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

he thought Of the hard destiny that awaiIe
Ter at home; would start and shudder as
n hideous dream. She had efi The cas-
10 far behind, and now exceeded The limit
allowed her by her father for her walks, OF
account Oi his fears of a dangerous free
booler, who roamed the country wilhou
ear of moleslslon. His retreat. an ole
deserted castle, wac justly called The blood,
castle Of WcFergus. Situated in a ailC
ana rugged part Of neighborlng mounlair
he defed all attempts made by The govern
neDI 10 capture him His name had be
come terror to the inhabitants, aud the
whole codnry was Iad under contribution
by ,hrs daring outlaw, All prisoners laher
by him, if no, ransomed BY their friends,
were within given lime thrown from a
neighboIing crag and dashed 10 pieces.
As Alice mgsngly ssunlered along, she
remembered The injunction given by hu5
father and the bloody McFergus, and pre-
pared 10 relrace her steps; as she turned for
hat purpose, she saw that heI path was IN
ercspled by three men. One glance was
sufficient 10 discover, in the person OF the
leader, the bloody McFergus, whose well
snown features were rendered still more
h'jeous by the matted aud grisly beard
hal hung down on his b,eas, A, this
discovery Alice would have fallen had he
no. caush. her in bis arms Neither tears
or promises Of great reward could prevail
with him. She was hurried ~ ,hickel OF
Underwood, where MrTergus with Alice
n his arms mounted his hoTse and rode
rapidly off.
The shades Of the evening were fast de-
:cendug, when The earl ordered his daugh
Ter TO be informed that Lord Rupert aud
himself were prepared 10 receive her. In
| 4 few moments the servant returned; with
ear pictured in his oounlenance, and in.
utaed HE Esrl that the lady Alice had left
he castle some, hours previous, and had
not yet returned.
The Earl and Sir Rupert were alarmed
At this Information, as ii was Me hrsl time
that Alice had ever remained so long from
nome. As the darkness increased his anX
,ey became intense Another hour roIlcr
~, and Sir Rupert become serousIy y per,
picked. Tine Earl had, until now, been
gazing, on vacancy, almost afraid 10 ex
prsss what his mind told him was proba
bs.-- Starting 10 his feet he ordered each
aue of his reIinue to scOur the forest with
lghted torches thinking she might have
osl her way, and was now benigh!ed IN
the depths Of the forest. The reiaIuers OF
llhe Earl were ordered to search in one dI
reC,ion whilst The Earl and Sir Rsper! AMI
hi. company proceeded in another. After
some hours irUilICss search with heavy
heats, The dlfIrien parties returned to the
castle.
The Earl now gave away to the deep
esI grief constantly calling on the name OF
his daughter; while Sir Rupert, with heart
as heavy as his own, sndeavored 10 soolhe
MIN by whispering words Of hope and as
,urances for Alice Thus the night wore
away, with heavy hearts 10 all in the cas-
lite.
Daybreak a, last appeared and with it
tidings Of The lost Alice, through the wo
man who had accompanied her in her walk
the robbers not having molesled her she
slolled directly for the castle, after seeing
her mistress dragged forciby from her sigh,
to convey he mourniul Intelligence 10 her
lalher bu, being excited through fear; che
became confused, aud l0st her way IN me
depth Of the forest, night overlook ber& she
sough, shelter in the hut of mounIaiDeer
At The frs, peep of day, with tho co,tager
for guide she started forth, and soon sltv,
ed in safety at !he castle.
The Earl after listening 70 The recital
Of her story,felt thankful thai bis dsugi
,el wss s,il alive, but Shuddered
v hen ne thought OF the darSer by
which she was surrounded. Howeve'
no time was TO be lost 10 surmises; Sir
Rupert YVES about srmng his followers
and gsily babe the Earl be Of goot
cheer, for he would SOON restore hi
daughter 10 her home, snd punish IN
= daring freebooter who had SO 0oldl!
The family.