Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-02-14


direction of his sterner neighbor, whom, even
while he tremblingy obeyed his slightest uandate,3
he did noteven feign to honor, much less to eseem
Observation-Disclosures to the marriage, nay more,
her utter hatred of the man, had been, for months
the topic of almost universal conversations for so
widely had the fame of her unrivaled charms been
circulated, that in that age of chvalry and gene
rous adventure numerous were the young and gall
lant cavaliers who would have deemed it 10 slight
privilege to be permitted TO adopt the coors of the
lovely Alice at tilt or tournament; and whom not
even the fierce jealousy and savage prowess other
avowed admirer, could deter from offering at the
beautys foostoo, the tribute of their admiration
All their endeavors were, however, vain; and
when it discovered that the bright damsel,
though she had eyes to glance, and lips to smile at
times upon some favored gallant, had yet no heart
to yield-or ifshe had, possessed not the poor op-
tion to bes:ow it where she pleased-when it was
seen that if she caught the dark eye of Sir Americ
gazing on her unwonted merriment, she broke off
like guilty thing detected in commission of some
desperate offence, and voluntarily, as it would
seem, submitted herself to his imperous will-men
cease to strive for that return of courtesy, least,
only at considerable risk, it seemed impossible to
gain. Such had been, for many months, the state
Of matters Between the lady and her lover if lover
it be right to term him, who had no mood of gaiety
or softness, even for amoment's space-whonever
offered any admiration, never showed any kind
ness, never fegned any courtesy, much less affec-
ton Such, then, for months, had been the state
of matters, when it was suddenly announced that
on a near-appointed day, Alice would be surren-
dered by her father into the hands Of Sir Americ
foT the purpose, it understood, OF being under
his protection conducted in all honor to a well
known and celebrated nunnery of Yorkshire, the
abbess of which was sister TO the Puissaat Baron
there to remain till such time as she should sub
NIT herself with no mare OF reluctance or delay to
the high destiny which awaited her. The route
by winch tney must proceed, lay, Tor space,
along the outskirts OF the desolate and dreaded
tract of fen and forrest, which was in those days
tenanted so wildly by the unconquered Saxons ;
and as Sir Americ's name was hated by these sa-
vaCe forresters with no small or unmeriled degree
OF detes!ation Ii had been deemed advisable to
travel nortaward with powerful and wel-armed
= escort-more, perhaps, as matter OF precaution,
than Of necessity, for, although, since they had
been led by Hereward, the Sayons had increased
amazingly in boldness-although they had in ma
ny instances surprised and pitilessly slaughtered
ID those of their oPpressors whom they found wan
O. deng alone or with but slight attendance, in pur-
J. suit of the woodland game among their perilous
a. fastnesses-they had not yet attained to such a
In pitch of absolute audacity as would have prompted
n them to attack men-at-arms, equipped in complete
&c panoply of war; and their guard less against
~ the hidden ambush than the bold front Of violence
h. It had bean Americas intention to pass the dan
bt gerous morass, il which, if any where, he might
is expect to meet with interruption, at much earlier
It. hour Of the day than that at which he reached it
&c Two Of the horses Of lis train had fallen lame up
n on tie route, and much time had elapsed before
81 be liN been able to replace them; STILL he had
IN hoped to pass before the sun should set. and
OF therefore had pressed onward having, in truth
ne Alternative but do; for after he had le:s Cam
II bridge, which was already miles behind him, there
ne was no hosiery or even cottage Oh the road
st wherein It would have been advisable or even pos
ce siJe to pass the hours of darkness.
re II was, then, il no placid mood that Americ dc
IN Bot:ctourt saw the sun gradually sinking behind
he the tall trees, which now fringed Oh every side the
tv darkening horizon and little was his hope of ma
ID king good his passage without blows and blood
a. shed for he was not unconscious Of the bold yaoi
a. Of the Saxon outlaw, nor of the deadly cause he
3n had for waging war against himself, especially, as
in the most hated individual of detested race.
sh Drawing up, therefore, his small band according
re to the method most approved in those days Of IN
It cipent discipline he clasped his vizor felt thai
s. his ponIerous sword ready to his grasp, ano
.e advanced, not without something of unwontei tre
= pidajion, at hard rot into the perilous dehle-
o. Already was above one half Of its length safely
le passed: and already had Sir hmeric begun tt
ID deem the apprehension he had Of late entertained
s. causeless, and all unworthy yofhimself-when iron
ID his rear wildly reechoed from the th'ck-set stems
cf of dim grove which he had just cleared, wlthou
le hearing sound or seeing sight that could have e'
of him to suspect the presence of living being there