Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-05-31

steed, he dashed rapidly from the spot.
followed by the hunter, after taking one
lingering look at the scene Of ruin he
left behind him.
The beams Of the morning sun gilded
the tree tops and glanced rapidly from
hill to hill. Captain Ellerslie and his par
ty issued from the black forest, and enter
ed upon the more open country around
it. In the center of the group rode the
prisoners, and the ey of the officer of
ten rested with gloating admiration upon
the fair features of defenceless Marian,
as she silently and with down cast eyes,
rode along with sturdy trooper on each
side, to prevent any sudden resolution
she might form to escape. The live
long night the party has travelled on with
unwearied vigilance and now that the ter
rors of the forest, known as the of .Ma-
rion and his men," were passed, the
Captain resolved to halt and procure
refreshments; and from the ardent glances
so often cast upon her, Marian was led
to believe he meditated some act of vio-
lence towards her, and secretly resolved,
if an opportunity presented, to escape.
The party halted before the gate Of a
large tory farmhouse, and one of the men
dismoun,ed. threw il open, and the caval-
cade entered one after another the inclo-
sure, the space not being wide enough to
admit of more than one going at time.
Their long ride had so wearied the men
that they hurried in as fast as possible;
checking the impatience of her horse,
Marian remained outside until all but her
two guards had passed in. One of these
then advanced before her, bidding the
other TO remain behind her, but as he
left her side. quick as thought she turned
the head Of her steed, and applying her
whip to the fianks Of the spirited animal
she sprang rapidly off in the direction of
the black forest. A deep curse broke
from the lips of the remaining guard as
he wheeled his steed to follow her, and
/ it drew the attention of those inside,
among whom was Elerslie.
"Monnt, men, and after her--a thous-
and dollars TO the one who secures her
alive!' he shouted in frenzied tones of
madness, as he hastily mounted his own
horse to pursue.
$50 it, Marian! God bless you for a
noble girl! place the forest trees of yon
wood around you, and jill defy the viii
lians TO find you again. On, on, girl -
There is hope before, but worse than
death behind" and tears of heartfelt Joy
poured over the checks of Hunter, as he
gazed upon the exciting scene.
"'rake that old grey headed dog to the
nearest tree, and hang him upon the first
limb,' wrathfully cried Ellerslie, as he
spurred his horse through the gate and
urged him forward in swift pursuit.
Half dozen men sl,rang forward to
obey, and the old man was soon released
from his horse, but SO long had his limbs
been confined in one position, that he was
unable to walk; and his cap;ors, brutally
seizing the grey hair of his head, drag
ged him forward to an oak tree which
grew in the yard, and, procuring rope
| prepared TO carry into execution the last
diabolical order of the blood-thirsty FL
lerslie.
4 In the meantime, the s,eed which bore
the flying Marian, swept rapidly on
ward for the forest, and soon distanced
all save the one upon which was mount
ed Ellerslie himself. and she soon saw
that the speed of his horse was such that
she must inevitably be oyertaken, yet
she piled the whip, and they few like
the wind towards the gloomy woods that
loomed up before them. But a hundred
i yards intervened when, with demoniac
laugh, he dashed up beside her, and sei-
| zing hold Of her bride rein. checked by
a powerful effort the gait OF her horse;
and by the time they had reached the
/ edge of the Black Forest both riders
had come TO halt, and throwing his left
hand around her he attempted TO draw
her to him. The excitement Of the flight
had broughtth the warm blood to her cheek,
but the insult he offered her sent il rush
ing back again, and for moment she
become pale as marble; then recovering
herself she sent one wild, hearlrending
Shrek through the surrounding wood.
and vainly endeavored to shake Of his
hold.
But the cry Of dispair which then
went from the lips of injured Innocence
was heared by ears that thrilled with
pangs Of mortal agony, as it vibrated up
lon his senses, as OF person tearing
himself from his executioners. Hunter
: essayed to mount the wall and fly te
the rescue Of his daughter. But ht
was rudely held back by arms of iron
and his plead ings fell as upon hearts o
marble until throwing himself upon tho
earth. the old man groaned in anguish
and heaped maledictions upon the des
: troyers Of happiness and innocence.
But another besides her father heart
that fearful shrek, as it went echoin,
along the forests; and oh! tie thrill o
horror that took possession Of him as h,
heard and recognized the voice Of hi.
betrothal in that last scream of dispair
The foam flew in drops from the bit 0
!; Selim, and as if conscious of the urgen
Icy of the occasion, lie few rather thar
: ran through the wood until both he an,
- - n !.