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

upon the left arm of his antagonist. All
hope for the refugee was over, but he de-
termined that his foe should perish with
him. Moments passed away, at every one
OF which, the bank gave way more and
more. The utmost efforts of the victor 10
shake OFF the dying man were in vain, and
he felt that his last hour was come. He
heard no more even the shouts of his
friends; and with sicking sensation he felt
they had either lost Their way or deserted
him. Could they only come up he might
be saved. lie felt the twig begin to yield
-ho had already slipped half off the bank
and the struggles of the dying man were
becoming more desperate every moment--
He gazed at tie gulf below. Broker limbs
Of trees, and uprooted pines lay mingled
promiscuously together so that TO fall into
the abyse would DO certain destrueton.--.
The countenance of the outlaw already
were damoniacal smile in contemplation
of the ruin to which he was dragging the
young man. And that bridegIoom--wa
there no hops for him! alas! all was gone,
He gave one thought Of his brido--ons
look toward heaven-one prayer to his God
and then shut his eyes against the awful
catastrophe he felt had come. Suddenly,
however sharp report, as Of rifle, rung
widely in his ears, and at the same instant;
be felt the hold OF the outlaw relax from
his arm. lie opened his eyes only TO be-
hold the dying man shooting like an arrow
down the abyss-only to see his mangled
body lying shattered on the trunks of the
trees below. In moment he was drawn
away from the bank and clasped in the arms
OF his companions, who coming up at the
very last momest, had by shooting the out
law in the heart, rescued their friend from
horTid death.
1t was q glad night, that one at the little
farm house, after the return Of the hardy ad
vOnturers frem their expedition. Ellen was
by this timo completely recovered, and a
happier evening never was spent by two
fond young hearts than by the young BRIDE
groom and his bride.
The refugees were from that time extir-
patsd in the vicinity. But thsir memory
yet survives, and though the incidents of
this tale depending Hitherto on tradition for
preservation are now known to very few,yet
there are still living, Or were some years
ago, one or two totidring patriarch's whose
eyes would kindle, and whose brea'h would
coma quick as they told Of the outlaws
fate.
The spot where the fastness Of the refu-
gees was located, is deep in one of those
tangled swamps, which skirt the shores Of
Maurice river; and which are almost imper-
vious to the sunshine, and impenelrable TO
tho foot of man. tits many long day
since the writer Of this sketch penetrated to
it under the guidance of an old wOodsman;
and he will never forget the refreshing
drauSht he to0k at the little springs of cedar
water, hard by the side of the teRement.-
The rude cabin which the outlaws had con-
suucted, had fer years laid rOtling on the
earh--the wild deer had irodden galy over
the spot where 1t once stood--young sap
plns, and then ragged trees had sprung up
within the circuit of Its fallen walls, and on
ly few Delayed timbers, crumbing with
age, and covered with moss, betoken the
position OF the dreaded habilation.
The hill upon which the final encounter
of the cembaants took place is, to this day,
shewn not far from Aide creek, emptyiRg
into the Maurice river, some miles from
Dorchester. Is still bold, rugged, bio
ked proeipiee, though, within the last forty
years, it has fallen considerably away
through the action Of the SHOWS and rain.
The little rayins into which the outlaw fell
is now half filled up with slides of earth
from the preciPies above. Tradition, how
ever, still preserves the exact spot where
The conflict occurred, and we'll do we re-
msmber the eagerRess with which in eur
boyish DAYS, we listened, as we gtosd on