Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-09
The Land Pirate.
A STORY OF THE REVOLUTION.
BY JAMES H. DANA.

During the war ofthe Revolution, the district
of country lying between the American lines on
the Hudson, and the British out-posts above
New-York, called Familiarity the neutral ground
was infested by set of wretches, known as
COWBOYS, SINNERS, and land pirates, who prey
ed at will on the patriots. A party of them long
carried on their outrages unchecked, in close
vicinity to the British lines; leader of courage
who had once been colonist of some estate,
but having squandered it in riotous living, had
taken to his present irregular life on the break
ing out of 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 de-
termined at any cost to extlrpate his company.
But this was found easier to threaten than to
achieve. Keeping close to his secret haunts,
or moving with astonishing calerity across tue
country,it was Impossible to discover or overtake
Harding, for such was the name the miscreant
bore.
young officer at length volunteered to en-
ter Harding company as spy, in order to OBJ
tain such information as would lead to his de-
Observation-Disclosures he knew his life hung
on thread, in such difficult mission; for dis
covery would be instant death; besides, he had
a personal interest in the destruction of land pi-
rates. His heart had been in possession of En-
q
mer, who, though hitherto a neutral, was sus-
pected of leaning towards the American cause,
and the anxious heart of the lover began to lear
that Harding attracted By the wealth of the ia
Their, or by the beauty of the daughter, might
sooner or later, make Headlv's farm the scene Of
his lawless atrocities.
1t was on dark and stormy night on which
Vaughan, disguised as a deserted, found his
way to low tavern near the Hudson. where
the land pirates were known sometimes to har-
Dor. With great difficulty, and not without ex-
citing some suspicion, he was enrolled as one
of their number; but his story was we'll con-
nected, that all doubt after while was remov-
ed. One morning, companion approached
him.
''You are to accompany us, for the first time,
tonight" said he. 1.-THE captain has resolved
to attack old Headly, who, you must have heard
lives up among the hills, and is almost as rich
as an English lord. They say, too, that he has
pretty daughter, but of that | know nothing,
tho if he has, I'll venture to say the captain
will not forget her,"
Vaughn hardly could conceal his agitation
during these words. The blow which be long
feared was about to fall, and he had neither time
to warn his friends or avert the catastrophe
What could he do! His first thought was to de-
sert, and hasten to Headly's farm, but he knew
he was watched SO Closely and that this could
not be effected.
In a few minutes Vaughan managed to steal
away from his comrade, and sauntered into the
inn; for they were at another low tavern similar
to the one where be had first joined the free
hooters. The bar-maid was there alone; the
words which she spoke surprised him.
Sand so Captain Harding is going to attack
old Mr.. Headly's house, tonight she said pet
tishly. III can tell him it will come to no good.
Mr.. Headly has done him or the king no harm;
but the daughter, and not the father, Har-
ding is after. She refused him once, when he
was gentleman, and now he's determined to
have her on his own terms the villain
At this confirmation of his worst fears.-
Vaughan could not Withhold uttering curse
The girl looked up. He saw that Indignation
had betrayed him, and his eye quailed beneath
her searching glance. But he was relieved by
what followed.
"Lieutenant Vaughan" said the girl bending
over and whispering in his ear, ssyou have moth
ing to fear was broughtup near your faith
er's, and saw you many day: my parents far
med the little place at the foot of the hill. Do
you know me now! am Kitty Gray"
The recognition was mutual. But the pleas
ure derived from it was alloyed to Vaughan by
what he now heard of Harding's Intentions
Kitty. it seems, had listened, pretending to be
sleep in the bar, while the leader had divul-
ged to two of his confidential followers, the eve
ming before, his purpose in taking the Heady
farm, and it appeared he boarded up his old re-
lection, and had now resolved to ayenge himself
by carrying off tho daughter of the old man by
force. The blood of Vaughan ran cold at the
narration. Fortunately, Kitty was disposed 10