The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-07-14
MISCELLANEOUS.
A BRIEF STORY.
CAPTURE AND RECAPTURE.
BIZ CAROLINE F. oRsE.

grand old woods. with the light Of warm
September sun shining on the dense masses
Of living green. From branch to branch OF
the spreading live oak. hung fesroons Of the
soft gray moss, garlanding and adjoining the
strong and sturdy branches. like beauty lend
ing grace 10 manhood. The magnolia, tow
ering to The height Of a hundred feet. spread
out Its splendid leaves Of deep and glossy
green, and from its opening crimson cones,
suspended by delicate threading framenis.
hung its coral seeds round as berries.
Among the darker foliage glowed the scarlet
berries Of The dogwuod. like cleaning fire.
Here and there stood cluster ofthe grace
fn palmetto. with its straight tall stem. and
lis dropping fan-like leaves. Gay plumaged
parrots fitted among the branches, and the
knocking bird filled the air with its sweet and
varied and wonderful music. Through all
this richness and magnfcence, and lavish
wealth Of beauty, little party Of travellers
wound their way cautiously onward. In ad
vance ofrhe party was a gentleman about
thirty years Of age. digni6ed and graceful.
with an air Of chivalric courtesy that well
became his noble cOuutenance. He was
mounted on a spirited grey charger. of
form that promised speed and fire, hut he
seemed gentle aud generous. BY the side Of
The gentleman, who, by the nv, was armed
with pistols. and whose sword hung by his
side, from an embroidered belt rode young
aud fair lady on small aud active leunei,
and close behind them was a serving man on
a stout brown horse. bearing behind him q
fine lille boy Of some FIVE summers old,
whose eager gaze now followed the parrots,
with their blue and rec p'umage. now sought
The darling squirrel. or the wild fox squirrel.
as il stole away from sight, and ever and anon
uttering loud ordinations ofdelghr, which
were checked by his attendant.
There was an unusual stiffness aud silence
in this group Of travellers, and an anxious
Look on their countenance, that bespoke some
uncommon motive for depressing the natural
flow OF conversation and remark which is
usual among party. especially when passing
through pleasant places. The gentleman
in advance spoke in the lowest tone, and
kept wary eve about him.
five can only pass mile farther, Mabel.
we may defy our enemies. but there is a
narrow pass beyond, where lies our greatest
danger.
oh my dear Philip said Mabel. in a irem-
bling and distracted voice, what perious
lines are these, when we must pass with
such cEu:ion. " here we have been used 10
ride SO iearlessy Ha. Sylvia! what do
you sect and Mabel siroked the arching
neck Of her jennet whose ears were laid
back on her graceful head.
deer bounded across The open path and
was lost in moment in the ilIicket. aud Il
black vulture rose from a tall hickory tree
aud Tapped its wings over the travellers a. il
sailed away.
Il always shudder when l see tina, bird
Philip said Mabel, gloomiy. Tits TO me
a bird Of evil omen
Nonsense. Mabel; Right a well look for
evil, because yorder timid hare is speeding
across our path
That was considered ominous in ancient
times answered Mabel. family smiling.
My dearest. we should rise above super
siition of old days. Meantime, there is
enough iu reality TO make US thoughtful and
earnest. Our State moi only invaded by, buI
even in possession ola foreign foe; ou.
capitol city completely in their power, our
hopes from the arrival of this Count DIES
taing, at the best precarious. UNIV Use and
impolitic, If not weak and irnbecile. he gave
General Provost all he asked-a DAVIS con-
sideraton-'ere he replied TO the summons TO
surrender. and look at he result! Before
The close of that day. eight hundred men
from Beaufort have reinforced his weakness
and he sends his defiance 10 this unwary
DEstaing, who should not have given him
an hour for consideration
But General Lincoln is surely brave and
WISE
Yes, truly. but nevertheless. in union
with the French Count, fear his wisdom
will not have a fair field. If he had the sole
command, it might be different And then
his forces are hardly adequate to the emer-
gency. Our poor State is strong in heart
but weak in resources. But we are ap-
preaching our most dangerous pass. We
must use caution here, or we may all be ia
ken prisoners
The signal was given 10 halt, and little Ar
| thur having been transferred TO the care OF
another servant. Jacob was sent forward to
reconnoirre. After riding short distance he
dismounted, and fastening his horse. went on
with extreme caution, and car efuIly examined
the 70 I'd before him. Ii was narrow pass
age. through thick growth of woods, be-
yond whichlay an opening and clearer and
wider road, and further beyond some billy
or rising ground. There was no sound, and
nothing TO be seen indicating the appearance
W du cueiny. All was Siiil ana peaceluI.
His eye could not penetrate the thickets on
either side. but yet il was not improbable
that an enemy would lie in wait for Them
Having completed his sufve, he returned
with care and caution.
The little group anxiously awaited his re-
turn. while Philip Arundel gave his insn uc-
tons as 10 heir proceeding.
What news, Jacob Is all clear!'
i havo seen nothing. master. and all looks
fair, but in the fairest sky rises the blackesr
cloud. The thicket is close. and many
might find covert there. Nevertheless,
heard no one.'
! BE il as it will. there lies our way. and
We must on. You, Jacob, take the rear.
will lead. Mabel. dearest, keep close by Ar
thur. Marion, come TO the side Of your mis-
rress. Silencs all. and keep steady rein.
| Onward
The little party rode on in perfect stiffness;
even Arthur was silent. oppressed by the evil
dent anxiety of those around him. The
tread Of the horses hoofs was hardly heard.
the turf was so soft and smooth. No sound
but The harsh cry Of the parrots bfoke on the
ear. As Arundel emerged from the thicket'