Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-02-05

she would have sacrificed her life thousand !
times to obtain, just pecpng out from below
the shaggy head and brawney shoulders of its
keeper, who lay III such position upon it as to
give not the smallest hope Of its extraction
without his being aroused from his nap. a
few bitter moments OF observation served to
convince her, that if she obtained possession
of this treasure, it NUT be in some other way;
and, again closing the door OF the bed she ap-
preached the pistols and having taken them
one by one from the holsters she as quickly
as possible drew out ihcir loading, which, hav-
ing sccreted, she returned them to their cases,
and resumed her seat at the foot Of the table.
Here she had barely time to recover from the
agitation into which ihe fear OF the mans ava
king duriug her recent occupation had thrown
her, when the old woman returned with the
water, and having taken a draught, Of which
she stood much in need, she settled her ac-
cohnt much to her landlsdy's content, By pay.
ing for the water the price Of Il pot of beer.
Having then carclessly asked and asccr:sined
how much longer the other guest was likely
TO continue hs sleep, she left the house, and,
mounting her horse, Sc. of at trot in diff
ferent direction from tint in which she had
arrived Fetching compass of two or three
miles, she once more fell into the high read be-
tween Beford and Berwick, where she walked
her horse gently on, awaiting the coming up
Of the postman. Though all her faculties were
now absorbed in one aim, and the thought OF
her fathers deliyerance still reigned supreme
in her mind, she could not help occasionally
figuring TO herself the possibility Of her tam
peIing with the pistols being discovered, and
their loads replaced. in which case it was more
than likely that her life would be the forfeit Of
the act she mrditated A woman's fears would
still intrudo Notwithstanding al her heroism,
and the glor ous issue which promised TO attend
the success Of her enterprise. When she at
length saw and heard the postman advancing
behind her, the strong necessity ofthe case gave
her renewed courage; and it was with perfect
GOODNESS, that, on his coming close up, she civly
sauted him, put her horse into the same pace
| with his, and rode on for some way in his com.
pany. He was g strong thick.set fellow with
good humored countenance, which did secm
! 10 Miss Coch7anc, as she looked anxious'y upon
it, to SAVIOR much Of hardy daring He rode
with the mail.bags strapped firmly 10 his sad
die in front, close tothe holsters (for there were
two,) one containing the letters from London
ard the other those taken up at the different
post Offices on the road. After riding a shor,
distance together. Mis- Cochranc deemed il time
as they were halfway between Beltord and
Berwick, to commence her operations. She
rode nearly close 10 her companion, and said
in tone Of determination, Friend / have
taken fancy for those mail bags ofyours, anC
must have them, therefore take my advice
and deliver them up quietly, for l am provided
for al! hazards. | am mounted, as yon see
on feet steed, carry firearms and, more
though not bolder than myself you Sc,
yonder wood she continued, pointing to on,
at distance of about mile, with an accen
and air which was meant to carry intimidation
Win IT. 'NSaI'l' suy' '"he my ouFiSS CIV
me the bags, and speed back the road you cam
for the present, not dare to approach that WOO
for at least two or three hours TO come
There was in such language from a strip!in!
something SO surprising, that the mar looke
on Miss Cochrane for an instant in silen. an
unfeigned amazemcrt
III said he, as soon as he found his tongue
'you mean. my young master, to make your
self marry at my expense, you are welcome
am no sour churl 20 take offence at III" idl
words ora foolish hoy But it, he said takin,
, one OF his pistols from the holster and turning
its muzzle towards her, ye arc mad onnug
: 10 harbour one serious thought of such a matter
, am ready for you. But, nethinks, nay lad
you seem tt an age when robbIng garden q
an cd womans frir.st,l would befi, you bet
, ter, # YOU must turn thief than taking Ills ma
, jes;y's mails from stout man, such as | am
, upon his highway. G. thankful however, tha
YOU have met with one who will not shed boo
il he can help ii, ard seer OF before yon pro
woke me to fire.
; May said his young antagonist, am nc
ionder Of tloodshed than You are but, if yo
will not be persuaded " hat can 20, for lhav
, told you truth, THAT MAIL MUST AND VIII
HAVE. So now choose she continued as sh
, drew one Of the small pistols from under he
! cloak, and, deliberately cooking it, presented
! in his face,
, NAV thnn vo,,r Mood bo nm ,,onr NUN beoA