The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-11-28

bafiled husband was the first to dash from
his covert, and without pausing 70 see
whether the fallen men were dead or NOT
he thundered.
Observation-Disclosures iham to the |
dsath.'
And at once dashed off in pursuit. His |
companions hesitated but moment, and
then followed his example. Three Of the
refugees had escaped, but they were four in
pursuit, Fear seemed, however, to have
seized upon the ronegades, ,olse why should
they have rstrsated before force SO little
exceeding their own! |! is probable, how
ever, that they imagined far greater nua-
Der OF the onraged inhabitants were on their
track, for they could scarcely suppose that
four men would have hardihood to pene.
rate to their faslness, when their full NUM-.
Der was known to equal dozen. What.
ever was thsir motive, however, they con-
timed their flight, their pursuers the while
pressing holly in their rear.
It was toward morning when two indivi-
dgalS emerged upen the edge Of an abrupt
hill, many miles from the fastness Of the
refugees. One Of them was the captain of
the relugeos--his pursuer was the Injured
husband. Both the companions Of the out
law had already been overtaken and slam.
The eagerness Of ihs husband had outstrip-
Il ped the pace of his companions, and after
a pursuit Of hours, he was now on the point
Of coming up with the refugee.
The rapid pace Of the two men, pursuing
aRd pursued. brought the latter to the edge
Of the abrupt hill before he was aware Of il,
and he saw at glance that further fight
was impossible. He turned and beheld
only one foe IN sight. He could hear tbs
shouts Of TIE others far behind in the forest
aad he resolved to gtapple with tho fore
most pursueT, and by destroying him effect
his escape before the others came up. lie
turned at bay. The rifles Of both the con-
batnnts have besn discharged in the pursuit,
and they now stood face to face, with no
weapONs but their hunting knives. A mo-
ment they gazed at each other with all their
mutual hate sparkling ia their eyes.
Villain---murdersv- traitor hoarsely
calculated the husband, pale with passion,
as he dartea at the refugee.
The outlaw made no answer, but be
scow!ed mortal deiance at his foe, and,
drawing his knife, awaited the onset Of his
sntagonist;-aHd it was terrible. For a
few moments so iucessaut were there thrus!s
4! each other, and SO rapidly were these
thTusts mutually parred, that the eye could
not follow the motions of the combatants.
Now one, now the other seemed 10 have
the advantage. The dry leaves flew in
showers around the eeHtending foes, and the
dust flew in clouds, hiding them often from
the sight. Not wsrd was spoken by
either combatant. At length, after one or
two slight wounds on either side, at dss-
perate thrust made by the husband, his
knife struck against the irOn buckle Of his
belt, and was shivsred into pie
ces. The refugee saw his advantage, and
raised his knife 10 strike. AS last hope
his pursuer grasped his wrist. A despe-
rate struggle ensued. Both wero men of
great personal powers-but the outlaw,hav-
ing received a wound in bis right arm, was,
perhaps, the weaker Of the two. After a !
proFacted contest he yielded, and in a
Gercs effort made by the husband tO obtain
,he knife, it few from the refugees hand to
The distance Of some yards By this time
they had imPercsPlbly been drawn to the
edge of the hill, where q rugged precipice
of some City feet, shet perpendicularly
downward. Gathering every energy for
his last endeavor, the pursuing husband
5trove to force the outlaw over the precipice
md had partially succeeded in it, when he
cit the gravelly bank giving away beneath
hem. With one hand be hastily grasped
twig; and with the other making gigan-
c effort, he thrust his antagonist over the
recipice, so that the OUTLAW daRgled IN the