The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-04-25
"Ilow many were theyp demanded Alb

lard gazed with dlspalring look OIL the little
party before him.
Boys" said Abbott. in firm tone, "who
of you will go with mt? For myself, will
rescue her or die in the attempt!' 81"
was The res, c'.sc every member Of the little
band as they caught the daring spirit of
Abbott.
"Then lead ON. old man. and ere The sun
sets YOUR child shall be restored 10 your
arms"
The Spaniard needed M second bidding,
but wheeling his snortng charger, he buried
his spurs in his Aanks. and the gallant stccd
bore m swiftly onward. Over the Cross
road leading San Antonio they flew. on their
errand Of mercy. Down the giant cause
way of An,on,o, and over the fatal bridge of
Churubusro they went, and The spires of
San Augustine eh:crcd in the distance; but
no foe was To l,e seen, The old man rode
before, his gray locks streaming in The wind.
and his dark eye fixed with an Gag ge glance
before him, scanning the wide plain and the
rock m and sides nf The Cuutreras. Sudden.
" raising his long bony arm, he pointed far
on before him To where tho road assembled
the n,,utain height Of Cbulacino. and Shut.
cd
"Thcrc they are. Forwar forward"
A suppressed yell burst from twenty lips,
aud as many hands sought their sabre hlllS,
and lonscncd the shining blades in their
scabbartiS whh stern resolve rested upon
| the flushed and heated brow OF each. A.
cross The outskirts of San Augustine, and
own Ly the placid lake of Chnooo they
| speed. and The next moment they were
| oun,ins The rugged heights OF Chnlaclno.
On the top they pause. and down in the veil
beyond. not over halt Il u,iic of, they dis
c.vcr the robbers rdlCg slowly along. uncon-
sci,n,s of pursuit.
| Fall back, Ricardo, and leave the work
To us" said Abbott, addressing the Span
lard.
"Nrvcrr bur I from the pad lips of the
father.
"Bur you arc unused tn scenes of strife;
you mic int fall. and then What would become
nf Your daughicr!"
No more" snid The nhl man. "if a pa
rent strikes n f"r his child, who wilt"
The enemy now discovered The approach
nf the little party, and began TO hasten their
Seetl: hui as lnc ,arue horses off, Amtri.
cans rapidIy ou,s,rippcd tho mustangs, it DC.
came evident that few minutes would end
The race. Finding the escape impossible.
the rueriIlas wheeled about. and hastily
f,rmlnr line. came laundering on To meet
them.
.Nnw boys, I.t them have a ssod vollcy
from the rifles, and then throw them down
aud trust To the sabre and pistol FIR the VIC
tory. Forward, and God defend the right"
A dcafcning veil hurst from The little
band as Abbmt concluded, and unsIinging
their rifles, they poured in a murdcruus fire
as they closed with the enemy which brought
many a s,alwa, foe to the earth. and, draw.
iny the sIiltcring blade fought for victory or
death. Terrible, indeed, was that bloody
encoun,cr. but it was not of long duration.
A dozen of the guerlas sank hcfnre the frs,
fatal fire and as they closed in hand to hand
struggle, the tall stecds the Americans tram
p!ed down the Iiuh,cr mes of The the Ecmen
and the deadly Revolver took with powerful
etIcc, mon the cowarllv robbers. One a(
Ter auoih,r they fled Culn the field, and ere
half an hour hal passed. the rcmnan, of the
small band remained its masters. Ten had
fallen in tie strife, and lay commingIed with
the bones Of forty bandits upon the CORY sud,
But where was Rcard"! KuccIus bcs dc
yon rock. with ii is pale and haggard face
upturned to heaven, with the blood oozng
from deep wound III his breast, he is bend.
ING over The fe!ess form of his daughter.
From bullet hole in her SNOWY white fore
head the tide Of lie has chbcd away, and
her lovely locks are dal,hled in her own hfe's
blood now mingled with that of her ialhcr.
Standing beside him, with his foo, resting
upon the body of Fcntcil. The guerilla chief,