions resist an impulse, of every danger, to steal nearer scene of mystery, and overlook the midnight fellows at their work He crawled along cautiously, therefore, inch by inch, stepping utmost care dry leaves, lest their rustling should betray him to where steep rock intervened between him gang, for the light lantern shining up against the branches trees other side Sam slowly and silently clambered up the surface rock, and raising his head above its naked edge, beheld the villains immediately below him, and so near that though he dreaded discovery he dared not withdraw lest the least movement heard he remained, round black face peering above the edge rock, like the sun just emerging above the edge horizon, or the round- cheeked moon dial of clock

The red-caps had nearly finished their work, the grave was filled up, were carefully replacing the turf This done they scattered dry leaves over the place "And now," said the leader, "I defy the devil himself it out "

"The murderers ! " exclaimed Sam involuntarily

The whole gang started, and looking up beheld the round black head of Sam just above them, his white eyes strained half out orbits, his white teeth chattering, whole visage shining with cold perspiration

"We're discovered ! " cried one

"Down ! " cried another

Sam heard the cocking of pistol, but pause report He scrambled over rock and stone, through brush and brier, rolled down banks like hedgehog, scrambled up others like catamount In every direction he heard some one or other gang hemming him in he reached the rocky ridge along the river; red-caps was hard behind him steep rock like wall rose directly way; it seemed to cut off all retreat, when fortunately he espied the strong, cord-like branch of grapevine reaching half way down it He sprang at it force of desperate man, seized it with both hands, and, being young and agile, succeeded in swinging himself summit cliff Here he stood in full relief against the sky, red- cap cocked his pistol and fired The ball whistled by Sam's head lucky thought of man in an emergency, he uttered yell, fell ground, and detached same time fragment rock, which tumbled with loud splash river

"I've done his business," said the red-cap to comrades arrived panting "He'll tell no tales, except fishes river "

His pursuers now turned to meet their companions Sam, sliding silently down the surface rock, let himself quietly into his skiff, cast loose the fastening, and abandoned himself rapid current, which place runs like mill stream, and soon swept him off neighborhood not, however, until he had drifted great distance that he ventured to ply his oars, when his skiff dart like an arrow strait of Hell Gate, never heeding the danger of Pot, Frying Pan, nor Hog's Back itself, nor did he feel himself thoroughly secure until safely nestled in bed cockloft ancient farmhouse Suydams

Here the worthy Peechy Prauw paused breath, and sip gossip tankard that stood at his elbow His auditors remained with open mouths and outstretched necks, gaping like nest of swallows for an additional mouthful

"And all ? " exclaimed the half-pay officer

"That's all that belongs story," said Peechy Prauw

"And did Sam never find out buried red-caps ? " said Wolfert eagerly, whose mind was haunted by nothing but ingots and doubloons

"Not that of," said Peechy; "he had no time to spare work, and, the truth, like to run the risk of another race rocks Besides, how should he recollect the spot where the grave digged ? everything would look so different by daylight And then, where use of looking for dead body when no chance of hanging the murderers ? "

"Aye, but sure dead body they buried ? " said Wolfert

" ," cried Peechy Prauw exultingly "Does it not haunt neighborhood very day ? "

"Haunts ! " exclaimed several party, opening their eyes still wider, and edging their chairs still closer

"Aye, haunts," repeated Peechy; "have none of you heard of Father Red-cap, who haunts the old burned farmhouse woods, border Sound, near Hell Gate ? "

"Oh, , I've heard tell of something kind, but then it for some old wives' fable "

"Old wives' fable or not," said Peechy Prauw, "that farmhouse stands hard very spot It's been unoccupied time out of mind, and stands in lonely part coast, but those who fish neighborhood have often heard strange noises there, and lights seen wood at night, and an old fellow in red cap seen windows more than once, which people take the ghost body buried there Once upon time three soldiers took shelter building night, and rummaged it from top to bottom, found old Father Red-cap astride of cider barrel cellar, with jug in one hand and goblet other He offered them drink out goblet, but just as soldiers was putting it mouth--whew ! - -a flash of fire blazed cellar, blinded every mother's son for several minutes, and recovered their eyesight, jug, goblet, and Red-cap had vanished, and nothing but the empty cider barrel remained "

Here the half-pay officer, who was growing very muzzy and sleepy, and nodding over his liquor, with half-extinguished eye, suddenly gleamed up like an expiring rush-light

"That's all fudge ! " said he, as Peechy finished his last story

"Well, I don't vouch truth of it myself," said Peechy Prauw, "though all the world knows that there's something strange house and grounds; but story of Mud Sam, I believe it just it had happened to myself "

The deep interest taken conversation company had made them unconscious uproar abroad elements, when suddenly they were electrified by tremendous clap of thunder lumbering crash followed instantaneously, shaking the building to its very foundation All started from their seats, imagining it the shock of an earthquake, or that old Father Red-cap was coming among them in all his terrors They listened for moment, but only heard the rain pelting against the windows wind howling trees The explosion was soon explained apparition of an old negro's bald head thrust in door, his white goggle eyes contrasting jetty poll, wet with rain, and shone like bottle In jargon but half intelligible he announced kitchen chimney struck with lightning

sullen pause storm, which now rose and sank in gusts, produced momentary stillness interval the report of musket was heard, and long shout, almost like yell, resounded shores Everyone crowded window; another musket shot was heard, and another long shout, mingled wildly with rising blast of wind It seemed as cry came up bosom waters, for though incessant flashes of lightning spread light shore, no one was seen

Suddenly the window room overhead was opened, and loud halloo uttered mysterious stranger Several hailings passed from one party other, but in language which company barroom could understand, and presently they heard the window closed, and great noise overhead, all the furniture were pulled and hauled room The negro servant was summoned, and shortly afterwards was seen assisting the veteran to lug the ponderous sea chest downstairs

The landlord was in amazement "What, going water storm ? "

"Storm ! " said the other scornfully, " call such sputter of weather storm ? "