The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-05-26
VOL s. Whole No. 4O8. No. IA.


"WhRi want yOu-what would YOU have, sir
why do you seek lonely house like this at such an
hour" asked the girl with flashing eyes.
The abashed Refugee had by this time recovered
his confidence, aud with an easy air he whislled L.
loud, and then answered the girl.
"Not so fast mistress, not fast-we are here
AFTER your good man, my dear, and though you have
been married only a fortnight, so, we must settle
our account with him. have signalled my men.
and you see they coming We must search your
house-come on, boys" and with these Svords the
renegade accompanied by three rough looking men,
who bad just come up in answer TO his call, pa ssed
into the house. The young wife-for such she was
-gazed after Ihom, and lifting her hands on high,
murnured thanksgiving that her husband had NOT
yet come.
In about quarter of an hour the men returned.
and swearing loudly at their i'll. success began to
search among The few out-houses for the muster Of
the place. But their efforts were in vain. The Young
wife mean while though betraying 10 sign Of fear
stood there, scarce knowing whether the enraged
rnfians would not the next moment, take her life
"By--, this is too bad, said the leader, aliet
their unsuccessful search; ''he will certainly be here
some time to nsht-et us wait for tho rnscnlly reb-
ell, and shoot him down on his Threshold
The brutal proposition Just suited his desperate
followers, and taking up their quarters within thew
ordered the young wife 10 prepare them some supper
Though loathing the sight Of her tormentors, and
trembling n'omentariy lest her husband should ar.
rive, she was forced to obey their commands She
conriyed, however, always TO keep in sight OF the
uooI, 50 as 10 OBTAIN Il view OF hef husband
as lie merged from the woods, determining 10 warn
him at once TO flee, though she herself svoud risk her
own life BY the generous act
Suddenly she dared toward the door, for her keea
eye had detected the one so long looked GRAND wav-
ing her hand, shouted,
ly--hy-R;chard-Ay
"What the - does the jade mean." angrily ek-
claimed the leader Of tho refugees rushing after har.
anu lifting ms piece, he continued, ''come on, or you
are dead man.
For m instant the hnsb ,,ausal IIa ,,,.,
glance the situation OF affairs, and though it was se-
ony to leave his wife in such hands, he knew il
would be certain death for him 20 approach the
house. Ills firm whig principles had made the reFu-
gees and tories his political ioes and he knew TINT
more than once "Black Davy'' had sworn TO take a.
way his life. His only hope, therefore. was, in n
Precpitate retreat. That personal injury would
he offered TO his wife, he felt almost certain for deeds
oftha character had never yet been attributed to the
leader Of the refugees These rapid thoughts caused
a momeniary delay. which had well nigh proved his
ruin. The rsfpgee captain had already raised hia
piece, and WHEN he saw the husband turn TO fee lie
fired But the selidevoted wife, that very instant
sprang forward and struck up the musket at the per-
il of her life. The ball whzzed harmlessy over her
husbands head, and in another moment ne Svns lost
in the surrounding forest. The ruian turned with the
scowl OF a demon on his face and lifting his heavy
piece in the air struck down the heroic wife, She
fell senseless and bleeding to the earth. The refu-
gee Gazed on her moment, and then with curse
called his men to follow him in pursuit of the flying
husband.
An hour after the husband returned having thrown
his pursners at fault. Language cannot describe his
emotions on bcholdng tho condition of his WIFE A
neiehhor CHANGING to pass, apparently ten min
utes after the refugees had departed discovered her
sensecss on the ground She was now Scarcely re-
vved aid could with difficulty speak. Yet she
strove to SMILE and fnnty extended her hand 10 her
husband. calling him in those fond tones which only
wife may
'By all that is holy, exclaimed the agonised man.
as he rushed from her bedside, 81 will avenge this
on that renegade, or die in tho attempt. But Ellen
must not know Of it. will wait until she is asleep
and then depart on my errund. God will (aVor Tho
right
The stars few and faint that night las the bold
farmer, extorng from the kind neighbor promise Of
secrecy stole out into the air, armed with his trusty
piece, aud after looking moment at the sky above,
struck rapidly across the forest. In less than nm
hour he had visited two farm houses and obtained
three neghbors to aid him in his design. Striking
right into the heart of the forest they pushed for
several hours without any apparent fatigue and amos,
in silence. At length they came to n halt.
"Ther haunt is somewhere about here" said the
husband, 81 heard il by chance from one of their
gang, who mstook me for Bill Ritchings, who, sou
know, was supposed TO have objection 20 their
WAYS. shouldn't he surprised, if the knowles OF
my possessing this information has led to the attack
to night
clark" said one of The band, ado YOU not hear a
tread coming through the woods -
eft Is-it is-we have found them--lie close now,
md wait till they come up"
The group instantly reapsrd into silence, and each
,f them taking up position behind huge tree or
ome fallen trunk in the swamp, waited breathlessly
or the approach Of II G corners, whose tread misli
low be heard, growing and more distinct as
hey approached Directly voices recognized
in careless tone, then loud laugh rang
cross the night, and after momentary silence, one
# the approaching band hurst into a song
Snow is our time, whispered the husband TO
# his companions stake the right hand man, and eavs
he leader TO me-ready- fire.
The report Of tho rifles rung sharply through tho
yoods and three OF the refugees leapng into the air
ell dead upon the ground The piece OF the hus.
and flashed in the pan but did not go off. The cap
ain of tho renegades unframed. Springng
ack n few steps from the covert where his assai!s
nts lay concealed, he shouted,
1--WE are bctrayed--we must run for Tiny boys''
nd before the enraged pursuers could well UNDER
and his intention, he had turned and fed, followed
y those OF his band who still remained behind u
as time, however, for hesitation. The bsfflpd
usband the first 10 dash from his covert, and
thout p u ing to whether the fallen men were
cad or not, he Numbered,
"Forward- forward-purs them TO the deaihn
As he spoke, lie dashed off in pursuit. His com.
lnions hesitated but moment and then followed
is example Three Of the refugees had escaped, but