The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-11-28
0LUMBIA COUNTY PA. sATURDAY. NOvEMRER 2s. 1910.

hrm republican principles, had made the
refugees and tories his political foes, and he
knew that more than once Black Davy,'
had sworn to take away his life. His only
hope, Therefore, was in precpitale retreat
That no personal injury would be offered
TO his wife, he felt almost certain, for deeds
Of that character had never yet been attribu-
ted to the present leader Of the refugees
These rapid thoughts caused momentary
delay, which had well nigh proved his ruin.
The refugee captain had already raised his
piece, and when he saw the husband turn
10 fee, he fired. But the solEdevoied wife,
a! that very instant, sprang forward and
s'urck up the muskeI, at the peril of her
life. The ball whizzed 4armlessly over
her husbands head, and in another moment
he was lost in The surrounding forest. The
rufian turned with the scowl of demon
on his face, and lifting his heavy piece in
10 the air struck down the heroic wife,, She
fell senseless and bleeding to the earth
The refugee gazed on her moment, and
then with heavy curse called his men to
follow him in pursuit Of the flying hus.
band
An hour after the husband returned, hav-
ing thrown his pursuers at fault. Language
cannot describe his emotions on beholGlng
the condition Of his wife. A noighbor
chaRcing to pass, apparently some ten min
ulss after tho refugees had departed, had
discovered her seuseers on the ground.-
She was now scarcely revived and could
with difficulty speak, Yet che stroye to
smile, and family extended her hand to her
husband, calling him in those lond tones
which only she could use.
BY ali thas is holy exclaimed the agon-
izse man, as he rushed from her bedside,
i will ayenge this en- lha! renegade,
or die in the attempt But Ellen must not
know Of il. l will wait uriil she is asleep
and then depart Or U,y strand. God will
favor the right
The STARS were faint and few that night
as the bold farmer, eXterIing from the kind
neighbor promise Of secrecy, stole OUT in
TO the air, armed with bis trusty piece, and
after looking mament at the sky above,
struck rapidly across the forest: In less
than an hour he had visited two farm-houses
and obtained three neighbOrs 10 aid him
in his design. Striking right into the
heart OF the forest, they pushnd on for sew
eral hours, without any apparent fatigue and
almost in silence. At length they came to
a halt.
Their haunts somewhere about here, l
nave learned, sald the husband, i heard it
by chance frem one of their gang who mis-
teok me fef Bill Rlckngs, who you know,
was supposed 10 have no objection to their
ways. Shouldn't be surprised, if the
knowledge ofmy possessing this infOraa-
ton, has led 10 the attack tonight.
'Hark, said one Of the band, do you not
hear tread coming through the woods?'
1T is-it is~-we have found them--lie
close now and wait till they come up
The group instantly relapsed into silence,
and each Of Them taking position behind
hinge tree,or some fallen trunk in the swamp
waited breathlessly for The approach of the
ccmers, whose tread might be heard, grow
ing more and more distinct, as they ap.
preached. Directly voices were heard, cor
vsrsing in careless tone-then a loud
laugh rung across the highland after mo-
mentary silence, one of the approaching
band burst into song,
Now is our time whispered the hus-
band, TO one Of hi; companions, take the
right hand man, and leave the leader to me
-ready-frs,'
The report Of thsir rifles ruag sharply
through the woods and three of the refugees
leaping into the air, fell dead upon the
ground. The piece Of the husband flashed
in the pan, but did not 60 of. The cap
Iain Of the renegades was unharmed.-
SPnnging back few steps from the CO.
velt where his assailants lay concealed, he