Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-04-21
Walworth. April, 1916.
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From the Ladies National Mage zine.
THE LAND PIRATE.
BY JAMES II. DANA.


During the war Of the Revolution, the
district OF country living between the Amer.
lean dimes on the Hudson and British out
posts above New York, and called familiar
y the neutral ground, was infested by set
OF wretches, known as cowboys, skinners
and land pirates, who preyed at will on the
wings A party of them long carried on
their outrages unchecked in close vicinity
of the British lines, under a leader of un.
doubtable courage, who had once been a
coIonlst of some estate, bnt having squan-
dered it in riotous living, had taken to his
present irregular life on the breaking out of
the troubles.
Accounts of his atrocities had long before
found their way TO the American lines; and
the evil became at length so great that it
was determined, at any cost to extirpate his
company. But this was found easier TO
TO threaten than achieve. Keeping close
10 his secret haunts, or moving with aston
ishiDg CELEBRITY across the country it was I'M
possible TO discover or overtake Harding,
for this was the name OF this miscreant
bore.
A young officer at length volunteered
TO enter Harding's company as spy, in
order 10 obtain such information as would
lead TO his being entrapped. Lieutenant
Vaughan knew that his life hung on tn cad
in such difficult mission; for would be in
slant death; but he was bold and full of re-
sources; bes des, he had personal nteres,
in the destruction Of the land pirates. His
heart had long been in possession of Emily
Headley, the only daughter Of wealthy
farmer, was suspected ola leaning towards
the American cause; and the anxious heart
of the lover being TO fear that Harding, at
tracted by the wealth of the father o. the
beauty Of the daughter, might sooner or la.
ter make Hesdley's farm the scene of one
his lawless atrocities.
Ii was dark and stormy night on which
Vaughan disguised as deserter found his
way 10 low tavern near the Hudson, where
the land> pirates were known some
times TO harbor. With great difficulty, and
not without exciting some suspicion, he was
enrolled as one of their number; but his
story was so well concocted that all doubt,
after while, was removed. Oae morning
a comrade approached him.
"You are 10 accompany us, for the first
time, to-night," he said. ''The captain has
resolved TO attack old Headey, who you may
have heard, lives up among The hills, and is
almost as rich as an English lord. They
say, 100, be has pretty daughter, but of
that know nothing, though. if he has |
will venture TO say the captain will not for
get her,"
Vaughan could scarcely conceal bis agi-
taton during these words. The blow which
he bad long feared, was almost TO fall, and
he neither had the time TO warn his friends,
nor the power 10 avert the catartrophe. -
Wha. could he do! HIS first though, was
10 desert and hasten TO Headley' farm. but
he knew he was watched closely, and that
this could not be effected.
La few minutes, however, Vaughan
managed TO steal away fom his comrade,
and sauntered INTO The inn, for they were
then at another low taveTn, similar 10 the
one where he had first joined the freebooi-
ers. The bar-maid was there alone; the
words in which she spoke surprised hun.
.sAnd so. Captain Harding is going 10 at
rack old Mr.. Headley's house, to night
she said petiishlv-''i can tell him il will
come 10 no good Mr.. Headley has done him
or the king no harm; but ms the daughter,