The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-04-05
Number SOL


arrived at the gates of The famed Ca
lie Of McF ,rgus, who made his appear
suce on The caste windows and demand
ed the cause Of The visit. Sir Rupert
soon made him acquainted with il by
stating that he had come 10 pay The
amount Of ramson required for line lady
Alice, whatever il might be.
McFergus answered, IN derision, that
he had nobler plan in view than the
hope Of gain--which was 10 retain her
as his bride, and babe him 10 return TO
her father and invite him to the bonny
wedding.'
Slung 10 madness at this information,
SlT Rupert as the affianced of lady Alice
challenged him 10 mortal combat Nc
Fergus eagerly accepted The otfer, The
followers Of Sir Rupert were ordered
10 retire some distance from he castle
walls, 10 ensure the personal safety Of
McFergIs, and Sir Rupert was left
alone. In few moments the massive
gales OF the castle were opened
and McFergus rode forth completely
clad in steel.
Eager 10 begin the a1ray, the COM
bstsnls rushed towards each other ir
deadly strife; they met as two tenn
peslUoJs waves, tossed by contrary
winds. II was soon evident that not
wi,hs,anding the superior skill possess
ed by Sir Rupert in the mode of war
fare they were engaged in, he would
be forced 10 submit 10 brute force.
The tremendous blows dealt by his
adversary he found ii impossible 10 re.
Iurn--snd as each one rang upon his
we'll tried helmet and stout shield, it
} seemed but lhe,flnera knell TO the hoI e
Of the Lady. The contest ragged with
violence for some time, but with no ad.
vantage 10 Sir Rupert and evid@nt sue
cess 10 his adversary.
=, SIR Rupert, perceiving that whilst he
acted entirely upon the defensive, he
was losing ground, determined TO change
h his mode Of fl shling, in hopes of gain
'ng some advantage by the sudden
+ change; but McFergus still fought with
d the same dogged coolness as before, and
parried the desperate thrust Of his ad
diversity with a smile o. derison. He
knew from the moment The victory was
MS, for Sir Rupert became frantic with
rage, whilst oil The other hand Meier
sus became more cool; and in desper-
o pate effort 10 reach his body,Sir Rupert
eft his own exposed, and in an instant
McFergus' sword entered his body and
The brgh, blade ,recking with the hearts
blood, came out at his saddle and he fell
o the ground.
McFergus, with fendish laugh wip.
ed his blade upon The launches of his
t horse. and pointing 10 the body Of Sir
D Rupert, babe his followers take it up
4 pnd carry it TO the Earl; with his invi-
alion 10 his daughters wedding. As
they approached towards him, he turn
I'd his horse and rode into the court Of
The castle. In a moment he was in the
presence OF Alice, and with brutal
+ Iaugh, bade her call her maids to pre-
pare her wedding gear, for that night it
= would take place, and jolly carousal
his merry men would make Of it.
Il With supplicating voice she prayed
he would save her. She knew he did
but jest He surely but meant 10 alarm
her. He could not mean it,
Mean 1t, girl! Dds, ever know the
ion 10 jest with the lamb, or the eagle
with the dover Nay, nay, you do but
jest when you talk in that strain. Per
nit me Lady Alice,l bow at Thy shrin'
II The same time kneeling at her feet.
Gentle maid,iI supplica'e. Listen TO
my suit. Ifforce has no effect, allow
one who never begged before, 10 plead
I his humble cause. All that wealth can
4 give all the power that McFergus can
+ give, is thine. Aye, the very king
shall tremble on bis throne, if Lady
Alice do but wave the hand! Lords
shall kneel al her feet, mobiles shall wait
her call; if she consents TO be The wife
Of Donald McFergus. If she refuses,
lei her beware of his vengeance!-lt ls
terrible! What says my Lady Alice
Ills she won as we'll as wooed?' at the
h same time raising from hisknee'
j 'Woo? Dnk aud mysterious man,
= sooner lhan be the wife Of so bloody
! and desperate a villain | would re
! sgo my spirit 10 The maker that gave
b ~
d $50, SO, my pretty maid, dost thou
is think 10 brow-best me thus? Donald
e McFe-gus was not born yesterdSXs
y What, no! without there, calids--calI