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

| 'N'''" 'oi his saIe Iellfn n-dDu lUen, III
he thought of The hard destiny that awaited
Ter at home; would start and shudder as il
in hideous dream. She had leh the cas-
lie far behind, and now exceeded the limits
allowed her by her father for her walks, on
account OF his fears ofa dangerous free
ooo'er, who roamed the country without
fear Of molestation. His retreat, an old
deserted castle, was justly called the bloody
castle of WcFergus. Situated in a wild
ana rugged part of a neghboring mountain
he deiied all attempts made by The govern
neni to capture him His name had De.
come terror to the Inhabitants, and the
whole country was laid under contribution
loy this daring outlaw. All prisoners taker
by him, if not ransomed by their friends,
| were within given time thrown from a
Ineghboing crag and dashed to pieces.
AS Alice musingly saunlered along, she
remembered the injunction given by her
father and the bloody McFergus, and pre-.
pared to retrace her steps; as she turned for
hat purpose, she saw that her path was in-
erceped By three men. One glance was
sufficient 10 discover, in the person Of the
leader, the bloody McFergus, whose wei
Known features were rendered still more
hldeous by the matted and grsly beard
that hung down on his breast AT thi:
discovery Alice would have faller had he
not caught her in his arms. Neither tear,
or promises of great reward could prevail
with him. She was hurried to thickei o.
under wood where McTergus with Alice
N his arms mounted his horse aud rode
rapidly off,
The shades Of the evening were fast de
scendlug, when the earl ordered his daugh
ter to be informed that Lord Rupert an,
himself were prepared to receive her. II
few moments the servant returned; will
ear pictured in his oOun,enance, and in
formed lhe Earl that the lady Alice had Iei
he castle some. hours previous, and bat
not ct returned.
The Earl and Sir Rupert were aIarme,
At this information, as il was The first time
that Alice had ever remained so long from
home. As the darkness increased his anx
ETY. became intense Another hour rollet
by, and Sir Ropert become seriously per
picked. Tine Earl had, until now, beer
gazing on. vacancy, almost afraid TO ex
press what his mind told him was probs
IOle.- Starting to his feet he ordered esct
one OF his reiinue 10 scour the forest viii
i ighled torches thinking she might hav
osl her way, and was now benighted il
he depths Of the forest. The relsiners o
The Earl were ordered 10 search in ons di
reclion whilst The Earl and Sir RNperi an,
his company proceeded in another. A0e
some hours frulless search with heavy
heats, the different parties returned TO III,
castle.
Tho Earl now gave away TO the deep
est grief constantly calling on the name o
his daughter; while Sir Rupert, with a hear
As heavy as his own, endeavored 10 soolht
tim by whispering words Of hope and as
,urance5 for Alice. Thus the night wore
away with heavy hearts to all in the cas-
lle.
Daybreak at last appeared and with i
udings Of he lost Alice, through the wo
man who had accompanied her in her wall
the robbers not having mOlested her, sh,
slorled directly for the castle, after seeing
her mistress dragged forcibIy from her sigh
to convey the mournlul intelligence 10 he
faith er but being excited through fear; sh,
became confused, and osI her way in tht
depth OF the forest, night overlook her& sh,
sought shelter in the hut of mountaineer
Al Ihe frs. peep Of day, with the cottage
lor guide she started forth, and soon arriv
ed in safety at !he castle.
The Fart after listening 20 The rects
Of her story, felt thankful that his dsuel
lei was still alive, but shudderet
when he thought OF The danger b.
which she was surrounded, Howeve
no time was TO be lost in snrmises; 81
Rupert was about arming his follower.
and gsily bade The Earl be Of goo
\ cheer, for he would soon restore hi
daughter 10 her home, and punish IN
= daring freebooter who had so boldl