The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-05-28

that lady tremble, alone and unprotected in the
deep, dark wood, yet in tones well belieing her
fears, she unfal lteringly bade them aside, and
give passage to herself and the pale, timid child
she lead by the hand.
we mean mott harm or frighten you, madam
said one of the men, lifting his goatskin cap,
and stepping aside, we seek at your hands
shelter and food. For three days we have lain
concealed in these woods, not daring to ven.
ture forth even to satisfy the cravings of hun
ger. We are neither thieves nor murderers-
slight offences may be in these signal times of
despotism and injustice-but men hunted down
like wild beasts in the cause of civil and relig-
ious freedom. 1t is for our lives we implore
your aid"
"Yea, for our lives-that we may be spared
to trample the sons of Belial under our feet,
and smite, and slay, and destroy the arch tools
of oppression p interrupted the other with vio-
lent gesticulations and thou, woman, art the
chosen vessel of the Lord to shield his servants
from the man of blood against that dreadful
day of retributionr'
81 ask not to know why you are thus thrown
within peril of your lives answered the lady
Alice, it is enough for me that you are fellow
beings in distress and as such must claim my
sympathy, and the shelter of my roof God
forbid the doors of Alice Lisle should be closed
against misfortune. Follow me, then, friends,
and such food as my house affords, and such
security as the walls can give, may the Lord
bless unto you"
Confident in the attachment and fidelity Of
her domestics, the Lady Alice, in few words,
made known to them that the lives of these un-
fortunate men were in jeopardy, and that they
sought from her kindness, safety and conceal
ment, and sharing in the benevolence of their
mistress, each one of that well tried household
regarded the fugitves with generous sympathy.
An excellent supper, such as their furnishing
natures required, and bottle Of old wine, was
soon placed before the weary men. They were
then conducted by Lady Alice, herselfto room
on the ground floor.
"Observe, she said, this oxen pannel-press
your finger thus; door opens, leading into a
secret passage, connected with the vaults of the
chapel, where, in case of emergency, you will
be perfectly secure from. search. Sleep, then,
my friends, in peace one Of my most faithful
servants will this night keep watch, and upon
the least alarm, you will be notified in time to
avail yourselves of the way of escape have
pointed out"
As she bade them goodnight, one of the
men, scizing the hem of her mantle, carried it
to his lips with grace not uniting the pres
ence of queen, while in a chanting oratory of
the day, his companion devotedlY prayed the
Most High to bless the woman, through whose
assistance vengeance was yet to be heaped on
the heads of the scorner, and those who now
sat in high places to be brought low.
And thus fortified and encouraged by the as
surance of their noble benefactress, The fugi
tives took heart, aud throwing themselves upon
the bed, were soon soundly sleeping,
Not so the Lady Alice True, these men
had not revealed their names, neither had she
sought to discover who they were, or for what
crime they were driven to their present strait
yet they had fled the wrath of the cruel minded
Jeffreys she felt persuaded, and fearful that
with his myrmidons he might be close on the
track of these unhappy mon, she too sat watch.
ing all the night, or pacing with light football
the long galleries, ever and anon stepping out
upon the balcony and listening to every sound,
her fears magnifying the whispers of the wind
stealing through the brunches of the old trees,
into the suppressed murmurs of an armed force.
All, however, remained quiet Just as the day
began to dawn, she threw herself upon her
couch-not meaning to sleep. But, overcome
with the fatigue of her lonely night.watch, and
lulled perhaps by the security which almost al.
ways comes to the watcher with tho dawn OF
day, she soon unconsciously sunk into deep
sleep from which, alas she was but too rudely
aroused; for even in that brief half hour when
tired nature claimed its own, the wiley Jeftreys
had surrounded the house with his no less bru-
tai soldiers.
"Come, come, madam, bestir yourself-you
are wanted cried the leader, seizng the Lady
Alice by the shoulder, and rudely shaking her,
"methinks you sleep well this morning long
watching makes sound slumber, ell! Come, up
with you, woman, and tell US what corner Of
this rebels nest you have slowed away the Pres
byterian knave and his worthy friend {"
In moment the lady was fully awake, and
and comprehended at once her perilous sitaa.
ton. But her selfposscsson did not forsake
her. and breathing an inward prayer for the
safety of the two unhappy mea so closely pur-
sued, she said, as she drew herself proudly up ::
"What means this unmannerly intrusions-
Off. sir! ! unhanded me, or your audacty shall
be punished as it deserves"
"Ho.ho, my brave wench, words are cheap!
YOU will find proofs not so easy! "know, mis-