The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-01-14
BY VIM. & NJ. OSMAN

rider, and dragged him TO the ground. lie
fell heavily upon his face, aud for several
minutes remained senseless.
The stranger seized the leather bag which
contained the mail to the north, and fling
ing it OH his shoulders, rushed across the
heath.
Early on the following morning, the in
habitants Of Berwick were seen hurrying il,
groups to the spot where the robbery had
been committed, and letters were scattered
IN every direction over the moor, but no trace
of the robber could be obtained.
Three days had yet passed, and Sir John
Cochrane had lived. The mail which con-
tanned his death warrant had been robbed,
and before another order for his execution
could be given, the intercession of his father
the Earl Of Donald, with the kings comics.
SCR, might be successful.
Grizelle now became his constant COM
panion in prison, and spoke to him words Of
comfort. Nearly fourteen days had passed
since the robbery Of the mail had been COM
mitted, and prolracted hope in the prisoner
became more bitter than the first despair.
But even that hope, bitter as it was, per-
ished. The intercession Of his father had
been unsuccessful, and the second time the
bigoted, naughty monarch had signed the
warrant of his death, and in little more than
day, that warrant would reach his prison.
"The will Of heaven be done % groaned
the captive.
"Amenw responded Grizelle, with wild
vehemcnce; "but yet my father shall not
de-"
Again the rider had reached the moor of
Tweedmouth, and the second time he bore
with him the doom Of Sir John Cochrane.
lie Spurred his horse TO the utmost speed
he looked before, behind, and around him,
and in the right hand he held pistol, ready
to defend himself. The moon shed a ghast-
ly light across the heath which was only
sufficient TO render desolatiOn dmly visible.
and 1t gave spiritual embodiment to every
shrub. He was turning an angle of strar-
Cling copse, when his horse reared al the
report of pistol, the fire of which seemed
TO flash in its very eyes. At the same mo.
ment his own pistol flashed, and his horse
rearing violently lie was thrown from his
saddle. In moment the foot of the robber
was on his breast, who, bending over him.
and brandshing short dagger in his hand,
said
Give me thy arms, or die !"
The heart of the kings servant failed
within him, and without venturing a reply,
he did as he was commanded.
"Now gothy way,' said the robber. stern
ly; shut leave the horse with me. and
leave thy mail, les, worse thing come up.
on thee
The man arose aud proceeded towards
Berwick, trembling; and the robber, mount.
ing the horse which he had left, rode rapid
ly over the heath.
Preparations were making for the execu.
tiou of Sir John Cochrano, aud tho officers
OF the law waiting only for the arrival of the
mail and the second death warrant 70 lead
him forth to the scaiiold, when the tidings
arrived that the mail had again been robbed.
Fourteen days the life of the prisoner wosld
yet be prolonged; he again fell upon the
neck of his daughter, and said
at is said the hand of Heaven is in this"
"Said not" replied the maiden, and for
the first time she wept aloud, "that my faith
er should not die 2"
The fourteen days had not passed. when
tho prison door flew open, and the Earl Of
Donald rushed to the arms Of his son. His
wththe confessor had been sue
cessiul, and after twice signing the death
warrant for the execution of Sir John, the
king had sealed his pardon.
lie had hurried with his father from the
prison TO his own house, his family were
cnging around him, shedding tears of 10y;
but Grizelle, who during the imprisonment,
had suffered more than them all was absent.
They were marvelling with gratitude ut the
mysterious Providence, that had twice inter-
cepted the mail and saved his life, when n
stranger craved an audience. Sir John de-
sired him TO be admitted, the robber entered;
ne was habited as we have before described,
with the coarse cloak ierkn; but his bear
ing was above his condition. On entering,
nc slightly touched his beaver, but remained
covered.
"When you have perused these" said he,
aking two papers from his bosom, "cast
hem into the fire."
Sir John glanced at demonstrated, and
became pale-they were his own death war.
rants!
"My deliverer," he exclaimed, show
shall thank thee; how repay the saver of
my life? My father, my children, thank
him for me-"
The Earl grasped the hand of the stran-
ger, the children embraced his knees. lie
pressed his hands to his face and burst into
ears.
"By what name," eagerly inquired Sir
John, "shall thank my deliverer?"
The stranger wept aloud, and raising his
beaver, the raven tresses of Grizelle Cocl-
-ane fell on the coarse cloak.
"GraciouS heavens ~ exclaimed the as
onished and enraptured father, "my own
saviour-my own GrzelleI"
1t is unnecessary to add more. The i'm
lgination of the reader can supply the rest.
md we may add that Grizelle Cochranc,
whose heroiSm and noble affection we have
'rieily and impcrcc;ly skctchod, was the
grandmother to Coutts, the celebrated ban
,cr.
The Charter Oak.-Of this tree, so ia.